Hello..

I have a Dell Power Edge 1600 SC with PERC 4/SC raid controller. I have got 4 Maxtor 15K 36 GB Ultra 320 SCSI drives in the array with RAID 5 configuration. One of fmy drive failed and we have no 36GB drives in stock to replace. But we have one 146GB 15K drive in stock. Can i use to rebuild the raid with out loosing data ? Because i have a database hosted on the application and its not easy to reinstall. Please help.

Rajesh K B

Putting a bigger drive in a raid array should not pose any problems.
This should work.

Dobre

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Hello,

GENERAL SUGGESTION:
DO A BACKUP BEFORE YOU PUT IN THE NEW HDD!

Anyway, Dobre is right, this should work.
But keep this in mind, if the other hdd have any bad sectors, your array can be crash, and you will loose your db...

Janos

It will work but be sure to back up first.

You will also want to hot plug the replacement drive. There has never been a hokier(is that a word) raid controller than the PERC. I recover 3-4 a month where the PERC failed to correctly rebuild the array. We even have an acronym, YADD - Yet Another Dead Dell

Hi everyone ..

Appriciate all the helping comments..

I didnt start my work sofar. From the replies, i understood that even if change the failed drive with the same size drive, there is a risk factor. I tried to take the image of the whole drive with acronis true image enterprise, but it failed resulting a blue screen. I tried 2 times but got the same result. We already have the backup but the issue is we cannot rebuild the database and application even if we have the backup in hand. We may have to pay a huge amount to get the tech who can setup up the database and application. Our management is ready to buy a drive with the same size as of the failed one. What about the risk factor if I replace the drive with same size and make ? And if the risk is the same, is there any point in buying a new drive rather i can try with my 73 GB. Please help me with your valuable ideas.

Rajesh K B

The risk factor comes from the age of the old other drives!
These MUST be 100% readable and error free to rebuild the new drive what you buy.
This is why we suggested to do a backup from this array before put in the new drive...

Janos