Helium level: failing now

[Slork]

Hello,

 

About a couple weeks ago, my parity drive gave me an error. Apparently the helium level is dropping? I assume it's a helium leak. It hasn't changed since it first happened, but I'm a bit concerned if this will cause the drive to fail prematurely, especially since it's my parity drive. The drive is a 14TB WD Easystore that I shucked into my system. It's about 1.5 years old, which is still under warranty.

 

Should I be concerned? What does this mean? Should I RMA the drive to WD and get a new one?

 

Thanks for your help.

[itimpi]

23 minutes ago, Slork said:

Should I RMA the drive to WD and get a new one?

If WD will accept an RMA for that reason I would definitely do that.

[Slork]

That didn't really answer the question. How critical of an error is this? Will it cause the drive to fail early?

[Arbadacarba]

If the helium is there for a reason and it is actually depleted for some reason, how could it not endanger the drive...

I agree with itimpi - RMA the drive if you can.

 

I think his answer implies that he thinks it could endanger the drive.

 

[apandey]

3 hours ago, Slork said:

How critical of an error is this? Will it cause the drive to fail early?

It is a pre fail attribute, so yes, if it keeps increasing and breaches threshold, the drive should be considered failed. Just like all similar HDD attributes, no one can tell you how slow or quick that progression can be - it's a matter of what caused it in the first place, if there is a constant leak, the drive will fail eventually

 

These drives expect a helium filled internals to operate, with normal air, they will see sub optimal conditions (more friction, vibration etc) 

 

I agree with others, RMA it if you can

Edited March 1, 2023 by apandey

[trurl]

Even if you can't RMA it you should replace. It's FAILING NOW