WHS bootdisk dead: how to reinstall WHS without losing data ?

[Laalamani]

I have Windows Home Server setup with 2 250 GB hard disk. Recently one of my drive died and now it is left undiscovered from the BIOS. The problem is not that I don't want to replace the drive, I can do so but I have some questions with WHS setup. If I reinstall WHS, do I need to format both the disk? If yes then what about my data, it will be lost completely. How will I recover them then?

[Howitzer]

I don't understand why you are so much worried about your data. I think you have not installed the Windows anytime or might be not aware about the same. In general, during a fresh installation, Windows asks if it finds a data existing on your drive. So the same applies to Windows Home Server too. You will definitely get an option for data backup. So there shouldn't be any problem in the same. Just insert the disk and see what it says.

[Maxforu]

How to reinstall WHS :

1. Change your BIOS setting allowing it to boot from cd/dvd drive.
2. You will then be prompted to press any key to boot from the drive. Do the needful.
3. The installation window will open up. Choose "Reinstall Server".
4. Let it complete the installation procedure.
5. Create your administrator account and use some unique password.

[Mayur_Jain]

In order to protect your data, its better to copy it to another machine. Install Windows Home Server on your hard drive. Add the new disk but not in the storage pool. Now copy all the data to some network drive. Now you can add the new drive to the storage pool. Move all the data again to your home server.

[Rawko]

Back Up your data. Remove the power from all of your secondary data drives. However you can keep the data cables connected. Shutdown the system. Replace the old drive with the new one. Perform a clean install of WHS. The Drive Extender rebuilds your data from the storage pool. Create user accounts, install add ins etc. Re-move it wherever you want on your WHS.