Hi everyone,

My Dell desktop computer failed to boot last week and gave me a "checksum error." When I called Dell for a little help, I was informed that the computer is configuered as a RAID level Zero and that I would need a data recovery service to get my data off before clearing both drives and reinstalling my operating system. While I had 90% of my files backed up, I really need the 10% that was not. Any ideas on how I can avoid the considerable expense of the data recovery service and get this computer to boot up for enough time to get my data off it?

I would be so grateful for any advice.

Read this completely, there are actually 2 methods.

1) Disconnect the second hard drive
2) reload your computer using the first hard drive
3) Plug in your second hard drive and recover the data
4) recreate the mirror.

There are more steps than this, but this is the basic flow. I'd have to go to a spare machine (which I don't have right now) and go through the steps to give you an exact set of instructions. Or, go and open up some of my MCSE books (All at home). No promise on how soon I can do that with my currently scheduled week (or next 3 weeks).

But you can unplug your secondary hard drive and reload your system. Then plug back in your hard drive (shut down to do the (un)plugging) and let windows recognize the drive. You can pull data off of the drive at that point.

The problem with Mirroring, is if something bad happens to the OS (or data) on the primary, it is reflected on the secondary, and you can't boot. The good part. If your data is still good, only the OS had a problem, you can normally get it off.

Method 2
I think when one of our computers had this problem (yes it's not unique), we use the DELL RESTORE disk (you can't use a generic windows disk due to hardware configurations without some advanced knowledge). When installing, chose the REPAIR function. This will install the windows files, and leave your other programs and data still on the hard drive. The downside, is that this replaces the registry, and you need to re-install (or repair) your applications in order to use the software. but the data is normally left in tact. You will also have to recreate the mirror, and re-install all of the updates from M$.

Thanks so much for th quick response!

I thought the data on the RAID Zero configuation was not mirrored the way it is in other RAID configurations, but is split between the two drives. If that is really the case, do your approaches still apply?

I'll double check, I admit, I mess up 0 and 1, But i thought it was mirrored..

Edit: You're right, Striped. Which has fault tolerance 0. The best I can suggest would be to use the Repair feature of the reinstall of the OS. Hopefully, since it came calibrated, that it can recreate the association. But don't expect it to work. Usually it's best to pull from backup. I

It doesn't look good for that 10%, sorry.