RAID issue

Nos03

Hello, first of all thank you for reading this.

I bought less than a year ago an acer predator 17.

Acer Predator 17 G9-793-73XM

Windows 10 Home

Intel core i7-6700HQ

Nvidia GeForce GTX1060

8GB DDR4 Memory

128GB Storage + 1000GB HDD

I recently use the iRTS of intel not really knowing what I was doing, and merge my two disk, now I can't access my 1000GB drive.

The intel support point to me that I had selected to mirror the system.

To rectify my mistake I had to access the RAID BIOS and set my disks to Non-Raid, unfortunately I can not get to the RAID BIOS,

I tried the solutions of other post but nothing seems to work.

Note that each time I tried to use iRST again or install it, I have a pop-up telling me that my disk can't be accessed.

Thank you again for your attention.

Accepted answers

IronFly

probably your had a RAID0 configuration, so you need to re-install windows 10 from scratch or check on BIOS if there's any metion of windows boot manager.

if you need to re-install windows 10, follow this guide (if you didn't already create a recovery media):

1) download a windows 10 iso using Microsof tool:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209
select the proper windows 10 version (the same installed on your laptop) and choose to save it as iso file when prompted
2) download Rufus:
http://rufus.akeo.ie/?locale=en_US
plug your USB flash drive, run Rufus then:
select ISO image from the dropdown menu near "Create a bootable disk"
click on the little icon on the right and browse to the windows 10 downloaded iso file
as Partitions scheme select "GPT partition scheme for UEFI"
as File system select "FAT32"
click on Start
wait until it finish, then uplug your USB flash drive
3) backup all your personal data
4) Reboot to BIOS, pressing F2 at boot, then press F9 to load default and F10 to save and exit
5) plug your USB flash drive and at boot press F12 (if F12 doesn't work, see if it auto-recognise the USB flash drive or press F2 to enter BIOS and enable F12 boot menu under BOOT tab), choose the USB flash drive as bootable device

All comments

IronFly

you can't access RAID settings on BIOS, you need to use iRST CLI:

Symptoms
User can't delete RAID array, RAID option greyed on BIOS.

Diagnosis
User can create the RAID array via "Intel Rapid Storage Technology UI" (iRST) on Windows but can't delete RAID by "iRST" and RAID is the only option on BIOS (AHCI option is missing).

Before deleting the RAID array
Always remember to do the windows recovery media before running the RAID tool to delete the array.
With the help of the Acer Care Center (pre-installed on your system), you can create the windows recovery media on an USB stick, so you can reinstall it later.
In the AcerCare Center, click Recovery Management -> Getting Started, and then follow the instructions.
http://acer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/38147

You can also perform a backup of your actual windows installation, so using the windows recovery media, you can reload your OS at the time of the backup.
Press Windows logo key and type "backup"
click on "Backup and restore" and then follow on screen instructions.
http://acer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/37461

Solution
First of all, check the Volume name of your array on "iRST".
Press windows logo key and type "intel"
click on "Intel Rapid Storage Technology"
click on "Yes" if prompted
check on the right side, under "Storage System View", that "Volume_0000" or "OEMRAID0" is the name of the array.

if Type description is:
RAID 1 or Recovery - no data will be lost
RAID 0 - all your data will be lost - you will need to re-install Windows

Download the RAID tool
ftp://ftp.acer-euro.com/Notebook/Predator/G9-793/RAID_Tool.zip

Right click the downloaded RAID_Tool.zip file
click on "Extract all"
Click on "Browse..."
Click on "Computer"
Click on "C:" (normally it's labeled "Acer (C: )
Click on "Ok"
Click on "Extract"

Now click on the Windows logo at the bottom left of your screen
Click on the Power icon
Press Shift key and click on "Restart"
On the next screen click on "Troubleshooting"
On the next screen click on "Advanced settings"
On the next screen click on "Command Prompt"
Select your account and type your password (if any)

At Command prompt
type C:
type CD Raid_tool
type delete

Once successfully deleted, press Enter and then reboot your PC.
The RAID array will be deleted.

if you encounter issues, please specify error messages.

Nos03

I tried to follow that solution but I can't access iRST.

IronFly

what do you mean with access?

need some error string or more information, like...iRST from windows, CLI iRST...

try to run the RAID tool without running the iRST from windows.

Nos03

when I try to open the iRST it just won't work, I wait and wait and nothing happends.

I tried to reinstall it but that won't work either.

IronFly

ok, as i wrote, instead of running the windows iRST, go straight using the RAID tool

Nos03

Now I have no bootable device.

IronFly

probably your had a RAID0 configuration, so you need to re-install windows 10 from scratch or check on BIOS if there's any metion of windows boot manager.

if you need to re-install windows 10, follow this guide (if you didn't already create a recovery media):

1) download a windows 10 iso using Microsof tool:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209
select the proper windows 10 version (the same installed on your laptop) and choose to save it as iso file when prompted
2) download Rufus:
http://rufus.akeo.ie/?locale=en_US
plug your USB flash drive, run Rufus then:
select ISO image from the dropdown menu near "Create a bootable disk"
click on the little icon on the right and browse to the windows 10 downloaded iso file
as Partitions scheme select "GPT partition scheme for UEFI"
as File system select "FAT32"
click on Start
wait until it finish, then uplug your USB flash drive
3) backup all your personal data
4) Reboot to BIOS, pressing F2 at boot, then press F9 to load default and F10 to save and exit
5) plug your USB flash drive and at boot press F12 (if F12 doesn't work, see if it auto-recognise the USB flash drive or press F2 to enter BIOS and enable F12 boot menu under BOOT tab), choose the USB flash drive as bootable device

Nos03

First thank you for you time, there is nothing about Windows manager on the BIOS so I'll follow yourte guide.
Thanks again.

Nos03

So I follow your guide, and it worked perfectly fine thank you very much.

IronFly

you welcome.

Darkmatterial

How do you select the USB as a bootable device in the BIOS?

IronFly

enter BIOS pressing F2, check if F12 boot menu is enabled (normally is under Boot menu), enabled it and then press F10 to save and exit.
at next boot press F12 and choose the USB bootable device from the list.