Convert Single Disk To Two Disk Raid 1

[Abby Brown]

Hi,

Is it possible to convert a single disk system to a two disk
Raid 1 without losing the contents of the original disk? I
would like to just install the second disk, run a utility, and
have the original disk copied.

Thanks,
Gary

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

Hi,

Is it possible to convert a single disk system to a two disk Raid 1
without losing the contents of the original disk? I would like to just
install the second disk, run a utility, and have the original disk copied.

Thanks,
Gary

When you set up a RAID array with Windows then you need to click the two
disks while in Disk Manager to start the process. This is non-destructive
for the first disk.

Note also that creating a two-disk RAID array is in most cases a waste of
resources. Disk failures are rare these days. The vast majority of PC
problems relate to damaged Windows installations, viruses, malware, user
error, file system problems, theft and physical damage. A RAID array will
give you no protection against any of these events. You would get far better
protection if you set up a decent backup scheme, using your second disk as
an external storage unit. Installing a partition image program such as
Acronis True Image and creating/maintaining an image of your System
partition would also be an excellent idea. 90% of all problems posted in
this forum could be solved by restoring an image . . .

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Is it possible to convert a single disk system to a two disk
Raid 1 without losing the contents of the original disk? I
would like to just install the second disk, run a utility, and
have the original disk copied.

RAID 1 (mirroring) is almost always a mistake for home computer users.
RAID 1 (mirroring) is *not* a backup solution. RAID 1 uses two or
more drives, each a duplicate of the others, to provide redundancy,
not backup. It's used in situations (almost always within
corporations, not in homes) where any downtown can't be tolerated,
because the way it works is that if one drive fails the other takes
over seamlessly. Although some people thing of RAID 1 as a backup
technique, that is *not* what it is, since it's subject to
simultaneous loss of the original and the mirror to many of the most
common dangers threatening your data--severe power glitches, nearby
lightning strikes, virus attacks, theft of the computer, etc. Most
companies that use RAID 1 also have a strong external backup plan in
place.

"Why RAID is (usually) a Terrible Idea"
http://www.pugetsystems.com/articles?&id=29

 

[Abby Brown]

When you set up a RAID array with Windows then you need to
click the two disks while in Disk Manager to start the
process. This is non-destructive for the first disk.

Note also that creating a two-disk RAID array is in most cases
a waste of resources. Disk failures are rare these days. The
vast majority of PC problems relate to damaged Windows
installations, viruses, malware, user error, file system
problems, theft and physical damage. A RAID array will give
you no protection against any of these events. You would get
far better protection if you set up a decent backup scheme,
using your second disk as an external storage unit. Installing
a partition image program such as Acronis True Image and
creating/maintaining an image of your System partition would
also be an excellent idea. 90% of all problems posted in this
forum could be solved by restoring an image . . .

I was wondering about that. That will save me a disk.

Thanks,
Gary