Updating BIOS might put your RAID in problems. For example, after updating your BIOS, any one of the drives in the RAID array might not be recognized as a member.
This is because BIOS has complete information about RAID arrangement. Updating or resetting the BIOS might change the BIOS settings to default resulting in a failed RAID.
Here in this article, you can learn about the various manual methods to fix RAID after the BIOS update.
3 Ways to Repair RAID After BIOS Update
Check for hardware errors
It would be unwise to assume BIOS update as the only reason for RAID failure. Some problems pertaining to hardware can also result in RAID failure like; damaged SATA cable or drained CMOS battery. So, before moving forward double check with the hardware and replace the CMOS battery if it’s not working.
Enable RAID in BIOS
Apart from resetting or updating BIOS, the RAID configuration can stop working if the settings have been altered. If you can re-enable the RAID through the BIOS might make the RAID work as usual. The instructions on how to re-enable RAID through BIOS are stated below:
- As soon as hit the power button to start the computer keep tapping the F2 button(might differ from manufacturer to manufacturer)
- Using the arrow key navigate to Advanced > IDE Configurations > Configure SATA and press enter
- In the Configure SATA options make RAID as default to enable
- Press F10 to save the changed settings and exit the bios.
Re-enabling RAID should repair the BIOS settings. Unfortunately, if this doesn’t work, you need to recover and recreate the RAID. To recover a RAID, you will need trusted data recovery software such as Yodot Hard Drive Recovery software.
How to Recover RAID after Upgrading BIOS?
To recover the RAID drive, disconnect the unrecognized or affected drive and connect it to your computer. Now download and install Yodot Hard Drive Recovery software
- Launch the software and select the Hard Drive Recovery option from the main screen
- Which proceed to the next screen with options Partition Recovery and Format/Reformatted Recovery. Select the Partition Recovery option
- It will load available storage devices on the computer, select the drive from RAID and click on Next
- If any partitions available on the drive are displayed after scanning the drive.
- Select the partition and click on Next to recover the files from the partition
- Click on the Mark All option to recover all the files and click on Next to start scanning
- Once the Scanning is completed mark the files you want to recover and click on Next for one last time and save the recovered files on a different storage device.
This ends the recovering RAID drive. After completing the raid drive data recovery, you need to recreate the RAID drive. You can find the instructions for that in the next section of the article.
Note: While recreating RAID, the drive will be formatted, hence use the other storage device where you saved the recovered data as a backup after recreation of RAID.
Recreate the RAID
If re-enabling the RAID is not enough to fix the RAID after the BIOS error, recreating the RAID array will fix the issue. For that after enabling the RAID in BIOS restart the computer and tap on Ctrl+I to create a RAID volume.
However, the setup will ask you to format the RAID array drives. Since you have already recovered RAID drives using Yodot Hard Drive Recovery software, you can proceed to format and recreate the RAID array after the BIOS update error.
Unknown Facts About BIOS Update Error
Apart from RAID failure, BIOS update errors is also a reason for other problems such as interrupting BIOS updates will result in corrupting or damaging the whole motherboard.
Hence, it is strongly suggested to take a backup of important data before updating BIOS. Create an interruption-free environment, like having a UPS or keeping your laptop charged.
Not all the BIOS updates will improve the system performance. So, once cross-check the performance advantages you get with the update. If there are no performance improvements better you skip the update.
CMOS battery will take care of BIOS settings while your computer is switched off. Most of the users are not aware of it so if the CMOS battery is interrupted or drained BIOS settings will reset and result in a failing RAID array.
Also Read: How to Recover Deleted Files From RAID Drive?
Conclusion
RAID arrays are best suited for storing large files. However, RAID arrays are unstable while BIOS is updating or reset. Fortunately, you can easily fix the RAID but the process also involves in formatting the RAID array.
In such situations, you can recover the data from the RAID array with the help of professional data recovery software such as Yodot Hard Drive Recovery Software. After taking a backup of the data you can format and repair RAID after BIOS update error.
