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From: Arno Wagner on 29 Mar 2008 08:24
Previously [AWE] Mia Liau / bjam <ben.noblet(a)gmail.com> wrote:
> I have the exact same problem. Of 4 drives, 1 drive actually failed
> degrading the array, and 1 other momentarily went offline causing the
> array to fail. All I want is to tell the controller to consider that
> the one that went offline momentarily is actually fine!

> This is the second time in two seperate systems that this has happened
> to me with an Adaptec SATA RAID5 array, so I am doubting the wise-ness
> of RAID5 on SATA. It will certainly be the last one I configure one.

> Does anyone have an actual process for recovery?

> Can the OP update us on his progress?

The best way is to force some compatible controller to
accept the 4-dosk array. (Incidentially, Linux software
RAID has an option for just this: Do a forced array
assembly in read-only mode.) If you cannot convince the
original controller to do this, a software controller
may help. This is available in the form of RAID recovery
software and, potentially, as Linux software driver for
FakeRAID controller created arrays. (The name is dmraid,
if I remember correctly.)

BTW, you can still make backups of the 4 disks, they
just need to be sector-wise image backups.

Arno
From: Odie Ferrous on 29 Mar 2008 16:30
Martin Goldmann wrote:
>
> Hi!
>
> I have an Adaptec 2410SA controller with four 160GB drives configured in a
> RAID5 array for a total capacity 480GB.
>
> The array contains a lot of very important data, which I can't bear to
> loose. A lot of homemade Cubase music, pictures of my kids growing up, home
> video...
>
> The other day, one of the drives began making a unhealthy clicking noise.
> Since I didn't have a spare disk at hand, I ordered a new one online.
> Unfortunately, before the the new drive arrived, something strange happened.
> For some reason, one of the remaining drives went offline, and the
> controller will not recognize the array any longer.
> I have since found out, that the first drive failed because of a loose
> connection in the SATA power connector. Since the drive also has a legacy
> 4-pin molex connector, I now have the drive up and running again. However,
> the Adaptec controller still lists the drive as failed (SMART error), and
> says that the array has two missing members.
>
> I am pretty sure that at least three of the four drives are working
> properly, but that the controller will not 'give them a try'.
> I can't find any options in the controller BIOS or the Adaptec Storage
> Manager software which will retest the drives or try and remount the array.
>
> I have (finally!) gained access to the Command Line Interface, but being a
> novice, I'm afraid I will do something wrong and permanently erase all array
> data.
>
> I'm hoping that someone here are more familiar with the Adaptec CLI, or know
> of some other way of rescuing the data. I have plenty of storage space on
> another computer to backup the recovered data to
> Product documentation on the controller can be found here:
> http://www.adaptec.com/en-US/support/raid/sata/AAR-2410SA/
>
> Also, please no comments on the importance of doing regular backups. I'm in
> tears already!
>
> Martin Goldmann,
> Denmark

Martin,


I'm just over the water in the UK. I could help you - or you could
likely find someone local.

If your data is that important, get it done professionally. It's very
easy to make things worse by experimentation.


Duncan
--
Retrodata
www.retrodata.co.uk
Globally Local Data Recovery Experts
From: Arno Wagner on 29 Mar 2008 19:38
Previously Odie Ferrous <odie_ferrous(a)hotmail.com> wrote:
> Martin Goldmann wrote:
>>
>> Hi!
>>
>> I have an Adaptec 2410SA controller with four 160GB drives configured in a
>> RAID5 array for a total capacity 480GB.
>>
>> The array contains a lot of very important data, which I can't bear to
>> loose. A lot of homemade Cubase music, pictures of my kids growing up, home
>> video...
>>
>> The other day, one of the drives began making a unhealthy clicking noise.
>> Since I didn't have a spare disk at hand, I ordered a new one online.
>> Unfortunately, before the the new drive arrived, something strange happened.
>> For some reason, one of the remaining drives went offline, and the
>> controller will not recognize the array any longer.
>> I have since found out, that the first drive failed because of a loose
>> connection in the SATA power connector. Since the drive also has a legacy
>> 4-pin molex connector, I now have the drive up and running again. However,
>> the Adaptec controller still lists the drive as failed (SMART error), and
>> says that the array has two missing members.
>>
>> I am pretty sure that at least three of the four drives are working
>> properly, but that the controller will not 'give them a try'.
>> I can't find any options in the controller BIOS or the Adaptec Storage
>> Manager software which will retest the drives or try and remount the array.
>>
>> I have (finally!) gained access to the Command Line Interface, but being a
>> novice, I'm afraid I will do something wrong and permanently erase all array
>> data.
>>
>> I'm hoping that someone here are more familiar with the Adaptec CLI, or know
>> of some other way of rescuing the data. I have plenty of storage space on
>> another computer to backup the recovered data to
>> Product documentation on the controller can be found here:
>> http://www.adaptec.com/en-US/support/raid/sata/AAR-2410SA/
>>
>> Also, please no comments on the importance of doing regular backups. I'm in
>> tears already!
>>
>> Martin Goldmann,
>> Denmark

> Martin,


> I'm just over the water in the UK. I could help you - or you could
> likely find someone local.

> If your data is that important, get it done professionally. It's very
> easy to make things worse by experimentation.

I second that. Don't experiment unless you have a complete
backup of the originals and you are sure that the backup is
good. This does require specific experience. It may indeed be
easier to have this done professionally, since professionals
will have the equipment, the tools and the experience.

Arno
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