Adding a StarTech PEXSAT32 to a Dell Inspiron 660

[shortmort37]

It has a 1TB Seagate ST1000524AS as the boot drive. I want to RAID 0 it with a 1TB Western Digital WD10EZEX using the PEXSAT32. If I plug both drives into it, will it just work?! After going through the BIOS config, of course... The instructions are a little short on detail.

Thanks
Dan

 

[GhislainG]

The instructions are quite easy if you're familiar with RAID. You'll have to enter the controller's BIOS (Ctrl-m) and configure the RAID 0. Next will be to re-install the OS (make sure you have the drivers on a USB stick if installing a server OS) since the data on the ST1000524AS will be lost. I presume you understand the risks of RAID 0 using different hard disks not meant to be used in a RAID configuration.

 

[shortmort37]

The instructions are quite easy if you're familiar with RAID. You'll have to enter the controller's BIOS (Ctrl-m) and configure the RAID 0. Next will be to re-install the OS (make sure you have the drivers on a USB stick if installing a server OS) since the data on the ST1000524AS will be lost. I presume you understand the risks of RAID 0 using different hard disks not meant to be used in a RAID configuration.

Oh, no... That's exactly what I wanted to avoid, rebuilding my system. There's simply no way to attain RAID 0 without starting afresh?

 

[GhislainG]

Absolutely not; you may be able to setup RAID 1 without rebuilding, but RAID 0 definitely is not possible with that inexpensive controller. Why would you want to use RAID 0? That system probably isn't important; otherwise you'd avoid RAID 0 like the plague.

 

[shortmort37]

My bad! I now realize that RAID 0 is striping; my intent is to mirror my boot drive (RAID 1). Sorry for the misdirect.

So, is it possible? Can I create a RAID 1 array using my existing boot drive, and mirror it to the virgin drive? What are the steps I would need to take (after first creating a backup, of course)?

 

[GhislainG]

I would set the controller in RAID 1, connect the hard disk that contains the OS and see if it boots. It won't boot unless the drivers are already installed, but that depends on the Windows version, etc. If or when that works, then add the second HDD and rebuild the RAID. Don't expect too much from such an inexpensive controller.

 

[shortmort37]

I finally got around to installing this controller in my Dell Inspiron 660. Without moving the SATA cables, I booted, and Windows reported the controller, just as the booklet said. I then rebooted, but saw no splash for the controller - I typed CTRL-m any way, but it booted into Windows. Per StarTech support, they had me change the BIOS from EUFI to Legacy boot, but when I then booted I got a warning about no bootable drives found, insert media... My computer is out of warranty, so Dell offered no help (even though they resell the PEXSAT32).

So, I'm at a loss. Is it just that the motherboard will simply not permit boot from an add-on PCI-e controller? Or is there something else for me to try?

Dan

 

[GhislainG]

If the BIOS was in UEFI mode, then you need a compatible RAID controller; an alternate solution is to set it to legacy mode and re-install the OS, but that's something you'd rather not do.

 

[shortmort37]

If the BIOS was in UEFI mode, then you need a compatible RAID controller...

Ah! So, the PEXSAT32 is not UEFI compatible? For $30 bucks, I'm not out much. Can you identify a UEFI compatible RAID controller I could evaluate?

Many thanks
Dan

 

[GhislainG]

What's your budget? Why the need for RAID 1 if it didn't exist when you bought that system based on a B75 chipset? Was the hard disk connected to the PEXSAT32 when the OS was installed?

 

[shortmort37]

What's your budget? Why the need for RAID 1 if it didn't exist when you bought that system based on a B75 chipset? Was the hard disk connected to the PEXSAT32 when the OS was installed?

It was only after I purchased the computer, that I thought better just doing routine Macrium backups, with the hassle of rebuilding a system from one of the backups. I'd like to gain some measure of protection by mirroring my hard drive, with the hope that I can detect a hardware failure and replace the bad drive. So the PEXSAT32 was an afterthought, but it doesn't seem like it can cut it.

I'm looking at USB 3.0 external RAIDs now, but would prefer to house the drives internally. I'd rather not spend more that 100 bucks or so.

Dan

 

[GhislainG]

What version of Windows? While RAID 1 may be very good, files deleted by mistake or a virus will affect both hard disks; therefore backups still are required. If you want a RAID controller, then check Adaptec, LSI, Areca, etc. UEFI compatible RAID controllers may not be within your budget.

 

[bobmendon]

I tried going down the usb raid path and discovered that unless the enclosure has built in raid, you can't raid the drives in it via software raid. From what I can see, those that do have raid built in, also have a long history of issues. I am in the process of pulling the drives into a box.

 

[GhislainG]

I tried going down the usb raid path and discovered that unless the enclosure has built in raid, you can't raid the drives in it via software raid. From what I can see, those that do have raid built in, also have a long history of issues. I am in the process of pulling the drives into a box.

RAID is fine when using a good controller. People often run into issues because they don't understand how RAID works or they use RAID 0 to increase I/O performance, but ignore the fact that it also increases the likelihood of data loss. I've been using RAID in enterprise environments for a long time and I never ran into serious issues.

 

[bobmendon]

I tried going down the usb raid path and discovered that unless the enclosure has built in raid, you can't raid the drives in it via software raid. From what I can see, those that do have raid built in, also have a long history of issues. I am in the process of pulling the drives into a box.

RAID is fine when using a good controller. People often run into issues because they don't understand how RAID works or they use RAID 0 to increase I/O performance, but ignore the fact that it also increases the likelihood of data loss. I've been using RAID in enterprise environments for a long time and I never ran into serious issues.

What? Enterprise raid with no fatalities? That's an amazing record. You must have had occasional issues with controller cards having their batteries swell up and so on. I get what you are saying about using a good controller. However, even then one pays their money and takes their chances unless they are willing to shell out $300+ for a good (read serious and professional) card.

 

[GhislainG]

Batteries that go bad don't cause data loss; they simply prevent write caching and awful performance. I ran into a battery issue once, but a firmware update took care of it.