Recover data from Raid Array

[Jjoshua2]

I had a windows server 2003 software raid 1 array, and the boot disk failed apparently. So both data drives should be ok, but I want to get the data off onto another computer. Can anyone give me any links for instructions? I know I take a drive out and plug it into another computer, but does that computer have to be windows server 2003 since that was what created the software raid? Will windows xp pro work? And should I use one drive or two? Will I need to import the array or something, cause it doesn't seem like it would just work automatically. Thanks for any help! I'm trying to Google it too.

Edit: Found this so far from Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314343
"You cannot create mirrored volumes with..., Windows XP Professional, or Windows XP 64-Bit Edition-based computers. However, you can use a Windows XP Professional-based computer to create a mirrored or RAID-5 volume on remote computers that are running Windows 2000 Server, ..."

Edit2: Found that apparently this can be gone around. http://www.tomshardware.com/2004/11/19/...owsxp_to_make_raid_5_happen/page3.html
Tom's hardware shows that a simple registry hack can enable this feature. Do I need to do this then?

 

[RebateMonger]

You might want to clarify your post. Just to be sure folks answer the right question.

The way I read it:

You have a Server 2003 box with a single boot drive plus a RAID1 array. The RAID1 array is Windows Software RAID and you believe that those disks are fine. Correct?

Are the RAID drives IDE, SATA, or SCSI? What is the drive controller?

 

[Jjoshua2]

Yes, you have it right there. Single boot drive that is failed, and the windows raid1 I have no reason to believe has any trouble. I sure hope at least one of them is working, but I think both are. I just reset the computer, and it said something like ide failure operating system not found.
Its a rather older server, so its all IDE. I'm not sure what you mean by what is the drive controller.
I'm really busy now, and I want to replace the server with a Buffalo network drive/print server (which I have already), so I just need to be able to copy the data off the raid array.

 

[cubby1223]

Just one of the many reasons why software mirroring is bad news. There's no redeeming value to it. When you get the data off, get yourself a solid full hardware raid controller. The little extra upfront $$ far outweighs the cost of this downtime. I really don't have any solution for you, never been in that position. I would suggest setting the two data drives aside. With two new harddrives, recreate this scenario so you can play around with how to get the data back without harming the important drives.

 

[Jjoshua2]

Yah, I'm actually going to go to two network had drives which mirror nightly, so no more this stuff afterwards. They are plug and play, so if either one breaks, its no hassle. I don't have two extra hard drives that I can test with, but that's a good idea.

 

[RebateMonger]

All right. First, of course, you really ought to keep backups of your data. People lose data from RAID1 arrays, too.

If you really want to use XP to manage those two RAID1 disks, then I'd guess you'd have to install that "crack" listed on Tom's Hardware. Personally, I wouldn't do it. But it'll probably work.

To be safe, I'd:
Remove the RAID1 drives from the Server. Label EVERYTHING, so you know how to re-connect them exactly the way they were.
Install Server 2003 onto the Server (with a new hard drive, if necessary). Installing Server 2003 is REALLY fast and doesn't require Activaition, nor Service Packs, for what you want to do.
Re-attach the two RAID1 drives. Use Disk Management to scan the drives and, if necessary, "Import Foreign Disks". All the information about the array and the dynamic disks should be on EACH of the drives.
Copy the data to another drive.