Bios upgrade = "Missing operating system_"

joshsstuff

New Member
Hello,

I didn't see anything exactly like this in the forum, but If I'm given a link, I can drop this thread.

I upgraded my Vista Ultimate x64 pc bios using Gigabyte's @ Bios, but apparently I forgot to uncheck the box that removes my raid profiles.

1-Missing_OS.JPG


I have a mirrored pair of raptors (Raid1) and a striped set of 3 HDs (Raid0) for storage.

Also I have 1 veloci-rapter OS drive (no Raid) that is not showing up at all? [a dual boot with 2 Vista volumes]

Below is the configuration utility:

6-config%20utility.JPG


What I've tried:

I can't boot from any disk!
-I tried a fix from the Win Recovery disk
(this may be because the configuration is gone that recognizes bootable volumes??)

I tried returning to the last known bios settings
-including clearing the bios manually from the jumper.
-I configured the CD as the first boot drive. . .
(again, probably the same reason this does not work)

I tried Xpress Recovery2 from the Gigabyte CD
- it seems unable to read the disk

I may not be correct about this being a raid issue, but if it is, then why can't I see/boot from the single disk volume (vRaptor) ??

I have more info, but I wanted to keep the first post short

Thanks For looking at my problem
(I realize now how little I like my secondary pc!)
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Q9650 @3.83GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X45-DQ6
    Memory
    Geil Evo 1 1066 X 4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA Nvidia GTX 285
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway Extreme HD 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560X1600 + 1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    2 raptors
    2 velociraptors (300GB)
You'll have to reformat everything and reinstall Vista and set up RAID again most like. Did you use the gigabyte windows bios flash or the BIOS version?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio Z46GDU
    CPU
    [email protected] w/6MB L2 cache 1066MHz FSB
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1066MHz SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    9300M GS 256MB + Intel Integrated 4500MHD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.1" WXGA True Colour Tough
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    320GB SATA 7200RPM
    Internet Speed
    1MB/s
Thank You for your reply Frostmourne,

You'll have to reformat everything and reinstall Vista and set up RAID again most like.

That's what I was trying to work around, however . . .

The question I would like to ask is,
Why doesn't the PC See the NON Raid volume?

Right now the only drives that are visible to the PC are the ones associated in Raid.

Notice too the first 34.5GB volume (raptor) is listed as a "non raid disk" ??? Why?
This used to be mirrored with the other raptor. (member disk 0)
Does intel have a problem seeing Raid 1 in it's current state?

There is a single hard drive (vRaptor) that should boot just fine right?

Also, right now I cannot even run the DVD drive to reformat windows on a Drive/volume, so
what would be the procedure once I retrieve my data and start the reformat?


Did you use the gigabyte windows bios flash or the BIOS version?
Yes I used the @ Bios utility
(I tried to muster up a floppy drive, but could not find a working FDD/Floppy combination)

Even if I reformat, I'll need the answer to the blue?
Let me know if you need more info.

Thanks again
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Q9650 @3.83GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X45-DQ6
    Memory
    Geil Evo 1 1066 X 4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA Nvidia GTX 285
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway Extreme HD 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560X1600 + 1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    2 raptors
    2 velociraptors (300GB)
First, it is not normal to have raid and non-raid on the same controller. And only a raid controller can handle raid drive.

As for seeing the volume...

Go to start > computer
right mouse button
manage
storage > disk management
disk1 was the new disk which was not initialized
right click on the appropriate disk
initialize
right click on unallocated space
new simple volume
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD AM2 6000+
    Motherboard
    Nvidia M2N-E SLI
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 7600GT
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    WD
    Case
    Cooler Master
    Cooling
    Three fans
    Keyboard
    Dell Quietkey
    Mouse
    Dell Optical
    Internet Speed
    10 MBPS
You can try disconnecting all the raid volumes, and leave one connected via sata. Then if that is detected, try linking it in RAID 0. Your motherboard manual should have a fairly detailed description of RAID settings.

As to backup, you can use the Ubuntu live cd to back up your files, but it would go easier if only one hard drive was connected at a time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio Z46GDU
    CPU
    [email protected] w/6MB L2 cache 1066MHz FSB
    Memory
    6GB DDR3 1066MHz SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    9300M GS 256MB + Intel Integrated 4500MHD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.1" WXGA True Colour Tough
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900
    Hard Drives
    320GB SATA 7200RPM
    Internet Speed
    1MB/s
Thank you for your replies,

First, it is not normal to have raid and non-raid on the same controller. And only a raid controller can handle raid drive.

Just to be sure we are on the same page, the controller is software, plugged into the Sata ports of my motherboard (intel ICH-9) Sorry if this information is superfluous to you.

Pryor to this Bios flash, I had Raid + Non raid together with no problem. (or are you saying that only the Raid(ed) drives are using he intel controller?)

As for seeing the volume...

Go to start > computer
right mouse button
manage
storage > disk management
disk1 was the new disk which was not initialized
right click on the appropriate disk
initialize
right click on unallocated space
new simple volume

I will try this as soon as I can get a Windows screen (operating system) but as I have stated above, I cannot get past the bios error "Missing operating system"

This is one of the blue questions above, does anyone know how I can get past this error first?
(I will need to do so to try your suggestions)

You can try disconnecting all the raid volumes, and leave one connected via sata.
I have the Sata cables numbered, so it can't hurt to try this, but if it doesn't see it now . . .
The only reason I would think this would be an advantage is if the drives it sees are interfearing somehow (@Lemur's comment about Raid + Non Raid together?)

I will try this, but before I do, is it possible to harm something by trying it? (keep in mind I have not recovered my data yet from the Raid 0 array)

Then if that is detected, try linking it in RAID 0.

Not sure what you mean here.
How do I 'link' a independent volume to Raid 0?

As to backup, you can use the Ubuntu live cd to back up your files, but it would go easier if only one hard drive was connected at a time.

Ok, Although I have not tried an Ubuntu disk yet . . . I have been unsuccessful with every optical media I have tried so far.
Maybe If I knew why the Windows disk can't run, I could figure out how to load an O.S.

Once I successfully install an OS (I could use an extra drive) then I'll have to sort out the RAID mess before I can recover anything
(I'll have to check if my file recovery software runs on Ubuntu)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't I need to figure out how to load O.S. CD's to load an O.S. before I can set up any raid?

(I can remove the raid drives for data recovery -wipe them - then replace them, but then I'm right back where I am now . . )



Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Q9650 @3.83GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte X45-DQ6
    Memory
    Geil Evo 1 1066 X 4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA Nvidia GTX 285
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Gateway Extreme HD 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560X1600 + 1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    2 raptors
    2 velociraptors (300GB)
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