Question 154 of 144
SK0-005 server-administration Practice Question
A server has a RAID 5 array with four drives. One drive fails and is replaced. During the rebuild, a second drive reports a media error and the rebuild fails. What should the administrator do FIRST to minimize the risk of permanent data loss?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Back up all critical data before any further rebuilding
A media error on another drive during a RAID 5 rebuild indicates that drive may also be failing. If another drive fails completely, the entire array and its data will be lost. Therefore, the immediate priority is to back up critical data before any further rebuild action. Replacing the drive or restarting the controller could trigger another rebuild, risking complete array loss. A consistency check does not address the urgency.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Run a consistency check on the array
Why it's wrong here
A consistency check may stress the failing drive further and does not protect against data loss if the drive fails during the check.
- ✗
Replace the drive that reported the media error immediately
Why it's wrong here
Replacing a drive while the array is degraded and another drive shows signs of failure may cause a complete failure during the replacement rebuild.
- ✓
Back up all critical data before any further rebuilding
Why this is correct
Data should be safeguarded first; once the backup is complete, troubleshooting can continue with reduced risk.
- ✗
Restart the RAID controller to reinitialize the rebuild
Why it's wrong here
Restarting the controller does not fix media errors and could increase the risk of losing the remaining drives.
Quick reference
RAID Level Comparison
| RAID Level | Min Disks | Fault Tolerance | Read | Write | Usable Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAID 0 | 2 | None | Excellent | Excellent | 100% |
| RAID 1 | 2 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 50% |
| RAID 5 | 3 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 67–94% |
| RAID 6 | 4 | 2 disks | Good | Lower | 50–88% |
| RAID 10 | 4 | 1 disk per mirror | Excellent | Good | 50% |
RAID is not a backup strategy — it protects against disk failure but not against accidental deletion, ransomware, or site-level events.
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Last reviewed: Jul 26, 2026
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