Computer Freezes When Raid Array Powers Up

[BigXor]

I have an Adaptec 5445 + HP Expander v2.08 connected to a Raid 6 array of 8 Hitachi 5k3000 2TB drives and when the array powers up from sleep it freezes the graphics or the computer until the drives are fully spinning and the controller puts them online.

It's not the expander as it also does it if the drives are connected to the controller directly.

More than likely it could be the computer as the speakers buzz also, and they are not connected to the graphics card.

The latest firmware and drivers for everything in the computer are current.

[Guest]

Hard drives use the most power when they spin up. Does your controller have an option for staggered spin up? You may also want to consider a power supply with a higher rating.

[BigXor]

My drives do stagger up.

My computer goes back to completely normal after it freezes.

Edited September 27, 2011 by BigXor

[jaclaz]

More than likely it could be the computer as the speakers buzz also, and they are not connected to the graphics card.

Additionally, are you sure that is the speaker that "buzz" and not the PSU that "whines"?

Have a look at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA#Standard_connector

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staggered_spinup

the 5K3000

http://www.hitachigst.com/deskstar-5k3000

http://www.hitachigst.com/tech/techlib.nsf/techdocs/02D9197756A273D0862577D50024EC1D/$file/DS5K3000_ds.pdf

though "overall" a "grrenish" drive, has impressive needs at spin up:

Startup (max. A) 1.2 (+5V) & 2.0 (+12V)

8 of them spinning up simultaneously can bring to it's knees *any* average PSU.

The peak in itself can be as much as 8*(1.2*5+2.0*12)/0.9=266 W

Also, even if oversll the PSU can stand it as Watts, you need ot check tha actual Amperes the single "rails" (at 5 V and 12 V) can deliver.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply_rail

Theoretically you need more than 8*1.2=9.6 A @ 5 V AND more than 8*2=16 A @ 12 V concurrently and besides the other needs of the PC, that if you have a fast GPPU card can be also demanding.....

jaclaz

P.S.: cross posting, if your drives are already staggered spinning up, then it is possible that the PSU is failing. Just try a new adequately rated PSU.

Edited September 27, 2011 by jaclaz

[BigXor]

Interesting, I have a 750w single rail psu, but I also have an overclocked 4 core cpu, graphics card, sas expander, raid controller and five other drives. I will connect another psu to the 8 drives by themselves and the rest of the computer will be on the regular psu. This should help identify if I need a larger supply.

I will be back with a reply later.

[allen2]

In my experience, nothing good ever come from making a raid array sleep. The problem you encounter is quite normal, if the array is getting out of sleep that's because you tried to access it and when an OS try to access to a drive not responding fast enough it freeze (i've seen often this behavior).

Also as already said the psu might be having a hard time when the hard drives are waking up, but unless your hard drives have very short spin up sequence there will still be a small freeze when you try to access your raid array.

But i already warned you about this behavior.

[BigXor]

I connected a separate 630 watt psu to the array and it still freezes until the array becomes available.

I think I will take allen2 advice and just leave it on.