RAID Warning Message

[Blueman2]

I am running windows xp and received a message:

"A Raid volume is degraded because of failed hard disk. From what I can figure out, Raid is suppose to manage multiple hard discs and I only have 1".

Can someone tell me what this means and what I should do? This is the first time I've ever heard about "RAID" The hard drive seems to be working fine as I can access all my data. I've done a data back up just in case.

Thanks

 

[BadBigBen]

Check the BIOS settings, they may have changed from AHCI to RAID, either through manual interaction or ESD...

just in case, it always was set to RAID, run DIAGNOSTIC tests on the HDD (preferrable those by the manufacturer of your HDD, alternatively use SeaTools as it will check other manufacturers as well)...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[Blueman2]

Thanks Ben.

If it is set to RAID can I/should I set it to AHCI within the bios in the bios settings?

 

[BadBigBen]

yes, you can... if you have trouble booting thereafter, then reset the setting back to RAID...

post back...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[Blueman2]

Thanks,

1 more question before I try that. The drive seems to be working despite the RAID message. Is it too late to create a disk image so that in case the disk does actually complete fail it can be restored to a new drive easily?

Thanks again

 

[BadBigBen]

Go ahead and do the Image, you can never be too safe when it comes to personal DATA (pictures and letters, etc.)...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[wahnula]

You don't mention the age and make of the PC, some older models that introduced SATA required you to set up a 1-disk array (yes, I know!) to get the SATA ports to work. But this was before AHCI. My guess is that somehow your BIOS or RAID controller now thinks you have a degraded RAID 1 array, another guess is that the BIOS reset to default and that RAID 1 is a default option. Look around the BIOS for clues.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[Blueman2]

The PC is only a year old. I can now supply some more details.
The opening screen on boot-up before entering bios is a a RAID message screen with the options:

1)Create Raid
2)Delete Raid
3)Reset Disks to Non-Raid
4)Exit

It then gives disk vol info:

Raid Vol 298 gb
Vol 0 RAID (Mirror) - Degraded

Physical Disks:

WDC - (serial # A) - 298 GB error occurred 00
WDC - (serial # B) - 298 GB Member Disk (OK)

Serial # B is slightly different than A and again, there is only one hard disk in there. It is probably partitioned but I believe that the total gigs for the hard disk is 300 GB.

For some reason it's reading a mirrored ? hard disk. The PC seems to be working fine. I am concerned that if I reset the RAID (Option 3)I might loose the data in the HD and have to implement the backup. Although I have it (the backup), I'm thinking I should just leave it and ignore the RAID message as it's still going to be a pain to re-do the HD.

If I'm wrong and choosing to reset the disk (option 3) won't destroy the data on the drive I might try it. Does anyone have any further thoughts on this. Thanks

 

[BadBigBen]

Physical Disks:

WDC - (serial # A) - 298 GB error occurred 00
WDC - (serial # B) - 298 GB Member Disk (OK)

EEEKKKK.... you did not mention that it WAS a RAID, from the information given at first, quote: The hard drive seems to be working fine, we surmised that it was just ONE drive...

This drive needs to be replaced (ASAP): WDC - (serial # A) - 298 GB error occurred 00, as that drive is done for. preferrable with the same type of drive (320 gb)... also check to see if you still have warranty, if you do then take it to the shop where you bought it and have them fix it...

but before you do anything rash, give us the specs on the mainboard (Make and Manufacturer), that way we can give you better information as to what to do next...




Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[Blueman2]

unfortunately I'm not in the same location as the pc so I can't get you the motherboard info right away however I want to make sure you understand that there are not 2 drives (A&B). There is only 1 drive. Somehow it is being read as 2 drives, each with 298 gb when in fact there is only one.

This may have something to do with the word "mirrored" as in this:

Raid Vol 298 gb Vol 0 RAID (Mirror) - Degraded

What does it mean by "Mirrored"?

I have a feeling its reading that there is a second drive that is actually not there which is why it would be "Degraded"

Thanks

 

[BadBigBen]

What does it mean by "Mirrored"? - is RAID 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID_1#RAID_1

I want to make sure you understand that there are not 2 drives (A&B). There is only 1 drive

Whew!!!

I have a feeling its reading that there is a second drive that is actually not there which is why it would be "Degraded" - Feeling hasn't let you down... ;-)


I would proceed the following way:

1. Image the drive to an external drive (USB, eSATA)...

2. Break the RAID on the PC...

3. Use DBAN or similar diskwiping tool, then wipe the first 10% of the drive (that should be more than enough)...

4. reimage it back to the drive... cross the fingers that it will work (just for poise)...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[Blueman2]

as i mentioned, there are not 2 drive. Just one. It is somehow assuming there is some type of "mirrored drive" which it is seeing as failing. However, as I said (and now this is over a month later with daily use) the Drive is working perfectly except for the RAID message that appears at startup saying one of the drives is failing.