Christopher (Drashna)

The "unsafe" methods are for the controller, raid or sata. But if you don't have that config file, then you're not using those unsafe methods (as that is specifically enabled by that file).

So it's definitely not doing it when StableBit Scanner is uninstalled, right? If so, then yes, Scanner is definitely the cause, and that throttling option should definitely help.

That's definitely not typical. It should definitly transfer at faster speeds. But this could happen if it is copying a lot of small files (such as pictures). Otherwise, it should be copying at "normal" speeds. I'm assuming you're using DrivePool 2.x, right? If so, could you do this: http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_2.x_Log_Collection

It could be Scanner that is causing this behavior. On the system, open up StableBit Scanner, click on the "Scanner settings" button in the toolbar, and select "All Settings". Then head to the "S.M.A.R.T." tab. Click on the checkbox to "Throttle queries". By default, this will force it to check once an hour, and should be a lot more in line with what you want.

If you have it enabled, you'll have a "C:\Program Files (x86)\StableBit\Scanner\Scanner.Service.exe.config" file present (even after uninstall). If you do not, then you are not using this setting. If you do have this file then you *may* have this setting enabled. If you have a card that uses these unsafe methods, and Scanner is configured to allow their usage, then it can cause the instability. However, if the drive controller doesn't uses these methods at all, or it's not enabled... then this wouldn't be the cause. And unfortunately, the only system I have that has a controller that uses these unsafe methods is my server, which runs HyperV (and my testing and work VMs), and runs Server 2012... The reason I asked is because I noticed that I had not asked it before. And since the setting can cause the system to become unstable.... I'm still trying to test this out and reproduce the issue. But in the meanwhile, if you are willing to, getting that crashdump for when the system is locking up/hanging would be most useful. http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_System_Freeze

Sort of. Alex does cover the issue pretty thoroughly in his response above (http://community.covecube.com/index.php?/topic/48-questions-regarding-hard-drive-spindownstandby/?p=277&do=findComment&comment=277) However, the issue here is that there are a bunch of moving parts here, and anyone can prevent the disks from spinning down. From the disks themselves, to the controllers they're on, to the drivers, Windows itself, and then querying info from the disks will wake them too. But, one thing, you wouldn't disable the standby time for the disks. You'd want that enabled and configured.

Actually, alex and I were just talking about this. And funny enough, disk compression came up. As for the de-duplication, you hit on the biggest issue. If a drive fails, you could lose a good chunk of data. Which is the opposite point of Duplication in StableBit DrivePool. However, there is an Addin for "WHS2011" that you may want to look into: Snoop-de-Dupe (http://www.snoopdedupe.com/). It specifically looks for duplicate files and lets decide how to handle them. Sounds like something you may be interested it. As for figuring out, well, he's already got a few very challenging things on his plate for DrivePool already. But this may be on his to-do list already. http://community.covecube.com/index.php?/topic/252-future-developments/

Unfortunately, I'm having issues duplicating the issue. I've tried it in a couple of VMs, and I've tried it on physical hardware. With *all* of the software you've listed, and still, nothing. As stable as it can be. By chance, do you have the "unsafeDirectIO" setting enabled for StableBit Scanner? If so, that could actually be the cause here. I'm also flagging this thread for Alex, because aside from what I've already recommended (that system freeze link), I'm not sure what else I can suggest doing to help fix the issue.

Okay. I've replied to your ticket already, and have flagged it for alex, as this is definitely a weird issue.

saiyan, No, I just want to be able to duplicate the system as much as possible to see if it's one or more parts that are the issue.

Like one of those docks that covers like an inch of the disk and leaves the rest exposed? I've used one of those before, and had a terrible experience with it. And I've seen a lot of reports, here and elsewhere (namely We Got Served) of these "enclosures" causing all sorts of issues. They're not reliable. And probably because they're usually of cheap contruction. Not yet. But it is definitely on Alex's mind. http://community.covecube.com/index.php?/topic/208-stablebit-drivepool-controlling-folder-placement/ That, or if you have some skill with programing, DrivePool has an open API for creating your own balancers. http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_DrivePool_-_Develop_Balancing_Plugins That's definitely not *supposed* to happen. If you wouldn't mind opening a ticket at http://stablebit.com/Contact so we can see about resolving that. Though usually resetting Scanner's settings will fix that. http://wiki.covecube.com/StableBit_Scanner_Q4200749 The option is greyed out because there can't be any partitions on the disks to be able to convert it (rather, you'd lose the partition data anyways, so Windows just won't let you). The important part is what the greyed out text says. Oh, and definitley don't convert to dynamic disk. If you do, then DrivePool won't see the disk. Well, if you want a recommendation for a different drive... ST4000DM000, (or the NAS version ST4000VN000) or any other Seagate disk. But I've always had much better luck with Seagate, personally.

I was afraid of that. I was going to test that out myself today (on my to-do list actually), but it seems that you've beaten me to that. And the word I would use is "sloppy". But it's a relatively new feature, and naturally bound to have issues. I mean, look at Drive Extender in v1, and at Storage Spaces. Both have had a LOT of reported issues. Though, from the other side. Sometimes it is hard to test every possible configuration... But, something like that file properties thing is something that should have been fixed right away.

That is very odd. I know that Alex uses VMWare. I believe workstation and not player. I'm going to see about duplicating the issue tomorrow in both products. And to make sure, you're running them on WIndows 7 x64 as the host OS, right? And aside from maybe acronis, do you have any other software installed? especially AV or disk/backup utilities?

Okay, I wasn't entirely sure about that. I do remember somebody using the built in deduplication feature of 2012 and it causing some serious issues. But I haven't seen it mentioned since. I guess I know what I'm doing this week. Good thing I have testing VMs, right? Though I suspect that it will still cause issues with DrivePool. But we shall see.

I'm not actually sure about that. IIRC, how DeDuplication works, yes, it may cause issues with DrivePool. Or at the very least, negate the point of duplication. It basically hardlinks files so there is only one copy of the file. The exact opposite of what Duplication does in DrivePool.

I'm not entirely sure how your stuff is setup, ... so... I can't comment on specifics. But like I said, any "user folders" that are moved to network locations (either automatically or manually) get the recycle bin. And I'm not sure about the file history feature. I've avoided using it, as I don't really need nor want it. And as for WIndows 8.... I've not had any issues, other than the start menu. And I've seen some reports that VSS may be broken in 8.1 (or not working correctly 100%). So the best bet is to make sure you have a backup before upgrading (but that's been standard practice for .. forever )

Well, as I said before, end of life is almost here for XP. By the time we had a stable version .... well, microsoft will have ended support.

If the folder was a user folder mapped to a network share, then this is normal. (eg, moving *your* video folder to "\\SERVER\Videos" would do this). That, and it may be a feature of File History. I'm not sure. I really have avoided Windows 8.1. Lots of issues.

Maybe, but security was a nightmare on XP. Very easy to exploit. But that's also part of why Server 2008R2 and up are x64 only. It's more secure, and can address significantly more RAM. As for the "tablet" feel, I personally use Start8 on all of my Win8/Server 2012 boxes to get the old start menu back. It works very very well, and just feels much better. And as for aging... Computer hardware made a HUGE leap in XP's era. And what they had to work with starting out was .... crap. But now, even the low end systems are 1.x GHz dual core CPUs with ~2GB of RAM, and a reasonably fast HDD.

tarner, I suspect that you're having connection issues (based on the double post). That dropbox link in Doug's link is the same as the one I linked you in your ticket. It should work properly.

There is a possibility of that. It happens. Either way, you should be set. And we're glad that you're enjoying the software.

If you have an advanced config file, could you try removing it temporarily to see if that helps? Also, I'm assuming that the "Scanner.Service.exe" process is not running after this happens, correct?

Edit the MSI file is the only way that may work.... But if this is for 2012... I'd recommend getting a refund (or install it on another machine), and look at ESET File Security. It's certified for Server 2012, and "extensively tested" by me. And it's a bit cheaper (or at least around the same price as NOD32). http://www.eset.com/us/business/products/file-windows/

The license is linked to the hardware, to make sure it's not being activated on multiple machines. If you didn't deactivate it (or if it didn't go through properly), then you'll definitely see that behavior. And the license is valid for any version of Scanner, so there is no need to purchase another copy, unless you a) want to, or b.) wish to run a copy on multiple computers at the same time (which you can get a discount for, if you want to do this). I've reset your license for Scanner, so it should activate properly on the new system now.

That's ... odd. Well, then loading up "Server Manager" and heading to the "File and Storage Services" and then to "Shares". Find the share in question, right click on it and select "Stop Sharing". That will definitely fix the issue then.