Vista - Raid non raid problem

**Sentar** · 11-09-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by JetJock

This thread is the closest I've come to something similar to my problem, I hope you forgive the semi-hijack...

P5Q Pro
Q6600
2x2GB Mushkin 800
500GB Seagate (Boot drive)
300GB Maxtor x3
Vista x64

I've got the OS (Vista x64) installed on a non-Raid drive, which was installed as the drive configuration was set to "enhanced IDE" in the Bios. (as opposed to RAID or AHCI). Currently my computer is running fine with lots of software installed.

Then I wanted to add a RAID5 array on three 300 GB HDs, so I changed the Bios drive configuration to RAID, set up my drives accordingly and rebooted to the Blue Screen of Death. After trying to repair the OS a couple of times, I gave up on the RAID5, changed my Bios back to 'enhanced IDE' and like one of the above posts mentions, my computer booted up beautifully.

I'm thinking that I should have set the BIOS to RAID, even though the OS install was not on a RAID drive.

Is there anyway to add my Raid5 array and salvage my OS install (and programs)... ?

Also; my 500GB HD is partitioned - if I change the BIOS to RAID and install the OS on the first partition, will it affect the other partition?

From Sentar

Sorry I tried with my system before getting it right to get my Raid working I backed up all data on the C: then performed FDisk on the c: to remove all traces of anything (otherwisw Vista seem to keep the stuff on c: and then screws its self up.
one question are the three 300gb drives NQC drives as i have found that the raid drives need to be of the same release version and also I have found the same HDD BIOS and i eveb go as far as the raid drives having the same areial no's exceept for the last 3 digits.
good luck

**JetJock** · 11-09-2008

Just to be perfectly clear in my current configuration I have;

1. 500GB Drive Partitioned as;

60GB - with Vista OS
430GB - has my backed up files.

2. 300GBx3 Raid5 Array. Empty

If I configure my Bios for Raid - system will not boot (BSOD), as I suspect it is because I installed Vista on a non-Raid drive without RAID selected in the BIOS.

I don't think there is any issue with the 3x300GB RAID5 (yet), because when I boot up with the install disk it recognizes the two partitions of the 500GB and the 600GB array.

If a re-install Vista on the 60GB partition (non-Raid), with RAID selected in the BIOS (which is what I understand from this thread that is what is required), will it affect the 430GB partition? I know normally it would not, but since the BIOS selection of RAID vs. IDE affects the boot drive, I don't know what will happen to the partition.

Truthfully, I'm not even going to try (I'm butchering my wife's computer for her hard drive as I type), but I'm still quite interested in what would happen to the second partition.

**art1** · 11-09-2008

Sentar,

You have done what I am attempting to do while building a Home Premium Vista 64 machine for my daughter. That is, I installed Vista 64 on a single hard drive and created a RAID1 drive with the intention of putting all else including programs and data on the RAID disk. However, I have been unsuccessful moving the User files to the RAID file attempting to follow the tutorial found on this website. Please see the thread on 'Install RAID on already installed VISTA". Thanks!

Art1

**Sentar** · 11-09-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by JetJock

Just to be perfectly clear in my current configuration I have;

1. 500GB Drive Partitioned as;

60GB - with Vista OS
430GB - has my backed up files.

2. 300GBx3 Raid5 Array. Empty

If I configure my Bios for Raid - system will not boot (BSOD), as I suspect it is because I installed Vista on a non-Raid drive without RAID selected in the BIOS.

I don't think there is any issue with the 3x300GB RAID5 (yet), because when I boot up with the install disk it recognizes the two partitions of the 500GB and the 600GB array.

If a re-install Vista on the 60GB partition (non-Raid), with RAID selected in the BIOS (which is what I understand from this thread that is what is required), will it affect the 430GB partition? I know normally it would not, but since the BIOS selection of RAID vs. IDE affects the boot drive, I don't know what will happen to the partition.

Truthfully, I'm not even going to try (I'm butchering my wife's computer for her hard drive as I type), but I'm still quite interested in what would happen to the second partition.

From Sentar,

Not sure with partitioned Disks, I never use partitioned disks I find it a reciepe for disaster.

I would imagine the data could/would be lost, but then Vista 64bit may finf the partition and let you use the disk/partition you want to install it, but I would look at the worst case and suggest you will loos the big partition with data on it.

Good Luck Sentar

**art1** · 11-09-2008

Sentar,

I think I did not explain my goal adequately.

No partitioning involved. I have 3 hard drives installed. The first is a single drive which is the C: drive. My intent is to have it hold the VITAS 64 O/S only. The other 2 drives are configured as one RAID1 drive. That RAID1 configuration is complete except that I could not figure out how to move the User folder to it in order to keep all of the USER data on it.

Perhaps that is not possible. Perhaps I must keep the User files on the C: drive and just keep the program files on the RAID drive. That, I guess, is the issue.

Art1

**Sentar** · 11-09-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by art1

Sentar,

I think I did not explain my goal adequately.

No partitioning involved. I have 3 hard drives installed. The first is a single drive which is the C: drive. My intent is to have it hold the VITAS 64 O/S only. The other 2 drives are configured as one RAID1 drive. That RAID1 configuration is complete except that I could not figure out how to move the User folder to it in order to keep all of the USER data on it.

Perhaps that is not possible. Perhaps I must keep the User files on the C: drive and just keep the program files on the RAID drive. That, I guess, is the issue.

Art1

From Sentar....

Sorry I did not fully understand.
On my rid drives I have NOT moved my user folder over I have just told my Applications where the data is stored.

On my RAID 1 drive I have set up folders eg: Office the WORD, Excel, etc and told each application where to find and store the data.
I have not tried to move my USER folder there as I understand it contains system information.

I hope this helps.

Sentar

**art1** · 11-10-2008

Yes, thank you.

Art1

11-09-2008	#11 (permalink)
Sentar VISTA Ultimate 64bit 22 posts	Re: Raid non raid problem Quote: Originally Posted by JetJock This thread is the closest I've come to something similar to my problem, I hope you forgive the semi-hijack... P5Q Pro Q6600 2x2GB Mushkin 800 500GB Seagate (Boot drive) 300GB Maxtor x3 Vista x64 I've got the OS (Vista x64) installed on a non-Raid drive, which was installed as the drive configuration was set to "enhanced IDE" in the Bios. (as opposed to RAID or AHCI). Currently my computer is running fine with lots of software installed. Then I wanted to add a RAID5 array on three 300 GB HDs, so I changed the Bios drive configuration to RAID, set up my drives accordingly and rebooted to the Blue Screen of Death. After trying to repair the OS a couple of times, I gave up on the RAID5, changed my Bios back to 'enhanced IDE' and like one of the above posts mentions, my computer booted up beautifully. I'm thinking that I should have set the BIOS to RAID, even though the OS install was not on a RAID drive. Is there anyway to add my Raid5 array and salvage my OS install (and programs)... ? Also; my 500GB HD is partitioned - if I change the BIOS to RAID and install the OS on the first partition, will it affect the other partition? From Sentar Sorry I tried with my system before getting it right to get my Raid working I backed up all data on the C: then performed FDisk on the c: to remove all traces of anything (otherwisw Vista seem to keep the stuff on c: and then screws its self up. one question are the three 300gb drives NQC drives as i have found that the raid drives need to be of the same release version and also I have found the same HDD BIOS and i eveb go as far as the raid drives having the same areial no's exceept for the last 3 digits. good luck
My System Specs

11-09-2008	#12 (permalink)
JetJock Vista Ultimate x64 5 posts	Re: Raid non raid problem Just to be perfectly clear in my current configuration I have; 1. 500GB Drive Partitioned as; 60GB - with Vista OS 430GB - has my backed up files. 2. 300GBx3 Raid5 Array. Empty If I configure my Bios for Raid - system will not boot (BSOD), as I suspect it is because I installed Vista on a non-Raid drive without RAID selected in the BIOS. I don't think there is any issue with the 3x300GB RAID5 (yet), because when I boot up with the install disk it recognizes the two partitions of the 500GB and the 600GB array. If a re-install Vista on the 60GB partition (non-Raid), with RAID selected in the BIOS (which is what I understand from this thread that is what is required), will it affect the 430GB partition? I know normally it would not, but since the BIOS selection of RAID vs. IDE affects the boot drive, I don't know what will happen to the partition. Truthfully, I'm not even going to try (I'm butchering my wife's computer for her hard drive as I type), but I'm still quite interested in what would happen to the second partition.
My System Specs

11-09-2008	#13 (permalink)
art1 Vista Home Premium 32bit 15 posts	Re: Raid non raid problem An Answer... Sentar, You have done what I am attempting to do while building a Home Premium Vista 64 machine for my daughter. That is, I installed Vista 64 on a single hard drive and created a RAID1 drive with the intention of putting all else including programs and data on the RAID disk. However, I have been unsuccessful moving the User files to the RAID file attempting to follow the tutorial found on this website. Please see the thread on 'Install RAID on already installed VISTA". Thanks! Art1
My System Specs

11-09-2008	#14 (permalink)
Sentar VISTA Ultimate 64bit 22 posts	Re: Raid non raid problem Quote: Originally Posted by JetJock Just to be perfectly clear in my current configuration I have; 1. 500GB Drive Partitioned as; 60GB - with Vista OS 430GB - has my backed up files. 2. 300GBx3 Raid5 Array. Empty If I configure my Bios for Raid - system will not boot (BSOD), as I suspect it is because I installed Vista on a non-Raid drive without RAID selected in the BIOS. I don't think there is any issue with the 3x300GB RAID5 (yet), because when I boot up with the install disk it recognizes the two partitions of the 500GB and the 600GB array. If a re-install Vista on the 60GB partition (non-Raid), with RAID selected in the BIOS (which is what I understand from this thread that is what is required), will it affect the 430GB partition? I know normally it would not, but since the BIOS selection of RAID vs. IDE affects the boot drive, I don't know what will happen to the partition. Truthfully, I'm not even going to try (I'm butchering my wife's computer for her hard drive as I type), but I'm still quite interested in what would happen to the second partition. From Sentar, Not sure with partitioned Disks, I never use partitioned disks I find it a reciepe for disaster. I would imagine the data could/would be lost, but then Vista 64bit may finf the partition and let you use the disk/partition you want to install it, but I would look at the worst case and suggest you will loos the big partition with data on it. Good Luck Sentar
My System Specs

11-09-2008	#15 (permalink)
art1 Vista Home Premium 32bit 15 posts	Re: Raid non raid problem Sentar, I think I did not explain my goal adequately. No partitioning involved. I have 3 hard drives installed. The first is a single drive which is the C: drive. My intent is to have it hold the VITAS 64 O/S only. The other 2 drives are configured as one RAID1 drive. That RAID1 configuration is complete except that I could not figure out how to move the User folder to it in order to keep all of the USER data on it. Perhaps that is not possible. Perhaps I must keep the User files on the C: drive and just keep the program files on the RAID drive. That, I guess, is the issue. Art1
My System Specs

11-09-2008	#16 (permalink)
Sentar VISTA Ultimate 64bit 22 posts	Re: Raid non raid problem Quote: Originally Posted by art1 Sentar, I think I did not explain my goal adequately. No partitioning involved. I have 3 hard drives installed. The first is a single drive which is the C: drive. My intent is to have it hold the VITAS 64 O/S only. The other 2 drives are configured as one RAID1 drive. That RAID1 configuration is complete except that I could not figure out how to move the User folder to it in order to keep all of the USER data on it. Perhaps that is not possible. Perhaps I must keep the User files on the C: drive and just keep the program files on the RAID drive. That, I guess, is the issue. Art1 From Sentar.... Sorry I did not fully understand. On my rid drives I have NOT moved my user folder over I have just told my Applications where the data is stored. On my RAID 1 drive I have set up folders eg: Office the WORD, Excel, etc and told each application where to find and store the data. I have not tried to move my USER folder there as I understand it contains system information. I hope this helps. Sentar
My System Specs

11-10-2008	#17 (permalink)
art1 Vista Home Premium 32bit 15 posts	Re: Raid non raid problem Yes, thank you. Art1
My System Specs

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