Installing a RAID volume post OS installation (whilst keeping the OS o

[Mr Davo]

Hi Everyone,

I have a DKT-702 Computer (OEM brand, from Harris Technology in Australia). I have identified that it uses a Foxconn H67M-V motherboard, which utilizes the Intel H67 chipset. I would now like to add a RAID1+0 array (utilizing 4 x 1 Terabyte Drives) to my computer, however I need to keep my primary hard drive (a Samsung EVO 840 - 250 Gig SSD).

The motherboard manual clearly indicates that the motherboard does support the RAID type that I intend on implementing. I have a little bit of experience with RAID on personal computers, so I plan to go about the task as follows -

1). Disconnect the primary (SSD) drive
2). Connect the 4 x 1T Disks
3). Enter the BIOS and set the "IDE Mode" to RAID
4). Enter the RAID Utility & setup the RAID volume
5). Partition the new RAID volume as I see fit (it will only be for data, no OS).
6). Plug the primary (SSD) drive back in
7). Start the computer up
8). Install the Intel Matrix RAID drivers into Windows (7)
9). Reboot

Given the following intended procedure is there anything that I should be particularly careful about? Alternatively if anybody can suggest a better procedure I am very open to adapting my plan. My primary goal is to keep my primary drive safe from data loss, and to implement a new RAID1+0 array purely for the storage of data.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,

Davo

 

[CyberZeus]

Hi, I don't see why you're going to disconnect the primary SSD drive and then plug it back...

 

[Mr Davo]

THIS WORKS

Overclockers UK Forums - View Single Post - ICH10R/P45 - changing from IDE to ACHI?

 

[bigmck]

If I may ask, what do you hope to achieve with a RAID setup?

 

[Layback Bear]

With this from post #1

2). Connect the 4 x 1T Disks

I like bigmck also wonder why Raid.

I'm not saying Raid is good or bad but if you could tell us what you are trying to do and the reasoning we will be able to help better.

 

[Mr Davo]

FYI - explanation / more information regarding implementation

Hi Guys,

Thank you for your continued interest in my post. I have decided to implement RAID 10 inside a workstation because it is a good way of improving data read / write speeds, and it is also a very effective way of ensuring that data is not lost. Historically the data that will soon be saved to the new RAID array, was stored in a NAS (also running RAID). The files are of a design nature, e.g.: big PhotoShop files, and the NAS was acting as a bottle neck, with noticeable delays (typically 20 - 30 seconds) when importing into layout software (such as InDesign).

My efforts to effectively configure the RAID array, post Windows 7 installation are ongoing.

On Friday when I left off I was able to log onto Windows, however the "hard drive" representing the RAID array was not present under 'Computer'. I naturally assumed that this is because the drive space has not yet been partitioned. However attempting to partition from "Partition Wizard" (bootable CD) did not work, because for reasons that are currently outside of my understanding the partitioning software did not recognize the RAID array, so instead of showing one drive, it insisted on showing all four drives separately (this despite the fact that the array is definitely set up through the configuration utility).

RAID Array - as seen pre-boot to Windows

I am curious as to why each of the Member Disks are numbered 0. Is this normal, or should these be numbered 0 to 3?

Drives - as seen by Partition Wizard

Any further assistance, or advice with correctly partitioning the new array will be appreciated. Finally should I be looking at installing the Intel RAID Utility under Windows (is this needed)?

Kind Regards,

Davo

 

[bigmck]

Hi Guys,

Thank you for your continued interest in my post. I have decided to implement RAID 10 inside a workstation because it is a good way of improving data read / write speeds, and it is also a very effective way of ensuring that data is not lost.

Do know that if one Raid HDD is corrupted, they all are corrupted?

 

[Mr Davo]

Hi,

In my opinion there is no reason to suspect corruption at this stage. Each of the four drives is brand new, I took them out of their anti-static packaging not more than 3 days ago. I believe that there is a small settings tweak that I still need to perform.

Kind Regards,

Davo

 

[LMiller7]

It is important to understand what RAID is, and what it is not. It is NOT to safeguard your data. That is what backups are for. No form of RAID ever devised is a replacement for maintaining backups. It offers protection only from drive failur4e, and you cannot even be certain of that. For all other causes of data loss it offers no protection whatsoever.

The purpose of RAID 0 is to improve performance, but that is usually quite modest. The purpose of all other types of RAID is to maintain access to your data in the event of a drive failure. You can then defer replacement to a more convenient time. This is a big deal on a busy server, not so much on a workstation.

Using RAID as a form of backup is asking for trouble.

 

[Mr Davo]

Hi Everyone,

I found this very useful tutorial on YouTube, and thought it worth promoting!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmLt4W-F3Ww

Kind Regards,

Davo