Adding Raid0 as non OS Drive

[Dmac122383]

I just recently found my old WD Velicoraptor 1500HLFS in my closet. I decided to throw it in my pc and use it to store my games on it because my 128gb SSD at ~90% and I had no room for anymore games.

I've always been interested in setting up a RAID array so I figured I try to find another Velicoraptor drive. And use 2 Raptors in RAID0 for increased performance as a non OS drive for storing my games.

Now if I do find get another raptor, am I able to set this RAID array up without having to worry about losing data on my current OS/Boot SSD Drive?

I'm thinking I could disable(unplug) my SSD and start the raid array without the motherboard seeing the SSD. On my motherboard SATA ports 1-4 have the same setting and I'm using SATA port 1 for my SSD in AHCI mode. So I'd use SATA ports 5 & 6 for the raptors and set it to RAID.

Any info or links to how-tos would be great.

Thank you

 

[engiNURD]

If you have AHCI/RAID mode selected in your BIOS and you're running Intel RST drivers, you could actually attach the drives while in windows and create the RAID0 volume from within the RST util.

If your controller is set to IDE, first thing you should do is switch it to AHCI/RAID mode, which will require a registry setting to be changed - google for the procedure. Then you can either setup the raid volume from within the controller's raid bios, or from within windows, if the controller's util supports it.

Now if I do find get another raptor, am I able to set this RAID array up without having to worry about losing data on my current OS/Boot SSD Drive?

You shouldn't lose any data [on your OS/Boot SSD] when creating this raid volume [on your Velociraptor drives].

EDIT: clarified where there should be no data loss.

 

[Dmac122383]

Im using an AMD 890 chipset, and I have my SATA mode set for AHCI for my SSD. Because I'm on an AMD Chipset I doubt i'm able to use the Intel RST Drivers, unless those work based on the actual SATA Controller onboard

 

[engiNURD]

Of course you would not be able to use the intel drivers on the amd board. I don't have an amd setup handy anymore, so you'll have to find out on your own if they have something similar to intel's RST. If not, then just do it in the RAID BIOS, before windows loads. You shouldn't need to disconnect the SSD unless you don't trust yourself with the RAID volume setup. Also, be sure the RAID drivers are installed before switching to RAID mode, although they should be the same drivers as the AHCI mode.

 

[mwroobel]

You shouldn't lose any data when creating this raid volume.

To setup a R0 you will have to format the drives and will lose everything on the array.

 

[engiNURD]

To setup a R0 you will have to format the drives and will lose everything on the array.

Sorry, yes, you'll lose data on the drives used in the array. However, I should have clarified which question I was answering:

Now if I do find get another raptor, am I able to set this RAID array up without having to worry about losing data on my current OS/Boot SSD Drive?

Since you use a separate drive as your OS/Boot drive than the drives involved in the new array, you will not lose data on your OS/Boot SSD drive when creating the RAID volume on your two VRaptors (assuming you do it all correctly).

 

[Dmac122383]

Thanks everyone. I should be able to get this done no prob, I've read a few how-to's and it looks pretty easy. Now I just have to find a used 150gb Vraptor

 

[Old Hippie]

This would be a great situation for learning about the care and feeding of a RAID0 array.

ATM I'm an Intel guy and I know AMD's stuff is a little different but if ya have a problem please come back and we'll learn together.