Why My Remount raided drives after changing

Changing the RAID configuration of your G-RAID (or similar external RAID storage device) can significantly impact how your drives are recognized by your system. Whether you're switching from RAID 0 to RAID 1 for redundancy, or to JBOD for independent drives, it's common to face issues with remounting the drives afterward — especially if data was not backed up beforehand. Here’s a comprehensive guide to remounting your RAIDed drives safely and effectively after a configuration change.

Step 1: Understand the Consequences of Changing RAID Modes

When you change a RAID configuration, the array is usually rebuilt, which may erase all existing data depending on the type of RAID and how the change is implemented. For example:

RAID 0 to RAID 1 typically involves a reformat.

RAID 1 to JBOD breaks the mirrored setup and may create mount issues.

JBOD to RAID 0 may combine drives into a striped array, overwriting partitions.

If you haven’t already changed the configuration and need to preserve data, back it up first. If you’ve already changed it, recovery steps become more complex.

Step 2: Connect the G-RAID Device Properly

After changing the RAID level using G-RAID's configuration utility or physical DIP switches (on some models):

Power off the G-RAID unit.

Connect it via USB-C, Thunderbolt, or the appropriate interface to your computer.

Power it back on and wait for the system to detect it.

Most G-RAID devices automatically mount when properly configured, unless file systems or partitions are missing or corrupted.

Step 3: Use Disk Utility or Disk Management

On macOS:

Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities).

Check if the G-RAID volume appears.

If visible but not mounted, click Mount.

If it's unrecognized, go to View > Show All Devices to ensure the RAID group is visible.

On Windows:

Right-click Start > Disk Management.

Look for the G-RAID disk (may show as “Unallocated” or “Not Initialized”).

Right-click and try assigning a drive letter or initializing it if required.

⚠️ Warning: Do not initialize if you want to recover data from an existing setup — that may erase it further.

Step 4: Reinstall or Update G-RAID Software & Drivers

Ensure you have the latest G-RAID utility or driver software installed:

Go to G-Technology’s support page or the WD support site (G-Technology is now under Western Digital).

Download the latest RAID configurator and drivers for your OS.

Reboot your system after installation.

Step 5: Use Data Recovery Tools (If Needed)

If your drives don’t remount and you need access to lost files, use professional data recovery tools like:

macOS: Disk Drill, Data Rescue, or Stellar Data Recovery.

Windows: EaseUS Data Recovery, R-Studio, or Recuva.

These tools can scan drives even if the RAID was altered. For complex cases, consider sending the drives to a professional RAID recovery service.

Final Tips

Always note the original RAID level and any disk order before reconfiguring.

Use external power for the G-RAID device to avoid interface issues.

Avoid changing RAID levels without a clear backup or reason.

Remounting RAIDed drives after a configuration change depends heavily on your initial setup and whether you’ve overwritten data. Proceed cautiously to avoid permanent data loss.