Raid 0 Configuration

[JCO]

A friend wants to set up his new computer using RAID 0 (stripping) which
allows for faster storage/retrieval of data across multiple hard drives.
Questions:

1. Should the OS be installed before you set the configuration up as a RAID
0. Reason is that his BIOS will not allow him the proper configuration.
The motherboard is top of the line. Why wouldn't the RAID option be
available?

2. If RAID 0 is successful, can standard Imaging tools such as Acronis
TrueImage be used to image the system and be used to restore the OS (example
after some corruption and you have to format and restore from the image)?
I'm unclear what would happen if your restoring an Image to a computer that
is in a RAID 0 configuration.

Thanks

 

[Shenan Stanley]

A friend wants to set up his new computer using RAID 0 (stripping)
which allows for faster storage/retrieval of data across multiple
hard drives.

Well - depends on other factors too... Hardware vs. Software RAID, drive
type, drive speed, number of drives, amount of data, individual file sizes,
etc...

Questions:

1. Should the OS be installed before you set the configuration up
as a RAID
0. Reason is that his BIOS will not allow him the proper
configuration. The motherboard is top of the line. Why wouldn't
the RAID option be available?

Depends on what it is you are trying to accomplish...

Just because it is 'modern' does not mean it will do everything you want.
If there was a specific need - the purchase should have been made in such a
way that actually fulfilled that need.

2. If RAID 0 is successful, can standard Imaging tools such as
Acronis TrueImage be used to image the system and be used to
restore the OS (example after some corruption and you have to
format and restore from the image)? I'm unclear what would happen
if your restoring an Image to a computer that is in a RAID 0
configuration.

Yes - any tools you would normally use should still be able to access said
configuration... Much easier *if* this is a *hardware* based RAID - and then
the tools may never know that RAID is involved.

 

[DL]

A Raid array 0 wont neccessarily provide faster storage/retrevial, there are
many factors involved, not least Controler & Drives.
Any performance increase may only be visible under test procedures and may
not show in real world useage.
If the o/s is planned to be on the array then you need to set up the array
first
Your motherboard manual would explain how to.
Acronis, or others can be used. The array would have to be configured prior
to any restore.
If the mobo is subsequently replaced any existing array may not be
recognised.

 

[JCO]

No software is being used. You want the RAID to be configured before any
software, including the OS, is installed.

Using 2-750GB SATA Drives. The controller is on the motherboard so you set
the BIOS to use RAID. Once you do this, and reboot, you have the option to
boot into the RAID Configurations "Shift F10" on this motherboard. This is
where the problem comes. Wants you get to this configuration, the
motherboard no longer sees the CD-ROM (for boot purposes and installing the
OS) nor can it see either of the harddrives. Therefore you can't configure
for RAID0 or RAID1.

 

[JCO]

I understand that RAID0 may not do what he wants it to do. Not my computer,
but I did explain that to him. This is just something he wants to do and I
was helping him.
Thanks

 

[DL]

What is the make/model mobo?

No software is being used. You want the RAID to be configured before any
software, including the OS, is installed.

Using 2-750GB SATA Drives. The controller is on the motherboard so you
set the BIOS to use RAID. Once you do this, and reboot, you have the
option to boot into the RAID Configurations "Shift F10" on this
motherboard. This is where the problem comes. Wants you get to this
configuration, the motherboard no longer sees the CD-ROM (for boot
purposes and installing the OS) nor can it see either of the harddrives.
Therefore you can't configure for RAID0 or RAID1.

 

[JCO]

MSI k9a2 Platinum

What is the make/model mobo?

 

[DL]

You configured the mobo Bios as per page 48?
Then on rebooting I have Ctrl+F to enter the raid bios
Does the fast build Menu screen appear?

MSI k9a2 Platinum