A computer running Win7_64bit off a partition on a 2-drive-RAID-0 array built with Intel Rapid Storage Technology BSODed during video playback. Everything had worked fine for approximately 6 months. On first two restarts, RAID driver did not detect any hard drives connected to the system. On next restart RAID driver detected both hard drives and recognized an array. Windows booted but BSODed again upon opening Firefox and attempting to restore lost tabs. On next and several subsequent restarts RAID driver detects both hard drives but recognizes only one as a member of an array, and labeles the other 'ERROR OCCURED (0)'. Windows boots but Intel RST reports array failed and the 2nd drive inaccessible. However files fully accessible and computer seems to have full functionality.
Before examing the issue further, I connected an identical pair of drives, used Intel RST to construct a RAID-0 array, then cloned the old volume to it using a bootable Acronis Disk Director cd. Clone completed without errors. With the old pair of drives disconnected, RAID driver detects the new pair fine, Windows boots and Intel RST reports no errors. Computer seems fully functional.
So what kind of an error can cause a drive to simultaneously be accessible and inaccessible, cause BSODs but have no problem reading its whole 1 TB worth of contents, be alternatingly detectable and not detectable, and even affect whether another drive in the system is detected?