Can't change RAID configuration HDD WD

[alvik]

Hello,
I bought a 4TB WD HDD and the WD soft gave me RAID 1 option from the start. It says I can do both - can u advice on how to get back to RAID 0 to have full 4TB? I am running Windows 7. Would appreciate any advice.

 

[sub mesa]

Explain what you want, first.

First you talk about RAID1 then you talk about RAID0 and you also talk about having both. So what do you want? You have to choose between:
- 4 disks in RAID0
- 4 disks in RAID1 (often not supported)
- 4 disks in RAID 0+1 (striping & mirroring)

Any change to the RAID array would mean all data on it is destroyed. Keep this in mind. Also, make sure you have a FULL BACKUP of your data you do not wish to lose.

A RAID can never replace a backup.

 

[alvik]

Dear Sub MESA,
this is a brand new external drive, no data, and I want to configure RAID 0 to have 4TB capacity ( it is blocked and shows only RAID 1 option in WD soft, I can only format it for 2T which wouild be RAID 1 which I do not want). So, I need to get the fullest capacity out of this drive which is 4TB available only in RAID 0 mode...Please, advice
Alvik

 

[alvik]

Explain what you want, first.

First you talk about RAID1 then you talk about RAID0 and you also talk about having both. So what do you want? You have to choose between:
- 4 disks in RAID0
- 4 disks in RAID1 (often not supported)
- 4 disks in RAID 0+1 (striping & mirroring)

Any change to the RAID array would mean all data on it is destroyed. Keep this in mind. Also, make sure you have a FULL BACKUP of your data you do not wish to lose.

A RAID can never replace a backup.

Dear Sub MESA,
this is a brand new external drive, no data, and I want to configure RAID 0 to have 4TB capacity ( it is blocked and shows only RAID 1 option in WD soft, I can only format it for 2T which wouild be RAID 1 which I do not want). So, I need to get the fullest capacity out of this drive which is 4TB available only in RAID 0 mode...Please, advice
Alvik

 

[alvik]

Oh - this is A SINGLE external drive: 4TB My Book Studio Edition II Dual Drive Storage System with RAID, eSATA, FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0

 

[sub mesa]

I suspect its actually a 2 x 2TB thing, so you can have either 2 of them in RAID1 and have 2TB capacity, or both of them in RAID0 and have 4TB capacity.

I guess the 4TB option is what you want. However, you would need to use GPT to make partitions that large. You are using Windows 7? Could you post a screenshot of the Disk Management screen? You get there via Start -> Right click My Computer -> Click Manage -> Click Disk Management.

It kind of depends on whether the DAS-device (=Direct Attached Storage) implements the RAID on the hardware level (extra PCB) or using drivers instead.

Also, what are you using to connect to? USB? Or eSATA?

 

[alvik]

You are correct: it's 2x2TB thingy and I want both of them in RAID0 to have 4TB capacity. I have all the connection options - so, whatever you advice - for now I am using USB. I am trying to paste a screenshot - DISK 8 listed is what I've got (2T instead of 4T) - but it wouldn't cut and paste in this msg...Don't know how to use URL for posting an image...

 

[alvik]

I would be happy to email you the screenshot image as jpg attachement

 

[nps_ellison]

I would be happy to email you the screenshot image as jpg attachement

Alvik--Did you get ths resolved? I'm in exactly the same boat. When use the WD Raid Manager my option for RAID0 is greyed out.

raquel_ellison@nps.gov