Hello. I'm still new to Unraid. 

 

Set-up a test with MSI Z170M MORTAR (MS-7972), i7-6700k, 46G DDR4, LSI 3008, Intel 10G Nic, 8-bay SATA/SAS chassis,  Unraid 7.0.0. 

 

Started with new (1) 8TB Parity drive and (2) 4TB Data drives.  I installed then removed the parity drive so that I can load data from a big pile of old drives. My plan was to move data off the old drives, then add them to expand the array. Then build the parity drive and setup cache pool once I had the array loaded.

However, I ran into a cascade of problems after adding a drive that came up with a bunch of CRC errors (I didn't properly preclear it).

 

It doesn't have any data on it yet. But when I try to swap it with a larger drive. I get a "Wrong" message in the drive slot and "Invalid configuration" in Array Operation.

Most of the info I've seen about drive swaps rely on parity rebuild of the new drive. But there is no parity available and nothing to rebuild in this case.

 

I know about the array reset option. But I'm not sure if I do that I'll loose the new data that's been added to the two 4TB drives? 

 

Part of the problem may have happened because I got confused by when the preclear process/plugin was finished. I think I added the drive while it was being precleared. Was not sure where to expect to see the preclear status? I though I saw the status in main > status bar?  I found it afterwards in Tools > Preclear. Also is there any visual status of the clear process that happens outside of the plugin... when a non-precleared drive is added to the array or added when being precleared by the plugin?   

 

While trying to deal with the drive issue above I'm now seeing stability problems - not responsive to shut down/reboot command via UI or console. In an attempt to force a clean shutdown I tried to do a single press of the power button but accidentally hit the reset button, causing a dirty reboot. The system came back, all drives present. However after a bit I'm back to not responsive shutdown again and this time the local console is weird... delayed keyboard response, repeating Unraid version/IP info.... before I can get to a login prompt.  CTRL+C did not clear the issue.

 

The UI still works and I can get into the web console. 

 

I tried to collect the diag info but the process stalled (bouncing green dots) after the following line ...

  smartctl -x '/dev/sde' 2>/dev/null|todos >'/tower-diagnostics-20250303-1202/smart/WDC_WD30EZRX-00MMMB0_WD-WCAWZ1986065-20250303-1202 disk4 (sde).txt' 

 

So beyond what should I do next?

 .... a few more questions:

 1. Is there a way to force remove a drive from the array... given above?

 2. Best practice for hot-swapping drives which the mobo, LSI 3008 and chassis supports. Maybe this caused the instability? 

 3. Best practice:

    ....when the system will not shut down

    .....and steps to take after a dirty shutdown.
 

Sorry in advance for the long post. 

 

Cheers.

Edited March 3, 20251 yr by Davinci248
typo

Tools - New config.

1 hour ago, JorgeB said:

Tools - New config.

Will the 4TB drives be readded with data intact?  

Yep.

@JorgeB Thank you. That worked for one piece of the post. 

 

This UI process leaves a bit to be desired. It would be awesome if there was a simple button next to a drive slot in Main that would allow you to accomplish the same thing without the feeling of a scorched earth procedure. 

 

I get the same feeling when I click the format box which feels like your preforming a global format on the whole array vs the drive marked as unformatted. It would add confidence if there was some level of drive association with what seems like a global procedure. Again a format button or tickbox next to the unformatted drive would be awesome.

 

Any comments on the other questions: 

 

So beyond what should I do next?

 .... a few more questions:

 1. Is there a way to force remove a drive from the array... given above?

 2. Best practice for hot-swapping drives which the mobo, LSI 3008 and chassis supports. Maybe this caused the instability? 

 3. Best practice:

    ....when the system will not shut down

    .....and steps to take after a dirty shutdown.
 

Cheers.

53 minutes ago, Davinci248 said:

I get the same feeling when I click the format box which feels like your preforming a global format on the whole array vs the drive marked as unformatted.

The devices that will be formatted are listed on the left of the format button.

 

53 minutes ago, Davinci248 said:

Is there a way to force remove a drive from the array... given above?

Not sure what you mean, without parity, to remove a drive you need to do a new config, like mentioned.

 

54 minutes ago, Davinci248 said:

Best practice for hot-swapping drives which the mobo, LSI 3008 and chassis supports. Maybe this caused the instability? 

Just need to stop the array and refresh the GUI for the devices to be detected.

 

55 minutes ago, Davinci248 said:

3. Best practice:

    ....when the system will not shut down

    .....and steps to take after a dirty shutdown.

Recommend searching the forum, many topics dealing with that, also look for the open files plugin it can help troubleshooting.