XP and Rebuilding RAID

[Karl Burrows]

I have a computer that is running RAID1 mirroring with a couple of ATA
drives in XP Pro. One of the drives died and I need to replace it. I
guess, hypothetically, I should be able to replace the bad drive and the
RAID should see it and rebuild the RAID. Is this correct or do I have to go
into the RAID setup when the computer boots and rebuild it that way? What's
the best way to approach this? The tech guy at the computer place said I
had to reinstall the RAID driver, which doesn't make much sense, since I'm
sure the computer would not turn it off if a drive failed. What would be
the point of that in a RAID? I have easily rebuilt a RAID configuration in
RAID5 with absolutely no problem and assumed this was similar.

Thanks!!!

 

[NotMe]

It depends on the version of RAID that is in use and the BIOS configuration.
There are too many possible scenarios to cover all here.
If the RAID drives are capable of a 'hot swap'; it'll probably handle it for
you.
If not, read your motherboard/raid manual.

 

[Leythos]

I have a computer that is running RAID1 mirroring with a couple of ATA
drives in XP Pro. One of the drives died and I need to replace it. I
guess, hypothetically, I should be able to replace the bad drive and the
RAID should see it and rebuild the RAID. Is this correct or do I have to go
into the RAID setup when the computer boots and rebuild it that way? What's
the best way to approach this? The tech guy at the computer place said I
had to reinstall the RAID driver, which doesn't make much sense, since I'm
sure the computer would not turn it off if a drive failed. What would be
the point of that in a RAID? I have easily rebuilt a RAID configuration in
RAID5 with absolutely no problem and assumed this was similar.

Since XP Pro doesn't do RAID, you have to be using RAID via a controller
that's either on the motherboard or on an add-in card. Remove the old
drive, insert new drive, when the computer reboots, look for the CRTL+XXX
key that gets you into the RAID controller BIOS settings, look for
something like REBUILD. Some controllers let you install the drive, boot
into Windows, and then do the rebuild inside windows in the background.

As for the driver, if it's installed, and at least one drive is working,
then you're good to go already.

 

[Karl Burrows]

Found it in the BIOS and it ran like a charm! Just like other RAID setups I
have done.

Thanks for the help!!

I have a computer that is running RAID1 mirroring with a couple of ATA
drives in XP Pro. One of the drives died and I need to replace it. I
guess, hypothetically, I should be able to replace the bad drive and the
RAID should see it and rebuild the RAID. Is this correct or do I have to
go
into the RAID setup when the computer boots and rebuild it that way?
What's
the best way to approach this? The tech guy at the computer place said I
had to reinstall the RAID driver, which doesn't make much sense, since I'm
sure the computer would not turn it off if a drive failed. What would be
the point of that in a RAID? I have easily rebuilt a RAID configuration
in
RAID5 with absolutely no problem and assumed this was similar.

Since XP Pro doesn't do RAID, you have to be using RAID via a controller
that's either on the motherboard or on an add-in card. Remove the old
drive, insert new drive, when the computer reboots, look for the CRTL+XXX
key that gets you into the RAID controller BIOS settings, look for
something like REBUILD. Some controllers let you install the drive, boot
into Windows, and then do the rebuild inside windows in the background.

As for the driver, if it's installed, and at least one drive is working,
then you're good to go already.