RAID-0 Do both drives have to be unused?

Linz · 12 Jan 2007 at 08:38

I installed XP on a new HDD yesterday. I just got another new identical drive. Can I use both discs in RAID-0 even though I used the 1st drive for a day? If so how do I prep the 1st drive (eg would a re-format be enough?)

rpstewart · 12 Jan 2007 at 09:11

There's no need to prepare the disks in any way prior to creating an array, the RAID BIOS will wipe each drive during the creation process. It's not a physical wipe, just a wipe of the MBR etc so it doesn;t take long.

LLBDTiberio · 13 Jan 2007 at 18:20

So the whole HD will be wiped :confused:

It's just that i'm purchasing another WD drive and wish to run RAID, just need to know if I need to make a back-up of all my data

rpstewart · 13 Jan 2007 at 18:55

LLBDTiberio said:
So the whole HD will be wiped

Yeah, the RAID BIOS will wipe both disks during the array creation. As a result you'll need to back everything up and reinstall Windows on the new array.

LLBDTiberio · 13 Jan 2007 at 19:21

Ah, ok.
Hmm, seriously considering waiting until Vista comes out then in a couple of weeks if I have to reinstall windows anyway

Or I just transfer my files to the external HD i have lying around, really only need music files and the steam folder transferred, other than that, it will be fine i reckon.
Since XP is OEM there shouldn't be a prob with reactivation right?