How can I install Windows 2k to a Raid Partition?

[dwn]

Can anyone tell me how to install Windows 2000 onto a Raid partion? I'm not sure if it's possible or not. If not, how about Windows XP Pro? Can I install that to the Raid partition?

The thing that confuses me is that I have a Promise Ultra 100 raid card, and there isn't a button to hit at setup to configure the drives. So the only way I know to make the Raid partition is in Windows, but of course I can't run Windows without intalling it first. See my problem? Can anyone help? Let me know if you need more info.

Thanks!

 

[chizow]

You need to set-up the array in the card's BIOS right after POST; when it asks you to hit the button(s) to set-up the array, it should bring up the RAID configuration menu. Go ahead and select the drives you want in the array, the type of array you want (0, 1, 0+1) and the stripe size.

You'll also need the RAID card's drivers on a floppy disk. If they aren't provided on a 3.5'' floppy, you'll need to get them off the install CD or the web and unzip them to a floppy disk.

To install Win2K onto the drive, just boot up with your Win2K disc in the CD-Rom drive and set your BIOS to boot from CD-ROM as the first boot device. Restart and you should hear your CD-Spin up.

When you see the prompt to install 3rd party SCSI/RAID drivers, press F6. Then insert the disc and continue on to installation. It should show you the unpartitioned array and you can then format and/or partition it. Once you've done all that, choose the partition you want to install Win2K to and you're set.

Chiz

 

[Trashman]

Just to clarify your controller card, maybe a typo....are you using a Promise Ultra 100 card or a Promise FastTrak100?

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Trashman
Just to clarify your controller card, maybe a typo....are you using a Promise Ultra 100 card or a Promise FastTrak100?

Yah that makes sense. If its just an ATA Controller card, the RAID array will always be tied to the OS that created it. In that case, I don't think its possible; softRAID cards are basically the same thing as controller cards, but the inclusion of an IC BIOS allows them to be bootable arrays upon which an OS can be installed.

Chiz

 

[dwn]

See I think that is my problem.

Promise Ultra 100 card. So I think that is why I never get prompted to hit a button to setup the array. It's probably just a controller card as you decribe.

So are you saying that if I got another card then my chances would be better? Do you know what the cheapest card would be that could do it?

Thanks a million!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: dwn
See I think that is my problem.

Promise Ultra 100 card. So I think that is why I never get prompted to hit a button to setup the array. It's probably just a controller card as you decribe.

So are you saying that if I got another card then my chances would be better? Do you know what the cheapest card would be that could do it?

Thanks a million!

You could mod your Ultra100 into a FastTrak100 ... instructions are out there and Google is your friend.

- M4H

 

[dwn]

really????? that's so cool. I'm going to look into that. Thanks everyone!