Does implementing RAID 0 Require re-installation?

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I have a working Windows XP system to which I would like to add an identical hard drive. The motherboard has a Promise RAID controller. If I add the new drive would I lose all my data on the original drive or would the RAID controller merely add the new drive to its array at the next boot?

 

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[FluxCapacitor]

Not sure I understand your current setup. Is your current hard drive on the Promise controller? Once created, anytime you change an array you will lose all the information on the array.

You could set up another array on the same controller though and have have each hard drive functioning individually and you wouldn't lose any information that way. You won't be able to create a RAID 0 array with both drives, if thats what you're wanting to do, without losing all data on your current drive.... sorry.

 

[Zepper]

You will have to back up your current drive and then restore the backup to the RAID array once it is set up and formatted.
The easiest way would be if you could borrow a hard drive that's big enough to hold all of your current programs and data:
- copy your current drive to it (use Drive Copy or xcopy if you know how)
- set up your raid arrray, partition and format it
- then copy the data from borrowed drive back to the array.
That is the only way to avoid reinstalling your OS and software.

.bh.

p.s. If you run a RAID 0 setup and don't back up your data assiduously, YOU WILL BE SORRY!!! See the thread here on AT about 200GB of lost anime etc.... Several other current AT threads are about blown RAID-0. Take the hint.bh.

 

[authenticate]

I can get hold of another drive to copy off my OS and data. Will Powerquest Partition Magic or Norton Ghost do it? Thanks.

 

[Zepper]

Yes, either PM or Ghost should work to transfer the data to the borrowed drive. Since PM isn't specifically for backing up drives, its procedure is probably more complicated than Ghost--but it can do it (I have done it). Good luck.
.bh.