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First forum post/new account, but I've been using SoftRAID/OWC since 2013.
Few months ago, received warnings about a failing disk in my RAID 5 array (Thunderbay4 with four 14TB Toshiba Enterprise HDDs). Instead of rebuilding with a new disk, I decided to transfer/copy to a new, larger RAID 10 array (Thunderbay6 with six 16TB HDDs—3 x Ironwolf Pro, 3 x N300 Pro, all certified). I stopped using my RAID 5 array until I finished certifying the new 16TB disks and was ready to transfer.
Last night, my RAID 5 volume was mountable with all data available/accessible, and I initiated a Carbon Copy Cloner transfer to the new RAID 10 overnight. There was an initial warning from CCC (forgot to screenshot it) that mentioned something about "physical damage to a drive, but it would still attempt to transfer"—which it was doing. Came back in the morning to another CCC message that the RAID 10 volume had unmounted/disappeared, which had stopped the transfer at some point. Basically, only ~300GB was transferred of the ~30TB. Found that odd since it was a fresh volume with just-certified disks.
Now, my RAID 5 volume with the failing/failed disk, which is still mountable, is missing a large amount of data (i.e. many folders showing 0KB). SoftRAID shows that it's still only one disk that needs to be replaced. With a 1-drive fault tolerance, I thought my data would still be in-tact and allow my to rebuild, or backup/transfer in my case. Is there any kind of troubleshooting/order-of-operations to try to regain access to all my data on my RAID 5 array?
If worth mentioning:
Using SoftRAID 7.5 on my main computer, a MBP14 M1 Max. Sometimes plug my arrays into a secondary computer (MBP16" Intel 2019) with SoftRAID. Volumes mount to both just fine. Mounted the problematic RAID 5 to both computers and both show lots of data missing.
Thanks in advance, and apologies if there's some info lacking to aid in troubleshooting! Will supply whatever I can as requested.
Posted : 30/12/2023 3:34 pm
Your steps are OK, but I think the volume directory was damaged. All the data is there,but the directory cannot show it. It may be what CCC was warning about.
I recommend Disk Warrior. here are my short steps to make sure you do it in the safest manner:
Purchase Disk Warrior at alsoft.com
Download the DMG and copy the application to your Applications folder
Launch Disk Warrior.
It will have a pull down list of volumes it detects.
Select your SoftRAID volume. (If the directory is seriously damaged, the name may only show as "SoftRAID Media".)
Click "Rebuild.
It may take a while to go through scanning the volume, and creating a new directory. Just let it run.
When this is completed, Disk Warrior will put up a message that it has created a new directory. you will have two options: "Preview" and "Replace".
ALWAYS select preview.
Ignore the window Disk Warrior presents and go to your desktop. You will find a "pseudo-volume" mounted on your desktop.
Browse this volume. Open files.
If there is a rescued items folder, scan that and make sure all important files are present there, and openable.
When you are 100% satisfied, go back to Disk Warrior and click "Replace.
Disk Warrior will replace the damaged directory with the new one.
Note: Disk Warrior makes no changes to your volume, until you click "replace". So it is totally safe to scan your volume. But there is no undo, for "replace", which is why you should check manually, if there was serious damage to the directory.
Posted : 30/12/2023 8:41 pm
Topic starter
Thank you for the reply and steps—feels reassuring. I'll take a look at Disk Warrior.
Last night, I tried Disk Drill and R-Studio (demo/trial versions) to see how those behaved since Disk Warrior doesn't offer a trial period. Disk Drill and R-Studio found files in a small, filtered test, but the files were often renamed and not in the same folder structure, etc.—obviously, not desired with 20+ TB of data. Do you know if there are any other alternatives with trial/demo versions?
With Disk Warrior rebuilding the directory, do you know if it will likely keep the original folder structure and file names? Just trying to get as much info before committing to the ~$120 cost with all sales final. Granted, $120 is a small cost in the grand scheme, but also want to be efficient if the scan process is likely to take some time.
Thanks again & talk soon!
Posted : 02/01/2024 11:33 am
I am very surprised the recovery apps did not see structure. That is a bad omen.
Attach a SoftRAID tech support file, I can have a look, although a support does not give me info on contents of a volume. screen captures are like telling a mechanic to fix your car based on pictures you send him. ;-)
Posted : 02/01/2024 1:17 pm
Topic starter
@softraid-support - just submitted for a Tech Support ticket and will circle back with it once I get the email.
I'm hoping it was just user-error in adjusting scan settings in those other recovery apps. I do recall R-Studio being able to recognize the folder structure from the limited scope I scanned (20GB tester), but the previewed images weren't displaying correctly (likely due to the order of the drives entered for the "Virtual Volume" as they call it). Anyway, appreciate the effort here.
Additional context: This is a backup volume for video production/editing. All/most of the data is still on my other Thunderbay4 RAID 10, and since backed up again, but naturally, would still like to gain access to this volume.
Posted : 02/01/2024 4:00 pm
Topic starter
@softraid-support, here's the Support Ticket number I received via email: Case: 02535706
Standing by for further instructions, thanks!
Posted : 04/01/2024 5:38 pm
