I've just built my first UnRaid server and I can truthfully say it's been quite an adventure. I've finally copied across a fair bit of data to three HDD's but I'm not done yet because have been having a fair bit of trouble, primarily related to what I suspect to be bad memory. I originally chose the OCZ Gold Value series since they were cheap and now I regret it. I ordered two 2GB modules and found one constantly error'ed out so while that was in the process of being replaced, went ahead and put the UnRaid online (without parity) and transferred data. The replacement then arrives and found it error'ed out but not as much as the first one, decided to install it and continue data transfer. Server stays on but crashes server somewhat where the transfer stops and loose even connectivity to it via the browser, pings ok though. First round I found a secrets.tdb file or something got corrupted on flash drive since I couldn't shut the server properly, this was after loosing connectivities to all shares despite the server via browser showed no issues (searched and found solution here in the forums). Round 2, tried again and same thing, this time flash didn't corrupt but lost permissions to delete files from the disk I was working with during interruption. This now prompted me (all done now) to run reiserfsck --check on all disks (three HDDs) and found that disk1 and disk2 needed repairing.

 

All I can say is that, for the trouble I went through, I wont progress any further until I find a decent error-free memory modules. So, for C2SEE owners, I would like your suggestions as to which RAM modules to whack in this unraid server. I was just checking the support page for the C2SEE board and found that, out of the modules available, the Kingston 2GB modules are the easiest obtainable ones where I live (locally in Australia), with the part number 'KVR1333D3N9/2G'.

 

Should I just cut the shortcut of buying value type ram and buy these kingston modules?

I can't give you any direct recommendations but you may want to check the supermicro site to see what brand/kind of memory they recommend.

 

With having memory errors (if that is indeed what is going on) then i would not entirely trust the data that you have transfered over.  It appears that the bad memory has already corrupted one file, what is to say it has not done the same to some of the data you have transfered. You need to run CRC checks and md5 checksums on the files on the server and the local versions to make sure they match, if they do not then you are going to have to wait until you get some RAM you can trust and passes MemTest for an overnight run.\

 

The only reason to NOT buy value ram is usually if you are overclocking.  I don't always pick ram that is on the manufacturers recommended list but I DO buy RAM that meets there specs.

Should I just cut the shortcut of buying value type ram and buy these kingston modules?

If you are having this much difficulty with reliability, Yes.

Thanks fellas. I did check the support page for the C2SEE and made sure it was compatible only in terms of profile, not make/model.

 

I've ran reiserfsck and just repaired all errors, server is now offline until I find another good set that will pass an overnight run. The good OCZ module now also just produced a single error, so I'm going to be anal about it and not do any more data transfers until a clean overnight run is complete.

 

It looks like I may just get the kingstons based on supermicro's site since they are the easiest to get for me. I wonder if the merchant will allow me to get them to run the tests for me, I'm sick of having to pack and send modules away because they keep crapping out unraid.

Thanks fellas. I did check the support page for the C2SEE and made sure it was compatible only in terms of profile, not make/model.

 

I've ran reiserfsck and just repaired all errors, server is now offline until I find another good set that will pass an overnight run. The good OCZ module now also just produced a single error, so I'm going to be anal about it and not do any more data transfers until a clean overnight run is complete.

 

It looks like I may just get the kingstons based on supermicro's site since they are the easiest to get for me. I wonder if the merchant will allow me to get them to run the tests for me, I'm sick of having to pack and send modules away because they keep crapping out unraid.

Most motherboard BIOS attempt to set the memory voltage, timing, and clock speed for you.  Some get it right, some get it wrong.  You should verify that the BIOS has set those three parameters correctly for your specific brand/model of memory strips, otherwise, even the best RAM will fail a memory test.

 

Joe L.

Thanks fellas. I did check the support page for the C2SEE and made sure it was compatible only in terms of profile, not make/model.

 

I've ran reiserfsck and just repaired all errors, server is now offline until I find another good set that will pass an overnight run. The good OCZ module now also just produced a single error, so I'm going to be anal about it and not do any more data transfers until a clean overnight run is complete.

 

It looks like I may just get the kingstons based on supermicro's site since they are the easiest to get for me. I wonder if the merchant will allow me to get them to run the tests for me, I'm sick of having to pack and send modules away because they keep crapping out unraid.

Most motherboard BIOS attempt to set the memory voltage, timing, and clock speed for you.  Some get it right, some get it wrong.  You should verify that the BIOS has set those three parameters correctly for your specific brand/model of memory strips, otherwise, even the best RAM will fail a memory test.

 

Joe L.

 

I've done this. Letting the BIOS (latest) automatically detect the modules as well as manually setting the DRAM frequency/timings manually according to specs produce errors in memtest. I've followed up with the merchant and opted for the slightly more expenise Kingston modules.

Thanks fellas. I did check the support page for the C2SEE and made sure it was compatible only in terms of profile, not make/model.

 

I've ran reiserfsck and just repaired all errors, server is now offline until I find another good set that will pass an overnight run. The good OCZ module now also just produced a single error, so I'm going to be anal about it and not do any more data transfers until a clean overnight run is complete.

 

It looks like I may just get the kingstons based on supermicro's site since they are the easiest to get for me. I wonder if the merchant will allow me to get them to run the tests for me, I'm sick of having to pack and send modules away because they keep crapping out unraid.

Most motherboard BIOS attempt to set the memory voltage, timing, and clock speed for you.  Some get it right, some get it wrong.   You should verify that the BIOS has set those three parameters correctly for your specific brand/model of memory strips, otherwise, even the best RAM will fail a memory test.

 

Joe L.

 

I've done this. Letting the BIOS (latest) automatically detect the modules as well as manually setting the DRAM frequency/timings manually according to specs produce errors in memtest. I've followed up with the merchant and opted for the slightly more expenise Kingston modules.

It sounds like you know what you are doing.  The advice was in case you did not have your level of experience.

 

No errors should ever occur in the memtest.  You are right to get a better quality set of ram.

Thanks fellas. I did check the support page for the C2SEE and made sure it was compatible only in terms of profile, not make/model.

 

I've ran reiserfsck and just repaired all errors, server is now offline until I find another good set that will pass an overnight run. The good OCZ module now also just produced a single error, so I'm going to be anal about it and not do any more data transfers until a clean overnight run is complete.

 

It looks like I may just get the kingstons based on supermicro's site since they are the easiest to get for me. I wonder if the merchant will allow me to get them to run the tests for me, I'm sick of having to pack and send modules away because they keep crapping out unraid.

Most motherboard BIOS attempt to set the memory voltage, timing, and clock speed for you.  Some get it right, some get it wrong.  You should verify that the BIOS has set those three parameters correctly for your specific brand/model of memory strips, otherwise, even the best RAM will fail a memory test.

 

Joe L.

 

I've done this. Letting the BIOS (latest) automatically detect the modules as well as manually setting the DRAM frequency/timings manually according to specs produce errors in memtest. I've followed up with the merchant and opted for the slightly more expenise Kingston modules.

It sounds like you know what you are doing.  The advice was in case you did not have your level of experience.

 

No errors should ever occur in the memtest.  You are right to get a better quality set of ram.

 

Thanks Joe, regardless, appreciate the help.

 

Also, merchant has just responded to me after I briefly explained the situation and are more than happy for my OCZ to be sent back and have them send me some Kingston 'KVR1333D3N9/2G' my way (extra charge for the more expensive modules).

 

I can rest easier now I guess, I've ran reiserfsck all night and have repaired everything that needed repairing. My UnRaid can stay turned off for now until the Kingston module arrive for some overnight memtest testing.

 

Thank you all.

Quick Update:

 

Installed 2x Kingston KVR1333D3N9/2G and memtest ran two clean runs error free. Brought UnRAID server back online and started copying files, no issues. The drop outs (I suspect UnRAID crashing) no longer occur and transfer speeds are back to normal. Tested some newly migrated data and accessed them from the server, all good. I'm happy, problem resolved!