flambot

About to buy my first 1tb drive - been using 750gb WD AAKS range (and SG500's), but the new WD is not this some range so aren't exactly rushing out to grab one yet - especially as the spin speed varies if I read the literature correctly - and I have to replace the parity drive, so wanted something that is not challenged (not sure it will be tho). I like the idea of only 4w at spin down. Let us know if there is any feedback. - thx again.

Hey thx for this post. As a keen XBMC user I've been checking into the linux side of XBMC occasionally - looking for an opportunity to do exactly what you have done (tho via a VPC). Haven't got there yet, but it's coming sometime soon. I have heard that the linux port is coming along very nicely. I'm a complete linux noob - don't even have HD in the house yet - but I realise in time the xbox (maybe even now) has seen it's day. Thx again.

Now that looks like a cool idea. Wonder when one will be available in NZ?

Sorry it's taken a couple of days to get back to this post. So what you're saying is that WOL will wake up the machine from fully powered down (compared to just waking up from standby with unRAID already running) - so unRAID would have to run up through its start cycle, which I could live with as a short term solution (a long term one is that Tom programs an S3 mode into unRAID). Not sure if XBMC could run a magic packet, but another thing my ASUS MB can do is start from a keyboard spacebar action. This could be triggered by a relay perhaps to do the same thing. Obviously, some further sussing will be required on my part. As an after-thought...it would seem a lot of users here (based on my memory only from reading heaps of posts) run their servers 24/7. Are there any statistics (or user input) as to the longevity/reliability of unRAID running 24/7 compared to switching it on and off?

I didn't think unRAID did WOL? This is a feature I've been waiting for - so am I right in thinking this is possible (With the right MB?). I'm running an ASUS MB, accessed via XBMC. How would this work? I guess it requires a script for both wakeup and shut down? Would be really keen to get this working. Help always appreciated.

Is this step something that has to be done separately from the addition to the go script? OR is the go script addition all that is required? Clear as mud I hope You could add the lines to the end of the "go" script AND then reboot the unRaid server so they are then run. OR you could add the lines to the end of the "go" script so they will execute each time you reboot, but not reboot at this time. If you do not reboot to run the commands in the newly added loop in the "go" script, then you need to run the blockdev command individually on each drive, either one at a time,as we've shown in these tests, or by putting those same 5 lines from my original post in a different file, changing its mode, "chmod +x your_file_name" and executing it. Just adding commands to the end of the "go" script does not execute them UNTIL you reboot, then they are executed. So, if nobody is using your server and you are OK for a reboot, add the lines and reboot... it is probably the easiest. If you want to experiment, as we have, and go back and forth with different read-ahead settings, you will need to run the commands individually on the specific drive you are testing as we have shown in our posts. Either way, you will probably want to add the lines to your "go" script so you don't have to execute them by hand each time you reboot. Joe L. Thx Joe. I don't really like to play with the server when it's been running flawlessly for weeks (ever since I sorted a dud drive). However, I'm willing to have a go if it increases performance - especially as mine is exclusively a media (video) server. I'll see how I get on.

Is this step something that has to be done separately from the addition to the go script? OR is the go script addition all that is required? Clear as mud I hope

I think I've sussed this one. A certain program that is used to backup DVD's is being opened and closed often. Because I have been writing across the network, it would seem the program tries to default to that location - and therefore reading disk 1 (which I haven't been writing to for a while surprisingly - but this fits)

Thx for the reply. I thought it was strange disk 1 had 1043 reads compared to only 37 for the other drives. There is nothing connected to the unRAID except for the PC doing the writes currently. Also, there is nothing on disk 1 except for media files (not currently being accessed). Since the initial reads have taken place, no further reads have occured and the drive has since spun down. This has occurred seemingly only in the last few days. I guess all I can do is keep an eye on it. Thankfully, the system is running fine, but this occurence did seem out of place.

Wasn't sure quite where to ask this question. I seem to have another drive doing funny things. I have 9 HDD's + 1 Parity drive. The HDD in question is disk 1 (a 500gb SATA). After starting the system, everything appears fine. I start writing to disk 9, so it and the parity HDD show millions of read/writes. The other HDD's show 37 reads, one 35 and one 88. BUT disk 1 shows 1043 reads and hasn't spun down like the other drives. All disks (apart from 9 and parity which I'm writing to) so only 8 writes. What would cause disk 1 to be read when it is NOT being used? (XBMC interface is switched off, so nothing is accessing it). This disk (HDD) is plugged into a MB port.

No....I did not use this MB for my unRAID server. I used this MB for my new windoze-based PC. BUT...I did test the viability of it to use as an unRAID MB before I set it up for windows use. This board booted unRAID from the USB drive. The web-page could also access it. I never took it any further than this - so I cannot (and will not) guarantee the final solution of a complete unRAID setup. However, as I managed to get it to fire up (and I'm a noob at all this as well), I can only assume it will serve the purpose. Hope this helps.

Thx for your thoughts. I just noticed the WD 750's I've been looking at are the AAKS line - so all very well and good. The Seagates cost $65 more than the WD's - soon adds up on a box of HDD's. Have to wait for my SATA expansion cards to arrive before I can mount any more. Next week I hope.

Had an interesting chat to a local supplier couple of days ago. He recommended WD HDD's - mainly because of the success he'd had with them in Oz. Seems like the Australian supplier is trying to create a bigger market here in NZ so is pricing the drives aggressively (the reason they are cheaper). He also suggested the Seagates are popular because of greater marketing / supplier presence. There are three Seagate distributors in NZ compared to only one for WD. He also said WD was big in Oz and was surprised people in NZ desired Seagate more. (On a suspicious note - he could get a greater return for selling WD compared to Seagate). I think I'll try a couple of WD drives next. Means I'll have to replace the parity HDD with a bigger though . I guess at the end of the day it's all personal experience with a particular brand.

I've heard some good things about Samsung drives. They're a little cheaper than the Seagate ones,but not much. Hope to get a few more perspectives. Does anyone know why WD drives are so much cheaper? Are they reliable?

Hi everyone, I've been flat out backing up DVD's to my unRAID server for the last couple of weeks. Can't believe how quickly a 500Gb drive fills up. I've been wondering what drives you are all using - any preferences, and why? Myself, I've been using Seagate 500Gb SATA drives. I've had a good run out of them over the years and they do have a 5 year warranty. However, the trouble I had recently with one blowing up (and the lack of response from the manufacturer concerning a replacement) has made me start considering other options. Currently, Western Digital are the cheapest drives per GB here in NZ. I'm not sure I want to use the cheapest, but their cost is certainly alluring. Not sure on their longevity, reliabilty etc. Any input? Another thing that has made me reconsider is that I'm seeing on average 5.1Gb per movie backup (movie only). Calculating that out means I probably won't have enough space in my server using 500Gb drives - and I don't want to build a 2nd one - especially with the ongoing cost of power etc (hey Tom....when is sleep/WOL going to happen?? ). I've been considering stepping up to 750Gb or even a couple of 1Tb drives, but the cost of them is quite a lot more compared to 500Gb (320 currently is the sweet spot here). Looking forward to some feedback. Best

Never think of Amazon as a company that does computer stuff. I'll have a look. Thx for the input.

Hello my fellow Unraidians, Well I've just taken the plunge from the basic version to the "Pro" version and 15 data drive possibilities. Thx Tom for the prompt mail-out of my rego file. I went to get some more 500Gb HDD's this morning only to find most local vendors don't keep stock (even though advertised on their websites). Thankfully I finally tracked down a store that had two. I put two more on order. This fills all the available SATA ports on the MB, so my next question is the add-on cards. I rang the local distributor and they weren't very knowledgeable about the TX4 (seemed to think it was an old card). The could offer other cards (think scary price!!), but I want something that's been tested to work. I know there are some other Kiwis visiting these boards - any suggestions locally? While these are currently not critical (I have 2Tb to fill up first) I'd like to chase these up now so I don't have to wait weeks for their arrival (I might have to import). Hey Tom, could you possibly supply if need be? Finally, my MB (P5B-E) has one external SATA port (there are 7 Internal). Any suggestions as to the best way to utilise this port. I'll probably have to drill a hole and thread a SATA cable outside. Are long SATA cables okay? Without this port I can't fulfil my 16 drive limit. Thx in advance.

Have fun. I'm not long in on this sort of project myself - sure was a learning curve, but so far worth the effort...

Wow...always amazed at the myriad ways people set-up up their systems and the different tools they use - and their personal views on how a system should be set-up. For me, a lot of it depends on personal taste. I'm usually amazed at how many people convert/re-encode to other formats - or even copy out to disc. For me, everything is HDD-based - never ever think of writing out to disc. I've only recently got into the media server field. Using an unRAID set-up accessed via XMBC (Xbox media center using the original Xbox). For the $'s I don't think it can be beat - although it doesn't do TV recording or High-bit rate HD. I do believe some have it working successfully at 720p. Currently. that doesn't concern me because we don't have HiDef in NZ - not even sure what year it's coming - or even if I want it (guaranteed it'll cost more money). Also, the MySky (think Tivo) box does everything I want with TV - day in and day out easily and simply without constant tweaking. I do believe XBMC can access the "ReplayTV" device as well. XBMC has a great interface (accessing Video (DVD based TV and Movies)Music, Xbox Games, Photos, Weather, Internet (with D/L scripts like Apple Trailers). The product is mature and actively being developed and is free. It has a wide range of Skins that can be fully customised - unlike a lot of commercial products. All the info in contains is stored in an editable Db that gives you search capabilities (for movies and cast) and filtering. One of the greatest things is that it'll play virtually any file format thrown at it. I think total cost was $200NZ (fully modded). It is fast to boot (less than 10 secs), is quiet and does have remote control. As you can probably tell, I'm quite rapt! Personally, I saw it as a cost-effective interface solution for a media server. My wife and I both love it. As for set-up, I chose to rip using AnyDVD and DVD Shrink to file mode (IFO/VOBs) For the TV side (based on ripped DVD episodes or D/L'd files) I used ISO files for a single TV episode. The TV side really gets me excited - each show accessed via a wide on screen icon - then individual episode pics and blurb -all added via the internet. I'm still in the process of setting it all up. The more time I spend with it, the more I see the possiblites and the tweaks (when I get time) I can make. Coupled with unRAID what more can I say!

Thx Orb - that did the trick. Probably would not have thought of that. Made the change in the webpage under "Settings". Worked like a charm.

Is there a command to spin the disks down (so I don't have to wait an hour to troubleshoot my problem). If so, is it a global command or does each HDD have to be told? How would you enter this command? Thx in advance.

I left my P5B-E in IDE mode and I don't remember setting anything to forced floppy. Like Bill, I run mine headless as well and can't easily check. Just to check, have you removed the hidden partition on your flash drive. The only way is to use the tool downloaded from the Sandisk site. Several of us got caught on this one.

If I recall, it said "Hard Drive 3-0", or something similar - that was when I updated the Bios using a flash drive. When I loaded Unraid, I think I used the "boot drive selection menu" and it showed as a flash drive. I''ll check. Edit...The selection menu offers the following choices - Floppy, LS120, Hard-Disk, CD-ROM, ZIP, USB-FDD, USB-ZIP, USB-CDROM, USB-HDD, Legacy LAN. Selecting the hard drive option to boot back into Windows gave me the choice of all the hard drives to boot from. My plugged in Flash Drive was shown here as a USB-HDD (listed as a Sandisk U3 Cruzer Micro). Hope this helps

I've been building a new PC. I chose a P5B-E MB (mainly because I used one in my Unraid server and had some experience with it.). Unfortunately, some bios aspect died, so I took it back for a replacement and was told it was discontinued - crazy! I chose a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R as a replacement. Once I had it all connected I plugged in my USB stick and Unraid started straight up without a glitch (V4.0) - as did accessing it via the browser window. I never took it any further than this, but I can only assume if it went this far it is a prime candidate for an Unraid MB. Comparing this board with the Asus P5B-E - I have to be honest and say the Gigabyte is the better board - especially the documentation. However, I'm no expert and not a tweaker so who really knows! Hope this helps someone. It has 8 onboard SATA connectors, (Comes with a breakout pack to add two eSATA - along with cables to provide power and data)

Question: Under "My Network Places" there is a link called "Entire Network" If I click that, we see three options 1. MS Terminal Services, 2. MS Windows Network, 3. Web Client Network. Under " MS Windows Network is the "Workgroup" link. In here is usually "Boss" the name assigned to my puter and "media server" - our UNRAID tower. Now, these keep disappearing from this folder (place). Is this typical? If not, what do I do? Update: I have answered my own questions. It would appear for the first time ever I'm having issues with NIS. Once I added the local network as "trusted" to the list everything seemed to be fine.