Hard disk drive problems

  • Follow the suggested actions in the order in which they are listed in the Action column until the problem is solved.
  • See Parts listing, IBM System x3530 M4 Type 7160 to check if a component is a consumable, structural, or FRU part.
  • If an action step is preceded by "(Trained technician only)," that step must be performed only by a trained technician.
Symptom Action
Not all drives are recognized by the DSA hard disk drive diagnostic test. Remove the drive that is indicated by DSA (see Removing hot-swap drives or Removing a simple-swap SATA drive); then, run the hard disk drive diagnostic test again (see DSA diagnostic test results). If the remaining drives are recognized, replace the drive that you removed with a new one.
The server stops responding during the hard disk drive diagnostic test. Remove the drive that is indicated by DSA (see Removing hot-swap drives or Removing a simple-swap SATA drive); then, run the hard disk drive diagnostic test again (see DSA diagnostic test results). If the remaining drives are recognized, replace the drive that you removed with a new one.
A hard disk drive has failed, and the associated yellow hard disk drive status LED is lit. Replace the failed hard disk drive.
A newly installed hard disk drive is not recognized.
  1. Observe the associated yellow hard disk drive status LED. If the LED is lit, it indicates a drive fault.
  2. If the LED is lit, remove the drive from the bay, wait 45 seconds, and reinsert the drive, making sure that the drive assembly connects to the hard disk drive backplane.
  3. Observe the associated green hard disk drive activity LED and the yellow status LED:
    • If the green activity LED is flashing and the yellow status LED is not lit, the drive is recognized by the controller and is working correctly. Run the DSA hard disk drive test to determine whether the drive is detected.
    • If the green activity LED is flashing and the yellow status LED is flashing slowly, the drive is recognized by the controller and is rebuilding.
    • If neither LED is lit or flashing, check the hard disk drive backplane (go to step Hard disk drive problems).
    • If the green activity LED is flashing and the yellow status LED is lit, replace the drive. If the activity of the LEDs remains the same, go to step Hard disk drive problems. If the activity of the LEDs changes, return to step 1.
  4. Make sure that the hard disk drive backplane is correctly seated. When it is correctly seated, the drive assemblies correctly connect to the backplane without bowing or causing movement of the backplane.
  5. Reseat the backplane power cable and repeat steps 1 through 3.
  6. Reseat the backplane signal cable and repeat steps 1 through 3.
  7. Suspect the backplane signal cable or the backplane:
    1. Replace the affected backplane signal cable.
    2. Replace the affected backplane.
  8. Run the DSA tests for the SAS/SATA adapter and hard disk drives (see Running the DSA Preboot diagnostic programs).
    • If the adapter passes the test but the drives are not recognized, replace the backplane signal cable and run the tests again.
    • Replace the backplane.
    • If the adapter fails the test, disconnect the backplane signal cable from the adapter and run the tests again.
    • If the adapter fails the test, replace the adapter.
  9. See Problem determination tips.
Multiple hard disk drives fail. Make sure that the hard disk drive, SAS/SATA RAID adapter, and server device drivers and firmware are at the latest level.
Important: Some cluster solutions require specific code levels or coordinated code updates. If the device is part of a cluster solution, verify that the latest level of code is supported for the cluster solution before you update the code.
Multiple hard disk drives are offline.
  1. Review the storage subsystem logs for indications of problems within the storage subsystem, such as backplane or cable problems.
  2. See Problem determination tips.
A replacement hard disk drive does not rebuild.
  1. Make sure that the hard disk drive is recognized by the adapter (the green hard disk drive activity LED is flashing).
  2. Review the SAS/SATA RAID adapter documentation to determine the correct configuration parameters and settings.
A green hard disk drive activity LED does not accurately represent the actual state of the associated drive.
  1. If the green hard disk drive activity LED does not flash when the drive is in use, run the DSA disk drive test (see Running the DSA Preboot diagnostic programs.
  2. Use one of the following procedures:
    • If the drive passes the test, replace the backplane.
    • If the drive fails the test, replace the drive.
A yellow hard disk drive status LED does not accurately represent the actual state of the associated drive.
  1. If the yellow hard disk drive LED and the RAID adapter software do not indicate the same status for the drive, complete the following steps:
    1. Turn off the server.
    2. Reseat the SAS/SATA adapter.
    3. Reseat the backplane signal cable and backplane power cable.
    4. Reseat the hard disk drive.
    5. Turn on the server and observe the activity of the hard disk drive LEDs.
  2. See Problem determination tips.
Parent topic: Troubleshooting by symptom