It's Arrived!

chat_to_rich · Post by **chat_to_rich** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 1:22 pm

If you want to give it a go yourself change the SATA mode to RAID in the BIOS. If Windows still boots continue with my instructions from a previous post. If Windows doesn't boot change the SATA mode back to AHCI and post back.

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 1:37 pm

Wont be for a while Rich, got too much on at the moment.

BillyGoat · Post by **BillyGoat** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:24 pm

I'd be doing software RAID. Change the controller type in the BIOS I'll bet the machine won't boot - drivers more than likely not present and a few other issues.

BG

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:30 pm

You trying to frighten me off.

How do I change it back if it don't boot.

And whats software raid.

Would a call to Aria be a good plan

BillyGoat · Post by **BillyGoat** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:44 pm

It's easy to change back, don't panic.

Hardware RAID is what Rich suggested above. You go into the motherboards BIOS (when you first turn it on and it says Del to enter BIOS or somesuch) and enable a RAID function. This is usually done before the OS install to keep things simple and to prevent issues. Thing is, not everyone wants or NEEDS the added boottime or functionaility of RAID (this is a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation of a system builder) so it's not enabled.

Software RAID is when Windows does this for you, via software in Windows - it's just like the links I posted back a couple of days ago. On your machine, I seriously doubt with a two disk mirror setup you would notice any difference at all in performance or throughput.

Don't worry.......really, you can do this! We wouldn't be telling you that you could, if we thought there would be a proble.

As with many computer things, there are lots of ways of doing things. Most achive the same results, some are easier than others and there will always be lots of opinions. It will be fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine.

BG

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:55 pm

Do I actually need to do anything I don't need the extra speed that's for sure.

So with some instructions I could have one or two as the storage and the 3rd for backup

BillyGoat · Post by **BillyGoat** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:47 pm

Speed is a by-product of RAID (data security and speed being two of the top reasons).

Yes, exactly. Two of the 2TB drives can be mirrored (two disks are in use, but you only see ONE) and the third 2TB disk is used as a backup. The SSD remails as-is.

BG

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 3:50 pm

Thats more sensible don't you think.

Instructions.

chat_to_rich · Post by **chat_to_rich** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 4:25 pm

My HTPC is almost exactly the same config as yours. When you're ready I can test the steps on my PC first, then tell you what to do. If you don't want to go ahead, or what to do something else that's fine. Don't feel you have to go down this route if you don't want to!

BillyGoat · Post by **BillyGoat** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 4:31 pm

Scruff,

If Rich has almost the same - see what he can pull out the bag (Rich are you going to the BIOS route).

If it don't go to plan, we can revese the change and knock up a Scruff-proof guide of software RAID - I'm sure I can find some drives knocking around to add in :)

BG

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:37 pm

I wouldn't plan anything before the weekend. So 23rd on should be ok to work in with you.

I print any instructions off, other than that I'm in you hands as to the best way to go.

If you want any information from inside the box shout.

chat_to_rich · Post by **chat_to_rich** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 2:44 pm

I know you won't be ready to enable RAID until the weekend, but here are the instructions for stage one. I think it's best if we break this down into three stages:; stage one, enable RAID, stage two, create the array and stage three, move your data to the RAID array. Below are the instructions for stage one. If you follow the instructions below you can continue to use your computer and then carry out stages two and three whenever you're ready. Please backup any data to an external drive before commencing incase of any problems. The steps below took me about 5mins.

1) Run the Fix It For Me at this link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976 and restart. This enables the RAID driver within Windows, which allows the SATA mode to be changed to RAID without needing to reinstall/repair Windows.
2) Enter the BIOS and change the SATA mode to RAID. Windows should boot as normal. You may need to restart Windows. If Windows doesn't boot change the SATA mode back to AHCI and post back.

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 3:01 pm

No data on it yet Rich, only the programs I've installed.

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 3:22 pm

Ok so I ran Fix-it-for me and changed the BIOS to RAID[XHD]

Restarted the computer when it told me and still here

Give us the next then, I'll get back the manuals later.

chat_to_rich · Post by **chat_to_rich** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 3:56 pm

Cor you're keen!

It'll probably be tomorrow that I give you the next steps, but in the mean time install this Utility http://downloadmirror.intel.com/20215/e ... 0.1022.exe
Accept all the defaults during the install.

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