Forum Discussion
OS reinstallation and secundary RAID1 data recovery
Hello! We had a Windows Server 2019 computer server working good since last July, with 2 RAID1 systems - one SSD RAID1 for OS and apps; one HD RAID1 for data. Suddenly the SSD RAID1 reported 1 of the 2 SSD drives as failed with a error message notification like this: "Critical error: Exceeded limit for controller..." (we couldn't take note of the notification properly before the whole OS collapse, which happened barely 24 hours later).
By checking on the BIOS RAID utility - this is a hardware AMD-RAID type - we noticed that everything is good (RAID systems are OK and Normal; all 4 disks are OK and passed SMART status) BUT now Windows Server fails to startup.
Since we have very very important data stored in the HD RAID1 system, and also the whole server platform is in warranty, we took both SSD drives to a RAID data recovery specialist service NOT for recovery data but a hardware checking in order to find out if any or both SSD drives are damaged so it might require immediately replacement from hardware vendor. RAID recovery specialist only says that there is filesystem structure damage which doesn't mean there is damage in hardware itself. Are we correct?
Now. Let's say we install back both SSD drives in their respective slots in the motherboard and then we perform a Windows Server 2019 reinstall or even a fresh install:
1) Would Windows Server recognize the HD RAID1 drive in a properly way, without formatting the drive, so data stored in the HD RAID1 can be normally used?
2) This whole situation could obviously happen again in the future. This is the platform structure assembled for the server: MB Gigabyte A520M H / CPU AMD Ryzen 5 / 16 GB HP RAM ECC / Onboard RAID hardware controller. Would this be a good profile for running Windows Server 2019 with 2 RAID1 systems? Any hardware-related suggestion?
Thank you very much in advanced for your help and advise.
4 Replies
It's possible that the filesystem structure damage doesn't necessarily mean there's damage to the hardware.
In terms of reinstalling Windows Server 2019, as long as you don't format the HD RAID1 drive, your data should still be there and accessible. However, it's always a good idea to back up your data before performing any kind of reinstallation, just to be safe.
As for your hardware profile, it seems like a pretty good setup for running Windows Server 2019 with 2 RAID1 systems. However, it's always a good idea to consult with a managed IT services provider to make sure your hardware is properly configured for your needs. You can check out https://www.nwitservices.com/services/managed-it-services for more information on IT services. Good luck!
1) Would Windows Server recognize the HD RAID1 drive in a properly way, without formatting the drive, so data stored in the HD RAID1 can be normally used?
Assuming there aren't any issues with the disks and or controller, you should have no problems.
- Thank you very much! I appreciate so much your intervention.
Assuming the disks are OK; the BIOS reports that RAID controller is OK, so what kind of issues might be with the controller? Windows Server driver incompatibility?
I've just got tech report about the SSD disks from the RAID data recovery experts. They confirmed both SSD disks are damaged functionally speaking and, since the whole server computer is brand new and it was working properly since last July, they strongly suggest to check the whole system platform (specially the component where disks were plugged in - in this case that would be the Gigabyte motherboard). Our priority now is to get the data stored in HD RAID1, not quite sure how to proceed; we're planning to try with a Linux server Live USB unless we could do it in a similar way with Windows Server.we're planning to try with a Linux server Live USB unless we could do it in a similar way with Windows Server.
I suppose either could work. If windows was working before then I don't see any reason it wouldn't continue to work. As to the disk controller, hard to say. The manufacturer (Gigabyte) would be your best resource on that one for diagnostics.
