Lost C: drive- Won't load Windows

[Fitz]

System:
AMD 64 3200+ (754 Pin) on Gigabyte K8NNXP (NForce 3 150 chipset)
2 X 512MB Mushkin Level 1 PC3500
2 X WD 36 GB Raptors RAID 0 (this is the "lost" drive)
IBM 40 GB IDE Drive (for backups)
Antec 430W TruPower supply
Plextor 716A DVD RW - recent upgrade
GeForce 6800 GT OC - recent upgrade
Internal USB 2 Card Reader
Serial Crystal Fontz 634 LCD
Windows XP Pro (OEM) w/SP2

Computer will Post thru, but black sceen appears when trying to load
Windows. It appears that BIOS recognizes the WD drives and the RAID
array, but Windows does not. When I tried to do a repair installation,
the only option to install Windows was on the IDE drive. When IDE drive
disconnected, Windows said it was unable to continue the installation
and the RAID array (C drive) did not appear as an option.

This problem presented itself after I removed Ulead VideoStudio 7 and
Movie Factory 3 SE from the computer. Initially, after reboot, the DVD
RW drive was missing. I removed it from device manager and restarted,
no luck. I cleared the CMOS by removing the battery (only option with
this board- no jumper). After reinstalling battery and turning the
computer on, I got 2 long beeps and no video. Tried reseating video
card and memory thinking I might have bumped them. No luck.Removed one
stick of memory- got thru Post, Windows loaded very slowly (2 - 3
minutes). DVD was properly recognized. Ran defrag and restarted. Got
thru post, but no Windows load up. Re-cleared CMOS again- still Post,
but no Windows. Checked BIOS RAID management and it's all good, no
conflicts, recognized both HD's and the array properly. I've checked to
insure all BIOS options are correctly set. Most settings at default
(safe) level. DDRV @ 2.8V (recommended by Mushkin). I have added back
in the second stick of memory, with same results as the single stick.

I'm sure the OS is still there, but for some reason the drive(s) that
it is on is not being recognized past the post.

Any ideas other than reformatting and deleting/recreating the array and
reinstalling Windows?

Thanks,
Fitz

 

[David Maynard]

System:
AMD 64 3200+ (754 Pin) on Gigabyte K8NNXP (NForce 3 150 chipset)
2 X 512MB Mushkin Level 1 PC3500
2 X WD 36 GB Raptors RAID 0 (this is the "lost" drive)
IBM 40 GB IDE Drive (for backups)
Antec 430W TruPower supply
Plextor 716A DVD RW - recent upgrade
GeForce 6800 GT OC - recent upgrade
Internal USB 2 Card Reader
Serial Crystal Fontz 634 LCD
Windows XP Pro (OEM) w/SP2

Computer will Post thru, but black sceen appears when trying to load
Windows. It appears that BIOS recognizes the WD drives and the RAID
array, but Windows does not. When I tried to do a repair installation,
the only option to install Windows was on the IDE drive. When IDE drive
disconnected, Windows said it was unable to continue the installation
and the RAID array (C drive) did not appear as an option.

Did you F6 the RAID driver in?

 

[Tessa]

I should have been more specific....this was an operational system (was
built new when NForce 3 was "leading edge") using a RAID 0 config until the
snowball turned into an avalanche- started with removing a program to losing
the DVD RW to losing the OS because of unrecognized SATA drives. The RAID
drivers were there, along with the rest of the OS. Now, all gone...but I
think it's just hiding, it hasn't really left! I haven't tried to reload
Windows, which would require re-install of the RAID drivers, I'm hoping to
find the OS that was there this AM.

Fitz

 

[David Maynard]

I should have been more specific....this was an operational system (was
built new when NForce 3 was "leading edge") using a RAID 0 config until the
snowball turned into an avalanche- started with removing a program to losing
the DVD RW to losing the OS because of unrecognized SATA drives. The RAID
drivers were there, along with the rest of the OS. Now, all gone...but I
think it's just hiding, it hasn't really left! I haven't tried to reload
Windows, which would require re-install of the RAID drivers, I'm hoping to
find the OS that was there this AM.

Fitz

Right. My F6 comment only related to the repair attempt you mentioned and
that it didn't see the RAID array.

As to why it got fouled up in the first place I'm not sure but the RAID
array seems to have gotten confused when the BIOS reset occurred and the
only thing that occurs to me, off hand, is maybe windows thinks it's a new
array for some reason and, so, no longer the same drive assignment.
Although, I would expect a blue screen with the dreaded unable to find
system device, or some such, error in that case.

 

[Fitz]

I flashed the BIOS and it must have been corrupt. With the new BIOS it
loaded straight to Windows and hasn't hiccupped since. I started suspecting
a corrupt BIOS when I was able to get to Windows with one stick of RAM and
failsafe defaults in BIOS. As soon as I loaded optimized defaults or changed
any BIOS settings, I was back to a black screen. After flashing, I was able
to use the BIOS setup menu, add back in the 2nd stick of RAM, and I'm up and
running.

Thanks for the response and thoughts-

Fitz

 

[Conor]

System:
AMD 64 3200+ (754 Pin) on Gigabyte K8NNXP (NForce 3 150 chipset)
2 X 512MB Mushkin Level 1 PC3500
2 X WD 36 GB Raptors RAID 0 (this is the "lost" drive)
IBM 40 GB IDE Drive (for backups)
Antec 430W TruPower supply
Plextor 716A DVD RW - recent upgrade
GeForce 6800 GT OC - recent upgrade
Internal USB 2 Card Reader
Serial Crystal Fontz 634 LCD
Windows XP Pro (OEM) w/SP2

Computer will Post thru, but black sceen appears when trying to load
Windows. It appears that BIOS recognizes the WD drives and the RAID
array, but Windows does not. When I tried to do a repair installation,
the only option to install Windows was on the IDE drive. When IDE drive
disconnected, Windows said it was unable to continue the installation
and the RAID array (C drive) did not appear as an option.

This problem presented itself after I removed Ulead VideoStudio 7 and
Movie Factory 3 SE from the computer. Initially, after reboot, the DVD
RW drive was missing. I removed it from device manager and restarted,
no luck. I cleared the CMOS by removing the battery (only option with
this board- no jumper). After reinstalling battery and turning the
computer on, I got 2 long beeps and no video. Tried reseating video
card and memory thinking I might have bumped them. No luck.Removed one
stick of memory- got thru Post, Windows loaded very slowly (2 - 3
minutes). DVD was properly recognized. Ran defrag and restarted. Got
thru post, but no Windows load up. Re-cleared CMOS again- still Post,
but no Windows. Checked BIOS RAID management and it's all good, no
conflicts, recognized both HD's and the array properly. I've checked to
insure all BIOS options are correctly set. Most settings at default
(safe) level. DDRV @ 2.8V (recommended by Mushkin). I have added back
in the second stick of memory, with same results as the single stick.

I'm sure the OS is still there, but for some reason the drive(s) that
it is on is not being recognized past the post.

Any ideas other than reformatting and deleting/recreating the array and
reinstalling Windows?

THis is why home users shouldn't use RAID - they haven't a ****ing clue
how to recover it if it goes wrong.

You chose RAID 0 which gives you half the reliability for twice the
cost.

Life's a bastard. Get reinstalling.

 

[Conor]

I flashed the BIOS and it must have been corrupt. With the new BIOS it
loaded straight to Windows and hasn't hiccupped since. I started suspecting
a corrupt BIOS when I was able to get to Windows with one stick of RAM and
failsafe defaults in BIOS. As soon as I loaded optimized defaults or changed
any BIOS settings, I was back to a black screen. After flashing, I was able
to use the BIOS setup menu, add back in the 2nd stick of RAM, and I'm up and
running.

Oh dear.

I bet if you swapped the stiucks round, it'll start acting up again.

 

[Fitz]

If the problem had anything to do with the RAID config, I might accept your
critique, however rude, as legitimate advice. Since the problem was a
failure to recognize SATA, regardless of the configuration, I'll leave the
RAID array intact. As for "having a clue"- troubleshooting by trial and
error aren't just practices of the home user, and asking for ideas or advice
isn't an indicator of ignorance. The system is running, without reloading
Windows. Thanks for the useless comments anyway.

Fitz

 

[Michael Hawes]

If the problem had anything to do with the RAID config, I might accept
your critique, however rude, as legitimate advice. Since the problem was a
failure to recognize SATA, regardless of the configuration, I'll leave the
RAID array intact. As for "having a clue"- troubleshooting by trial and
error aren't just practices of the home user, and asking for ideas or
advice isn't an indicator of ignorance. The system is running, without
reloading Windows. Thanks for the useless comments anyway.

Fitz

Did you try resetting the BIOS ? That may have been the problem, Config
can become corrupted.
Mike.

 

[Fitz]

Yes, tried clearing CMOS multiple times, and tried booting from backup
BIOS. Finally, I reflashed the BIOS and was able to enter user
settings- it's up and running now.
Thanks,
Fitz

 

[DaveW]

It sounds like Windows has become corrupted. If so, you really need to
reformat the RAID array and do a fresh install of Windows and your software.