Moving a RAID1 to a new build.

[Sable]

I currently have two RAID1s running from the silicon image controller on the motherboard. (ASUS A8N sli deluxe)

My new build is based on an ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3.

What I want to do is transfer the RAID as is and run it on the controller on the new motherboard.

What I'm hoping is that because RAID1 just mirrors data I can just move one disk with all the files stored on it and wipe the second so I have one with data and one blank. Then build the arrary from scratch on the new controller without losing anything.

Would that work? Or am I going to need a third disk to copy the data to first, wipe both my original disks, create the new RAID and then copy the data back. (tedious)

 

[corkyg]

If your data is important, you should have it backed up to a 3rd drive (USB External) anyway. You may need to rebuild the array with a different controller, and that could lose your data. I would clone my RAID1 array to a 3rd drive - then rebuild the array on the new system. When it is done, then clone the external USB drive back to the array and you will have lost nothing.

RAID1 does provide some redudancy, but it is not really a valid back up. Any malware or corruption in the array will affect both mirrored drives equally. If the data is valuable, it should be backed up.