Raid 1 sometimes only uses 1 HDD

[bobbits]

Hi
I have a windows 8.1 desktop with 2 Seagate 1tb HDDs in Raid 1 (is is a software raid setup).
The Seagate HDDs are the type that stop spinning whenever they haven’t been uses for a while and spin up whenever a save is needed, I can clearly hear them spinning up with one starting then about a second later the number 2 drive starts.

However, I have noticed that occasionally, and for no apparent reason only one of the drives will start...

Can anyone tell me why only one Raid 1 HDD will be started?

Thanks.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, bobbits.

That shouldn't happen. Basically you get read speed increase so even while reading both drives should be spinning, as well as they should be spinning while writing. It's a bit odd, that this would happen and yet your RAID setup will remain healthy (at least that's what I assume since you've mentioned no errors or anything like that).
It could be something caused by the drive's firmware, having in mind you've mentioned that it has a feature for power saving, but in order to confirm that, I'd recommend that you turn to the drive manufacturer's customer support for more information.

Please keep me posted.
Boogieman_WD

 

[bobbits]

I thought something was up, but what to do....

My Raid 1 is set up using the Intel Raid system.
I have to wonder how many other people have the same issue, I wouldn’t have known the computer was occasionally accessing one drive if I hadn’t chosen the energy saving type of Seagate HDDs that I have.

As a more general question, how would a person with "normal-traditional" always spinning HDDs know if their raid is behaving in a similar way to mine?

I have to say I am tempted to just reinstall the system but until I decide to go down that path I will keep looking into this issue (not an easy topic to research) and post any findings I stumble over.

Thanks.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

I really don't know for sure if this is caused by the drives' features and/or firmware so I don't know if it's possible for this to happen with regular HDD's with no special spin-down or power saving features. So I'm afraid that if this happens, perhaps the only way to find out about it, is by chance like in your case.

As I've already mentioned, go ahead and contact the HDD manufacturer's customer support to see if the guys there can shed some light on the matter. I'll be really glad to see what you might find out about this topic.