first time posting. Straight to it then, existing WSE 2016 Storage Pool comprising (all SATA):
3 x 1TB HDD (Samsung SpinPoint F3) 2 x 2TB HDD (Toshiba P300) 1 x 3TB HDD (Toshiba P300)
I want to add another 3 x 2TB HDDs, then remove the 3 x 1TB HDDs. I have 2 x 2TB HDDs ready for install & was intending to add 1 x 2TB, then remove a 1TB HDD, then repeat, then add the last 2TB HDD. I have 2 x 2TB Toshiba P300 HDDs to add now, I need to acquire the last one.
The existing pool 1TB & 2TB HDDs are via the on-board AHIC. The pool 3TB HDD is via a StarTech 4—way SATA card (Marvell 92xx chip), the remaining spare ports will be used for the additional 3 HDDs.
When adding the 2TB HDDs (either 1 at a time, or two together, the error:
"Can't prepare drives. Close all applications that are accessing the drive, and then try again."
"The system cannot find the file specified” (error code 0x00000002).
Here are some screen grabs:
Storage Pool Add drives Preparing drives Can't prepare drives Storage Pool details
I'm wondering if this is some some of compatibility issue. The motherboard is old, but solid (Intel 5520SC - dual Xeon E5520). The drives are a mix, the Samsung SpinPoint F3 from 2011 & The Toshiba P300 from 2017. All drivers are up to date.
There are limits on the HDD size that can be connected to the motherboard SATA controller (max 2TB), which is why the 3TB is via the StarTech card.
One other weird thing, some of the HDDs in the pool are labelled as SCSI. Below is a screen grab of Device Manager, showing the HDDs:
The fact that the existing pool with the same HDDs as the ones I want to add is already operational & has been for a couple of years suggests there shouldn't be an issue.
I've been trawling the web for a steer on this, whilst simultaneously pulling out what remains of my hair. Any assistance available would be gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.
