Data recovery from deleted raid array

Hello I deleted a raid 1 array on a hp b110i and I wanted to know if it is possible to recover the data. Also if Windows server was on the array that was deleted can it be recovered.

Thanks

Solution 1:

It's possible to recover the data, provided no other actions have been taken on the array. You could do a few things like taking an image of the individual disks (via Clonezilla/dd/etc.) and keeping that as a fallback...

The common approach is to try to either recreate the array with the same settings/RAID/level/strip size and boot via a recovery CD to extract the data...

Or you can try powering the server off completely and booting with one disk inserted to see if the array metadata is present or recognized. You may have an option to press F2 to try array recovery.

Also see: Accidentally deleted wrong logical drive HP Smart Array P800 controller

But I have to add, the process of deleting a logical drive on HP controllers asks for a double confirmation. What were you trying to do?

Solution 2:

I did same mistake few months ago, deleted array on wrong server (ProLiant ML110 G7 with Smart Array B110i).

6 easy steps:

1. Do byte-by-byte backup of first mirror.

2. Recreate logical drive. Good thing of that recreation in my case was that it didn't resync physical disks. It touched only beginning of the disk, messed up partition table. Windows MFT and files were untouched.

3. If drive logical drive resync itself, recover data from the mirror's backup.

4. Use sysresccd and run so called testdisk utility, choose first disk if there will be only one, right partition format, most likely it's Intel/PC partition or EFI GPT partition if there was Windows Server installed. Then choose analyse, testdisk will find lost partition table, chose it and write changes to disk. After disk step Windows should try to boot, you will see Windows logo and shortly after that BSOD.

5. Last thing to do is repair Boot sector and Windows Boot Manager, boot partition will change its ID and it'll prevent Windows from boot. You need current Windows CD to do that, make sure it has raid controller drivers inside it. Guide. Then you need to repair boot manager for example using this guide.

6. If you had only one disk in testdisk you can skip this step. The thing is to resync array again after system repair, if you made to point that it (the system) boots correctly. You can achieve this by hot removing 2nd mirror, and plugging it again. Smart Array should force drives to resync.