ATA100 Raid config problem

[Guest]

I just pieced together a new system, and I'm trying to get it up and rolling. I know quite a bit about computers, but have never had any experience with raid setup at all...

My system is this:
AMD 1.2 266FSB
512MB PC2100 DDR (2x256 Crucial
Iwill KA266-R mobo
2 Maxtor 60GB 7200RPM ATA100 HDs
blah, blah

the rest really isn't all that important

My question is: What is the proper procedure for configuring the RAID 0 array and doing a fresh install of W2K pro? Do you install Windows before you configure the array, or do you configure the array first? I have tried several things, none of them sucessful, and I just want to hear from people who have already set up a system like this.

Help guys, I have this incredible computer sitting here useless until I figure this out!!!

Where's the any key?

 

[camieabz]

Well I'm no expert on RAID either, but I thought with RAID 0 the point was to take two HDDs and make one speedy drive. It makes sense to me to configure the array first, so you have your drive, then install the OS.

<b>
"Now drop your weapons or I'll kill him with this deadly jelly baby."
</b>

 

[Guest]

I had a similar problem to you at first, but after a second try I got it to work. It was just a bit of trial and error in my case.

My system board is an ABIT KT7-RAID, which utilises the onboard HPT370 RAID Chip. Yours uses the AMI RAID Chip and not the better known Promise controller, so I'm not sure what problems you may encounter.

Here's what I did:

1. Go into the RAID BIOS and configure the drive how you want it. That would logically be RAID 0 since you have only two drives (4 drives for RAID 0+1).

2. Boot into DOS and format your drive. Follow the prompts to complete the partitioning process of the new drive. Choose FAT32 file system for Win9x and NTFS for Win2000 (NTFS is better for Win2000, but use FAT32 if you are deciding on a duel operating system such as Win98/Win2000 combination).

3. Install Windows (I installed Windows 98).

Just a note, if you go back into the RAID BIOS and reconfigure your drives, it will completely erase anything on it if you choose to accept the new settings. So be careful about that.