How to Initialize one disk from previously RAID1 setup


  1. Aussiegreg
    Posts : 15
    7 Professional 32bit
       New #1

    How to Initialize one disk from previously RAID1 setup


    Hello,
    I am in the process of building a new computer, using a motherboard, CPU and memory from one machine [computer2], and HDDs and other peripherals form another [computer1].
    The HDDs from 1 were in a RAID1 setup, which I don't want in the new machine.
    I hooked up the RAID disk to another Win7 machine, to clean and format it...however.......
    'My Computer' does not see it, but under 'manage', it is there as "Disk 1, Unknown, etc" see attachment.
    The volume shown is for the 2 disks in RAID1 setup, the actual size of each physical disk is 320gb.
    When I try to Initialize , I get the message "the system cannot find the file specified".
    I'm sure it can be "forced' through the Command structure, but am not experienced enough to remember how.
    Would someone please run through the Command instructions to allow me to end up with a normal, ready to use, non RAID disk.
    I have had assistance through this forum previously, and it was really great...so much appreciated. I hope you can help me here again.
    Thanks and regards AG
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How to Initialize one disk from previously RAID1 setup-raid-hdd-2.png  
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  3. FaberTech
    Posts : 365
    Windows 7 x64 / Windows Server 2008 / Linux (Redhat & Deb distros) / OS X / More
       New #2

    I would suggest using EaseUS partition master for this. I never use Microsoft disk management.

    Good luck

    Free Partition Magic alternative. Best Free Partition Manager Freeware for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7/8 32 bit & 64 bit - EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition.
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  4. Aussiegreg
    Posts : 15
    7 Professional 32bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thanks FaberTech for taking the time to reply.
    I have investigated EasUS but it appears I have to go thru another step first...to completely 'nuke' all data on the disk, then create new partitions.
    But before I do that, it occurred to me that if I attach another hard drive to the computer, load windows onto it and use that as my boot drive, I should then be able to format the RAID drives?
    Does anyone have any thoughts on that please?
    Thanks AG
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  6. Aussiegreg
    Posts : 15
    7 Professional 32bit
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Went ahead with plan in previous post, and have sorted the problem.
    'Nuking' is a really big step for someone of my experience level.
    Solving it this way required a lot of 'sorting-out' not the least of which was why the original computer1 was not functioning properly [turned out to be faulty CPU, some SATA ports not working and peripherals not working]
    I also used Windows disk management and "cmd. diskpart etc." to create a single partition on each of the drives
    Having done so, I now have two fully functioning, separate, 320gb hard drives.
    Thanks to Fabertech and other interested viewers.
    Regards AG
    Last edited by Aussiegreg; 14 Apr 2013 at 00:47. Reason: change punctuation
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  7. FaberTech
    Posts : 365
    Windows 7 x64 / Windows Server 2008 / Linux (Redhat & Deb distros) / OS X / More
       New #5

    Hey sorry I've been a bit busy. But I'm so glad you sorted this problem out. Good to hear everything is fully functioning. Always feel free to come back with more questions. Thank you for choosing sevenforums.
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