Do I need to format HD before RAID0?

Z

Ziontrain

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I'm planning on getting another Seagate 320gb HD. Do I need to do a fresh install or is there a way to mirror the array once the other is installed?

Thanks in advance.
 
RAID0 is not mirroring, but striping. That means it's faster but does not have a copy of your data.
RAID1 is mirroring, keeping a copy of your data but not providing any real speed benefit.

When creating a RAID array in the RAID BIOS setup utility, all data on the disks should be considered destroyed. So backup your data, create the array then copy back. It's the only way.
 
Enlightenment said:
RAID1 is mirroring, keeping a copy of your data but not providing any real speed benefit.
Click to expand...
Actually, RAID1 should be able to increase read speeds, since it can read different chunks of the same file from each drive at the same time.
 
You do not need to format a drive prior to configuring it for RAID.
 
Dan_D said:
You do not need to format a drive prior to configuring it for RAID.
Click to expand...

True, however I get the impression that he is hoping to not have to reinstall his OS, and the process of creating the array will effectively format the drive for him.
 
I already have 1 320GB drive, and I just got another one. I guess what I'm asking is if I need to do another fresh install of windows and everything, or is there a software program that will disperse the data where it needs to be on both. Sorry guys, I'm new at this.

Also, I just found out that my board only has raid 0 for the esata hdds, so i'm gonna have to buy a raid controller. I've seen some really ranging in price. All I'm using it for is RAID 0 for faster load times, etc.
 
Lazn_Work said:
True, however I get the impression that he is hoping to not have to reinstall his OS, and the process of creating the array will effectively format the drive for him.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. In RAID 1 maybe not. In RAID 0 definitely yes.
 
Unknown-One said:
Actually, RAID1 should be able to increase read speeds, since it can read different chunks of the same file from each drive at the same time.
Click to expand...
Not even Areca does this properly, neither do software RAID1 implementations in various setups i've tried. The read potential for RAID1 could be exactly the same as if it were a RAID0 array, but somehow nobody manages to utilize this potential. Kind of bothers me though.
 
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