first time trying RAID.

[icyxwindz]

when you set your drives for the first time for raid, does it need like a fresh install or formatting? i have 2 drives currently that are the same and i thought i might as well try RAID out for the performance boost.

 

[RebateMonger]

You'll get much more specific advice if you mention:

What's your operating system?
Are you adding the RAID array as an additional "data array", or are you going to put your operating system on it?
Are you going to use a RAID hardware controller (either built into your motherboard, or on an add-in card), or are you going to use software RAID (built into your operating system)?
RAID 0 (I assume) or RAID 1?

Generally speaking, you first create a RAID array on your PC, which appears as a single, empty, "Disk". Then, you partition the disk into volumes and then format them.

 

[icyxwindz]

OS currently is : windows XP, thinking about vista rc2.
right now, i have 2 HD, 1 has my current windows xp and the 2nd is just files.
i have a built in raid controller in the motherboard, and the mobotherboard disk has a software JMicron raid driver.
RAID 0 i think is better for me.

and totally clueless the steps to make this work. when i partition does it format, since my disk are not empty? i wanted to keep my current setup has 2 drives, 1 for os and programs and 1 for misc. files. just adding RAID for increase in performance.

 

[John]

Unless you're working with extremely large files the performance increase will be marginal at best since raw STR does very little for the average user and/or gamer. Running Raid 0 increases the risk of drive failure, so be sure to perform regular backups so that you'll have a contingency plan.

If you still want to gamble and run Raid 0 please back up your important data to removable media or a spare HDD because you will lose all of the data. First you need to boot to the mainboard BIOS and enable raid on the SATA or IDE controller, now boot to the raid controller BIOS to create the stripe and choose a cluster size, then boot to the XP CD to partition & format the array. Afterwards the OS will start installing.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: icyxwindz
OS currently is : windows XP, thinking about vista rc2.

Vista RC2 was, basically, "recalled" for problems. If you asked Microsoft for a Beta of Vista today, they'd hand you RC1.

 

[Captante]

Many consumer-level RAID controllers can't do anything with an existing none-RAID XP installation, although there are a some that can create a RAID 1 array with a drive containing an existing install & a second blank drive, including some Nvidia NForce motherboards... RAID 0 on the other hand has to be installed from the beginning in order to work & I believe the same is true of RAID 5.

Bottom line however, is that you will have better success starting fresh if you want to install XP on a RAID array of any type... get back to us with the type of RAID controller you are using and the type of installation you have in mind & we can be more helpful.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: icyxwindz
i have a built in raid controller in the motherboard, and the mobotherboard disk has a software JMicron raid driver.

You better tell us what motherboard or chipset you have. With my P965 the JMicron will only RAID with one external SATA drive and to be honest, I'm not sure, but I think with an internal PATA drive. With mine you absolutely cannot RAID two internal drives of any combination.