RAID 0 Offline Member

GodMac · 10 Apr 2009 at 17:49

I've got RAID 0 setup on two WD320gb disks and my system BSOD today and now it says 1 drive if an Offline Member in the RAID configurator. The Mobo is a ASUS P5Q. I've removed the system battery to reset all the options but still stays offline. I would consider the SATA drive faulty but the system recognises it fine and if I disconnect the other Online Member from the RAID set then the drive comes up as Online. Therefore, if I delete the RAID set and re-create the RAID 0 set does this just reconfigure the RAID set and not loose the data on the disks? Hence creating a new raid set with the original data and boot partitions?

The BIOS version is 1306 and there are 4 updates but non mention any updates to the Matrix Storage Manager. Your help and advice is much appreciated.

95thrifles · 10 Apr 2009 at 18:00

if you delete the RAID setup it will wipe all your files, whilst it may not mention anything about the storage manager Id try flashing the BIOS anyway, it may kickstart it, other than that Im at a loss, sorry

GodMac · 10 Apr 2009 at 18:05

Thanks for the info. Just looked at the BIOS updates and went into the ASUS Flash BIOS utility and guess what, you need a floppy drive!!!!! How archaic is this. I'll have to dig a floppy drive out from somewhere and go back to the stone ages!

Clairvoyant · 10 Apr 2009 at 21:28

you can use a flash drive, which is set up with boot files.

GodMac · 14 Apr 2009 at 22:03

Just to close this off. Basically, I couldn't get the offline member back online so had to delete the RAID set and recreate it. This destroys access to your data.....however, as a precaution I did an image to a 3rd drive which I create as a backup using Acronis True Image Home v12. I booted my system with the Acronis rescue disk I created which then loads the True Image app allowing me to them choose the location of my image backup and restore the full image and the partition tables back to the RAID set. Beacuse its a full image including the partition info you don't need to format or install any OS onto the drives, just pick your image and tell it to restore. 30 mins later I'm back up and running on my original config.

I then had the brain wave to update the BIOS on my 2nd system using ASUS Update which says you can update through windows..........Big mistake, hugh mistake.....BIOS erased, unable to read BIOS, unable to boot to recover.mobo dead returning under RMA!!! DO NOT FLASH BIOS FROM WITHIN WINDOWS, EVEN IF ASUS SAYS YOU CAN!

setter · 14 Apr 2009 at 22:14

Sorry to hear dude, never a good idea to use the asus windows flash utility, it's notorious for killing boards, asus ez flash from a usb stick is a much safer opion.

GodMac · 14 Apr 2009 at 22:21

Worst thing is, I know I shouldn't have done it! But just thought that the app was capable of doing it..............suspiscions confirmed!

setter · 14 Apr 2009 at 22:27

Yep it's a very hit and miss program, i flashed the bios several times using the windows utility on an earlier s939 rig, no issues, then one time it throws a hissy fit and kills my board. Have avoided windows flash utilitys since.