Set up RAID array w/o erasing current drive?

[russbiscuit]

I have a second identical hard drive (hitachi SATA I 160GB) that I want to add into my existing system, but I'm wondering if it is possible to set up a RAID array (1 or 0 using the built in mobo nforce4 RAID controller) without erasing my current drive.

If not, is anyone aware of a software program that allows you to backup an image to an external USB drive and then restore it to an array? Norton Ghost doesn't seem to work because it doesn't reconize RAID arrays properly (the latest version i've used, 9.0 I think, would see the 2 drives seperately). Also, I don't think my motherboard allows a USB external drive to be accessed in from a bootable floppy or cd.

So basically, if anyone can tell me how to set up this array with the least hassle maintaining my data, I'd appreciate it because I haven't had much luck finding info searching on google.

 

[ForumMaster]

there is no way to do RAID 0 without formatting the drives. RAID 1 might be possible since it is just mirroring. Norton Ghost and many other apps can create a drive image. problem is that you wouldn't be able to put it back because it would ruin the RAID.

cliffs:
can't do RAID without formatting
image won't help
backup and do RAID.

 

[russbiscuit]

what's the best method of backup I can do that will allow for a quick restore?

 

[obeseotron]

You're going to have to reinstall the operating system anyway, so copy what you need to save on to another drive not involved in this RAID, worst case use DVDRs.

 

[boomerang]

Lots of bad advice here.

You can do RAID 1 by just adding the second drive and going into the RAID BIOS and specifying which is the source and which is the target drives. This is a bit of an oversimplification. Read your manual for the full lowdown. The RAID BIOS will copy the source to the destination. If there are drivers required to RAID with your controller, you are going to have to have them installed in Windows prior to doing this.

To RAID 0, I would suggest using Acronis and imaging to a third drive. Borrow if necessary. The latest version has issues with doing DVD backups. They promote it as such, but I would not use this method for now.

You will want to make the Bootable Resue Media to restore from that image. I would create the image on the third drive. Restore from that image to your new SATA drive. Boot off that image to ensure the process works. If so, then create your array in the RAID BIOS and restore from your image to the new RAID array. Once again, slightly oversimplified. Drivers for RAID can be installed at the F6 prompt during the image restoration. Acronis will prompt for these drivers with an F6 request. I would have them installed in Windows prior, to cover your behind.

Hope you have a floppy drive for driver install at F6.

The key here is to have yourself covered. By imaging and restoring to your new SATA drive, you are ensuring that Acronis will do the job. At this point, you have lost nothing, as your original SATA drive can still be booted off of as before. Think this through and cover yourself.

Myself I like to have drives disconnected when necessary to ensure I'm not going to overwrite the wrong drive and to make certain I'm booting of the drive(s) I want to boot from. Think and plan ahead and you will be fine.