T42: NV+ Freezing with WD20EARS

[mdgm]

The 4k sector fix fixes the performance issue due to sectors not being properly aligned. The Load Cycle Count is a separate issue fixed by using the WDIDLE3 utility.

[KSUWildcatFan]

Similar problems here, also 4x WD20EARS-00S8B1. The unit is becoming unresponsive irregularly, happens faster when running streaming services. Unresponsive means not network connection anymore but shutdown via front button still works. SMART shows high LCC values as well. We'll see how the 4k Sector fix solves this - or not.

Has your ReadyNAS always acted this way with the WD20EARS drives, or did it start up later on? Just curious..

mgdm is correct, btw, about the LCC app. WD provided the WDIDLE3 app to correct this if you care to run it. I disabled the timer completely and my LCC values have not increased.

-Jordan

[Theresias]

Has your ReadyNAS always acted this way with the WD20EARS drives, or did it start up later on? Just curious..

Started out later when the drives actually got filled more it seems, since then it's been a PITA requiring me to reboot the unit 2-3 times a day at least. Since it's sitting in a remote location that not always an easy and fast fix. Currently 1.06 TB in use out of 5.42 TB.

WD provided the WDIDLE3 app to correct this if you care to run it. I disabled the timer completely and my LCC values have not increased.

Aware of that, was running WD20EADS drives for a while instead and had it fixed for those but while putting the WD20EARS in I decided to intentionally leave them as is to see what difference it made.

[KSUWildcatFan]

Weird.. I'm up to ~1.4tb / 3.6tb (I only decided to install three of my wd20ears drives because 5.4tb seemed excessive to me right now), with over 100 hours of use (constant uptime).. No problems to report..yet. Here's hoping none develop..

-Jordan

[Theresias]

Probably related to the type/size of files stored, I have mostly small project related files with less than 100kb each.

[KSUWildcatFan]

Mm, possibly. I have some smaller files but the majority of my files are 200mb-1gb video files.

-Jordan

[mooisacow]

Maybe a size thing... Mine only stores files in the 100's of MB+ range... it's just a movies dump location....

I'm still crossing my fingers the fix get's released in the next beta... and crossed again it happens this month as indicated...

[arb15]

mooisacow, I've got the same issue as you. 30MB/sec for 10 seconds, then hang for a bit, then transfer again, etc... I"ve got the same model drive, have applied the wdidle fix to help with the LCC errors which have reduced a ton but are still accumulating, at 2k now after about 2 months since I bought the drives.

[mooisacow]

arb15... hmmmm, well I guess you and me both are hoping the newer firmware fixes the issue... The end of the month is coming around very fast... (but not soon enough

I'm not actually using my readynas at the moment because it is unusable in it's current state... if the firmware update does not fix it then I think I'll have to dump it or bite the bullet and buy different drives...

[tyagi]

For those people running 4K Sector WD20EARS drives in an active NAS, could I ask what your plans are for when software is released to support 4K sectors? My understanding from one of the developer posts is that the upgrade process will require a Factory Default and "wipe clean" of the NAS (is my understanding correct?).

Unless you've got equivalent storage kicking around unused, this process is going to be tricky for some people, isn't it?

I'm trying to work out whether I can put this rather shiny and expensive paper weight I have on my desk to any sort of use before the 4K Sector software arrives.

[Theresias]

I got a set of WD20EADS which I originally bought for the NV+ expecting them to make it on the HCL but they never did so I went for another set of WD20EARS which then had the 4k sector problem - even though they were on the HCL but nobody knew about it at the time. Long story short, 800+ EUR spend for a non-working NAS. Nice, eh?

After all I have to admit it wasn't as bad as it sounds, now the WD20EADS are running as external backup drives which are being rotated every couple of weeks and then stored in remote locations. That way even if the house burns down I have some data to work with. Therefor if you do not have additional backup space other than the NAS you are running it wouldn't really count as a backup.

Still, the whole issue is quite disappointing - especially considering the time it takes to fix this...

Since about 2 month my NV+ is "crashing" (loosing all network connections until manual reboot via power button) occasionally with the WD20EARS installed. Factory default didn't help yet and OTOH I have not had much time to investigate this issue, not truly planning to either until the new FW is out.

[mooisacow]

Well currently I am not using the NV+ at all because it is unusable with the wd20ears which are sitting in it... I'm awaiting the firmware update so I can factory default it and actually use it!
I guess this begs the question. If any of the Jedi read this post, is it possible for me to get any Alpha firmware which includes the 4K fix so I can help evaluate it's viability... currently my NAS is unusable... so using an Alpha build really is not a risk for me...

[KSUWildcatFan]

Bummer that you guys are having problems with the WD20EARS drives. Mine have given me absolutely no problems.. :/

[palmlodge]

Same here. I have a brand new NV+ sitting in it's box, unopened, good as a door wedge, as there's no 4k support yet.

WAY past the 30 days so can't send it back as the inference from the mods was the firmware was imminent. I have no interest in any other feature , other than 4k, so bundling it up with other non critical items potentially slows the process down.

[mooisacow]

I can report that I have installed the 48 beta and that my freezing problem is about as fixed as I could have hoped for with my initial test's. I've only spent about 45 mins with it so far. But all looks good. Occasional dips in transfers, but no freezing! Even managed to stream content to the PS3! Woot! Very happy! Big thanks to the Jedi's!

PS Speeds seem ok to... ~19MBps writes (~190Mbps) and ~30MBps reads (~300Mbps) over gigabit don't seem to shabby