RAID 1 on existing build

Dodgy Bob · 18 Jul 2008 at 08:45

Hi,

I've got a system up and running with a single SATA drive using Vista Ultimate.

I've purchased an additional 2 x 1TB SATA drives that I want to run in a RAID 1 configuration so I have the existing OS drive as standalone and the 2 new drives with mirror.

Can I do this without having to rebuild the OS disk?

I have tried. I set the BIOS (IP35 Pro) to RAID and configured the set-up in the CTRL-I screen. But while booting it BSODs. I assume it's because I don't have the RAID drivers installed. I have them but there's no setup to run, it's just the driver files. Can I install them? How?

Thanks for your time.

Bob.

Admiral Huddy · 18 Jul 2008 at 08:57

Shouldn't BSOD tbh... Once you are in the RAID-Set up screen (CTRL-I) configure the drives the way you want them, save and re-boot as prompted.. On re-boot install the the OS as normal. You must have the RAID drivers for your disks handy, so when promoted for third party drivers select the correct driver from the disk you have prepared before hand (or flash stick for Vista). Make sure you select the correct driver from the list. You want the RAID driver, not standard driver for disks. Selecting th wrong driver, as i once found out, may cause your system to fail.

Personally, if you are running a RAID-1 configuration, you'd want the OS to be on that volume.

Hoe that helps.

Dodgy Bob · 18 Jul 2008 at 09:51

Admiral,

Thanks for reply, but I'm trying to set up the new RAID config. without re-installing the OS (sorry for not being clear). Was wondering if this could be done.

I don't want the OS on the mirror, it's for data only.

Bob.

Admiral Huddy · 18 Jul 2008 at 09:55

I've not tried this but I'm prety sure you can select the volumes you wish RAID leaving the OS disk as a single array.

Dodgy Bob · 18 Jul 2008 at 10:54

Yes you can. That's what I've done in the BIOS. But on boot I get BSOD and reboot.

Like I said I think it's due to the installed OS not having the RAID drivers. Was wondering if you could shoehorn them in somehow.

Blue Cypher · 18 Jul 2008 at 10:56

it shouldnt BSOD though......maybe flash the board and put an updated bios on? or you could always use software RAID in diskmanagement in windows, but its not as good as hardeware RAID.

G_Wizz · 18 Jul 2008 at 13:24

Don't think there is any way round it really without doing a fresh install, unless you have an ESATA to SATA cable to connect your OS drive to the ESATA ports temporarily, that would allow you to set the internal SATA ports to RAID and install the drivers from within Windows.