Bios upgrade = "Missing operating system_"

Hello,

I didn't see anything exactly like this in the forum, but If I'm given a link, I can drop this thread.

I upgraded my Vista Ultimate x64 pc bios using Gigabyte's @ Bios, but apparently I forgot to uncheck the box that removes my raid profiles.



I have a mirrored pair of raptors (Raid1) and a striped set of 3 HDs (Raid0) for storage.

Also I have 1 veloci-rapter OS drive (no Raid) that is not showing up at all? [a dual boot with 2 Vista volumes]

Below is the configuration utility:



What I've tried:

I can't boot from any disk!
-I tried a fix from the Win Recovery disk
(this may be because the configuration is gone that recognizes bootable volumes??)

I tried returning to the last known bios settings
-including clearing the bios manually from the jumper.
-I configured the CD as the first boot drive. . .
(again, probably the same reason this does not work)

I tried Xpress Recovery2 from the Gigabyte CD
- it seems unable to read the disk

I may not be correct about this being a raid issue, but if it is, then why can't I see/boot from the single disk volume (vRaptor) ??

I have more info, but I wanted to keep the first post short

Thanks For looking at my problem
(I realize now how little I like my secondary pc!)

You'll have to reformat everything and reinstall Vista and set up RAID again most like. Did you use the gigabyte windows bios flash or the BIOS version?

Thank You for your reply Frostmourne,

Frostmourne said:

You'll have to reformat everything and reinstall Vista and set up RAID again most like.

Click to expand...

That's what I was trying to work around, however . . .

The question I would like to ask is,
Why doesn't the PC See the NON Raid volume?
Right now the only drives that are visible to the PC are the ones associated in Raid.

Notice too the first 34.5GB volume (raptor) is listed as a "non raid disk" ??? Why?
This used to be mirrored with the other raptor. (member disk 0)
Does intel have a problem seeing Raid 1 in it's current state?

There is a single hard drive (vRaptor) that should boot just fine right?

Also, right now I cannot even run the DVD drive to reformat windows on a Drive/volume, so
what would be the procedure once I retrieve my data and start the reformat?

Frostmourne said:

Did you use the gigabyte windows bios flash or the BIOS version?

Click to expand...

Yes I used the @ Bios utility
(I tried to muster up a floppy drive, but could not find a working FDD/Floppy combination)

Even if I reformat, I'll need the answer to the blue?
Let me know if you need more info.

Thanks again

First, it is not normal to have raid and non-raid on the same controller. And only a raid controller can handle raid drive.

As for seeing the volume...

Go to start > computer
right mouse button
manage
storage > disk management
disk1 was the new disk which was not initialized
right click on the appropriate disk
initialize
right click on unallocated space
new simple volume

You can try disconnecting all the raid volumes, and leave one connected via sata. Then if that is detected, try linking it in RAID 0. Your motherboard manual should have a fairly detailed description of RAID settings.

As to backup, you can use the Ubuntu live cd to back up your files, but it would go easier if only one hard drive was connected at a time.

Thank you for your replies,

lemur said:

First, it is not normal to have raid and non-raid on the same controller. And only a raid controller can handle raid drive.

Click to expand...

Just to be sure we are on the same page, the controller is software, plugged into the Sata ports of my motherboard (intel ICH-9) Sorry if this information is superfluous to you.

Pryor to this Bios flash, I had Raid + Non raid together with no problem. (or are you saying that only the Raid(ed) drives are using he intel controller?)

lemur said:

As for seeing the volume...

Go to start > computer
right mouse button
manage
storage > disk management
disk1 was the new disk which was not initialized
right click on the appropriate disk
initialize
right click on unallocated space
new simple volume

Click to expand...

I will try this as soon as I can get a Windows screen (operating system) but as I have stated above, I cannot get past the bios error "Missing operating system"

This is one of the blue questions above, does anyone know how I can get past this error first?
(I will need to do so to try your suggestions)

Frostmourne said:

You can try disconnecting all the raid volumes, and leave one connected via sata.

Click to expand...

I have the Sata cables numbered, so it can't hurt to try this, but if it doesn't see it now . . .
The only reason I would think this would be an advantage is if the drives it sees are interfearing somehow (@Lemur's comment about Raid + Non Raid together?)

I will try this, but before I do, is it possible to harm something by trying it? (keep in mind I have not recovered my data yet from the Raid 0 array)

Frostmourne said:

Then if that is detected, try linking it in RAID 0.

Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean here.
How do I 'link' a independent volume to Raid 0?

Frostmourne said:

As to backup, you can use the Ubuntu live cd to back up your files, but it would go easier if only one hard drive was connected at a time.

Click to expand...

Ok, Although I have not tried an Ubuntu disk yet . . . I have been unsuccessful with every optical media I have tried so far.
Maybe If I knew why the Windows disk can't run, I could figure out how to load an O.S.

Once I successfully install an OS (I could use an extra drive) then I'll have to sort out the RAID mess before I can recover anything
(I'll have to check if my file recovery software runs on Ubuntu)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't I need to figure out how to load O.S. CD's to load an O.S. before I can set up any raid?

(I can remove the raid drives for data recovery -wipe them - then replace them, but then I'm right back where I am now . . )



Thanks