Failed RAID drive

Question

I have searched and have not yet found an answer specific to my system. I have a dimension 8400 running a RAID 1 configuration. One of the drives has failed but I'm up and running on the other. I have been through the steps with tech support. They dispatched a tech today to replace the drive. I was surprised to find out that according to the tech, I would have to reinstall everything. I was not comfortable with that, I needed to do some backups, so they just left me the drive to install. I can't seem to find the simple answer. Will I have to do a complete reinstall? It seems like if I'm running a RAID 1, it should be simple to install the drive and just have it start mirroring. Some places I've read it couldn't be done, and others have said it can. I am running the Intel Storage Utility 4.0 (which reports the drive as failed), but am just unsure of the actual mechanics of getting the new drive running. Can someone give me the rundown on how to do this? I've installed hard drives before and am pretty comfortable with the physical part, but have never done this with a RAID array. Is there anything that needs to be done in setup, or will the new drive be recognized? Any help is appreciated very much. Dimension 8400 Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Pentium 4 3.0 ghz Seagate drives 160 GB, MODEL ST3160023AS

mombodog · Answer

' Will I have to do a complete reinstall? '   No, the whole purpose of Raid 1 is so you don't have to do this, simply install the new drive and boot the PC, the Intel bios rebuild the array automatically, may take some time be patient.     ' Is there anything that needs to be done in setup, or will the new drive be recognized?'   Sometimes there is a problem and the bios will not recognize the drive, after you install the drive, F2 into the bios and check to see if it is recognized. If it is not do the following to reset the NVRAM while you are in the bios. You may or may not get the beeps. If you have customized settings in the bios, you will have to set these manually after clearing NVRAM.    *Press the [Caps Lock], [Scroll Lock] and the [Num Lock] keys to light up all three lights on the keyboard * Press the [Alt] and keys at the same time * The computer issues a beep * Press the [Alt] and keys at the same time * The computer issues a beep * Down arrow to Onboard or Integrated Devices [press Enter] * Set everything to On except for USB Emulation which should be set for NO BOOT * Press the [Alt] and keys at the same time* The BIOS saves settings and the computer restarts   The Intel bios should see the new drive and rebuild the array, if it does not, you can rebuild the array from within Windows. Go to Start >All Programs >Intel Application Accelerator  launch the program, right click on the new drive and choose 'Rebuild to this Disk'  You can use the PC while it is rebuilding.

mgriff · Answer

I've been busy with the holiday and am just getting around to this. Thanks mumbodog. I installed the new drive today and it went without a hitch. The Intel application rebuilt the array and I'm back up an running the raid. No problems at all. What a relief. Hope you have a good holiday and I appreciate your help.

mgriff · Answer

Mumbodog, I may have spoken too soon. While the raid hard drives are just fine, I no longer see my CD and DVD drives. Before the hard drive replacement, I had D drive = CD/DVD ROM. E drive = CD/DVD burner. On startup, I'm seeing a message that PATA 4 and 5 are not found. Do I need to change a bios setting? Can you coach me through this? thanks

mombodog · Answer

Did you clear the NVRAM, try it again.

mgriff · Answer

I went through the steps and here's what happened. I got no beep after the ALT E, but got the beep after ALT F. After everything was set to on (except USB NO BOOT), I did the ALT B, but nothing happened. I saved the changes and exited. Under DRIVES in BIOS, PATA drives are set to ON. I still cannot see D and E drives. Hard drives are working fine. In the meantime, I'll check connections. Also, SATA operation is set to RAID Autodetect/AHCI. Is that the correct mode? thanks again

mombodog · Answer

'Are these the devices that the PATA refers to?'   In the bios? Yes.   PATA = IDE   SATA = SATA   ATA = PATA or SATA

mombodog · Answer

'Also, SATA operation is set to RAID Autodetect/AHCI. Is that the correct mode? thanks again '   Should be, it will not boot (BSOD) if it is not.   When you say you cannot 'see' the D and E drives, is this in the bios or Windows?   Yes check the cabling.

mgriff · Answer

I can't see them in Windows, nor will they work. They open and close, but will not read any disks put into them. They also do not show up in 'My computer'. I'm not sure how they would show up in the BIOS, but I do not see anything there that specifically says anything about any cd/dvd devices. Are these the devices that the PATA refers to? thanks

mgriff · Answer

Mombodog, The problem was a loose cable, not making a good connection. I'm back to normal, all drives are showing and usable. I think all my problems are solved now. Thanks so much for your help.

mombodog · Answer

Easy fix, you are welcome.   I don't like the new sata cables, they come loose too easy.

Storage, Drives & Media

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