0

I've got an ancient Dell server with 4 disks in RAID 5. One has become faulty and needs to be replaced. I ordered an identical model drive but when it arrived it is slightly smaller. The RAID controller of course doesn't like that and is refusing to rebuild because it is a smaller drive. They're both Seagate ST3600057SS drives, with the 3 old ones clocking in at 572325 MB and the new one at 560208 MB.

Do I have any options here aside from getting yet another drive?

Improve this question
1
  • I don't think there is any chance you can solve this problem, but I suggest that you specify the raid controller model anyway
    – Luca Gibelli
    Apr 11, 2018 at 10:02

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

If the logical disk spans the entire capacity then you can't use a disk that's just a single block smaller.

Usually, RAID controllers don't use the exact full capacity of the disks but some do and some users even override this to full capacity. No go.

Improve this answer
1
  • Yeah that definitely is the case. Unfortunately this box came from the vendor setup like that and I've got to nurse it through a couple more months until we can finally decom it. Thanks, back to the reseller for a different drive.
    – GranTurismo
    Apr 10, 2018 at 18:17
0

Your other option would be to make a full backup to external media. Re-create the array using the smaller drive. Then restore your data. Getting a larger drive would probably be easier.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .