800D and Hot Swap Backplane Issues?

StefanS · #1 02-19-2012, 03:53 PM

I read many recent posts, (here and on other PC forums), related to 800D hot swap bays dropping HDDs randomly when the HDDs are placed in the host swap bays.
This is an example: http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthre...highlight=800d
This issue has not been fixed and nobody showed any solutions. Except to bypass the hot swap backplane. Then, connecting directly to the mobo, all works well. But the hot swap feature becomes unusable.

This concerns me because I just ordered an 800D build, before finding about these issues.
And here is my thinking about what may cause it:
Corsair replaced 4 individual SATA 2 backplanes with a single SATA 3 backplane last year. This is when all these problems started.
Apparently, the fault is related to the way the power is distributed to the drives via the PCB.
With the old SATA 2 backplanes, one per drive, each drive had its own power connector, from the PSU. In the new SATA 3 backplane, all 4 drives share the same power circuit on the PCB.
Probably, this design, which shortcuts the PSU, makes the drives compete for the same insufficient power resource. So, if you have 2 or more drives plugged into the hot swap bay, when accessed simultaneoulsy will create power drops and one or more drives will be left, momentarily, without power. And will be dropped by the mobo OR OS as unavailable.
If this is the cause, there are 2 ways for Corsair to fix it:
1. Drop this faulty design and revert back to the 4 backplanes modules who worked well before.
2. Add capacitors on the backplane PCB to filter out power drop spikes.

But this is just my speculation as to what is happening, I would very much like to hear from Corsair: what do they think the issue is and how do they plan to fix it and when? I
am eager to get my new build but very concerned about the how swap bays problem.

MrFizzbin · #2 02-20-2012, 07:10 AM

Good timing on your post, Stefans, as I have a related issue. I of my 4 backplates does not seem to be working. This was particularly bad because that backplate connect 1 of two SSD's that was in Raid for my OS. I basically toasted one of my SSD (or at least the timing seems to indicate it did). But my question is: I was going to order the newer backplates, but seeing this thread, I doesn't seem like a wise move. 1). Is this issue resolved, or 2). would it be safer for me to order one of the older backplates?

StefanS · #3 02-20-2012, 03:20 PM

1. From what I read, this issue doesn't appear resolved.
Here is a quite recent Amazon comment of someone having a similar config with yours (can't post te link, so I copied the relevant section.It's in the 800D case comments):

"Updated on 2/9/2012 -- I have owned this case for almost three months now. I want to write a follow up. As it turns out, I have been having problems with the SATA-III hotswap backplate in my case. I have all 4 bays filled, two of which contain SSDs, and the other two contain two 3TB Hitachi 6G HDDs. The backplate occassionally drops one of my hard drives. Unplugging and re-plugging it in will bring it back online. This problem almost always occurs after a cold boot or wake up from sleep mode. I tried replacing the cable just to rule it out. Then I saw in Corsair's forum that many people are having this problem. It is a known issue. I am in the process of applying for an RMA"

2. I don't think you can order the older backplanes. If you could do it, please let us know as well, it looks now like that was a much more reliable solution, and I would be willing to have them as well, instead of the new backplane.

3. I wonder if this is a general problem with the backplane or just some isolated malfunctions? It would be great if someone from Corsair would comment here.

sascwatch · #4 02-20-2012, 06:05 PM

I had backplane problems for the longest time, new and old style backplane boards. Even after trying 2 sets of each the problems persisted until I swapped out the corsair SATA cables for aftermarket cables. I haven't had a drive drop out since (4 months now).

StefanS · #5 02-20-2012, 07:05 PM

sascwatch => This is great news. I would like to reproduce what you have.
Could you tell me the exact configuration?

1. Do you use the new SATA III or the old 4 SATA II backplanes?
2. Have you replaced only the SATA data cables, or also some power cable? And could you tell us the brand?

I am glad someone found a work around for this issue and I am ready to do the same.

bf109 · #6 02-21-2012, 08:14 AM

Have similar issues been reported using the 800D SATA 6Gb/s upgrade? Do the newer model cases come with that or are they all configured with the 3Gb/s backplanes requiring you to purchase the upgrade?

Thanks!

sascwatch · #7 02-21-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StefanS

sascwatch => This is great news. I would like to reproduce what you have.
Could you tell me the exact configuration?

1. Do you use the new SATA III or the old 4 SATA II backplanes?
2. Have you replaced only the SATA data cables, or also some power cable? And could you tell us the brand?

I am glad someone found a work around for this issue and I am ready to do the same.

I am using the new sata3 backplane right now, I am using the stock sata cables from my EVGA X58 FTW3 board with 2 ******** 60gb ******** in Raid0 on the Intel ports, an ********3 on the SATA3 marvell controller and a WD Black 1TB drive on the intel ports.

hot swap config:
slot1: v 3 r t e x 2 60gb
slot2: v 3 r t e x 2 60gb
slot3: v 3 r t e x 3 120gb
slot4: WD Black 1TB

This is using the one piece power cable and four SATA cables that came with my motherboard. AX1200 PSU running the harddrives on one cable, optical on another.

I am currently looking for some right angled sata cables (there isn't much option in Canada)

edit: stupid forums filtering out competitors products.

sascwatch · #8 02-21-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bf109

Have similar issues been reported using the 800D SATA 6Gb/s upgrade? Do the newer model cases come with that or are they all configured with the 3Gb/s backplanes requiring you to purchase the upgrade?

Thanks!

Depending on the stock that the store had you may or may not get the SATA3 and usb3 upgraded case. It comes stock on the cases from Corsair, and if you ask nicely I'm sure they will send you a free upgrade kit.

MrFizzbin · #9 02-22-2012, 10:54 AM

Arg.. I went ahead and ordered the newer backplates. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that it will solve my problem. Wonder if they will be generous enough to allow an RMA if they don't work out, and return me instead 1 old backplate..?

teuf0311 · #10 02-25-2012, 04:27 AM

i too had an issue w/ not seeing my drive.
turns out it wasn't a backplate issue at all.
1. go to start menu, right click my computer, select manage.
2. go down to storage and click disk mgt.
3. you should see your drive in the big block list.
4. if it has yet to be formatted, it will be black. larger than 2 tb must be converted to GPT partition others can be MBR. if it's partitioned, you can right click a partition and delete it so you have only one partition.
5. right click the partition and do a quick format.
your disk should now be blue, and it should show up.

anyone using a disk w/ data on it will have to figure out how to not format, yet still make your disk visible.

sorry, but my problem was with a new storage drive of 3tb.

good luck

CORSAIR ADMIN!!!!!
please feel free to refine this and post as a possible solution.

MrFizzbin · #11 02-25-2012, 12:12 PM

Nope... That is not my issue.. It isn't a case of activating it, or formating..it's not detected at all. Either in P.O.S.T., or in other applications I use from a boot Cd (Hiren's boot CD). It is definately a backplate issue in my case (ou..pardon the pun).

teuf0311 · #12 02-25-2012, 05:41 PM

that's unfortunate. i actually popped in another data drive (w/ data on it) and it picked it up immediately. i am running 4 mechanical drives on my new backplate w/ no probs. side note... the power cable plugged into my plate only runs the plate... no other devices on that line. i also used the new cables that came w/ my mb.

maybe i just got lucky.

Mr.Bad.Man.Jay · #13 03-01-2012, 06:36 PM

Id check the sata cable's at the motherboard with the tight wire management I found my SSD was not connecting just had to realign the plug in the socket...

Have you tried another Sata cable?

Wired · #14 03-01-2012, 08:10 PM

sascwatch, please don't go around the forum filter, thanks.

yeenoghu · #15 03-19-2012, 03:40 PM

I have this same problem too. I used to have it happen to the two SSDs I had in RAID 0, so I moved those out of the hot swap bays and put them in my case. However, recently my 2TB hard drive has been dropping out every time I shut down or reboot, and I have to remove the drive then put it back in the hot swap bay for Windows to recognize it. I'm using the SATA3 backplane as well. Hope there's a possible fix coming for this!