We have a 8-port 3ware 9650se raid card for our main disk array. We had to bring the server down for a pending power outage, and when we turned the machine back on, the raid card never started.

This card has been in service for a couple years without problems, and was working up until the shutdown.

Now, when we turn the machine on, the bios option rom that normally kicks in before the bootloader doesn't show up, none of the drives start, and when the OS tries to access the device, it just times out.

The firmware on it has been upgraded in the past, so it's possible we've hit some sort of firmware bug.

We're using it in a Silicon Mechanics R272 machine with gentoo for the OS. The OS eventually boots, but alas, without the card.

We've ordered a new one, but I'm worried that if we replace the card it won't recognize the existing array. Has anybody performed a card swap before?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.