How to transfer a partion from RAID 0 to single drive

[trexmgd]

I have two 250 GB WD SATA Drives running in RAID 0 (only HDs in the system right now). On this array, I have an 80 GB partition that acts as my C: Drive. I'd like to buy a single drive to replace the C: Drive partition. Being that I want to keep the RAID 0, I'm thinking I'll have buy an IDE drive, but maybe someone can help with that.

The MSI K8N Diamond Plus Mobo has a group of 4 Sata (nVidia RAID) and another 2 Sata (Silicon Image) and the option to connect an e-sata. I'm currently using two of the nVidia Sata ports (I never got around to hooking up that RAID 5 )Link to Mobo HERE

A couple of things prompted this... Couple weeks ago I (accidently) deleted my userinit.exe file and I was so screwed trying to get it back via conventional means due to the RAID 0. This week, I had a hang during boot up looking for the array.

1) How do I move the data over?

2) Any recomendations for a drive?

 

[trexmgd]

Bump - Also should mention that I'm running Win XP Pro w/ SP2

 

[RebateMonger]

A couple of options here.

One is to get, say, a 1 TB drive, partition it into an OS and a data partition, and copy the data from the RAID 0 array to the data partition on the new drive. Then disconnect the RAID 0 array, boot to the OS Install CD/DVD, and install the OS on the OS partition.

Be sure to disconnect that RAID 0 array to avoid a weird drive lettering scheme in the new Windows install as well as preventing accidental overwriting of your data on the RAID 0 array.

 

[trexmgd]

Well I'm hoping to keep the RAID 0 going, but just not have my OS on it. I figure it'll still be good for gaming until it dies. That's why I've resigned myself to getting an IDE drive for the OS, unless someone can figure out a way to do it another way.

 

[Blain]

Not all cloning apps can clone a partition from a RAID array.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: trexmgd
Well I'm hoping to keep the RAID 0 going, but just not have my OS on it. I figure it'll still be good for gaming until it dies. That's why I've resigned myself to getting an IDE drive for the OS, unless someone can figure out a way to do it another way.

You can re-add the RAID 0 array after you've gotten Windows running on the new hard drive. Just don't INSTALL Windows on the new drive while the RAID 0 array is hooked up.

If you don't want to transfer any data to the new drive, then just disconnect the RAID array, plug in the new drive, install Windows on the new drive, and re-connect the RAID array. Tell your PC to boot from the new drive. Add drivers as necessary for the new Windows install to recognize the RAID 0 array. That can be done after Windows is running.

You can erase the Windows folders and the Program Files folders on the RAID 0 array, since you'll likely have to re-install most of your applications.

 

[trexmgd]

Originally posted by: Blain
Not all cloning apps can clone a partition from a RAID array.

Can anyone recommend one that can?