RAID help

NickM

NickM

NickM

Soldato
Joined
12 Dec 2003
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How do I go about setting up a RAID array? I assume I need some kind of RAID controller card? Are they easy to set up?

Also, does a RAID array need to be set up before an OS install or can I install an OS on a drive, then later on get a 2nd drive + a RAID controller and set up the RAID array without the need to reinstall?
 
What motherboard do you have? If it's half decent and relatively modern you'll probably already have one on the mobo.

When you create the RAID in the controller BIOS it will wipe your disks, so yes you would have to re-install after creating the RAID.
 
I've come across this before, it seems to either be a very unknown board or I got it wrong last time I checked. Is there any way to recheck what model it is? I currently don't have a windows install on that computer. Can I check in the BIOS somewhere?

edit: Looked in the BIOS and it says BIOS ID: 965A01.01.E5.S.08, so I guess it is the 965.
Would looking in the BIOS be able to tell me if the mobo is RAID 1 compatible?
 
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Can't find that board anywhere. There's a 9657AA. But if has the 965 chipset it should have an Intel ICHxR controller which supports RAID.

Easiest way to find out is to go into your BIOS and there should be an option to change from IDE to RAID or to enable RAID or something similar.

If you;ve still got the mobo manual it may show you in there.
 
I'm pretty sure this is my motherboard: P9657AA-8EKRS2H, on the foxconn site it looks pretty similar and I think its got the 6 SATA ports.

In the integrated Peripherals >> OnBoard Device section theres an option for JMicron JMB361 Controller which is currently set to IDE/SATA Mode with options for RAID mode & disabled. So it seems my motherboard is capable of setting up a RAID array.

edit: Found the manual, it is a 9657AA
 
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For motherboard raid it means hitting the right key combination during boot and then setting it up from the application that loads. Either check the manual or try many many key combinations, I believe it was ctrl + I on my last (asus) board.

Which raid do you have in mind? 0/1/5/10 are the standards and are all rather different.

Even if the board flatly refuses to do it for you, raid can be done in software.

Generally it needs to be before OS if you want the OS on the raid, but raid 1 can be done without reinstalling.
 
raid 1 is mirroring right? So if one drive dies all I need to do is swap to the other one? If so, thats what I was going to do. If raid 1 can be done without reinstalling then I think theres a windows GUI app for my mobo, I'll see if it can setup the raid.
 
RAID1 is designed to be a little more transparent than that - If I drive dies then the system doesn't even flinch, you just get a warning (depending on the software / drivers) to say the array to degraded.

If you didn't install RAID support when you installed the OS initially, it's sometimes possible to add it and then switch over. I've gone from single disk no raid, to 2 disk RAID0 without re-installing.

If you have spare ports and a couple of spare disks (or borrow a couple) it's 100% easier, as you can add the raid support for the temporary array which then gives you all the drivers you need, then switch your OS drive over to raid mode and when windows load it doesn't blue screen.

It does vary from RAID controller to RAID controller but you should be OK.
 
I haven't actually got the OS installed yet, I'm just installing the drives now. I assume if I partition the drive after setting up RAID and installing windows then it will just mirror the partitions fine without additional setup?
 
If you have used the Intel controller and installed the Intel Matrix Controller Manager drivers/software you'll see a program group on your start menu.

If you open that the Console up from there you will be able to see the health/status of the array.

You should also get the status during the boot process on the ICHxR controller BIOS screen. You should see the array listed first, and green text saying healthy. If you don't see the array, or see the array and it's not listed as healthy then you have a problem or haven't set mirroring up on those drives.

Otherwise mirroring is transparent to you. Remember it's protecting you against a failed drive, it won't give you any protection from files you may accidentally delete for example.

If you've used the JMicron then I'm not sure, but there will no doubt be similar utilities to check it.
 
The JMicron software doesn't seem to recognise my controller card but I found the Intel Matrix control software online and the works fine! Thanks
 
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