Help Setup RAID Config Step By Step

[Edito]

Hi ppl i just want to config RAID on my system but i never did it before and i don´t know how does it work actually i have:

160GB - OS
250GB, 320GB 160GB - Storage

The System specs are displayed on left and if someone can tell me the real advantages i´ll appreciate.

thanks...

 

[btarunr]

I will. So you want an array of all those drives?

 

[Edito]

Can be an array only for the storage HDD i think it will be safer, or no? we can let the OS HDD out of the RAID.

Thanx

 

[btarunr]

Then don't expect your Windows OS to load faster, it won't since the drive it's installed on isn't participating in the array. When making an array, you lose all data, so have your data from all those storage drives backed up first. Prepare a RAID driver disk...the driver CD of your motherboard will have it, make sure that the drives are set to participate in RAID from your system BIOS.....do all these first.

 

[Edito]

ok ok let me backup all my data but i don´t have enough free space ill have to ask for my friend external hard drive talk to you soon.

 

[Deleted member 38767]

First of all: what RAID array do you want to set up?
RAID 0 will give you noticable boost in Vista (if you put the OS on the array) but I don't think there will be much of a change in XP performance.
If you want safety then you are looking for RAID 1 or RAID 5.
Either way you want to use identical HDDs as you 'll lost some GBs if you don't (in RAID 0 you'll have double the GBs of the smallest HDD and in RAID 1 you'll have the capacity of the smallest one).
Decide wich one you want and read the MB manual. There are all the steps for seting up RAID array. But in short:
1. Go to BIOS -> IDE Config.
2. Enable RAID on the SATA channels you want to use.
3. Save and reboot.
4. Press F10.
A menu will pop up where you can select the HDDs you want to use and the type ot RAID array you want to make.

You may have problems booting from the RAID array as it won't find it as bootable device if there is other non RAID HDDs. In that case set te rest of the HDDs in JBOT RAID (won't lose any data on that one). It worked for me.

 

[btarunr]

^An important step you missed is that after creation of an array, you have to perform low and high level format and draw volumes....

....secondly, the drive from which your system boots, if participating in the array, any way loses all its data during creation of array.