Could someone walk me through RAID setup?

[Zacmaniac]

I currently have Windows and all my programs installed on one 80gb WD "Special edition" hard drive, but am buying another and want to raid 0 them. Could someone walk me through the exact steps, from coming home wiht the hard drive and sitting down and getting ready to set it up?

 

[aka1nas]

Do you have a RAID controller? If not, you need to do either get one or use what's called software RAID, which you cannot boot off . You will also be reinstalling your OS on the new array once you have made it. Finally, the SEs are supposedly poor performers in RAID 0 due to their 8MB cache being optimised fo single drive use(If anyone cares to dispute that, I'd love to hear your experiences to the contrary). I would check out storage review and see what their tests show with regard to that drive. I am moderately curious myself as I have two of those drives and never got around to testing them when they were RAIDed vs as single drives.

 

[Zacmaniac]

I have a P4C800 Deluxe, and that comes with RAID, doesn't it? I know I will be reinstalling the OS to the new array, but how do I setup the new array? And, I am getting another drive even if its not in RAID, so I figure I might as well set it up in RAID. I mean, even if it is poor in comparison to other RAID arrays, it still performs better then a single drive, right?

 

[axemanxt40]

Sure I can give you some pointers, private message me your specific questions...because right now this is so bland I don't know where to start (except from the very beginning) and I'd rather just start from where you need help other than give you the how to install a hard drive deal.

 

[Zacmaniac]

Well, I'd kinda rather keep the questions here, but all I really need to know, is what I do after I get the hard drive installed. Do I turn on the computer and reinstall windows and it will setup iself for raid? Or how do I do it?

 

[Amused]

First, back up everything, because it will be lost when you create the array.

Then, get out your CD that came with your mobo and make a floppy with the RAID drivers. There should be a "make disk" utility in the folder with the RAID drivers for your mobo.

Go into your BIOS and enable the RAID and make it the boot drive. (consult your mobo manual)

Hook your drives up to the right connector(s) (consult your mobo manual)

boot up and enter the RAID BIOS (consult your mobo manual)

it's pretty easy to figure out how to create an array, you do it in the RAID BIOS (consult your mobo manual)

Once the array is created, exit the RAID BIOS and insert your XP CD.

Right as the CD starts the setup you will see "Press F6 to install SCSI or RAID drivers." Hit F6

It will then take a minute, and come to a screen asking you to hit "S" to install a SCSI or RIAD device. Hit S

It will then ask you to insert the floppy with the drivers. Pop it in, and hit "enter."

When that is done, it will ask you to hit S again if you have more drivers, or enter to continue. Hit enter.

Leave the floppy in, it will need it in a few minutes. After it needs it the second time, take it out before Windows reboots or you may have trouble.

You're done.

 

[Zacmaniac]

And after that, I reinstall windows?

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Zacmaniac
And after that, I reinstall windows?

You will already be installing windows when it asks for the RAID drivers (F6). Reread what I said. When you put the XP CD in the drive, Windows will start installing. It will ask you to hit F6 to install RAID drivers right off the bat, so be ready. If you miss the F6 prompt, Windows will not see your array, and tell you it cannot continue installing.

After the RAID drivers are installed, it will display your array in the Windows setup as one drive. Choose that to set up windows on.

 

[Amused]

Of course, the best policy is "RTFM" (Read The Freakin' Manual). Asus' manual has detailed instructions on how to create the RAID array.

 

[Zacmaniac]

Ok, thanks for all the help!