I have a Dell PowerEdge R750xs that was originally running a 3xLogic VIGIL NVR on Windows Server 2022 with a large 45TB RAID configuration comprising two partitions: a 1TB 'Exports' drive and a 44TB video storage drive. Unfortunately, we ran into issues with the NVR database and decided to do a fresh installation of Windows.
We initially tried reinstalling Windows Server 2019, but we couldn't get the necessary drivers to install, especially for the RAID card, which is critical for the NVR functionality. After that failed attempt, we moved on to Windows Server 2022, but it got stuck at the loading screen. So, we decided to try Windows 11, and while it installed successfully, had a surprise: the 44TB volume now shows as unallocated during the installation process.
After the installation, the volume remains unallocated, and DISKPART isn't showing it either. I really need help recovering this partition, as it contains the last four months of video recordings. Here's what I see in DISKPART:
- Disk 0: 43 TB with 42 TB free, but only showing a small reserved partition and the 1TB Exports drive.
Any tips or suggestions on how to recover the lost RAID partition?
3 Answers
First things first, it sounds like you're dealing with a RAID 6 configuration based on your mention of redundancy. The fact that the 'Exports' volume is still visible could mean that the array itself is intact. Have you confirmed that the RAID card, a PERC H755, is recognized properly in the BIOS or RAID configuration utility? Sometimes, a driver issue can interfere with partition visibility. Also, consider using RAID recovery software that can potentially identify and recover the lost partition without writing data over it.
It may be worth checking the health of the drives within the RAID array. You mentioned that the installation of Windows 11 shows the 44TB volume as unallocated, which could suggest that the partition table got corrupted during the installation process. Before doing anything drastic, try booting from a live USB with a partition recovery tool to see if it can detect the lost partition.
There's a possibility that the other tech might have accidentally deleted or formatted the partition during the installations. It might be worth running a disk recovery tool specific to RAID arrays. Make sure to avoid writing any data to the drives to prevent overwriting recoverable data. If you're not comfortable doing this, consider consulting with a professional data recovery service.
Related Questions
Can't Load PhpMyadmin On After Server Update
Redirect www to non-www in Apache Conf
How To Check If Your SSL Cert Is SHA 1
Windows TrackPad Gestures