I tried to add two 2TB disks to my array, and after many tests, have confirmed that one of them is defective. So now I want to add the good disk to the array, but I'd like to clear it out first (format). When I add it to the array, I am told that Start will bring the array on-line, start Data-Rebuild, and then expand the file system (if possible). I'm supposed to check "I'm sure I want to do this". In fact, I am not sure. I don't really want to rebuild any data. I have tried to format the disk while it is not part of the array, but can't seem to make that work. Any ideas?

If you don't have any data on the drive and you don't want to rebuild any data onto it you can use the pre-clear script to format it first.

 

Josh

If you don't have any data on the drive and you don't want to rebuild any data onto it you can use the pre-clear script to format it first.

 

Josh

The pre-clear script DOES NOT FORMAT ANYTHING.  It zeros the drive.  It writes a special signature so that unRAID does not zero the drive again when you install it.  It barely sets up a single partition on the disk, but does not completely perform that task as it assigns no "type" to the partition.

 

All formatting of disks in unRAID is done after you assign the disk to the array, after you start the array, after it has cleared the disk (if it needs to), and after YOU press the "Format" button on the management web-page.

Thanks. I just did an Initconfig and am rebuilding my parity disk. I'll try that next.