Windows 7: chkdsk not available for raw drives problem

No RAID array is sufficient for backup. Since data needs to be backed up anyway there's really no need for RAID which Windows 7 doesn't much like. In fact we only see problems with RAID here.



Have you plugged the drives in separately in DIsk Mgmt to see if they're seen, what status it says for the HD. If it's not recognized as a partition, you can try creating one but don't format. Is the data seen now?

hi Greg. If I connect only the drive in bay HDD0 and try to run the WD Datalifeguard test it fails with "too many bad sectors". The disc in bay HDD1 on the other hand passes the quick test OK and I'm just running the extended test.

Would I be right thinking that if I did replace the disc on bay HDD0 I could just rebuild the array or have I completely misunderstood?

As i understand your suggestion is to abandon RAID and just format the good drive as non-RAID and reinstall from the system image I have. curently I have just have an image of the C: partition. Presumably I can make an image of both C: & U: partitions before I format which will make life easier reinstalling.

Thanks
Mike

You'll have to see if images will work if made from the RAID. Some will, some won't. This is why I don't like to mess with it.

But since you chose RAID1 it should be recoverable using the method given by the drive manufacturer. Someone here may know for sure. As I said I don't mess with them.

What I can advise is that if you follow the steps in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
sticking with the tools and methods that work best with Windows 7, you'll have a perfect install that will live on via image for the life of the OS.

Thanks for the advice greg. I'm just working off the one working HD for time being while I work out what to do. One little question. I thought I would run CHKDSK on the U: partition on this drive only but again I get system is RAW. I used the partition wizard when I had both drives conected and removed a few overlaping sections and CHKDSK did run eventually on the whole thing. I just wondered is this not running on the single drive (nor can I get into computer management) because it is still seen as part of a RAID assembly (disk is seen as a member of a degraded assembly) or should it run ok if disk is completely fine? If both drives have some issues I might as well start from scratch as you suggest. If this is drive is fine popping in a second drive is the fastest solution as I am run off my feet with work.

Thanks

Mike

Hi Mike,

Inserting a 2nd drive should allow the RAID1 to rebuild itself - it depends on the controller and how its implemented. IRST will allow you to examine the entire array, as well as elements of the array (e.g. a single disk) to determine its health.



Longer term, I would advise against an installation on an array - they seem to be more trouble than they are worth.

Regards,
Golden

Seems a unaminous vote against arrays. If I want to go down that root can I convert my good RAID 1 disk into a non-RAID disk? I know Greg recommends starting from scratch with a clean install, but sounds like if I do that there is no guarantee the system image I created from the RAID1 will work. I just don't have time to rebuild my system from scratch.

If i try that and the image doesn't work woudl I still have the option of recreating the RAID 1 and then trying the system image again or have a shot my bolt?

Hi,

I've never tried to "convert" a RAID1 into a singe HDD without a clean install - I'm thinking the easiest way to check is to change the controller from RAID to AHCI in the BIOS, and check to see that the system boots, but I've never tried that. I agree with Greg that a clean install is the fail-safe route.

I would try to plug in a 2nd HDD, and see if the RAID attempts to rebuild itself - it will take a long time. After that, try the image (what imaging tool did you use)? Does IRST show the array as per the screen capture image I attached?

Longer term, look to a clean install on a single HDD as recommended by Greg.

Regards,
Golden

Ok i'll call Dell as HD is within warranty and get a replacement and try the RAID route first. I just used Windows backup to create the systme image. I'm guessing if the RAID rebuilds i wont need the image, but if it fails I can try to install onto the RAID. If that fails it a full blown clean install.

Thanks for all the advice

Mike

Dell may have a script to help you with rebuilding the RAID, even re-imaging to it.

If you do this please post back how it goes to help others.