Software Raid

[rlzzz]

Hi

Im going to be setting up a software raid 5 using Windows XP but I was just wondering what would happen if the hard drive with the OS on died.

I plan to have a 40gig hd with Windows XP installed and then 6x 200gig drives setup in raid 5. I know that if a 200gig drive dies I can add a new one and restore the data but what if the 40gig drive dies. Can I just add a new small drive install Windows XP on it and my raid array will be there? or will i need to backup the 40gig drive just incase so i can restore it to a new hard drive?

Thanks for any help guys

 

[rlzzz]

Im not that bothered about performance as it will only be used across the network anyway and is just going to be storage, im only doing it to join all my old 200gig drives into one big storage space. I also have 2x500gig and 1x750gig drives for stuff that I use more often.

Thanks for your help

 

[rlzzz]

I think I read its possible by altering a few files. Also I think ill test out the performance first and decide then if I want to use it as well. As long as its not like 1MB/s it should be fine.