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Hello,
Here is the situation about which I am now panicking...
System:
Asus P8P67 mobo.
Intel P67 chipset RAID controller.
RAID 5, originally with 5 Samsung HD103SJ 1TB hdd's. One of the Samsung drives is now a Hitachi HDE72101.
Windows 7.
Ok, here goes:
Found computer at BIOS password indicating that it restarted on its own. Typed password, and found that computer would not boot because of failed hdd. Rebooted and used ctrl+I to enter Intel Rapid Storage Technology - Option ROM - 10.1.0.1008 (IRST). One hdd of the five had failed.
Ordered a new drive, same make & model. Replaced. Entered IRST and selected rebuild. Booted to windows. Opened Intel RAID application (forget what it's called in Windows), and sure enough, the rebuild was in progress.
The RAID volumes rebuilt, and all was well for a few days when:
The exact same thing happened. Same drive, same everything.
So I removed the drive and returned it to Amazon because I thought it was defective, and ordered a replacement.
When I put the new drive in (still a Samsung HD103SJ), it did the exact same thing: rebuilt in OS, then failed a few days later.
So now I'm thinking, "What, are all these drives defective?"
Next, I ordered a Hitachi HDE72101 because I read that they're more reliable, and they're cheaper than the older Samsungs anyway. Still 1TB.
It, too, rebuilt and worked for a few days, then failed.
I shut the computer down, and replaced the SATA cable. No luck. I switched the failed drive to a different power supply leg. No luck. I switched it to a different SATA port. No luck.
So, I decided that it was too unlikely that all these brand new drives were failing, and so it must be the power supply or motherboard, or something. Then, I did nothing for a few weeks.
Well, now this:
Found the computer at BIOS password. Uh oh. Ctrl+I for IRST utility. BAM! Two failed drives. The new Hitachi (which had been "failed" for a few weeks now), and another Samsung.
Do you want to rebuild? YES!
So that's where I'm at now. When I turn the computer on, and ctrl+I for IRST utility, it says both RAID volumes (0&1) are at rebuild status. However, it also says that all five drives are working fine. The five hdd's status are member disk (0,1).
As usual, at the bottom of the screen it says:
Volumes with rebuild status will be rebuilt within the operating system.
However, when I exit the utility, and try to boot up, the following happens.
I get a weird status bar across the bottom of the screen that says windows is loading files. This happens twice.
Then, it says loading Windows for a second or two, accompanied by a smaller status bar that goes back and forth.
Then an old looking Windows dialogue box with a wispy blue background and some green shoots with leaves and a white bird on the lower right comes up. The dialogue is titled System Recovery Options, and starts with select a language (which is greyed out), and select a keyboard input method (US is the only option).
When I click next, I am given two options.
First is:
Use recovery tools that can help fix problems starting Windows. Select an operating system to repair.
If your operating system isn't listed, click load drivers and install drivers for your hard disks.
Then, there's a box with nothing in it.
The second option is:
Restore your computer using a system image that you created earlier (this is the default option).
Neither of these options seems to get me anywhere.
If you can, please help me. My whole life is on this computer. All kinds of important documents, every photo I've taken over the past 20 years. I'm beside myself with stress, fear, and sadness.
Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Peace,
Jim Morgan
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