XP and RAID1

[Rhino]

I'm giving some thought to setting up a new computer to have two large
drives configured as RAID1, i.e. the second drive will be identical to the
first and mirror everything on the first drive.

If I do that, I assume that my install of XP Pro is going to be a bit
different. What is the proper sequence of events? In other words, when do I
set up RAID1? Before I start the XP install? During the install? After the
XP install? Basically, I have no idea how and when the RAID1 set up is done.

Also, would I be better to slipstream my XP Pro disk to include SP2
(currently, it is only the original XP with no service packs applied) before
attempting the install?

If anyone can point me to instructions on setting up RAID1 for a new
computer that will be running XP, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I'm giving some thought to setting up a new computer to have two large
drives configured as RAID1, i.e. the second drive will be identical to the
first and mirror everything on the first drive.

If I do that, I assume that my install of XP Pro is going to be a bit
different. What is the proper sequence of events? In other words, when do
I set up RAID1? Before I start the XP install? During the install? After
the XP install? Basically, I have no idea how and when the RAID1 set up is
done.

Also, would I be better to slipstream my XP Pro disk to include SP2
(currently, it is only the original XP with no service packs applied)
before attempting the install?

If anyone can point me to instructions on setting up RAID1 for a new
computer that will be running XP, I'd really appreciate it!

Before you go for a RAID configuration you need to be clear about your
reasons for doing so. If it is to protect your new installation against some
failure then you should determine the most common cause of failures. IMHO
the vast majority of failures are caused by the following:
- Malicous software
- User error
- Glitches
- Software incompatibilities
- Power failures
- File system corruption
Have a look at the posts in this newsgroup - they tend to support my view.

Hard disk failures are very rare these days. A RAID configuration will not
protect you against any of the above events. It only protects you against
the very unlikely case of a disk failure.

You might be better off installing an imaging program such as Acronis
TrueImage. If you renew your image at regular intervals, if you always keep
the two most recent images and if you implement a solid data backup scheme
then you will survive just about any mishap.

 

[John John (MVP)]

The first question to ask would be "why do you want to do this?" RAID-1
is really only a solution for drive redundancy on mission critical
machines, it is mostly only used on systems that cannot afford to fail
or be be shut down, along with RAID-1 these setups also often use hot
swappable drives to ensure uninterrupted up time. Most other users
don't really have a proper use for a RAID-1 setup, please note that
RAID-1 is not a suitable replacement for a proper backup strategy.

John

 

[Anna]

Before you go for a RAID configuration you need to be clear about your
reasons for doing so. If it is to protect your new installation against
some failure then you should determine the most common cause of failures.
IMHO the vast majority of failures are caused by the following:
- Malicous software
- User error
- Glitches
- Software incompatibilities
- Power failures
- File system corruption
Have a look at the posts in this newsgroup - they tend to support my view.

Hard disk failures are very rare these days. A RAID configuration will not
protect you against any of the above events. It only protects you against
the very unlikely case of a disk failure.

You might be better off installing an imaging program such as Acronis
TrueImage. If you renew your image at regular intervals, if you always
keep the two most recent images and if you implement a solid data backup
scheme then you will survive just about any mishap.

Rhino:
I'm in basic agreement with the points raised by Pegasus concerning the need
to establish a RAID configuration for the vast majority of PC users,
particularly with setting up a RAID configuration designed for mirroring. As
Pegasus points out I believe you will be better served with employing a
disk-imaging or disk-cloning program to create and maintain a comprehensive
backup strategy. The Acronis program Pegasus mentions is fine; I prefer the
Casper 5 disk-cloning program, but each has trial versions so that you can
try them out.

But the *real* reason for my post is not merely to parrot Pegasus's
comments. If you *do* decide to go the RAID route, do *not* depend upon any
info you receive via newsgroup or other online sources - at least at the
outset. You *must* read & re:read your motherboard's user manual or user
guide for definitive information as to creating a RAID configuration (of any
kind) as it involves the particular system you're working with. While it's
not "rocket science" by any means, it can be tricky for an average user
depending upon the particular motherboard/BIOS he or she is working with. So
consult your MB guide/manual and if need be, obtain tech support to answer
any questions you may have directly from the manufacturer of the MB.
Anna

 

[HeyBub]

I'm giving some thought to setting up a new computer to have two large
drives configured as RAID1, i.e. the second drive will be identical
to the first and mirror everything on the first drive.

If I do that, I assume that my install of XP Pro is going to be a bit
different. What is the proper sequence of events? In other words,
when do I set up RAID1? Before I start the XP install? During the
install? After the XP install? Basically, I have no idea how and when
the RAID1 set up is done.
Also, would I be better to slipstream my XP Pro disk to include SP2
(currently, it is only the original XP with no service packs applied)
before attempting the install?

If anyone can point me to instructions on setting up RAID1 for a new
computer that will be running XP, I'd really appreciate it!

If your RAID configuration is done completely in hardware, the OS will be
indifferent (and not even know it's there).

In any event, the purveyors of your RAID methodology should provide detailed
instructions.

 

[Richard]

I set up a RAID 1 system on my Dell 3400 after the original Maxtor drive
failed in less than a year. It was covered by the warranty and Dell replaced
it with another similar Maxtor drive. I did not trust this drive so I set up
a RAID 1 system using it and a Western Digital drive. Within a year the new
Maxtor drive also failed and had to be replaced. The RAID 1 system saved me
allot of grief.No data was lost. I bought a new Western Digital drive and
rebuilt the RAID 1 system in less than an hour. Needless to say I would not
recommend Maxtor drives and I like my RAID 1 system. More information on
this problem can be found on the Dell message boards.

Richard

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm giving some thought to setting up a new computer to have two large
drives configured as RAID1, i.e. the second drive will be identical to the
first and mirror everything on the first drive.

If I do that, I assume that my install of XP Pro is going to be a bit
different. What is the proper sequence of events? In other words, when do I
set up RAID1? Before I start the XP install? During the install? After the
XP install? Basically, I have no idea how and when the RAID1 set up is done.

Also, would I be better to slipstream my XP Pro disk to include SP2
(currently, it is only the original XP with no service packs applied) before
attempting the install?

If anyone can point me to instructions on setting up RAID1 for a new
computer that will be running XP, I'd really appreciate it!

Two points:

1. Normally the RAID installation is done in the hardware, and Windows
doesn't even know about it. You don't do anything any different to
install Windows.

2. I don't know why you want RAID 1, but many people completely
misunderstand what RAID 1 is all about.

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 downtime can't be tolerated, because the way
it works is that if one drive fails the other takes over seamlessly
and almost instantly.

Although some people thing of mirroring 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, user
errors, virus attacks, theft of the computer, etc. Backup media or
backup devices should be removed from the computer and stored away
from it. Most companies that use RAID 1 also have a strong external
backup plan in place.

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

 

[John]

as other have said, RAID is not equal to backup
more inline...

I'm giving some thought to setting up a new computer to have two large
drives configured as RAID1, i.e. the second drive will be identical to the
first and mirror everything on the first drive.

New high end motheboards come with built-in SATA RAID1 controller. I have
never used them so I can't comment on their performance etc.

If I do that, I assume that my install of XP Pro is going to be a bit
different. What is the proper sequence of events?

If it's a hardware RAID (and I hope it is), you'd setup XP exactly the same
way as you would with 1 HD. Operating system won't know the difference and
"sees" it as 1 HD.

In other words, when do I set up RAID1? Before I start the XP install?
During the install? After the XP install? Basically, I have no idea how
and when the RAID1 set up is done.

RAID controller normally has its own BIOS where you can get into to
configure attached HDs. You'd hit a key while your PC is booting. You'll be
presented with a menu driven RAID software. This is where you'd define your
RAID level (0, 1, 5, 10 or other levels supported by the controller)

Also, would I be better to slipstream my XP Pro disk to include SP2
(currently, it is only the original XP with no service packs applied)
before attempting the install?

Won't hurt.

If anyone can point me to instructions on setting up RAID1 for a new
computer that will be running XP, I'd really appreciate it!

We can't because we don't know what your computer or motherboard
brand/make/model is.

 

[Twayne]

I'm giving some thought to setting up a new computer to have two large

drives configured as RAID1, i.e. the second drive will be identical
to the first and mirror everything on the first drive.

If I do that, I assume that my install of XP Pro is going to be a bit
different. What is the proper sequence of events? In other words,
when do I set up RAID1? Before I start the XP install? During the
install? After the XP install? Basically, I have no idea how and when
the RAID1 set up is done.
Also, would I be better to slipstream my XP Pro disk to include SP2
(currently, it is only the original XP with no service packs applied)
before attempting the install?

If anyone can point me to instructions on setting up RAID1 for a new
computer that will be running XP, I'd really appreciate it!

I love how the perfeshinulls all rush out to ask questions about why you
want to do something and completely ignore the solutions to your your
quest. They don't even have the common sense to see that someone else
has already give you the second degree about WHY you wan to do
something, but continue to post the same thing over and over and over as
though only THEIR word has any credibility.
It's as though you have to prove to them you have a valid need before
they'll even consider answering your question and most often the
answers don't even finally come from them.

Unfortunately the answer isn't forthcoming from me, either. IMO it's
too "iffy" for me to try to describe correctly as I've little real-world
experience with that sort of thing even though I've done it just for
grins a time or two. There are different ways to implement RAID as
you'll see in some of th elinks below, I'm sure.

I think you should consider some research on the subject and get the
information first hand anyway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redundant_array_of_independent_disks

Embedded media from this media site is no longer available

http://www.tech-archive.net/Archive/WinXP/microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware/2008-06/msg00474.html

http://www.smartcomputing.com/Editorial/article.asp?article=articles/2004/w1510/12w02/12w02.asp&guid

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/246586-32-raid-disappears-install-present-bios-install

One or more of those links should assist you.