Member Avatar for linet

How do i configure RAID 1 on 2 identical HDD's which are SATA.
1 HDD has windows XP while the other HDD is to be mirrored.
The 2 hard disks are identical in the sense that they are of samecapacity.

I would like to know the requirements of the 2 HDD's if raid 1 has to be a successful thing.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by DimaYasny

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Following and the replies from , , and , here is a focused checklist and practical guidance for putting an existing Windows XP installation onto a mirrored pair.

Make a full image backup of the XP disk first. RAID mirrors hardware faults but not user error, viruses, or file-system corruption. Keep the backup off the two disks before changing anything.

Pick the RAID layer. A controller-managed mirror (motherboard "firmware" RAID or a dedicated card) keeps the mirror below the OS; Windows-managed mirroring uses Dynamic Disks (Windows XP Professional only). Which to choose depends on whether a reinstall is acceptable and on driver support for XP. Check the RAID vendor/motherboard manual for any "migrate to RAID" or "create mirror" options that preserve an existing disk — some controllers can convert a single-disk install to RAID without reinstalling.

Controller path: obtain the controller driver for Windows XP and, if possible, install it before changing SATA mode. Many controllers need a driver during XP setup (the old F6 driver method) or will render an existing install unbootable if the BIOS mode is flipped without the driver in place. Use the controller utility (Option ROM or card BIOS) to create the array and follow its rebuild/migration dialog.

Windows software path: on XP Pro use Disk Management to convert the disks to Dynamic and then add a mirror to the system volume; allow the resync to complete. Note that Dynamic Disks are a Windows-only format and are not as portable as hardware RAID.

After creation: test by removing one drive and booting. Monitor SMART and controller logs. If a drive fails, replace it and let the controller or Disk Management rebuild the mirror. Maintain regular external backups and keep your RAID drivers and firmware up to date.

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Member Avatar for fry

there is no special requirements for 2 hds, the only thing they must have the same capacity. in biios you choose an option of raid 1, and controller would make all job itself.

Member Avatar for kronos2

Did you get any further with raid 1 ? The reason I ask i am now looking at this area at the moment and wondered if you had any tips ?

k2

Member Avatar for jbennet

hardware of software raid?

Member Avatar for DimaYasny

hardware of software raid?

+1

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