Restore initial hard drive configuration / Delete Raid Recovery Volume

JohnGreen18
JohnGreen18 Member Posts: 8

Tinkerer
edited November 2023 in 2020 Archives
Recently got a Swift SF315-51G with SSD and HDD. I am trying to find a method to restore the initial drive configuration since the Intel Rapid Storage tool turned my HDD into a useless recovery drive. I don't mind formatting the drives or reinstalling Windows. I found some similar cases on the forum but could not apply any of the fixes (Raid tool posted by @IronFly , format drive with diskpart since it is read only). How can I delete the Raid system and restore my HDD without opening the laptop? 



Best Answers

  • IronFly
    IronFly ACE Posts: 18,412 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    JohnGreen18 said:
    Thanks! How certain are you that this is gonna work? So in my case it's RAID0 cause it says Sata_Array_0000, right? 
    not quite sure but doing a full wipe, you will delete the RAID array boot strings from both HDD/SSD and so you will break the RAID, it's up to you trying it.
    do a good backup of your personal data first.
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JohnGreen18
    JohnGreen18 Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer
    Answer ✓
    Worked like a charm! I simply deleted all partitions of my HDD, created a new partition table and a new partition. I didn't even have to wipe my SSD or reinstall Windows. Now the RAID Array is gone and I can use my HDD again :) Thanks a lot @IronFly for the advice and fast response!!!
«1

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 45,186 Trailblazer
    Did you specifically request a RAID setup? Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • JohnGreen18
    JohnGreen18 Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer
    There was some sort of "protect your data" option I clicked in the IRST window that turned the HDD into the recovery drive. What do you advise?
  • IronFly
    IronFly ACE Posts: 18,412 Trailblazer
    you can try to boot from a gparted
    https://gparted.org/

    and fully wipe the HDD if it's a RAID1, if it's RAID0, you need to wipe both.
    it will take time to do it.
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JohnGreen18
    JohnGreen18 Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer
    Thanks! How certain are you that this is gonna work? So in my case it's RAID0 cause it says Sata_Array_0000, right? 
  • IronFly
    IronFly ACE Posts: 18,412 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    JohnGreen18 said:
    Thanks! How certain are you that this is gonna work? So in my case it's RAID0 cause it says Sata_Array_0000, right? 
    not quite sure but doing a full wipe, you will delete the RAID array boot strings from both HDD/SSD and so you will break the RAID, it's up to you trying it.
    do a good backup of your personal data first.
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JohnGreen18
    JohnGreen18 Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer
    @IronFly Do you know what to chose under Partition scheme when using rufus to create the bootable Gparted USB (Mbr for Bios and Uefi, Mbr for UEFI or GBT for UEFI)?


  • IronFly
    IronFly ACE Posts: 18,412 Trailblazer
    As on the image is correct
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder
    edited April 2018
    Personally, I would start by saving a System Image and create a recovery flash drive. Next I would unplug the second drive so only the drive you want to boot from is connected. Third I would use the flash drive to boot to the BIOS and make sure RAID is turned off. Fourth use the system image to restore the boot drive. Then if that boots correctly,and making sure that RAID is turned off in Windows, I would reconnect the other drive and reformat NTFS. It should then appear as an independent drive.
  • JohnGreen18
    JohnGreen18 Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer
    padgett said:
    Personally, I would start by saving a System Image and create a recovery flash drive. Next I would unplug the second drive so only the drive you want to boot from is connected. Third I would use the flash drive to boot to the BIOS and make sure RAID is turned off. Fourth use the system image to restore the boot drive. Then if that boots correctly,and making sure that RAID is turned off in Windows, I would reconnect the other drive and reformat NTFS. It should then appear as an independent drive.
    I want to avoid opening the computer. Also it's not possible to turn off RAID in BIOS (as seen in many other cases as well)
  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder
    Wish I could help more but do not have one so can only suggest options. Is there any way you can turn off the second drive in the BIOS and then restore from a system image ? I suspect the only way to keep the BIOS from "finding" it is to physically disconnect the drive.
  • JohnGreen18
    JohnGreen18 Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer
    @IronFly Prepared my Windows recovery and booted into Gparted. What do you suggest I do next (see captures below) ? Just want to make sure I am doing the right thing here.


  • IronFly
    IronFly ACE Posts: 18,412 Trailblazer
    Choose to erase completly the SSD and the HDD
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JohnGreen18
    JohnGreen18 Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer
    IronFly said:
    Choose to erase completly the SSD and the HDD
    So I use the delete button for every partition listed (there are 4 sections)? 
  • IronFly
    IronFly ACE Posts: 18,412 Trailblazer
    edited April 2018
    i think there's a single command as Erase if you right click the SSD or HDD and not the partitions.
    https://askubuntu.com/questions/746323/using-gparted-to-completely-clear-a-drive
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • JohnGreen18
    JohnGreen18 Member Posts: 8

    Tinkerer
    Answer ✓
    Worked like a charm! I simply deleted all partitions of my HDD, created a new partition table and a new partition. I didn't even have to wipe my SSD or reinstall Windows. Now the RAID Array is gone and I can use my HDD again :) Thanks a lot @IronFly for the advice and fast response!!!
  • IronFly
    IronFly ACE Posts: 18,412 Trailblazer
    Good to hear it!
    I'm not an Acer employee.
  • nivak
    nivak Member Posts: 2 New User
    @IronFly im having the same problem can you guide my through what he did?
    cant seem to run the gparted thing and rufus.
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 45,186 Trailblazer
    Might be more effective to send a PM directly to @JohnGreen18 since his description seems to be somewhat unique. Gparted is run from a USB bootstick. Rufus is a way of preparing the gparted boot stick from a working Windows machine and a downloaded gparted iso file. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • nivak
    nivak Member Posts: 2 New User
    tried messaging them both.still waiting for the reply @JackE
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 45,186 Trailblazer
    OK. I think if you start at this point in the conversation between @JohnGreen18 and @IronFly , https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/564092/#Comment_564092  it will lead to the result you're seeking. However, before executing any Gparted tasks, I do suggest you back up any personal files that you cannot afford to lose on a USB drive or another HDD. Gparted is a very powerful tool which can easily disable your machine if not carefully used especially as to the target drive that you're trying to change. Jack E/NJ



    Jack E/NJ

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