Add RAID to WXP Pro

[Michael Dobony]

I have one SATA HD right now and am getting a second identical drive. How
would I get the RAID set up on an existing Windows install? Do I just add
the drivers and then set up the RAID? I have the MOBO drivers on a floppy
right now.

Mike D.

 

[Jerry]

You set up RAID first in the BIOS and then do a clean install of Windows on
the RAID. Won't work doing it in reverse as you asked.

 

[DL]

Not true, can be done if creating a mirror raid

You set up RAID first in the BIOS and then do a clean install of Windows
on the RAID. Won't work doing it in reverse as you asked.

 

[DL]

What type of raid? and why do you want to configure a raid setup?

 

[smlunatick]

Not true, can be done if creating a mirror raid

You can create a mirror RAID but it usually requires that the two
identical hard drives be formatted with the RAID info. This "erases"
the existing hard drive info.

There are other hardware that will let you re-do the hard drives into
a RAID set up without loss of data. However, these are expensive.

 

[DL]

Not so; I've done it (Using Adaptec raid card) several times
Also done with Sil onboard raid

Not true, can be done if creating a mirror raid

You can create a mirror RAID but it usually requires that the two
identical hard drives be formatted with the RAID info. This "erases"
the existing hard drive info.

There are other hardware that will let you re-do the hard drives into
a RAID set up without loss of data. However, these are expensive.

 

[Michael Dobony]

What type of raid? and why do you want to configure a raid setup?

Mirror for redundancy. I have lost a lot of data in the past due to failed
HD's. and want a full backup.

 

[David B.]

A Mirrored RAID is not a substitute for on off system backup. If your drive
gets taken out by a power surge or virus the mirrored drive will go with it,
so keep in mind the ONLY failure a mirrored array protects you from is
physical failure of one drive.

 

[Michael Dobony]

A Mirrored RAID is not a substitute for on off system backup. If your drive
gets taken out by a power surge or virus the mirrored drive will go with it,
so keep in mind the ONLY failure a mirrored array protects you from is
physical failure of one drive.

Yup. THAT is why I want a mirrored array. I have not had any problems
with viruses or power surges. I have had problems with physical failure of
one drive, SEVERAL times.

 

[Michael Dobony]

Not so; I've done it (Using Adaptec raid card) several times
Also done with Sil onboard raid



You can create a mirror RAID but it usually requires that the two
identical hard drives be formatted with the RAID info. This "erases"
the existing hard drive info.

There are other hardware that will let you re-do the hard drives into
a RAID set up without loss of data. However, these are expensive.

Please make up your mind. Either I can add RAID mirroring or I have to
start from scratch.

I have a Gigybyte MB that supports RAID in the Bios. I was reluctant to
set it up in the first place, waiting for my second drive to be replaced
(DOA), but needed to get my printer up and running after being down for
over a month, so I went ahead and put on the basics. I guess I will just
have to try it anyway.

 

[DL]

I have made up my mind, and as such answered your Q

 

[Michael Dobony]

I have made up my mind, and as such answered your Q

I do not see an answer. You first say it can be done, but then you say it
will "erase" the existing HD info. Erasing the info will require a full
reinstall of Windows and all my programs. You are sounding like Obama!

 

[David B.]

If done properly you can take a single disk installation and transfer it to
almost any type of RAID array, I've moved such an install to both 0 and 1
arrays with success.

 

[Michael Dobony]

If done properly you can take a single disk installation and transfer it to
almost any type of RAID array, I've moved such an install to both 0 and 1
arrays with success.

how?

 

[David B.]

In a nutshell, you do need an extra hard drive other than your 2 RAID disks.
Have the XP install on this disk, enable the RAID controller (don't set up
RAID in BIOS), install the drivers in XP, reboot to make sure they took. Set
up your RAID array, then image the single disk to the array. Depending on
your motherboard you may need to adjust this procedure slightly. I've had
occasion where I've had to use a PCI hard drive controller in this
procedure, and a couple times the imaged array wouldn't boot (repair install
fixed that), but for the most part have had success.