RAID 0 an error occurred but system still works

[Design1stcode2nd]

When my PC boots I'm seeing an "An error occurred" one the first listed HD. I have two 500gb drives in raid 0 config.

So far the system boots into windows just fine.

So how do I go about fixing it? I assume one of the drives is bad?

Can you even replace a drive in RAID 0?

 

[popatim]

Run the raid management software and examine the logs.
If this is chipset raid for AMD you'll want to install AMD's RaidXpert and for Intel its RST (rapid storage technology)

And as always, your important data should always have backup copies on other devices available.

 

[Design1stcode2nd]

Looks like the raid software I have is Intel Matrix Storage Console. And all it tells me is:
"A hard drive has reported that a read or write to it has failed"

Shows port 0 as having the error

I don't see any sort of logging function.

 

[popatim]

I would test the drives individually, including a complete surface scan begining with the drive on port 0. Step 1 is always grabbing a current backup of your important data.

If you dont have a seperate pc to test on, Download WD or Hitachis drive diagnostic DOS ISO tool and burn yourself a test disk. Leave the disk in the DVD drive , you'll be booting from it in a minute. Reboot the pc into bios and change the sata mode to ahci. and select the dvd drive as the boot device. Reboot and run the full/extended test. This will take about 2hrs per drive if I remember right.

If the drives test good then enter the bios again and turn raid back on and make it the primary boot device. It should pick the drive & array config up from data stored on the drives themselves.

If one or both are bad - replace them.

 

[Design1stcode2nd]

After looking into it the system is 6 1/2 years old so I am getting a new one. This one will have RAID 1 though.

I will be repurposing this one so is the best option to get two new drives and reinstall everything? If so what's the best way to handle that? I'm sure there is a link for it some where on this board.

 

[Lumber-jack]

back up now before you attempt to do anything...

 

[Design1stcode2nd]

Just ordered an enclosure and 500gb drive. I have my important docs on a thumb drive. My photos are too big to fit so I'll put them on the drive when it arrives as well as my iTunes folder.

 

[Design1stcode2nd]

I have moved all the files I think I need to the external HD. Things like documents, taxes, photos, itunes library, bookmarks, etc. The rest should just be software and drivers. I will download win 8.1 drivers for my peripherals once I get the new machine.

Is there anything else that I should look to copy? All my games and other software will need to be re-installed on the new machine. That will be a lot to download but I don't see an option, I'm going from Vista 32bit to 8.1 64bit.

After I get the new PC up and running would it be best to buy a new bare drive, install it in the old machine and boot from my DVD drive with my windows disk? I should be able to format and re-install the OS this way and have a fresh install?

I had to initialize the drive I bought before I could format it, would I need to do the same before I install a bare drive in the old machine (at least initialize it)?