Challenge your knowledge of RAID!!


If you are really good with RAID, here is a challenge.

I run RAID10 (RAID0 + 1) on an Intel D945GTP board.

4 SATA drives used for all 4 SATA Plugs: These are numbered 0, 1, 2, 3.

PROBLEM: 3 of my 4 drives have become Off-Line Members. The only drive
still recognized as part of the Array is drive #1.

When I boot to Bios, and after setting up my RAID there, to the Intel RAID
Matrix, I see all my drives -- but only drive 2 is On-Line.

The other 3 drives, numbered as 0, 2 and 3, are Off-Line Members (in red).
System shows not bootable and does not boot.

All ports 0, 1, 2, 3 are shown but only drive #1 is a Member Disk (0). All
the other ports show the drive as Offline Member (in red).

I’m running

System configuration information:
* Desktop Board: D945GTP
* Board Altered Assembly Number (AA#): C97837-300
* Onboard Options Used; Video, Audio, LAN
* RAID Driver: Intel Matrix Storage Manager option ROM v5.1.1.1002 ICH7R
wRAID5
* Previous BIOS: Default Mgr
* Current BIOS: NT94510J.86A.2487.2005.0906.1451
* Chassis Vendor: Whitebox
* Power Supply: Power Man 300w Switching
* Processor: Intel 64bit 3.0G EM64T Capable
* Memory: 1 Gig DDR2 Dual Channel
* Hard Drives: Identical Maxtor 160g SATA drives on all four SATA ports.

* Operating System: Windows 64bit XP Pro (note OS is 64bit Pro)

I’ve tested the 4 SATA ports, and the ability of the board to detect and
create an Array; Ports work fine and board will create an array..

For instance, I thought I might flash the board bios and in that,
effectively upgrade the Intel RAID Matrix. Maybe this will help the board
recognize the RAID Array? Or, might I completely kill of the Array?

I need suggestions or strategies that I can use try to recover this Array or
retrieve the data.

We all know how important this is!


Or, here’s another idea.

One other time I was in a similar situation and recovered my data by setting
up another Array and plugging in the drives from a Failed array. I was able
to get the data off this way.

Should I try this again. If so, how many drives do I need to get online in
this second array – and “which” drives – is a particular set of the 4 drives
make any difference?

Please remember that one drive is On-Line.

I hope I gave you all the info you would want to ask me about.



Thank you for your knowledge!

Benjamin





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