New HDD Setup - Formatting Questions

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  1. Posts : 62
    Windows 7 x64
       #1

    New HDD Setup - Formatting Questions


    Hi Folks!

    So I'm building a new computer. Everything seems to be working so far. I'm at the point now where I need to format my drives and restore my system image onto the main drive.

    My setup:

    2 x WD640GB in RAID 0 (already configured; listed as unallocated space)
    1 x WD750GB as photo drive
    1 x WD1.5TB as general backup

    The image is currently on the 750GB drive. I want to restore the image to the RAID 0 drive. How do I do that using Windows 7 Install CD? Or BIOS? Or some other way you may know?

    Thanks!

    Giving out +1's for response speed and quality. :)
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #2

    Was the image you created from a RAID array previously?
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  3. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #3

    Hi,

    DeaconFrost has asked the critical question - if the image isn't from a previous RAID0, then the registry within the image will probably have the controller set to either IDE or ACHI, whereas in your BIOS right now it will be set to RAID. If that is the case, there is a major conflict you will have lots of problems restoring.

    Regards,
    Golden
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 62
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    DeaconFrost said:
    Was the image you created from a RAID array previously?
    No, it wasn't. I assume that's gonna be a big issue, huh?
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  5. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #5

    It will be, yes. However, there's good news. Just ditch the array and restore the image (assuming it was created with the same controller mode, IDE or AHCI as the current board is set). RAID0 is over-hyped and doesn't really yield any kind of real world results. People will still debate this fact, unfortunately, but it's been put to bed years ago. Those 640s are fast drives, so you won't be missing out on anything performance-wise.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #6

    Hi,

    I would follow DeaconFrosts suggestions - the only real benefit you get from a RAID0 is under specific circumstances where you have significant WRITE IO activity to the disk. For the OS and/or other everyday programs, most of the IO activity is READ which doesn't gain much from the RAID architecture.

    The other risk with RAID as you probably know, is if you lose one disk in the array, then the entire RAID is lost and has to be rebuilt from scratch.

    Regards,
    Golden
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 62
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Would a RAID 0 yield noticeable results in dealing with Photoshop CS5 and other high end photo-retouching programs like NX2, etc.?
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  8. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #8

    I doubt it, although I must admit I don't have any experience in imaging applications.

    Im my situation I build lots of 3D geological models of orebodies, and run lots of estimation and simulation algorithms into these models. They get extremely large (30 to 100GB) and takes weeks of constant processing to build. RAID0 is good for this job because it handles long and sustained writes very well.

    I think you will be better served on a single disk.

    Regards,
    Golden
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #9

    I've seen tests showing a 1-5% increase in transfer rate for ultra large files, like HD videos, but that's about it. Often times, your seek times increase, which can slow down basic Windows operations. It was yet another technology where the "in theory" numbers never matched the "in reality" numbers.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 62
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Okay, thanks for the help so far.

    I've now unRAIDed the drives. I'm left with:

    - 640gb
    - 640gb
    - 750gb
    - 1.5tb

    I want the system to be recovered onto the 750gb drive. Conincidentally, the 750 is the only HDD that's formatted.

    I'm in the Windows 7 Install Disc's Advanced Drive Options window. I'm unable to format the 640gb drives and the 1.5tb drives. The option to format doesn't show up. I'm only able to create new partitions, but that also creates a separate 100mb drive.

    Anyway, please help with the formatting.

    Also, when I move to recover the system image to a drive, the only option appears to be the 750gb drive.

    Thanks in advance for the help!
      My Computer


 
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