Formatting a computer with a normal HD and a RAID 0???

Retrospective

Junior Member
Aug 29, 2006
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Hi guys,

Im going to format my computer and I have 3 hard drives, 1 is a system drive and 2 are joined into RAID 0.

If I format my system drive, would the 2 other drives combined into a RAID 0 be touched as well??? Im planning to keep my back-ups to that RAID 0 drive but Im afraid I'll loose my data on the RAID 0 configuration :(

I know that everytime I install Windows XP, it needs me to install a driver for the RAID controller....

Can anyone help me? Thank you!
 

Seekermeister

Golden Member
Oct 3, 2006
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I'm not sure what you mean by untouched? But, there is no problem running a PATA HD alongside a raid array. However, if you use the array for backups, I would recommend using raid 1 instead of 0. 0 will give slightly better performance, but raid 1 is more secure, because all of the data is mirrored on both drives, and if one fails, the other will continue to function normally...if the raid is disabled.
 

Retrospective

Junior Member
Aug 29, 2006
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I mean untouched as in...not deleted/formatted/loss because Im assuming the RAID driver would also be wiped out if I format my system drive (Windows XP formats it and requires me to install a RAID driver before it can install XP itself)

Its RAID 0 because I need it for my video editing. I have alot of video files on that RAID 0 drive and I dont wanna loose them because I formatted my system drive.

So would it be safe for me to format my system drive and the RAID 0 will be safe???

Thanks!
 

Seekermeister

Golden Member
Oct 3, 2006
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I have my system setup just the reverse of your's...The OS's on the raid drives and archives on the PATAs. But, I do not believe that it would cause you any problems, because the raid drivers are installed per OS. I have both x64 and x32 on my raids, and neither effects the other, either for better or worse. If raid 1 isn't fast enough for your purposes, does your MB have a raid 1+0 option? It is a compromise between speed and redundancy.
 

Retrospective

Junior Member
Aug 29, 2006
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My MB does have a built in RAID 0 1 5 option. If you said RAID drivers are installed per OS, wouldn't the drivers be deleted if I format my system drive?

Anyways, if you say its safe I'll give it a try, I really dont want to loose any of my RAID 0 data :(
 

Seekermeister

Golden Member
Oct 3, 2006
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After reformatting, I assume that you will be reinstalling the OS, and that will offer the F6 button to reinstall the raid driver, and that will be on the drive that you install the OS on. Therefore, although the raid drives will not be accessible until the new OS is installed, the data on them should remain intact. If you were still worried about it, I THINK you could disconnect the raid drives during the installation, and as long as you installed the raid driver properly, they should still be recognized after reconnecting. However, I haven't done that, so I can't recommend it.
 

Retrospective

Junior Member
Aug 29, 2006
11
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thanks Seekermeister!

So even if the RAID driver is not installed, the data on the RAID 0 drive would still stay intact. Is that correct right?

I hope I understood that properly :) I dont want any surprises :D

Thanks again!
 

Seekermeister

Golden Member
Oct 3, 2006
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It would stay intact, but if you do not install the raid driver during the installation of the OS, you won't be able to access them.
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
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In the event though that Windows is able to see the RAID array, or if you simply use the driver disk during install, be VERY sure as to what you're formatting. I didn't format a drive, but I did once install Windows on the wrong drive. It doesn't suck nearly as much as losing a drive-full of data, but it is irritating to have to reinstall Windows again.


Your other option: disconnect the RAID drives while installing Windows. No chance of anything happening to them then. :) Just be sure to reconnect the cables to the same ports again, just to be safe.
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
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Windows won't see the RAID 0 array until the RAID controller drivers are loaded. If those drivers aren't included in Windows, you can add them, in Windows, AFTER you've got your Windows system running.

Personally, I'd disconnect the RAID drives and install Windows on the separate drive. Note, as Jeff7 said, which cable is connected to which drive....mix them up, and say byebye to the data. After Windows is running, add the RAID controller driver and then re-connect the drives to the controller.
 

Seekermeister

Golden Member
Oct 3, 2006
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RebateMonger,

If those drivers aren't included in Windows, you can add them, in Windows, AFTER you've got your Windows system running.
By this, are you saying that the raid driver can be installed installed ANYTIME after Windows has been installed? If so...how?
 

Matthias99

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2003
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Originally posted by: Seekermeister
RebateMonger,

If those drivers aren't included in Windows, you can add them, in Windows, AFTER you've got your Windows system running.
By this, are you saying that the raid driver can be installed installed ANYTIME after Windows has been installed? If so...how?

If you're not installing on the RAID array, sure. Just install the drivers for the controller just like you would for any other piece of hardware...
 

Seekermeister

Golden Member
Oct 3, 2006
1,971
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I guess that the reason that this wasn't apparent, is because I use the raid array for the OSs and need them just for the installations. Plus, most of my experience with this has been with x64, which requires using a floppy, instead of the CD. Maybe I should reverse my configuration and install the OSs on the PATAs and use the array for archiving, like the OP.
 

ch33zw1z

Lifer
Nov 4, 2004
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whatever you do, don't save your archives to a RAID 0 array...unless it's a 0+1