[GLLUG] SATA error making updating installing a nightmare

[John Winters]

On 09/05/2020 14:18, MJ via GLLUG wrote:
> To you clever clogs:
> 
> [ 5107.143324] ata7: irq_stat 0x00000040, connection status changed
> [ 5107.143333] ata7: SError: { PHYInt CommWake DevExch }
> [ 5107.143346] ata7: limiting SATA link speed to 1.5 Gbps
> [ 5107.143351] ata7: hard resetting link
> [ 5107.852563] ata7: SATA link down (SStatus 0 SControl 310)
> [ 5107.852583] ata7: EH complete
> [ 5108.616105] ata7: exception Emask 0x10 SAct 0x0 SErr 0x4040000 action 0xe frozen
> [ 5108.616110] ata7: irq_stat 0x00000040, connection status changed
> [ 5108.616114] ata7: SError: { CommWake DevExch }
> [ 5108.616120] ata7: limiting SATA link speed to 1.5 Gbps
> [ 5108.616122] ata7: hard resetting link

Ouch!  That's one of those really annoying problems because it could be 
several different things.

First question - you said "updating installing" - which is it?  If 
you're updating a system then your first priority is to make sure you 
have a really good backup because you might be in a data loss situation. 
  If you're merely installing then there is less to worry about.

Possible causes (probably not an exclusive list):

* Faulty SATA cable
* Faulty power supply
* Faulty power lead to drive
* Lead not properly seated
* Faulty drive
* Faulty motherboard

I'm not terribly knowledgable about the whys and wherefores of this kind 
of problem, but my approach is to change components one by one and 
saturation test the drives.  Work out which drive it is.  Change the 
SATA lead.  Test.  Change the power lead.  Test.  Change the entire PSU. 
Test.

Reduce the number of components involved (say, just 1 HDD).  Test.  Add 
drives back one by one, testing after each one.  Try to identify which 
component (drive or lead) introduces the problem.

HTH,
John

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