How do I swap from RAID to single drive with image?

[FishAk]

I thought I would test my system performance under a couple different storage configurations. Originally, I built my OS/programs partition image while using RAID (ICH10R), so I can switch to the various supported RAID configurations, but I can't switch my storage config. to AHCI. When I switch to AHCI, Windows crashes on boot, and sends me back to BIOS.


I have XP on a separate drive that I can boot up to work on my array, and the Windows 7 partition, but I don't know what to do. Is there a way to switch the MBR with EasyBCD or something like that to go from RAID to AHCI mode?

 

[RebateMonger]

I thought that RAID mode on embedded Intel RAID controllers also implies AHCI.

Wikipedia on AHCI:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahci

"Many SATA controllers offer selectable modes of operation: legacy Parallel ATA emulation, standard AHCI mode, or vendor-specific RAID. Intel recommends choosing RAID mode on their motherboards (which also enables AHCI) rather than the plain AHCI/SATA mode for maximum flexibility, due to the issues caused when the mode is switched once an operating system has already been installed."

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=444831&page=14

"Conclusion: after assembling a new machine,
switch IDE to RAID in the BIOS and use the F6 option
in Windows Setup to load Intel's RAID device driver "iastor.sys" etc.
This will also enable all AHCI functionality, because RAID mode
is a superset of AHCI."

For years, Dell has recommended initially selecting RAID mode rather than AHCI mode if you think you will ever want to use RAID mode on an Intel SATA RAID controller.

 

[FishAk]

OK, so really, all I need to do is break up the array, leave the controller in RAID mode, but not build a new array. I didn't think about trying that.


I just finished putting everything together in RAID 0, so I'll play with this for a week, or till it breaks, and then try to set up single disks.

 

[Emulex]

heck my dell 530 doesn't have ahci just ide and raid (hacked bios to allow raid-5).

rebatemonger - do you suspect there is a problem with trim in a mixed (ssd + raid) system?

or does intel rapid store just handle the ssd and leave the raid alone?

 

[corkyg]

The basic question in OP's title can be paraphrased, "Can a RAID array be imaged or cloned to a single drive?" The answer to that is "Yes!"

I do that regularly, and it has paid off. Acronis TI sees a RAID array as a single drive, and it easily can clone the array to a single drive. I do that regularly with an external drive.

I had to replace the array once, and building it was easy. The next step was to clone the backup external to the array - that restored everything.

 

[FishAk]

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate the help.

does intel rapid store just handle the ssd and leave the raid alone?

I understand that ICH10R, at least, can pass TRIM instructions to an SSD on the RAID controller with disks in an array, as long as said SSD isn't a member of the array.

The basic question in OP's title can be paraphrased, "Can a RAID array be imaged or cloned to a single drive?" The answer to that is "Yes!"

I do that regularly, and it has paid off. Acronis TI sees a RAID array as a single drive, and it easily can clone the array to a single drive. I do that regularly with an external drive.

I had to replace the array once, and building it was easy. The next step was to clone the backup external to the array - that restored everything.

I've been using Macrium Reflect, and it sees the array as one disk as well under Windows. However, I wasn't able to figure out how to get to the single drive status- thinking I had to go IDE, or AHCI. After loading the image to a disk with the Intel controller in AHCI mode, Windows wouldn't boot, and I ended up with a crash loop. When my RAID 0 breaks, or in a week, whichever is sooner, I'll try using single disks in RAID mode.

Incidently, if anyone's intrested, Macrium Reflect keeps alignment on partition image that is recorded while aligned.

 

[matthelm]

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate the help.

Did you ever get this working in AHCI mode? I'm about to do the same thing you were trying.

 

[Engineer]

Did you ever get this working in AHCI mode? I'm about to do the same thing you were trying.

This is an old thread but let me try to answer your question assuming the following:

You have a RAID setup and you would like to clone that setup to a single disk and run from the single disk?

1. Add the single disk to your system. You might have to go into your BIOS RAID setup (CTRL I or CTRL A depending on Intel or AMD) and add the drive as a non-RAID member.
2. After adding and booting (make sure the drive can be seen), use whatever you wish (Macrium Reflect for example) to clone your RAID array to the single drive.
3. Leaving your PC's BIOS in RAID mode, disconnect your RAID array (PC off of course). Boot your PC off of the new imaged single drive (leaving the RAID mode on in BIOS).
4. Edit the registry using the following guide (or another one like it).

http://www.ehow.com/how_8559938_implement-after-operating-system-installed.html

5. Reboot system and enter BIOS. Change from RAID to AHCI mode and save.
6. Reboot system and new image should now work correctly.

You may want to add the removed RAID array drives back in, go to the RAID BIOS setup (CTRL I or CTRL A) and removing them from the array one at a time to remove the RAID flags from the drives. Can also do this using DISKPART command with the 'CLEAN' option (I think).

Good luck.