RAID Config in Windows

imported_Leigh

Junior Member
Dec 24, 2007
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Hello,
I apologize if this has been asked, I did perform a few searches first.

My question is, if I already have a RAID setup on one partition, but didnt set up the next partition before OS install, can I create and setup a RAID partition in windows?

Here is the backfill
I have an Asus P5K Deluxe MB
2x 500 GB HDDs in RAID 1 mirror
running XP Pro

During the build/setup of the raid, my admittedly inexperience with AHCI, led me to partition the 500 gb to 150 gb with the intent to partition the rest later.

However, trying to get to the RAID setup in bootup after the OS install, I found that option gone.

So, I have a 500 gb hd showing only 150 gb, and cant find the way to partition and format the last of the drive.

My first question should be: Am I still able to set up a RAID partition/format before the OS boot or is it too late now that OS is installed on C drive...and how/what am I missing if I still can

Second Question is: if I cannot during/prior to boot, can I set up a RAID 1 partition on the last of the HDD space within windows

Or am I hosed?

Thank you for your help
 

humanure

Senior member
Dec 28, 2005
441
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you should be able to see the unpartitioned space and create a partition with disk management in windows. Start-computer-right click-manage-disk management.
 

imported_Leigh

Junior Member
Dec 24, 2007
5
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Thank you for your response but no, it will show the volume of that particular partition.
I have to make a new partition and cannot seem to figure out how and I'm at a loss.
I Dont want to reformat, but will if I cant figure it out
 

imported_Leigh

Junior Member
Dec 24, 2007
5
0
0
Help!
Really, After OS install I cant get into the RAID utility to create a RAID 1 partition and format the last of the space on the drive
Does anyone know how
Anyone?
 
Oct 19, 2006
194
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Hmmm, most of the time windows will let you see the unused space of a patitioned drive. But if it's not, you could try a 3rd party program like partition magic. I bet there are some free programs as well. I think the best option here is to reformat and make 2 partitions. The first 150gig for windows and the second partition the rest of the drive.
 

humanure

Senior member
Dec 28, 2005
441
0
0
yeah windows should show the unpartitioned space, did you load the RAID driver (F6)when you installed xp
 

imported_Leigh

Junior Member
Dec 24, 2007
5
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FIGURED IT OUT! BOOYA!

Seems that since it wouldnt boot the drives in RAID and needed to be in AHCI and that was when the RAID config utility disappeared, I thought I would see what would happen if I changed it back.
Sure enough, as soon as I changed it from AHCI to RAID in the boot menu I had my RAID config!
I created my final partition and then changed it back to AHCI.
As soon as I booted windows told me I had a new partition and when I went into Disk Manager there it was.
Formatting now.
It was was my lack of experience with AHCI and how the computer interacts with it that made me take so long to figure it out.
I appreciate the suggestions, I'm just happy I didnt have to reformat! whew!