Member Avatar for techningeer

I have a Dell Vostro 200 Slimline that I want to put another hard drive in. I have a harddrive out of a Dell Dimension E521 that I want to put in their, however, I don't want to lose my data on it. Currently the BIOS is set to RAID, but I only have 1 HD in it, what will happen if I install a 2nd HD?

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Short answer: if the BIOS/controller is in RAID mode, simply plugging a second SATA drive into the Vostro will not automatically convert both disks into a RAID array or wipe the data. RAID arrays are created when you explicitly build them in the RAID configuration utility or via software; until you do that the controller usually presents a non‑array drive to the OS and the data remains intact. Still, take care — Windows or the RAID utility can offer actions that will erase the disk if accepted.

Safe, practical steps to follow:

  1. Power the PC off and unplug it.
  2. Confirm the drive is actually SATA (you already checked the labels) and that you have a free SATA data port and a spare SATA power connector in the case. Also check that the drive will physically mount in the slim chassis; if not, use a temporary USB/SATA adapter or enclosure to inspect it first.
  3. Install the drive and boot into the BIOS/RAID configuration utility (watch the POST messages for the RAID prompt). Do not create or initialize any RAID arrays there. Just confirm the controller sees the new disk.
  4. Boot the OS and open Disk Management (Windows) or the equivalent tool. If the old disk’s partitions are present you can browse/copy files. If Disk Management prompts to “initialize” the disk, cancel that if you want to preserve data. If the drive is a Windows dynamic disk from another machine, use “Import Foreign Disks” rather than initializing.
  5. If you later decide to create a RAID array (mirror/stripe), back up everything first — creating arrays will overwrite drives.

Notes and cautions: switching the BIOS SATA mode (RAID ↔ AHCI) after Windows is installed can cause boot failures unless the OS has the appropriate drivers enabled first. If you are unsure, avoid changing the controller mode and test the drive externally via USB first.

Good points made earlier by about inspecting the old drive externally and by about checking BIOS options — follow those and back up any irreplaceable files before making configuration changes.

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Member Avatar for tarael1

I'm pretty sure that the E521 had IDE connections for Hard drives so the SATA connection on the Vostro 200 won't work; the drive probably won't fit in the slim case anyway. The RAID would only function if they two drives were installed with the OS at the same time so it is not a factor. You may try getting an external HDD enclosure suitable for an IDE to USB and connect the drive via your USB. It would be a bit slower but the old HDD is probably slower anyway. A better solution might be to get a USB2.0 to SATA/IDE cable adaptor and a newer external hard drive. Move the files on the old drive to the new drive and use the new SATA drive as a backup. Old hard drives don't ever last as long as you would like them to.
Good luck Tarael

Member Avatar for techningeer

The Dimension E521 I have has SATA, and it says SATA on the HD's on both PC's, so I don't think that is a problem. So if I just plug the new drive in it shouldn't bother any data even though RAID might be turned on in the BIOS?

Member Avatar for BigPaw

What are the alternate options to the RAID option? I'm suspecting that if you have a look around your BIOS you will find that there will be other settings elsewhere that are far the purpose of configuring RAID. If these are not configured then I don't think yaw will have anything to worry about by just adding the other drive.

I couldn't find a manual anywhere for your motherboard, do you have one on a disk that you could upload somewhere?

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