help on how to setup two hdds in RAID 0

[alb1221]

hey im getting two of these
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-160&depa=0

and this is my mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=13-127-181&DEPA=1

my question is do they come with the necisary supplies to connect using raid 0, and how do I setup a raid 0 configuration.. I have never built a pc before but I wish to get the speed/space of a raid 0

 

[alb1221]

also if I buy mobo will the necisary equipment be there to connect diskdrives/hdds/powersupply etc?? im a total newb to building pcs so any help would be great.

 

[DaveSimmons]

First, if you read the Raptor RAID0 article on the main AnandTech site (Storage tab) you'll see that RAID0 is pointless for these drives -- just get 1 of them, and a cheap 120-200 GB second drive if you want more storage.

The power supply in a case has power connectors for regular IDE drives (PATA) and some newer case power supplies (and supplies you buy separately) also come with SATA power connectors. If the product description doesn't say "SATA power" then you need power adapters for many SATA drives.

The motherboard you've listed has pictures of what is included. It looks like it comes with regular IDE cables, 2 SATA data cables, but no SATA power adapters.

However, the Raptor is one of the SATA drives that can use either a normal IDE power connector or the new SATA power connector, so you are OK.

If you buy a different drive (not Raptor) for the second drive you might want to get a PATA / regular IDE (same speed as a 7200 RPM SATA) or look carefully at the picture to see if it has both kinds of power connectors.

PS for RAID0 (which you shouldn't do), you don't need anything special besides power and data cables.

 

[capricorn]

Hmm. You've never built one before, but you're going to start with a RAID 0 config on the maiden voyage, eh? Gutsy.

At any rate, should you carry on down that path and you plan on having Windows 2000 or XP as your OS, make sure you have the drivers for the RAID readily available before you start to install. (They should be on the CD that comes with the motherboard or you can download them. I always grab the latest from the MB manufacturer and have them on floppy. There's a point right near the beginning of the install where you'll be asked to hit a key (forget which one - 'S' maybe?) if you need to supply additional SCSI/disk drivers. You'll want to do that and choose the ones for your RAID config. (There may be more than one choice, but rest assured, only one is the right choice. If there is a second or more sets, they'll be for other modes of operation like using your SATA connections as plain (non-RAID) disks. Your MB manual ought to let you know which is which.)

I forgot to mention, this install happens after you use the RAID BIOS on the motherboard to establish your RAID configuration. The Windows drivers tell XP/2000 how they ought to treat the drives.

 

[alb1221]

hope it's not too complex.. I only got 2 for the extra storage. Is this a simple task or will I end up goin nuts trying to get the right thing? Thanks for the help capricorn I hope my mobo has a newbie proof manual Does it ever ask you if you want a raid0 config?? or do I have to do something special to get that working? If it wont work im find with 2 seperate drives and no raid. this is funny I have no idea what im doing and I bought all new parts and a new case.. gonna be an adventure thats for sure!!

 

[boomerang]

Download the manual from the Abit site and have a look at it right now if you'd like. I just did.

There is an option in the BIOS within Advanced BIOS Features for Hard Disk Boot Priority: which you will want to have set to OnChip SATA RAID.

Within Integrated Peripherals you will want to highlight OnChip IDE Device and press Enter. Make sure that SATA RAID ROM is Enabled.

With the BIOS set up correctly and the SATA drives connected, on boot you should see a prompt to press a specific key or key combination to enter the RAID BIOS. Follow the menus to set up your RAID 0.

Put your OS disk in the Optical Drive and reboot. Shortly after the start of the Windows install there will be a prompt at the bottom of the screen to press F6 to install third party SCSI or RAID drivers (or very similar wording). It's not there for long so press F6 and shortly after in the process you will be prompted to insert that floppy. You may be asked to insert it later also so keep it handy.

From the pics at Newegg it appears that Abit supplies a SATA driver disk on Floppy so you will be all set there. Most mobo manufacturers do not do these so thumbs up for Abit.

You've got the right attitude. Have fun, post back if you have questions or problems. It's a great learning experience.