Enable drive without starting array

[tarkus_au]

Unfortunately two of my drives appear dead. One however, appears alive and I have fixed the filesystem error on unraid. I'd like to re-enable this drive, re-build the other dead drive before replacing both.

 

I see the method of starting the array in maintenance mode then re-adding the disabled drive, but I can't start the array with two dead drives.

 

Is there anyway to re-enable the disabled drive without starting the array? I'm desperate!

 

[Kilrah]

11 minutes ago, tarkus_au said:

I have fixed the filesystem error on unraid.

How?

What's the whole chronology of things?

[JorgeB]

19 minutes ago, tarkus_au said:

I have fixed the filesystem error on unraid.

How did you do that?

[tarkus_au]

Initially when I pressed the button "File systems check" it gave an error. I pressed another button (can't remember which now), which fixed the issue and now it shows it as being OK.

 

I realise this may not mean it's fixed 100%. However I would still like to try re-enabling the device to at least get the array started (I really want to get my Home Assistant VM up). If it is re-enables and dies again, so be it.

 

[JorgeB]

But that means parity is no longer valid, you can still try if you want, but less chance it will work:

 

-Tools -> New Config -> Retain current configuration: All -> Apply
-Check all assignments and assign any missing disk(s) if needed, including the new disk9, replacement disk should be same size or larger than the old one
-IMPORTANT - Check both "parity is already valid" and "maintenance mode" and start the array (note that the GUI will still show that data on parity disk(s) will be overwritten, this is normal as it doesn't account for the checkbox, but it won't be as long as it's checked)
-Stop array
-Unassign disk9
-Start array (in normal mode now) and post the diagnostics.

 

 

[tarkus_au]

On 8/13/2024 at 11:57 PM, JorgeB said:

But that means parity is no longer valid, you can still try if you want, but less chance it will work:

 

-Tools -> New Config -> Retain current configuration: All -> Apply
-Check all assignments and assign any missing disk(s) if needed, including the new disk9, replacement disk should be same size or larger than the old one
-IMPORTANT - Check both "parity is already valid" and "maintenance mode" and start the array (note that the GUI will still show that data on parity disk(s) will be overwritten, this is normal as it doesn't account for the checkbox, but it won't be as long as it's checked)
-Stop array
-Unassign disk9
-Start array (in normal mode now) and post the diagnostics.

 

 

Just as an update, after jiggling some cables the 4TB drive magically came alive and I was able rebuild the dead 8TB drive off parity. 

 

Many thanks for the steps above, may come useful in the future and I'm sure it'll help someone else too.

Edited August 16 by tarkus_au