Hardrive failure with RAID 5

[NADIAZIPPER]

My OS is on a single drive, I have 4 200GB dives using software based RAID 5 from my 2003 server OS. Now the single drive is failing. If I replace the single HD and reinstall 2003 will my data on my array still be there?

 

[Bordetas]

If is a RAID 5 you don't have to worry if only 1 hard drive is bronken. That is why RAID5 is there for you. You just have to replace that hard drive for a new one as soon as possible, if is a Hot swap array you don't have turn off the server, just put it in. Some servers needs to be told to rebuild the array but if you have a new proliant per example you just have to put it in and it will rebuild automatically.

Bordetas: MCSA/MCSE Security (only on paper) ;-P

http://www.jomanchi.com

 

[rvnguy]

NADIAZIPPER,

Yes, your RAID5 Data will still be there as long as you carefully re-establish the Array when you re-install the OS on a new single drive. DO NOT reformat the Array or your data will be lost. During installation you will be prompted for ("F6") to install drivers for this device. You should read the info on whatever controller you are using (onboard or separate card) for specifics. Once in the OS reset the array in disk manager again being careful on what you aelect.

If the single drive is not "DEAD" now, you might be able to install a new drive and copy your current boot disk to it. This would be preferable to a new install if there is enough life left in it to accomplish this.

Hope this helps

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[NADIAZIPPER]

Hard drive is dead, just spins and clicks, spins and clicks. I don't have a hadware based raid, I do have a ata card so that I could attach four hard drives and then created an aray once windows was installed and through disk management the array was born.

 

[rvnguy]

NADIAZIPPER,

A bit more information, please.

You have 4 200gb HD as Raid5 and a single drive with your OS?
A total of 5 drives correct?
How/what type of drives are connected and where/to what interface? Are you currently using the ATA card? What is the mfg mdl# of this card?

Normally, a mobo will have two IDE channels that will support 4 drives. Usually, a CD/DVD is also one of the drives leaving 3 open channels.
Does the mobo have SATA connections? How many? are you using these?

Can you provide:

CPU(s) type speed
MOBO mfg mdl#
All drive types and connection type and connection location.

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[NADIAZIPPER]

Asus motherboard,P4 2.0, Adaptec 1200A eide controller, all four 200gb seagate drives attached to the Adaptec card. I am not using any raid solution from the card. The single drive is ide to the motherboard. Once 2003 was installed I went into disk management and created the Raid 5 array with the 4 200gb drives, nothing to do with the adaptec card, hence the software based raid. Now the OS drive is failing and if I put in a new HD and install the OS all over again can I just go into disk management, chose to rescan, will the raid re-appear?

 

[rvnguy]

NADIAZIPPER,

Being that your current single(Boot)HD is dead, you have little in the way of options. Get a new HD and re-install XP (don't forget to "F6" for the Adaptec controller drivers). The in XP reset the SoftRAID array, but be careful and do not allow erasing all data. answering no should present you with an option to rebuild the array. Cross your fingers and hope that it works.

You might condsider buying 2 new HD's and setting them up in a RAID 1 Array. this will protect the boot drive information as there wil be a live backup of all content.

Good Luck

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all