Last Minute checklist before RAID0

[MemoryInAGarden]

I just got my two Hitachi Deskstar 160GB SATA drives from ZipZoomFly. I'm going to RAID them on the ICH5R. After I insert the SATA drivers floppy during the Windows setup, will Windows just install on one drive or will I be given the option to do a RAID array? Also, once I actually get Windows installed, what else needs to be done to get the array working properly? Do I just need to install the Intel utility off the CD that came with the IS7?

[Leadman584]

The Raid configuration is set via MB, should have an opportunity during boot sequence to press an F button (mines F4) to assemble you're RAID array. Very early in OS installation be watching for the F6 portion, when you'll be prompted to insert driver floppy. Be sure to have the array preassembled or windows will install on one drive only.

[MemoryInAGarden]

What stripe size should I set the array to?

[Leadman584]

Opinions differ. Ice Czar much more qualified than I, he is usually around here fairly often since he is the moderator. I set mine to 16k blocks, got a little better performance than with 4k. It will depend on the controller, and may well vary. Expect a few folks to try and convince you that Raid 0 is a very bad idea (because it is). What the heck since you have the stuff already, give it a twirl. Irreplaceable data should not be put in this array, unless you back up frequently.

I'm still waiting for external drive to erase (man is it slow writing zeros to entire 120GB HD), I accidently copied active MBR to the drive, and it reads as corrupt by windows. The headaches of backing up an array alone is good reason to avoid Raid 0. You have to be able to export, and import across the array. Import is outside windows, good luck there. I got my Netcell Raid 5 card ready to install, gotta have someplace to copy the current OS onto, so I wait.