setting up RAID 1

[ainuddin]

hi guys. i already have and using currently a 1tb hdd. lets say i want to set up RAID 1 with it, of course i also need another exact drive but the one im already using, do i have to format it? thanks.

[geebox07]

Hey ainuddin,

I'm thinking that you can only install software RAID without needing to format the current drive.  If you attempt a hardware RAID (generally accepted as better, faster and more reliable/robust than a software RAID) then I believe that both disks have to be formatted, then configured for RAID so that the computer effectively 'sees' the two disk configuration as a single 'virtual' disk' (don't confuse this with .ISO or .IMG).  You then have to install windows cleanly onto this new single 'virtual' disk'.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/393


The software approach generally necessitates windows already being on one disk since u have to boot into windows to install your RAID setup software.  I understand it that the software effectively creates a 'virtual RAID' (though I'm not very 'au fait' with it) and also incurs significantly higher processing overheads since this option doen't take advantage of your MOBO's native RAID capabilities. Plus; Windows XP can only set up software RAID 0 anyway, it can't set up a software RAID 1; only Windows Server (or Linux )

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=830&page=5

Hope this helps

[kenkan73]

Format needed for hardware RAID.

Alternative, clone the second harddisk then configure as RAID. This depence on hardware.