Can't Identify RAID Volume or Level

[poisonite101]

Hi, so I'm restoring an old custom build system and am having some problem determining what RAID volumes were used when the system was originally set up.
This particular system was built around 2006 (specs below) and partly due to it sitting in storage for almost a decade the CMOS battery has died and all of the BIOS/CMOS settings were erased. When booting the system the system fails to load any OS (I think Windows Vista was the OS on the RAID) which I believe is do to the RAID config settings having been erased with the loss of the BIOS settings.
I'm not sure which RAID level was used with the system or if there were two RAID configs or just one. Right now based on the original builders guess he thinks that they were on a single RAID 5 array, however I don't know if this is accurate.
All the drives are in there original order on the same SATA cables and ports as they were originally, the only changes to the system are the RAM used and the power supply.

Right now I suppose my question is if there is any way to see what RAID level was used and if it's even recoverable.

Specs:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
GPU: EVGA e-GeForce 7600 GT
RAM: Transcend TS128MLD64V4JL 1GB DDR 400 (Was a replacement part due to the original memory not being present)
Power supply: Thermaltake TR2 430W (Replaced the original Antec SP-450 power supply as it was having power draw issues and had capacitors dying)
HDD(s): (4x) Western Digital 5000KS 500GB
Possible OS: Windows Vista or Windows XP
Motherboard: MSI K8N Diamond Plus
Case: Antec Sonata II

Note: I am aware that this is outdated hardware and can't serve any real purpose in a modern work flow. This restoration project is done from a collector and hobbyist prospective.

Thank you for any help and assistance you may be able to give.

-Poisonite101

 

[JaredDM]

Here's a simple enough way for you to check if it's a single RAID 5 volume.

Open up each drive in a hex editor. Pick a random sector (say number 7million) which appears to be filled with random looking data. Sample the first byte in hex from the same location on each drive and write it down. So you'll have a list something like AA 1C 21 97

Then, open up your calculator on Windows 8 or 10 and set it to Programmer mode. Change your input to Hex and then XOR the first three values you wrote down. (e.g. enter AA XOR 1C XOR 21 =) and you should get the fourth value you wrote down as the result if it's a single RAID 5.

 

[poisonite101]

Here's a simple enough way for you to check if it's a single RAID 5 volume.

Open up each drive in a hex editor. Pick a random sector (say number 7million) which appears to be filled with random looking data. Sample the first byte in hex from the same location on each drive and write it down. So you'll have a list something like AA 1C 21 97

Then, open up your calculator on Windows 8 or 10 and set it to Programmer mode. Change your input to Hex and then XOR the first three values you wrote down. (e.g. enter AA XOR 1C XOR 21 =) and you should get the fourth value you wrote down as the result if it's a single RAID 5.

Thanks so much for the reply Jared, would you mind suggesting what hex editor I use. Also, would I just plug in SATA power and data for the drives into the computer with the hex editor to view the sector info?

Thanks again,
Poisonite101