RAID 1 question

[ddeder]

I would like to set up a mirrored array in a new PC. I am in the process of doing a clean install of Windows XP Pro and the format is taking a veeeeeeery long time (160GB hard drives - format takes over 2 hrs). Is this normal?

 

[Mavtech]

Yeah, a 160 GB drive will take a while to format.

 

[Brainonska511]

Depends, did you choose Quick Format or the regular one. The regular one also scans for bad sectors which is the majority of the time in formating.

 

[ddeder]

I understand that. My question is, does it take longer to format BECAUSE it is an array as opposed to just one hard drive.

By the way, I understand that it is best to use two identical hard drives when doing a RAID array, but is this a requirement? I have a WD 160GB and WD 250GB hard drive. I am assuming that it will still work but I will be wasting 90GB of space on the larger hard drive.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: ddeder
I understand that. My question is, does it take longer to format BECAUSE it is an array as opposed to just one hard drive.

Once the array has been built, it really shouldn't take significantly longer to do a high-level format (as during the install of an OS). A RAID 1 array is pretty much the same speed as a single drive.

By the way, I understand that it is best to use two identical hard drives when doing a RAID array, but is this a requirement? I have a WD 160GB and WD 250GB hard drive. I am assuming that it will still work but I will be wasting 90GB of space on the larger hard drive.

With most controllers, it's not a necessity to use identical drives. However, if the new drive is the "same size" as the old drive, but a different manufacturer, there can be size issues, with the controller believing that the new drive is too small. It depends on the controller and the hard drive parameters (cylinders, sectors, etc.).