I have a poweredge 2950 running W2K8R2 with two MD1000 enclosures attached - one via a PERC6e controller, one via a PERC5e controller - both arrays using both channels on the respective controller and array, and configured in RAID50 so that drives 0-6 are on one channel and drives 7-14 are on the other channel. Each MD1000 array is configured as a single volume for file sharing on our network.

One MD1000 - connected to the PERC5e - with 14 x 750GB SATAu drives, fails during post (drive spin-up), showing drive 12 as dead (no LEDs) and drive 6 as failed (alternating green and amber LEDs). The post routine shows an "array failed" alarm on this controller, and asks me to check cables (which I have done) and press "C" to enter the configuration utility. Pressing "C" achieves nothing.

I have tried replacing the drives - this time POST shows all drives spun up, but POST (logically) still gives an alarm and offers the Press "C" option - which still does nothing. Without access to the config utility I cannot get into the array and get it to rebuild.

I am at a loss of what to do, as I do not want to risk the critical data on this array.

Any advice or words of wisdom would be welcome

Best regards / Adrian