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LangaList 2004-09-16 Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!
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--------------( the above is an advertisement )------------- 1) RAID Issues
RAID is a strange technology for desktop systems. The idea of using a "redundant array of inexpensive disks" (hence the acronym "RAID") originated in high-demand servers, where it made sense: Part of the reason was size: RAID was invented when affordable drives were much smaller. Instead of having to buy an exotic, expensive large drive; or using a bunch of separate, small drives that ranged up the alphabet; RAID let you create one large storage device (with one drive letter) from many small, relatively cheap storage devices. In effect, the RAID controller hid the real drives from the system, presenting it with one large pseudo-drive. Another reason for doing this was performance: Clever RAID software could break files into chunks which could be stored across a number of hard drives. As one drive delivered part of a file to a user, another drive could be seeking the next piece, resulting in a long, continuous stream of high-speed data. Part of the idea was also to provide data redundancy: Through advanced error correction techniques, and in some cases through literal duplication of data, the idea was that if part of any disk went bad (or in some cases, even if an entire disk went bad), the data was either present or interpolatable from the other disks. In a way, it was kind of a live, continuous backup. Some RAID systems even allow for "hot swapping" of a bad drive; you don't have to shut down the system to replace a drive. Just slide out the dead drive, slide in a replacement, and in theory the RAID array won't miss a beat. I suspect the RAID philosophy of using cheap--- essentially disposable--- drives that are largely hidden from the system is what's in your way, Stuart: It's not a SMART limitation, but a RAID constraint. The RAID mindset usually isn't to baby the drives or to monitor their health in extremely minute detail (which is what SMART does), but to allow for and expect failure; and to keep on working when the failure happens. There's lots more to RAID, and if you want to explore it,
see I offer a general link for a simple reason: I have no precise RAID links to post because I don't use RAID and I don't recommend it. I simply don't think RAID is a good technology on desktop systems. See the next item for the reasons why. Click to email this item to a
friend --- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) --- "Dear Fred, I received the
first of your Plus Editions this Monday and I --------------( the above is an advertisement )-------------- 2) Why I Don't Use RAID(continued from previous item) RAID was once ideal for cobbling together huge storage capacities from small, cheap hard drives. But truly enormous drives are now commonplace and inexpensive. For example, If you shop around a little, you can get a 200GB hard drive for around $100. Not big enough for you? Hitachi makes a 400GB hard drive using standard 3.5" desktop technology. Most desktop systems can easily accommodate two hard drives, so you could equip a standard PC with two of those Hitachi drives for a combined total of 800GB of capacity with no RAID or other exotica whatsoever. May I see a show of hands of readers who need more than 800 GB of live storage on their desktop systems? <g> And, of course, drive capacities are going up all the time. So the "make a bigger drive" argument for desktop RAID no longer carries much weight. Performance? I will concede that, technically speaking, a well-tuned, well-maintained RAID system *may* be able to offer better sustained data throughput (eg *very* large files) than stand-alone drives on desktop systems. But I will bet you lunch that if you compare a RAID-equipped desktop to one with a standard drive that's also well-tuned and well-maintained, you won't notice the difference in normal daily operation with normal files. This is one of those areas where benchmarks can actually lead you astray. I've been involved with a lot of benchmarking efforts from my years at Byte, Winmag, and other places, and one of the rules of thumb we found to be true was that most average PC users can't notice speed differences of less than about 15-20%. A focused, highly-experienced user may detect differences in the 10-15% range. PC professionals and uber-Geeks might detect differences in the 8-10% range. Anything less than that usually requires a stopwatch or special timing software. So, a RAID array may benchmark faster than a stand-alone drive in sustained data throughput or net seek time or some such, but odds are, it simply isn't going to make much, if any, difference in how your PC "feels" or how you use it. RAID does protect your data against mechanical failures of the hard drives themselves--- a head crash, wear and tear, etc. But so do ordinary backups. And RAID does little or nothing to protect against systemic problems or problems that affect the array as a whole (worms, viruses, user error or malicious misuse, electrical problems, fire, theft, water damage, physical accident, etc. etc. etc.). In any instance where a single problem can affect the system or array as a whole, RAID can cause you to lose your data *and* your backup in one disastrous stroke. Plus, RAID arrays are often noisy, heat-producing, and power-hungry, too. And, as Stuart said in #1, above, there can be other issues, too. I know many users are fans of RAID, and it is a cool technology. But I've always avoided it in my desktop systems, preferring one or two large, fast, quiet hard drives with large caches. Properly partitioned and maintained (eg defragged, scandisked, SMART-monitored, etc), these drives offer excellent performance, quiet operation, no power/heat issues, high reliability and relative simplicity. I like systems where there are fewer things to go wrong. 8-) As for data security, a good backup regimen that stores the backed-up data away from the PC beats RAID hands down. With the data on, say, CDs or DVDs and stored away from the PC, then even if the PC itself or the hard drive is *totally destroyed* by some calamity, the data is still safe. But you may weigh things differently, and that's why I've spelled out my reasons, so you can make your own judgment. But the above is why I've never recommended or used RAID on a desktop system. I believe it's a misplaced technology there. Click to email this item to a
friend 3) Boot Failure From Power Supply Problem
It could indeed be that, Steve; perhaps the stalled fan drew enough power to prevent the hard drive from spinning up. I'd say replacing the fan was the right first step: They're cheap and easy to swap out. But I'd also suggest looking at the power supply. If it's running that close to the edge, it may be worth replacing too. (In fact, it might even be the real source of the problem, rather than the fan.) Most power supplies are held in place with just four screws, so they're very easy to remove. If you've never done it before, the rats' nest of wires makes it look complicated, but if you work slowly and carefully, it's not bad at all. Most cables are keyed so they can't be plugged in the wrong way, but if there's a possibility of confusion, use a Sharpie or similar permanent-ink marker: As you unplug the old cables, put a small dot or arrow on the plastic of the sockets to remind you which way the original cable was plugged in. You can also make basic sketches of what goes where, or, if you have a digital camera, you can use that to easily record where each plug goes. Changing the power supply would also give your friend a *great* opportunity to make his system quieter. see: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=21401323 Click to email this item to a
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--------------( the above is an advertisement )------------- 4) Big Surprise In Defrag Log File
Glad you found the analysis file, Rob--- indeed, it can contain very useful information. You don't even have to defrag your drive to generate the analysis report. It only takes a minute, too: In 2K and XP, open "My Computer" and decide which drive you want to analyze. Right click on that drive and select Properties. In the Properties dialog, click on Tools and the badly-named "Defrag Now...". (It only loads Defrag; it doesn't actually start defragging.) Once the Defrag tool is open, click "Analyze" and wait a moment. When the results pop up, click "View Report" and you'll see the kind of information Rob was talking about. If you can't read all of it in the small display window, click "save as" and store the report where you can find it. It's just a plain text file, so you can read it in Notepad. If you want more options, running defrag manually is more
flexible. See: Alas, the WinME/98 Defragger has no built-in report generator. On those OSes, you'll have to use a third-party defrag or analysis tool, such as Norton's Speed Disk. Click to email this item to a
friend 5) CD "-R" Versus "+R"
Remember the VHS versus Betamax video format showdown? Well the DVD controversy is worse. 8-) VHS was a highly-promoted, adequate standard for video recording. Betamax was technically superior, but less well marketed. It eventually withered to niche/specialty status (eg professional gear), and VHS took over the mass market. The DVD mess is worse: There actually are six variants of DVDs, although the +R and -R are the most common. Unlike the VHS/Betamax tussle, there are few practical differences between +R and -R technologies. Mostly, it's a turf war over who will "own" DVD standards. My advice is to buy a drive that supports both formats (that's what I did). They're only a little more expensive, and they ensure that you can handle pretty much whatever comes down the pike. But it sounds like you're looking for a more detailed explanation, and there's a truly excellent FAQ on DVDs that does a better job than I could do on the subject. It's at http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html , and it can answer just about any question you might have. The specific item on "Which recordable DVD format should I buy?" is at http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#4.3.6 . But read the whole page--- you'll come away very well informed about all the issues and variables involved! Click to email this item to a
friend 6) Recommend This Newsletter And Win!If you think the LangaList is a worthwhile read, maybe a
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friend 7) "Spyware Stormer"
I have no personal experience with it. But when I need to find out about software I've never heard of before, I turn to Google/Groups, which searches Usenet "news" groups to see what real people are saying. For example:
That latter link was especially interesting, with lots of negative comment including questions about the company's use of your personal data, and with a link here: http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm That, in turn, describes Spyware Stormer as "rogue" software: "aggressive advertising... variant of NoSpyX & SpyVest... Ad-aware knockoff ." Maybe all the above is wrong. But maybe not: Speaking for myself, I'd steer clear of Spyware Stormer, for sure. No posts that I saw discussed password theft, Bill, but your safest bet would be to change at least your most-sensitive passwords. You already cancelled the credit card (that was smart!), so you're safe there. I guess the only thing left to do is to resolve never to make 2AM purchases again. 8-) Click to email this item to a
friend 8) Code-Load Success StoryCode-loaders Bob and Sherry write:
Do you have a home page or website? (It doesn't
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--------------( the above is an advertisement )------------- 9) Desktop Sidebar
Thanks, Peter. I generally try to keep sidebars, toolbars and such off my desktop, but many people love tools like that, which place diverse items and information sources just a click away. I bet their servers are bout to take a big hit. 8-) Click to email this item to a
friend 10) Just For Grins
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