Chapter 6: Troubleshooting & Tips

Powering the system off and on once to reset the drive. Also confirm that cables are properly attached and the drive is receiving power.

If the drive still appears to have failed, refer to the Rebuilding a logical drive option in the WebPAM software as detailed in the WebPAM User Manual.

Drive cannot be formed into an logical drive

Disk drives must be free of media defects to be added into a logical drive. Promise recommends using new identical disk drives for each logical drive. Re-secure data and power cabling while checking for proper alignment.

System CMOS displays C: or D: drive failure during Startup

Do not reference C: or D: in the Motherboard Standard CMOS for drives attached to the FastTrak controller. Only enter drive information in the Motherboard CMOS for drives attached to the onboard IDE controller.

FDISK reports a much lower drive capacity if a single physical drive or a striped logical drive exceeds 64GB (Windows 2000)

Due to a limitation with FDISK, the utility reports only the storage capacity that exceeds 64GB. This is a cosmetic, not actual, limitation. Simply create a single DOS drive partition, reboot, and then format the partition. The Format command will recognize the total capacity of the partition accurately. Windows will now recognize the total capacity of your logical drive.

Unable to Partition or Format Logical Drive

The MBR of one of the drives has become corrupt. Delete the existing logical drive, then create a new logical drive with the Fast Init feature set to ON.

Cannot Rebuild Mirrored (RAID 1) Array

See Unable to Partition or Format array, above.

Fatal Errors or Data Corruption Are Constantly Reported When Reading or Writing to Drive Array

See Unable to Partition or Format array, above.

Operating System-Related Issues

The Operating System no longer boots after creating a Mirrored Array using your existing boot drive using Windows 2000/XP/2003 Server

This is due to Drive Geometry issues. You can verify this if you move the original drive back to the onboard controller and it boots successfully. Each controller can view a drive differently. This can be an issue for a new controller that loads the original Master Boot Record (MBR) and then has a problem translating it or the Operating System boot record.

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Promise Technology SX8300, SX4300 user manual Operating System-Related Issues, Drive cannot be formed into an logical drive

SX8300, SX4300 specifications

Promise Technology has established itself as a leader in data storage solutions, particularly with its cutting-edge SX4300 and SX8300 series. These enterprise-grade solutions cater to businesses seeking high-performance, reliable, and scalable storage systems.

The Promise SX4300 and SX8300 are built around the M.2 NVMe interface, providing exceptional data transfer speeds and low latency, which are crucial for applications requiring rapid data access. Both models leverage PCIe Gen 3 technology, ensuring that they can handle the demands of modern workloads with ease, whether in cloud storage, media production, or enterprise databases.

One of the standout features of the SX4300 is its ability to support up to four NVMe M.2 SSDs. This configuration allows for impressive storage capacities ranging from 3.2TB to 12.8TB. It also includes advanced features like parity RAID for data redundancy, safeguarding against drive failures and ensuring data integrity. The SX4300 is particularly well-suited for users looking for a compact solution that does not compromise on performance.

In contrast, the SX8300 takes performance a step further with support for up to eight NVMe M.2 SSDs. This expansion allows for scalable storage solutions tailored to the evolving needs of growing enterprises. The SX8300 also implements advanced cooling technologies that prevent thermal throttling during intense operations, thus maintaining optimal performance across extended periods.

Both models support Promise Technology’s proprietary RAID management software which simplifies configuration and monitoring. Users can easily manage their storage environments, enhancing performance and monitoring the health of their drives in real time. Additionally, these devices are designed to be compatible with a wide range of operating systems, making them versatile solutions for various IT infrastructures.

Regarding connectivity, the SX4300 and SX8300 provide robust options, ensuring high availability for mission-critical applications. Their compact, rack-mounted design promotes effective space utilization in data centers, adhering to modern IT demands for efficiency.

In summary, Promise Technology's SX4300 and SX8300 series deliver exceptional performance, scalability, and reliability, making them ideal choices for enterprises looking to enhance their storage capabilities. With advanced RAID technology, immense storage capacity, and easy-to-use management software, these systems are positioned to meet the high demands of today’s data-intensive environments. Choosing between the SX4300 and SX8300 ultimately depends on the required capacity and scalability needs, but both models exemplify Promise Technology’s commitment to innovation in data storage solutions.