Monday, July 28, 2025

Server Slowdown? Monday Morning RAID check



 






Kick off the week by tackling one of the most frustrating IT issues—servers starting sluggishly or performing like they’re stuck in weekend mode. Let’s tune up your RAID setup and SSD health before the chaos begins.

⚠️ Symptoms to Watch For

  • Slow boot times even after upgrades
  • RAID errors or degraded volumes
  • Random file access delays or timeouts
  • Applications lagging during peak hours

🛠️ Quick RAID Check Routine

  1. Access Your RAID Controller Dashboard
    • Use your server’s BIOS utility or software like Intel Rapid Storage or Dell OMSA
    • Check for warnings, degraded disks, or mismatched drive models
  2. Confirm Drive Health
    • Use CrystalDiskInfo or Manufacturer Tools for SMART status
    • Look for reallocated sectors and temperature spikes
  3. Match SSD Models and Firmware
    • Verify all SSDs in the array have matching firmware
    • Mismatched SSDs can cause RAID instability over time
  4. Check Cable and Port Integrity
    • Reseat SATA or NVMe cables and test alternative ports
    • A loose connection can mimic drive failure symptoms
  5. Review Write Caching & TRIM Settings
  • Enable write caching for performance (but monitor power failure risks)
  • TRIM should be active, especially for SSD-heavy arrays

🧰 Optimization Bonus: Faster Boot Times

  • Disable unnecessary startup services via msconfig
  • Update SSD firmware and drivers
  • Check for BIOS delays tied to legacy RAID initialization