Reinstalling XP, problems with current RAID setup?

[misticalx]

I am planning on a new fresh install of Windows XP Professional. I am wondering if I will run into any problems with my RAID setup which I am using to store temporary store backup copies of the files located on hard drive 1 (XP install).

Here's my setup:
HD1: Windows XP Professional
HD2/3: RAID Setup

I used Window's Computer Management > Disk Management to create the RAID setup (Dynamic > Stripped).

I just don't want to have any problems adding the RAID setup or getting my files back after I install XP again and go to add my RAID setup. Is there anything I need to do?

If you need to know additional info, just let me know.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Turn off the machine and pull the power to the RAIDed drives then do your stuff with XP. Make sure the drivers for the RAID controller are installed, shut down the machine, reinstall power to the RAIDed hds. Machine should boot up, go to XP and see the data on the array. I do this very often when I need to reformat, and I refuse to take chances with something happening to my RAID 5 array and it's data.

 

[misticalx]

(Just to make sure, from what it sounds like) It will then automatically pick them both up as 1 hard drive (RAID setup)? I just want to make sure. Nothing has to be done except obviously plugging them back in?

I have not started yet as I am still backing up and just slipstreamed SATA drivers to XP CD so I don't run into any problems like I remember 2+ years ago, been awhile since last format, don't like to often but really need it.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: misticalx
(Just to make sure, from what it sounds like) It will then automatically pick them both up as 1 hard drive (RAID setup)? I just want to make sure. Nothing has to be done except obviously plugging them back in?

I have not started yet as I am still backing up and just slipstreamed SATA drivers to XP CD so I don't run into any problems like I remember 2+ years ago, been awhile since last format, don't like to often but really need it.

Is this RAID config done in Windows (completely software)? Or is the RAID array setup from the controller on the motherboard? If it is the former, I'm not sure that pulling the drives will work, because the RAID is confugred in the OS. Before you do anything, let me see if I can find anything. I'll be researching--I'm not too familiar with iwndows' software RAID.

 

[misticalx]

In short, yes, Windows software RAID. Thank for all your help so far. I was googling almost all day yesterday then decided to start posting on this and have got no where so far.

I was just getting ready and making less minute checks to my backed up software and making sure I didn't miss anything and application data too.

I'm pretty new to the whole RAID setup, this is my first time doing this.

My motherboard is an ASUS A8N-SLI Premium (link for more specs). I'm NOT using the Silicon Image SATA Controller for the RAID setup because it only transfers at 1.5Gb/s. I'm using the main nForce SATA Controller so I get 3.0Gb/s. I created the RAID Stripped setup through Window's Disk Management. All I did was see both Dynamic Disks or created them as them (I forget, my other drives are all SATA Basic) and then set them up as stripped.

So yea, through Windows Software. I can create through Silicon Image SATA Controller (before boot) but like I said, I don't get 3.0Gb/s and I need it. I don't think I can do anything with nForce Controller as I've never seen something like that on boot. (Almost so sure)

I'm using the RAID setup for my Uncompressed Captures from Xbox 360 from my Intensity Pro card, if I don't have them running at full speed, I'll get a lot of lost frames, I know adding more hard drives would not have this problem either way but I'm already using 7/8 sata slots. (I couldn't backup my data to those or else I wouldn't be in this situation of worrying about my RAID setup with my backed up data)

 

[misticalx]

Just want to let you know that you/anyone can safely reinstall XP on a hard drive where Windows Software RAID is not setup on (like my situation) and have them show up without doing anything. I did unplug the SATA drives just to be on the safe side, not that I think I would accidentally reformat/install XP on that drive.

Thanks for your help Fullmetal Chocobo, much appreciated.

 

[RebateMonger]

If you re-installed Windows XP from scratch, I'm surprised you didn't have to import the "Foreign Disks". That shouldn't be a problem, although there are often requests for help here on AnandTech Forums when folks lose their Windows software RAID arrays and can't them back.