RAID 5 - "Missing Operating System"

I'm not exactly sure if this is a hardware or software problem, but here goes:

I have an i5 desktop with an ASRock Z77 chipset board that ran fine with Windows 7 Pro 64 SP1. It was set to a RAID5 configuration with Intel Rapid Storage Technology drivers. I did a clean install of Windows 8.1 Pro 64 about a week ago. It recognized the RAID5 setup and seemed to install properly.

This evening (after finally finishing my old file transfer using Carbonite), I restarted the PC. It configured updates up to 30%, restarted and went to a blinking cursor for several minutes. I unplugged all USB devices, restarted and had the same problem.

I then went into the BIOS and loaded system defaults (bad idea). This switched the "SATA Mode Setup" from RAID to AHCI and I got a message "Operating System Missing."

I switched the setting back to RAID. The PC recognizes all three drives (identical WD Caviar Black 1TB) and loads the RAID during BIOS startup, but I still get "Operating System Missing" after the boot process. All three drives show 931GB of formatted space.

Is there any way of getting this back or do I have to reinstall everything?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

That is not good. The problem was that you switched from Raid to AHCI, is why you got the message. You now have to fix the MBR. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392 Also http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1036242860 Also http://superuser.com/questions/364716/corrupt-mbr-in-raid-0-setup-missing-operating-system

 

Thanks for the tips; unfortunately neither worked.

I've disabled RAID and am reinstalling Windows on a single drive. I'll then use the free version of Acronis from WD to clone the drive as a backup and disconnect it, keeping the OS and all current files as a backup. Carbonite will backup and restore any new files as needed.

All I can say is what I pay each year for Carbonite automatic backup is money very well spent.

 

Do not use Acronis. At least the latest edition. Run Clonezilla instead. Very easy to use, and quick to image the drive.

I ran into that Acronis would not run on Windows 8. In turn when I brought that to Acronis's attention. They stated that they knew that and were working on trying to get the problems fixed, but were running into the good ole MS would not work with them on fixing certain problems.

As for Carbonite, there are free options. You already have a NAS. Use the money you are spending on Carbonite and invest into a better and larger NAS.

I have a Lenovo ix2-4 2TB unit, running in RAID 1. I am not even using a Gig on it yet.

 

Thanks for the heads up on Acronis.

I may add a NAS; however I plan on keeping Carbonite based on the automatic off-site backup. This is the second time it saved my a** - the first was when my house was broken into and both the PC and backup drives were stolen, in which case a swiped NAS would have been useless.

 

We do keep a copy on a family server, but you always want multiple copies. As for the equipment. Tie it down with securing wires, if it will always be in that location. Also a couple of big dogs help to deter people from thinking about entering.

My house, you have to get past the two family guard dogs. One will take you down very quick.