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getting started in RAID

(9 posts)
  • Started 5 months ago by connoroneill3
  • Latest reply from raphoenix
  • Topic Viewed 315 times

connoroneill3
Posts: 20

Hi

I want to learn more about RAID systems, i know what they are and everything like that im at the stage where i want to build one, but i don’t know what hardware to use. this is where i need some help.

What i have is 4 spare HDD bays in my PC so i could do it internal (but im not sure about the power requirements)
i also have many only PCs (about 5 years old) so i have cases and power units that i can use.
i also have many 80gb HDDD i can use

what i really dont know about is the raid controller, there is a lot on the market and i dont really know what i need and how to do it.

any help would be awesome. and sorry if my explanation is crap

oh and my OS is win 7 64 bit

Cheers

Connor

Posted 5 months ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Connor,

Please post the Exact Make and Model Number of your Motherboard plus the Power Supply Wattage.

Rick P.

Posted 5 months ago #
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ispalten
ispalten
Posts: 6259

It isn't complicated but you do need a RAID controller. Most would be SATA too, not IDE I think. Some motherboards already come with it.

Anyway, check these links out :

https://www.pcworld.com/article/157677/How_to_Install_RAID.html
http://www.pcstats.com/article.....icleID=830

RAID's, and there are many 'varieties/formats' usually require MATCHED hard drives, doesn't always work well is mismatched sets.

Irv S.

Posted 5 months ago #
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connoroneill3
Posts: 20

Rick P - its an Asus P7P55LX

Posted 5 months ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

The MB is LGA 1156 platform with Intel P55 Chipset.

It already has Built-in Bios Raid 6 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), blue Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
http://www.asus.com/Motherboar.....ifications

Download the Manual and read.
http://www.asus.com/Motherboar...../#download

Posted 5 months ago #
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connoroneill3
Posts: 20

so correct me if im wrong here, but i connect the drives just like normal (to the motheboard) , then i go into the BIOS and configure them to RAID?
then what do i do ? do i have to do anything within windows 7 or will it just appear as one working drive?

Posted 5 months ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

1. The HDDs or SSDs you wish to use in a Raid array should all have the same capacity and also have the same cache buffer.

2. Preferably they should be from the same Manufacturer and have the same Model Number.

Do your HDDs meet either of the requirements in sentence 1 or 2 above ????

Posted 5 months ago #
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connoroneill3
Posts: 20

my HDD will be exactally the same as each other

Posted 5 months ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Connect Drives as per Manual.

Configure Bios for Raid as per Manual.

Reboot and tap Control Key + I Key to get into Raid Setup per Manual.

Configure Raid Array (Raid 0 or 1) per Manual and save.

Reboot and Clean Install Windows 7 per Tutorial.

http://www.howtogeek.com/forum.....?replies=1

Ignore making bootable USB stick and start from first Halt Screen if installing from DVD.

Posted 5 months ago #
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