Software Raid 1 problem

nielskool · 01 Oct 2010

Hello,

I have installed windows 7 ultimate, and I mirrored the 2 disks of 1Tb.
So far so good.
When I start the computer with just disk 0 attached it starts up fine, when i start the computer with only the other disk attached it gives me a boot failure.

Disk 0:
System reserved partition(100Mb)(mirrored)
C: (947Gb)(mirrored)
Unalocated space(1Gb)

Disk 1:
System reserved partition(100Mb)(mirrored)
C: (947Gb)(mirrored)
Unalocated space(1Gb)

My questions:
How to boot a mirrored disk if the main disk crashes?
How do I know if one of the disks is broke when windows just starts up fine.(Without looking at the disk management)

Thanks in advance

Lemur · 01 Oct 2010

Welcome to SF, nielskool.

This should help you.

Buildegg Articles » RAID 1 Mirroring with Windows 7

pparks1 · 01 Oct 2010

Usually with a software based RAID mirror, you have to get the bootloader installed onto the second drive in order to boot from it. At least this is my experience with doing software RAID configurations with Linux workstations.

nielskool · 01 Oct 2010

When disk 0 is disconnected, disk 1 won't start up.
Starting form disk 1 results in a boot failure.
If I connect disk 1 to an other computer with a normal windows on it, it can't read the disk till its reactivated and formated.

So do I need to break the mirror somehow or can I do something with the master boot record?

Is there any way to let windows inform you if one of the two disks is missing?(without looking at the disk management)?

gregrocker · 01 Oct 2010

RAID is outdated technology with built-in Win7 backup imaging.

I would break the RAID to install Win7 to a single HD with other unplugged. Create a 100gb OS partition during install.

Lemur · 01 Oct 2010

Greg, why would you say it's outdated? For mission critical servers, RAID will allow a system to run, even if a drive fails. If you can hot swap drives, the replaced drive will automatically rebuild. How does that relate to backup imaging? RAID should not be used as a means of backing up your desktop, workstation or server. RAID 5 is what we use on hospital servers.

gregrocker · 02 Oct 2010

I have grown so weary of RAID interfering with Win7 installs that I admit I've gotten allergic to it myself.

Thanks for the heads up about uses of RAID in servers.

CarlTR6 · 02 Oct 2010

gregrocker said:

I have grown so weary of RAID interfering with Win7 installs that I admit I've gotten allergic to it myself.

Thanks for the heads up about uses of RAID in servers.

I feel the same as Greg about RAID. I can see its benefits on servers, though. But for the home user it certainly not worth the trouble is causes with Win 7.

Lemur · 02 Oct 2010

CarlTR6 said:

gregrocker said:

I have grown so weary of RAID interfering with Win7 installs that I admit I've gotten allergic to it myself.

Thanks for the heads up about uses of RAID in servers.

I feel the same as Greg about RAID. I can see its benefits on servers, though. But for the home user it certainly not worth the trouble is causes with Win 7.

Agreed (although I am using striping on my workstation - what the heck

)

CarlTR6 · 03 Oct 2010

Yes, but you understand that RAID stuff.