RAID Formatting Question

[Tequila1869]

Hi guys,

I want to reformat my RAID Array to re-install Windows XP but I'm not sure if I'm going to loose all my info that's on the D: Partition. Back in the Windows 98 days I would be ok since I could save all my info on the D: and reformat the C: and reinstall Win98. Now since my drives are in a RAID setup I'm not sure if that is still valid. I have about 7 gigis of stuff on the D: partition and didn't want to back it up on CD's.

So will I lose the D: info if i reinstall Windows XP on the C:?

I have 2 Maxtor drives running in RAID 1 Stripping on a Asus K8V Deluxe.

Thanks

 

[johnjkr1]

I could be crazy, isn't raid 1 mirroring? Raid 0 is striping.

 

[Tequila1869]

If you would asked me that 3 months ago when I built the PC I'd tell you hehe. I know I picked the performance one.

Any ideas on the formatting?

Tequila

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: johnjkr1
I could be crazy, isn't raid 1 mirroring? Raid 0 is striping.

Correct

 

[johnjkr1]

hehe, if you don't know which one is the performance one, how can you be sure you picked it???

no more questions for this witness, your honor.

As for your issue, my understanding is that you can feel free to format c: with the xp cd, and it should have no effect on D:. I would double check with a RAID guru, of course.

 

[Algere]

You can format C:\ drive while keeping D:\ drive intact.

In the beginning of Windows XP setup there's a blue screen. There it should lists all your partitions where you have the option to create/delete partitions.

Delete the C:\ partition only, create a new one, format, and install windows.

Adding/removing partitions shouldn't affect it as long as it's still connected to the same SATA RAID controller.

 

[Tequila1869]

Originally posted by: johnjkr1

no more questions for this witness, your honor.

Hehe...the defence rests.

Thanks guys, I'll be formatting the system tonight... hopefully I'll be up and running within a few hours.

Tequila

 

[johnjkr1]

Just make sure you aren't connected to the net before you get the updates (unless you have a nat router or firewall). You don't want to catch one of those worms.