Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary metric used to measure the performance of storage devices?
What is the primary metric used to measure the performance of storage devices?
What is a typical maximum IOPS for a hard drive?
What is a typical maximum IOPS for a hard drive?
What should you check if a drive does not appear in the BIOS?
What should you check if a drive does not appear in the BIOS?
What might happen if an external drive is not receiving power?
What might happen if an external drive is not receiving power?
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How can IOPS performance differ between read and write operations?
How can IOPS performance differ between read and write operations?
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If a missing drive is a network share, what should you ensure regarding the startup process?
If a missing drive is a network share, what should you ensure regarding the startup process?
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When might you need to reseat an M.2 drive on the motherboard?
When might you need to reseat an M.2 drive on the motherboard?
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What is a common point of failure for external drives?
What is a common point of failure for external drives?
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What does a message stating 'cannot read from the source disk' typically indicate?
What does a message stating 'cannot read from the source disk' typically indicate?
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Which symptom is commonly referred to as the 'click of death'?
Which symptom is commonly referred to as the 'click of death'?
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What is the first step recommended when troubleshooting storage drive problems?
What is the first step recommended when troubleshooting storage drive problems?
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What could be a reason for receiving constant errors from a storage drive?
What could be a reason for receiving constant errors from a storage drive?
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What should be checked if a storage drive is connected via cables?
What should be checked if a storage drive is connected via cables?
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What hardware issue might arise when adding new components to a computer?
What hardware issue might arise when adding new components to a computer?
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What is often the next step if it's unclear whether the problem lies with the storage drive or the system?
What is often the next step if it's unclear whether the problem lies with the storage drive or the system?
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Which of the following messages indicates a problem with the drive during boot-up?
Which of the following messages indicates a problem with the drive during boot-up?
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What is indicated when a system displays 'operating system not found' during startup?
What is indicated when a system displays 'operating system not found' during startup?
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Which step should be taken first when troubleshooting a non-booting system?
Which step should be taken first when troubleshooting a non-booting system?
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What happens if a USB storage device is connected and selected as the first boot device in the BIOS?
What happens if a USB storage device is connected and selected as the first boot device in the BIOS?
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What is the main function of the SMART technology in storage drives?
What is the main function of the SMART technology in storage drives?
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In a RAID 1 array, what is the minimum number of drives required for operation?
In a RAID 1 array, what is the minimum number of drives required for operation?
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How can one determine if a RAID array has experienced a failure?
How can one determine if a RAID array has experienced a failure?
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What does RAID stand for?
What does RAID stand for?
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Which RAID configuration allows for the loss of one drive while still maintaining data integrity?
Which RAID configuration allows for the loss of one drive while still maintaining data integrity?
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What is a potential consequence of not having backups for hard drives?
What is a potential consequence of not having backups for hard drives?
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What might a failing hard drive allow you to do even if it cannot be written to?
What might a failing hard drive allow you to do even if it cannot be written to?
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What should you check inside the BIOS if the system fails to boot?
What should you check inside the BIOS if the system fails to boot?
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What is a common diagnostic check performed by RAID arrays?
What is a common diagnostic check performed by RAID arrays?
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What is a common drawback when using RAID 0?
What is a common drawback when using RAID 0?
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What could indicate a problem with a storage drive using SMART information?
What could indicate a problem with a storage drive using SMART information?
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Study Notes
Storage Drive Problems and Troubleshooting
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Error messages: "Cannot read from the source disk" indicates a storage drive issue, potentially a failure. Other errors include "drive not recognized," "boot device not found," "operating system not found."
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Hard drive failures: Hard drives can make clicking noises ("click of death"), are mechanical and prone to failure. Data loss from a failing hard drive requires professional recovery, often costly and potentially unrecoverable.
Symptoms and Causes
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Slow response: Constant LED activity on the drive light indicates a potential drive issue. Retrying to read data can also indicate a problem.
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Overheating: System overheating can cause storage drive errors. Newly added hardware may overload the power supply, reducing voltage for the storage drive.
Troubleshooting Steps
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Backup data: Create backups of critical data before troubleshooting to prevent loss.
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Cable checks: Verify cables connecting the storage drive to the motherboard are secure and undamaged.
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System checks: Review system temperatures and ensure proper cooling. Consider using hardware diagnostics.
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Power supply: Check power supply capacity. Add or upgrade the power supply if needed to avoid overloading.
Boot Issues
- BIOS configuration: Check BIOS settings for boot device priorities. Look for USB device interference, disabled storage devices that might be the cause of boot failure.
RAID Arrays
- RAID: Multiple storage drives can be combined in a RAID array (Redundant Array of Independent Disks). - RAID 0 (requires two or more disks): Failure of one disk causes the entire array to fail (data loss). - RAID 1 (requires at least two disks): Array operates as long as one disk is functional (mirrored disks). - RAID 5 (requires three or more disks): Needs all drives to operate, with fault tolerance for one failure. - RAID 10 (requires four or more): Combines RAID 1 mirroring with striping. Allows for loss of drives.
- RAID failures: The presence of a RAID exception means a drive failure in the RAID array, often showing in the system RAID status
SMART Technology
- SMART: Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology provides information about drive health.
- third-party utilities and drive manufacturers' tools can access SMART information.
- errors increasing in SMART details are warnings about potential drive failure. Check for SMART data and alerts from third-party or operating system based utilities.
Drive Performance
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IOPS: Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS) measure storage device performance. Hard drives typically reach around 200 IOPS, while SSDs can achieve up to 1 million.
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External/Network Drives: Troubleshoot external drives (USB connections, power) and network shares (mounting issues, login scripts).
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Missing drives: Check for connected drives in BIOS settings and/or the operating system file manager. Consider whether they are physically present or connected with appropriate cables.
Solid State Drives (SSDs)
- SSD failures: SSDs can fail and prevent data writing, or still allow data reading.
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Description
This quiz covers various issues related to storage drives, including error messages, symptoms of failure, and troubleshooting steps. You'll learn about common problems such as overheating and slow response times, as well as best practices for data backup and hardware checks.
