How to Split a Drive Involved with RAID!

[TheAceMan1]

Howdy All! . . .

Finally broke down and bought a Vista machine. It has one hardrive (approx. 700 GB) currently setup in a RAID configuration. Current partitions are:

C:\ "Windows Vista"
D:\ "Factory Image"

Its my intention for my data stores to add at least two additional partitions (drives).

I know RAID is good, I just need to know:
Can I just go ahead and set the partitions leaving expected additionl space for RAID, or are there other entities involved in RAID I need too account for, before I do?

[blue]Your Thoughts? . . .[/blue]

See Ya! . . . . . .

Be sure to see thread181-473997
Also faq181-2886

 

[Lemon13]

raid with one harddisk?????????
doesnt make any sence!!!

have a read on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redundant_array_of_independent_disks

 

[wahnula]

It has one hardrive (approx. 700 GB) currently setup in a RAID configuration

Make sure that 700 GB is coming from at least (2) drives, which will appear as one in Windows Explorer.

I know RAID is good...

...not always...RAID 0 and JBOD can be disastrous if a single drive fails.

First, study up on the RAID levels, here's a good, quick source:

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/perf/raid/levels/

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[goombawaho]

Yeah - you're confusing your terms with Partition and Drive as well. Be accurate so we can help you.

Are you going to install 2 more disk drives or just 1??? First, the machine has to be capable of doing RAID, meaning you need a controller on the motherboard or an add-in card to do the RAID.

If your motherboard has the capability (or you buy a controller), adding 2 drives and making them a RAID1 (mirror) is probably the way to go and leave your OS and Factory image alone and not mirrored as a separate drive.

 

[ArizonaGeek]

Well I think what you're trying to do would involve a complete reinstall of your operating system. It sounds like you're wanting to split your 700 gigs into 2 or more partitions (maybe 40 gigs for an OS, a factory image partition and then the rest for a storage drive) which can be done but with Windows alone you'd need a complete reinstall of the OS.

You can use some third party apps like Partition Magic, which you'd have to purchase, to split the drive but I must warn you up front that messing with a drive with an OS installed it could be problems. Windows really doesn't like it. While it may work, you shouldn't bet the farm on it. Have good back ups of your Factory Image (which you should do anyway in case your hard drive dies) and of your important data you've already put on the PC. Good luck!

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[ArizonaGeek]

Goombawaho, I don't think he wanted to do RAID I just think he was a bit confused on the terminology. I just think he wanted to do some splitting of his hard drive.

Of course, in a home situation for the average user, RAID is really a bit of an overkill and can be expensive but if that's what he wants so be it.

We're here to help the noobs with their problems as well as their terminology.

Cheers
Rob

The answer is always "PEBKAC!

 

[wahnula]

We're here to help the noobs with their problems as well as their terminology.

Couldn't agree more, Rob...but click on TheAceMan1's handle...you'll see over 1100 stars received in the Access forums! I'm used to seeing that handle in the VIP list regularly, I was surprised to see it here and eager to help.

I guess even a whiz programmer can be a hardware noob, so AceMan1, we're ready when you are.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[goombawaho]

I'm not so sure about helping real noobs (no offense to original poster or calling him a real noob). After reading some posts, it's clear that some people just shouldn't be messing with whatever it is that they're thinking about messing with even with our advice.

In other words, it's not a good idea for us "experts" to hand the loaded gun to the noob and say "repartition your hard drive" or "break your RAID1 mirror". It might just not be something you should point someone to do.

It's always "easy" in our minds, but having an inexperienced person do it doesn't always translate. Ok, done now - not trying to be unhelpful here.

And by the way, whoever said RAID is expensive is incorrect. Many motherboards feature a controller built-in. The machine I'm working on right now (vintage 2002 ASUS) has RAID1 that has served me well ever since. I would say it's highly appropriate for home users. Would I advise them to buy a $200 RAID controller?? Probably not, but a desktop based-unit - sure thing, if you like your data safe.

 

[TheLad]

If the poster has 700Gb useable diskspace, I would assume that he has 2 x 350Gb drives in a RAID 0 configuration since I cannot remember seeing 700Gb drives on sale

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"Insert funny comment in here!"
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[BadBigBen]

Just a thought, maybe he just rounded up from 698GB, which is the usuable area of a 750GB drive...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."