Christopher (Drashna)

Yes, definitely. The "config_default" file is a template/sample file, and not used. You need to remove the _default from it to get it to work. But you should see "Scanner.Service.exe" and "Scanner.Service.exe.config" next to each other in the folder. Once you do, restart the service (or computer) and it should fix the issue.

... It's possible, but it's very hard to tell after the fact. And I'd rather not speculate here.

Catul, That definitely sounds like an issue with the WMI SMART data. And if you did enable the option... well, sometimes, it doesn't "take" properly. I've uploaded a config file that should work properly. Download it, remove the ".txt" from it, and put it into "C:\Program Files (x86)\StableBit\Scanner" Then restart the StableBit Scanner service. Scanner.Service.exe.config.txt

I agree with that being "silly". Though, that's definitely not the word I'd use. And from the sounds of it, you don't have the ability to add in any sort of add-on card here. Which makes it problematic at best. Short of returning the box and getting a different model, I'm not sure there is anything that can be done here. And as for telling which chipset you've gotten, short of opening the enclosure, or just testing it for SMART data, I'm not sure. It's been a long time since i've used an external enclosure at all, for anything but transferring data between computers. I used to have one of the USB2 versions of this box, and I remember having to fight with it to get it working, as well. Also, you'll notice another user on the forums here (JazJon) that used to use these boxes, but eventually gave up on them, due to loads of issues. Including poor performance, and random disconnects.

Yup. But depending on what you use, it may be able to run the defrag pass on multiple drives, simultaneously.

Well, even if the hardware is identical, the drivers are most certainly not. It could be an issue with a driver causing performance issues. Copying files to and from the pool (especially over the network) would be a good way to see if that's the issue. There is a post of mine from the "We Got Served" website that goes over a lot of the common network performance issue stuff. It's meant for WHSv1, but most of then stuff still applies. http://forum.wegotserved.com/index.php/topic/8335-before-you-post-media-stuttering-playback-issues-performance-irregularities/ As for performance.... Well, DrivePool absolutely factors in disk speed when it comes to read striping. And StableBit Scanner throttles it's scans based on disk and controller activity, to prevent bottlenecking. But as for writing data... well, there are some factors used in determining placement, but there should be little to no noticeable impact on performance. And yes, further backups should be incremental, and not take much time, depending on how much the data has moved around on the disk (remember, sector based backup)

Is this for the Client Computer Backup? If so, the bottleneck is the backup service usually. In additional to transferring the data over the network... it's not saving it to disk or a "normal" format. It's saving information about the disk, the different sectors, running sector comparisons (for de-duplication), and updating 4GB chunks with non-duplicated data and it's "index" for that data. This isn't exactly a simple or straight forward process, so it will take longer "expected". Also, the defragmentation filter *could* be interferring with disk access here, slowing it further. The only change is updating DrivePool? If so, what version where you using that was running much faster? And does reinstalling that version help? Also, could you enable file system logging (gear icon -> troubleshooting -> "enable file system logging") and duplicate the copy. Then use the following link to upload the logs: http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_2.x_Log_Collection

First, if the "SYSTEM" account has access to the files and folders, then DrivePool should have moved the files out. If you're not 100% certain, the files you can access, copy them back into the pool. But if you didn't do the damaged removal option, or the duplicate later option, you shouldn't see any files left... but you may see folders. As for thee permission issues, try changing the root directory's ownership (and then permissions) and enable the "Replace on child entries" option.

Do you have an eSATA port that you can use? Also, chatting with Alex, who owns a few of these boxes..... they're not created equally. It really depends on the chipset used by the box. Some of them don't pass on the SMART data. And it sounds like you got one of those "bad" boxes.

If none of the options gets that information to show up, then it is not passing on the information properly. And there isn't anything we can do about that, unfortunately.

Defragging is block level, IIRC. So it won't work on the pool. Ever. However, you can definitely defragment the disks in the pool, and there should be no issue with doing that.

For the "reallocated sector count" issue, could you set the "Smart_NoWmi" value to "True" and see if that helps? http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_Scanner_Advanced_Settings On some disk/controller combinations, it exhibits this behavior... As for the BitFlock issue, I believe it's related to the Scanner issue, but basically in the reverse way that you think. I suspect that it's errorring out because it's detecting an error, but the value is "0" and within acceptable limits.

Since this is definitely a complicated topic, I've flagged it for Alex, and will let him respond.

Usually, this happens if the hardware is changed, and StableBit DrivePool needs to Transfer the license (refresh the hardware info). If this is the case, then run the transfer wizard, and all should be good.

Is duplication enabled for this folder? Could you post the rule you are using specifically? And upload the logs from the system? http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_2.x_Log_Collection Just steps #5-7. Also, are you on the 2.1.0.553 RC build?

That works for .NET Framework 3.X (legacy), but does not work for .NET Framework 4.X. If you notice, it says ".NET Framework 4.5 Advanced Services" in the Windows Features section. For Windows 8, the only way to repair the .NET Framework 4.X reliably is to do a refresh of the system, or to re-install. It's a huge "oversight" by Microsoft, and one that is deemed necessary by the Metro apps (Modern UI apps, sorry). These rely on .NET 4.X.

First, Launch the Dashboard in safemode. If you're remoting into the server directly, there will be a link in the start menu to do that. Otherwise, on the client, click the "Option" section and select "let me choose which add-ins to load". Make sure that "StableBit DrivePool" is enabled. If it's not, select it and hit the "Enable" button. As for the installation issue, please completely remove StableBit DrivePool and reinstall. Instructions here: http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_Q8964978

Yeah, I agree with the spending money on cards.... unfortunately. However, if you are inclined to do so, some of the higher end HighPoint cards are a good buy, and work well. But it definitely does sound like the issue may be the controller here. And if it's using the proper drivers and still doing this.... it could be possible that there is a hardware defect. If possible, see about disconnecting ALL the disks. If the issue persists, remove the controller. If it still persists... run a memory test. If removing the card clears up the issue, you have a defective card (or a defective card slot). If removing the disks helps... then slowly add them back until the issue reappears. It could be an issue with one of the disks. And yes, I believe that Seagate acquired Samsumg's drive division. Much the way that WD acquired HGST. Also, if you're able to, force a crash dump when the system is acting up. We may be able to see what is going on. http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_System_Freeze

The simplest way will probably to to just share the files on the host. Most Operating systems are capable of reading Windows shares without any issues. Also, as for VMWare vs HyperV, do you have any specific use cases in mind here? Also, keep in mind, that you can't install and use both products at the same time. It's one or the other. Also, if you're using Server 2012R2 Standard, the license includes the license to two virtual machine. That means that you can install Standard as the host, and in HyperV, two copies of Standard in VMs, with the same key. Also, if you're using Standard, you do need to have the proper CALs for the system to be properly legit. However, if you're using an MSDN account, this is more or less a moot point, as they for development (but good to get used to proper practices) As for pass-through, you set the disk offline using disk management or diskpart, and then you can add it to a VM. However, you can't share the offline disk between active VMs. It's the same as VHDs. Only one active VM can use the disk at a time.

http://community.covecube.com/index.php?/topic/36-how-to-contribute-test-data/ Try downloading the DirectIoTest utility from there. Select a disk in question. If the "SMART Attributes" doesn't have a green checkmark in either box, then check the "Unsave Direct I/O" option and see if that gets the "SMART Attribute" option to "light up". If that doesn't, click on the "USB" checkmark. If that doesn't help, then ..... well, go through each specific method until you find one that does. Just be warned, that most methods may not work, and that this may cause issues with the USB controller.

Franko, Unfortunately, most likely not. The reason for this is that we use the build in API for accessing the disks. A large part of that is the "Virtual Disk Service". Both "Disk Manager" (diskmgmt.msc) and Diskpart connect to this API/service. If you can't see the disks there, then StableBit Scanner cannot see the disks either. The reason for this is that Storage Spaces hides the component disks from view, as it acts much like a RAID. It is a block level solution, so it needs the entire disk to work.

Just to clarify, you mean that you want to create two separate pools with the two disks? If so, then absolutely. Just use Disk Management to partition the disks into parts first. Then these will show up in DrivePool as separate "drives". Each partition can only be part of one pool though.

Glad to hear it! Hopefully everything goes smoothly! And I hope you enjoy the system.

That's definitely... odd. If it does come back.... please do the above. Also, you may want to check the "System" event viewer logs to see if there is a disk or controller error that shows up.

Pal, the last couple of builds include improvements to the measuring code (there was a "drift" issue that would cause these statistics to ... well, drift after time). But if you notice any instability again, please to get those dumps. They can show us a lot of what is going on. Though if this was "sudden", did you install anything during that period? such as disk tools or antivirus?