Windows 7: NTFS automatically changed to RAID?

Hi all,

I am hoping someone can help as I just cannot figure it out and I have searched high and low on the internet and cannot find the answer.


New PC built from a bare bones machine
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products [...] 4344g.html

and a 2tb drive
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products [...] 0earx.html

partitioned into 4 drives (from what I remember
drive 1 64gb =Windows 7 64bit
drive 2 600gb = contains all my hd captures from my new camcorder
drive 2 600gb = contains tv programme records from using dazzle
drive 2 600gb = All else (but not much used)



Turned off the computer safely with 4 partitions In the morning will not boot.

• Tried to reinstall Windows 7, but I there is no drive available to select.

• Minixp lists the 4 drives just none accessable

• The drive shows up on POST and in the BIOS.

• ubuntu live finds the os partition and one other partition (able to extract those files.

• HDat2 says no errors
• Ihave confused the tech support people as the drive is clearly not dead.
• Since that Iran diskgenius via minixp
  0 = RAID 992.5kb
  1 = RAID 100mb
  2 = RAID 48.7gb
  3 = RAID 1.8tb

Has it really turned RAID (WHY?) and how do I fix it?

Do you have only one HD with 4 partitions?

What is the SATA controller set to in the BIOS, IDE, ACHI or RAID? Did you change it recently or reset your BIOS?

NTFS and RAID are not options of the same setting. One is a file system and one is a method of using drives together as opposed to individually.

If you want help, let us know how your SATA controller is set in the BIOS and post a screenshot of your Disk Management screen.

There is indeed just one HD with 4 partitions

Within the BIOS it is set as 'Native IDE'

Here is a screenshot from when I boted via live cd



Novatech hae since taken in the computer and tested, they have found that the Sata controller was faulty and replaced the Mobo.

They said when I get it back I should pop in the HDD and it should all work again, Ipopped it in...It doesnt work, still the same issues with boot crashing at Windows 7 splash screen.

Any idea how I can get this HDD working again and booting into windows? as the os partition is still intact accrned to my disk management software.

Replaced with the same model motherboard?
With the new motherboard can you boot the Windows recovery enviroment from the F8 menu or the Windows 7 DVD and do a repair install?

It was replaced with the same motherboard, but still no luck with the drive,
it will crash out at the splash screen.

I was again on te phone to novatech support and he said that i should try different ports and different sata cables, I have done this and neither worked

I managed to get hold of another computer and ran the hdd as an additional drive.
In disk management it comes up as a dynamic drive 'invalid'




how the problem drive looks using diskgenius


normal drive from secondary computer

I have to admit this may be beyond my level of experience. Deacon may be able to help but I'll also see if I can get someone else to have a look.

Have you backed up your data?

I would test the HD with WD Data Lifeguard extended CD scan: HD Diagnostic

Then use same CD to wipe the HD (quick) then Clean Reinstall using these same basic steps as with factory OEM to get a perfect reinstall.

Before reinstalling reset BIOS to defaults, set SATA controller to AHCI. Unplug all other HDs and peripherals.

It passes both diagnostic tool tests.
I only had it for a month, so did not back it up, also cannot do a Windows 7 repair as there is no image for it, it cannot find a file with my hardware profile.
Any chance where this can be found?
Also Windows 7 install does not recognise the drive in order to do an install.

I want to be able to save the data, by possibly overwriting my os partition with a new copy of Windows 7.

Here are the bios info if helps

PS my boot priority is because I do not have a optical drive installed and use a usb one, failing that a usb memory stick when I want to to use mini-xp then HDD.

Changing this priority does not help things