"uninstalling" a RAID volume without losing data on the disks

[xxTurbonium]

I need to do a reformat.

I have a RAID-1 array (independent of the system volume) with important data that I do not want to lose, so I want to make sure I know what I'm doing.

I'm using Intel Application Accelerator RAID Edition on an Intel D875PBZ (http://downloadmirror.intel.com/5831/ENG/IAA_Readme.pdf]Readme[/URL]).

The part of the instructions that have be confused is on page 6, where it says:

Uninstallation of this software would render all data
on any existing RAID Volumes inaccessible and therefore
it cannot be uninstalled. Please consult the user guide
for instructions on how to delete the RAID volume or
disable the Intel 82801ER SATA RAID Controller. It is
recommended that any RAID volume be deleted before
disabling the Intel 82801ER SATA RAID Controller.
Disabling the Intel 82801ER SATA RAID Controller would
re-enable the SATA controller and the operating system
would no longer use the Intel(R) Application Accelerator
RAID Edition driver.

So in short, I honestly don't know what it's trying to say.

My original plan was to unplug the 2 drives being used in the array before just doing a reformat. Is this bad? Is there any RAID-pertinent information stored on the two disks?

How should I go about doing this?

 

[corkyg]

I keep my data files on a RAID 1 array. The only thing different about those drives is the RAID controller. RAID 1 mirrors the drives, so each should be readable by itself not in the array. I also back up that array to an external USB drive.

Not sure that those caveats apply to RAID 1. If they do, the USB backup drive solves the problem and can be used to re-create the array is necessary.

With RAID 1, if a drive fails, you can replace it and the RAID controller will rebuild the array from the remaining drive.

If your OS is not on the RAID array, you don't need to uninstall the array to reformat the OS drive.

If the OS is on the RAID array, you should back up your data on an external or different drive first.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Well the "Intel Application Accelerator RAID Edition" (IAARE) program is, as far as I understand it, the driver that tells the chipset to use its RAID abilities. Thus, according to this logic, if I reformat the OS/program drive (where IAARE is located), won't the RAID-1 just fall apart? And by fall apart, I mean produce errors and ruin the data somehow.

Or do I just not understand what you mean by the array? Is the data for it somehow stored on the drives that make up the array?

...well if I understood you correctly, I only need to reformat C: and nothing will happen to D: (D: consists of 2 drives in RAID-1).

 

[ch33zw1z]

Originally posted by: databird

...well if I understood you correctly, I only need to reformat C: and nothing will happen to D: (D: consists of 2 drives in RAID-1).

If that's how your hard drives are configed, then you'll be ok.

 

[txshepp]

Disconnect the RAID drives. Format the OS drive, reinstall OS with RAID drivers, just like you did on the build install. Install RAID HDDs, boot to BIOS, configure RAID just as you did on initial build.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Ok one more question:

I will be installing a slightly newer version of IAA after the reformat. Will this affect anything? Because from the sounds of it, some RAID array "info" is also stored on the RAID drives themselves.

 

[Laputa]

I would recommends backing up the data first to an external USB drive just in case. If anything happens, there's nothing to worry about. If it works, maybe it will save you an hour or 2 to put the data back. If it does not work, you will loose years of stuff you can not rebuild.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Originally posted by: Laputa
I would recommends backing up the data first to an external USB drive just in case. If anything happens, there's nothing to worry about. If it works, maybe it will save you an hour or 2 to put the data back. If it does not work, you will loose years of stuff you can not rebuild.

What data? See... I don't know what you guys are talking about. Clearly, you can't mean all 320GB of the drives themselves, so you must be referring to the "RAID array data". Problem is: I don't know where this is stored.

Someone please clarify. I have to reformat by tonight.

 

[xxTurbonium]

- bump -

Someone please clarify that last point. I realize I'm being rather noob and a bit paranoid, but I need to ensure that my data won't be lost. And I need to reformat VERY soon!

 

[Laputa]

Rule #1, backup your data if you can't risk loosing it.

Option #1, I make you do it. So your data is safe no matter how you are going to mess it up.

Option #2, take the 50/50 chances. Hehe...is that clear:B

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: databird
What data? See... I don't know what you guys are talking about. Clearly, you can't mean all 320GB of the drives themselves, so you must be referring to the "RAID array data". Problem is: I don't know where this is stored.

No, they are referring any "stuff" you may have stored on the disk, i.e., documents, pictures, game results, etc., etc. Not the RAID array data. The term "data" usually refers to the information you have on a drive that is irreplaceable.

If you have nothing on the drive - you don't have a problem.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Well something weird happened last night. I rebooted my computer after deciding to disable my sound card hardware (reeboting for the nth time within an hour, since the Creative driver install was screwing up). On reboot, I got an error saying that my RAID array had failed! This is strange, since it's been running fine for 2 years +, and it decides to screw up literally hours before I reformat the computer and reset the RAID array. Strange...

Anyhow, I set one of the two drives to "Normal" (at the expense of "performance degradation"). I spent like an hour backing up all my data. I just thought it was strange that it decided to fail at this point in time... very strange.

Now if only I could find a place to backup my last bit of files. I'm totally out of space.

 

[corkyg]

You don't need to reformat the computer to reset the RAID array. That is separate from the OS. You usually see it just before Windows starts to load - and there is a key to press to enter the RAID Setup Utility. On mine, (Promise array) it is CTRL+F to start the FastBuild utility. It has nothing to do with Windows.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Originally posted by: corkyg
You don't need to reformat the computer to reset the RAID array. That is separate from the OS. You usually see it just before Windows starts to load - and there is a key to press to enter the RAID Setup Utility. On mine, (Promise array) it is CTRL+F to start the FastBuild utility. It has nothing to do with Windows.

I don't use th F6 thing. After I install Windows patches and install the appropriate chipset INF files (drivers), I then download and install the IAARE.

 

[corkyg]

OK - you're in a different world than I am. I only know RAID controllers that are Windows independent - i.e., they load and get configured before Windows ever starts loading. Sorry!

 

[xxTurbonium]

IAARE can do that too, but I have no floppy drive, so I can't.

 

[Old Hippie]

OK - you're in a different world than I am.

:laugh: :beer: :laugh:

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: databird
IAARE can do that too, but I have no floppy drive, so I can't.

OK - why do you need a floppy? Put the Intel Application Accelerator Raid Edition on a flash memory device and use your USB port. The IAARE is supposed to be installed on your HDD first before doing anything else.