So here is the deal. Our Quickbooks/helpdesk server just crashed. When I enter the Raid configuration it shows that the raid volume has failed, but all drives are still a green status, which tells me that the data still exists. Would replacing the raid controller fix this issue?

The damn idiot who runs the server did not make back ups.....wow....

Call customer service.

nice, but unfortunately I am the customer service.

Evidently it's a hardware failure that does not include the disks, so replacing the controller is a possible troubleshooting step, unless you can find someone with experience on your type of RAID system.

Yeah hopefully the replacement controller works. I cannot understand why this guy would not have made back ups. The first thing you learn being a network administrator is make BACK UPS. I also cannot understand WHY they would put years of accounting information and ALL of our customer information on one box with ONLY raid 5 redundancy and no back up...this could ultimately cost thousands of dollars if the new controller wont fix it. I guess that goes to show that even a college education does not make a smart person.

If you have any data problems after fixing your hardware problem a good piece of software may be seen here

http://www.file-recovery.net/features.htm

Also it can be problem - Google for 'raid 5 rebuild' (no quotes) and you will find several good sites outlining the problems with crashed raid 5 systems.
Good Luck!!
I have successfully used active file recovery by the way.

LOL!

He probably listened to the marketing guys who told him that the RAID redundancy made backups unnecessary. However, we all have to learn the hard way, don't we? I still hear people say things like "my hard drive crashed so it's not my fault I lost the files." That reminds me, I need to make some backup DVDs.

Why not use Mozy for your backups?

Their free offering is for 2Ghz of backup !!

See https://mozy.com/home

I just filled three 4.7 gigabyte DVDs with my user files. I would have to pay five bucks a month for the unlimited Web backup, and then wouldn't be sure I could trust them until I needed it. The DVDs are fairly reliable.

If you don't mind me asking Rick, but you have me curious now...What do you do for a living?

I'm a scientist and engineer working in the spacecraft business. I have worked on the Gamma Ray Observatory, The Chandra Advanced X-Ray Astronomical Facility, and the James Webb Space Telescope.

Impressive...is the only word that comes to mind. Impressive.

Impressive indeed.
I was just reading your autobiography.
Did you ever get done writing the part for TRW and USC and beyond? I'd like to read it.