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Simple Question - Setting up Raid for the First Time

T

TwistedMetalGear

2[H]4U
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Jun 19, 2005
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Hey, I got my new system up and running, with two WD 150GB Raptors. I would like to set them up with RAID 0.

My system says to press F10 for RAID setup when I first turn it on, doing so brings me to a menu where I can set up a RAID array. And the default choice is "mirroring"... Is this what I need to do? Move both HD's into the array and save changes? And is "mirroring" the correct choice?

Also, do I need to do the "Press F6" thing during windows setup to "load RAID drivers"?

This is what I'm confused about... Do I do both methods? F10 to set up the array, then F6 during windows setup to load drivers? Or do I only need to do one?

A simple step by step would be appreciated. I have an Asus A8N32-SLI motherboard if that helps. I'm trying to get this system set up as soon as possible so I can see how it performs! Thanks! :)
 
Be prepared to answer questions like "Why do you need RAID0?". And the correct setting is Striping. Mirroring is RAID1. And yes, you need to do both iirc
 
So what is the alternative to RAID0? Just having 2 seperate hard drives show up in Windows?

Even if it has a tiny performance increase, I would like to use it, because I'm obsessive compulsive like that. ;)
 
jaguax said:
So what is the alternative to RAID0? Just having 2 seperate hard drives show up in Windows?

Even if it has a tiny performance increase, I would like to use it, because I'm obsessive compulsive like that. ;)
Click to expand...



RAID0 will improve your write times somewhat considerably, granted you have dual Raptors, not sure how much more you can see and if there is a real world advantage.

RAID1 will improve your read times somewhat considerably, granted you have dual Raptors, not sure how much more you can see and if there is a real world advantage.


RAID1 will also make it so that if one drive dies, you wont loose everything.
 
Apparently there are instances where RAID0 Can decrease your preformance in games.
I'm sure someone would link some benchmarks to you.

I'd say with Raptor 150s just use em as independant disks, but I'm not an expert on the subject, thats just what I'd do if I had em.

To give a better answer we'd have to know what you intend on using the computer for.
 
Well then, IMO run them as independent disks, I'm sure someone could tell you better than I how where to put things i.e. OS, Swap, Games, on the two disks to optimize for preformance.
 
I'm having some trouble here. I used the F10 method to add both hard drives to the RAID array (striping) which was no problem.

However during windows set up I press F6 to load the SATA/RAID drivers and it brings me to a screen that says "no hard drives found... no floppy found..." and whatnot. What's the deal? The motherboard didn't come with any floppy for this.

Also, according to the RAID setup screen, my total capacity is ~279 gigs... Is that normal? I know that you never get the advertised capacity with any hard drive, but losing 21 gigs seems excessive. :(
 
Ignore the last post I now realize that I have to make my own floppy with RAID/SATA drivers. The question now is, which one do I choose?

raid.jpg


Or do I go to the website and get the newest one? And if so, I assume there will be a couple of different choices like shown in the picture. So which do I need?

This is the only thing holding me back from setting up my computer. Please help if you can! Thanks! :)
 
The drivers on CD should work fine. Which controller is the drive plugged into, SilImage or Nv? Choose the Raid driver for 32 bits for that controller.

279 GB is about right: drives are advertised in terms of 1GB=10^9 bytes, while your computer measures things in terms of 1GB=2^30 (1073741824) bytes. This little difference is what makes you "lose" the extra space. 150 GB of advertised space = 150000000000 bytes = 139.7 "real" GB. Over 2 disks, you lose 20.6 GB of advertised space.

And remember to backup - not that the raptors are particularly likely to fail, but if *either* of them does go down you lose *all* of your data.

 
I have no idea what you mean by the controller question... It's plugged into SATA ports 1 and 2 on the motherboard if that helps. :p

edit - wait a minute, the motherboard mentions a silicon image sata connector, labeled SATA_RAID2 but there is only one. I have my HD's plugged into the standard SATA ports which are said to be nvidia so I guess I have to choose the first one.

Thanks for the help!
 
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