read just-removed RAID drives

[rickety_goodman]

When I re-install WinXP, I buy 2 new identical hard drives, set them up in RAID1, and
install WinXP, SP3 from scratch onto the new RAID. I have old pairs of disks going
back 15 years, with both disks carefully marked as RAID1 and RAID2.
I then use a cable-type USB to SATA adapter to copy over any files that I need from the
old install to the new one.
This is the first time that I have actually put the removed RAID right back into the
computer to run the old install so I could write down some data.
Windows won't start because it's missing some system32 files!
I put the new array back in and checked with my USB to SATA adapter: everything is there!
Anyone have a clue? The BIOS is unchanged.

 

[popatim]

You need to reinstall the raid drives back into the computer. Your USB-sata adapter will not configure the raid drives properly (Intel/AMD) but rather as whatever controller is built into it

 

[rickety_goodman]

Notice the line that says:
"This is the first time that I have actually put the removed RAID right back into the
computer to run the old install so I could write down some data."
There was no USB adapter connected during this attempt.

 

[popatim]

Did the system change between when the old raid and the new raid were made?