RAID related question + Motherboard

Greenlizard0 · 14 Sep 2007 at 20:24

I have setup two RAID arrays on an Asus M2N-E motherboard. If I was to change motherboard to a different make/model, would I lose them both?

MikeTimbers · 14 Sep 2007 at 21:03

Highly likely I'm afraid. Motherboard RAID arrays are very specific to the chipset used. Any important data should obviously be backed up to an alternative media set anyway and changing motherboards tends to mean a re-install.

As a matter of interest, I spent the last two days changing my motherboard from AMD/NForce 2 to Intel C2D/VIA 880 and only had to remove the NForce drivers, then unplug my XFX Revo64 RAID3 card (about £12 online), plug it into the new motherboard and re-start. 20 minutes of detecting lots of new devices and my XP was running as good as new.

Greenlizard0 · 16 Sep 2007 at 00:32

MikeTimbers said:
Highly likely I'm afraid. Motherboard RAID arrays are very specific to the chipset used. Any important data should obviously be backed up to an alternative media set anyway and changing motherboards tends to mean a re-install.

As a matter of interest, I spent the last two days changing my motherboard from AMD/NForce 2 to Intel C2D/VIA 880 and only had to remove the NForce drivers, then unplug my XFX Revo64 RAID3 card (about £12 online), plug it into the new motherboard and re-start. 20 minutes of detecting lots of new devices and my XP was running as good as new.

Hmm...I really should think of getting a dedicated RAID card. It's a pity really I don't have any free PCI slots anymore

lay-z-boy · 16 Sep 2007 at 01:05

Greenlizard0 said:
I have setup two RAID arrays on an Asus M2N-E motherboard. If I was to change motherboard to a different make/model, would I lose them both?

If it's the same chipset, you should be fine. If not it won't work.
Dedicated cards really help out in situations like this.

Greenlizard0 · 16 Sep 2007 at 01:11

Hmm..I know, I have one taken up by a sound card, and three others by USB cards. Dangnabit...

Berserker · 16 Sep 2007 at 01:17

I can vouch for that after moving a 4-disk RAID. Only downers were that I needed a new Linux Kernel for the new motherboard and the drivers for my card were broken in that, and the controller saw one of the disks as failed because I had to unplug everything and plug it back in again. Posting on one of the main Linux bug trakcers got the former fixed, and rebuilding the array soon sorted the latter.

USB cards? How many ports do you need? :eek:

Greenlizard0 · 16 Sep 2007 at 01:21

Lol I have a lot of usb bits and pieces, I count 9 sitting here at my desk..

tomos · 16 Sep 2007 at 01:36

i moved to an intel d975xbx mobo and the raid from my SIl raid off my old DFI 939 mobo was detected fine

Greenlizard0 · 16 Sep 2007 at 01:45

Hm...that may have more to do with the fact that you remained with the same drivers.

Looks like unless I wanna change, then AMD it is for me..

Cupra · 16 Sep 2007 at 01:57

it must be same chipset and manufacturer sometimes aswell as the raid can change between companys, best bet is to back up and change or get a raid card so u dont loose them again

MikeTimbers · 16 Sep 2007 at 19:29

Greenlizard0 said:
Lol I have a lot of usb bits and pieces, I count 9 sitting here at my desk..

Ever thought of getting a hub?

Greenlizard0 · 17 Sep 2007 at 02:47

MikeTimbers said:
Ever thought of getting a hub?

I have a hub for my removeable drives and wireless dongle but I'd rather keep a few slots on the hub free.