How can I clone my HDD to my new RAID?

[Jesse Reyes]

I have a server that currently has two separate 1TB HDD's for storage, each with different data (drive U:\ and drive W:\). I want to clone each one of those into two different RAIDs. How can I go about getting this done?

 

[CircuitDaemon]

If it's just data without any OS or bootable software, why don't you just copy the files directly into the raid partition? Are they on a different server? could you elaborate on your current setup just to imagine the easiest approach?

 

[Jesse Reyes]

If it's just data without any OS or bootable software, why don't you just copy the files directly into the raid partition? Are they on a different server? could you elaborate on your current setup just to imagine the easiest approach?

Right, only data, no OS and no bootable sorftware. I thought about transferring the files over but some files may be protected and it may cause my data transfer to stop right in the middle and I may loose track of where I left off and with so many files it may be hard to figure out what copied and what not. That's why I thought of cloning, it will just copy everything with or without protection on the files.

 

[CircuitDaemon]

If it's just data without any OS or bootable software, why don't you just copy the files directly into the raid partition? Are they on a different server? could you elaborate on your current setup just to imagine the easiest approach?

Right, only data, no OS and no bootable sorftware. I thought about transferring the files over but some files may be protected and it may cause my data transfer to stop right in the middle and I may loose track of where I left off and with so many files it may be hard to figure out what copied and what not. That's why I thought of cloning, it will just copy everything with or without protection on the files.

Cloning with free software would be a little bit annoying since both partitions might not be the same size. You can use CloneZilla but I'd say it's too much trouble for something that simple.

For situations like yours, I like to use GoodSync but it's not free. They have a free to try version but you might run into limitations by the number of files. http://www.goodsync.com/

There's also teracopy, which will keep track of whatever cannot be copied and you can take note when the other files have finished being copied. http://www.codesector.com/teracopy

I've used both and they work fine, but you may want to look at this list:
http://lifehacker.com/5280976/five-best-alternative-file-copiers

If you want to go the cloning route, Acronis True Image is able to use drives in RAID and will make any adjustments necessary to make the partition fit, but it's not free.

 

[FireWire2]

I have a server that currently has two separate 1TB HDD's for storage, each with different data (drive U:\ and drive W:\). I want to clone each one of those into two different RAIDs. How can I go about getting this done?

You can use this Retain DATA controller here and make the two RAID 1 out of it
http://www.datoptic.com/ec/retain-data-raid-mirror-dual-sata-iii-6gb-s-raid-controller-direct-attached-driver-less-html.html

One step, accomplice everything you want - if you order use code: SAV8 to save 8% additional to free shipping

 

[Jesse Reyes]

I have a server that currently has two separate 1TB HDD's for storage, each with different data (drive U:\ and drive W:\). I want to clone each one of those into two different RAIDs. How can I go about getting this done?

You can use this Retain DATA controller here and make the two RAID 1 out of it
http://www.datoptic.com/ec/retain-data-raid-mirror-dual-sata-iii-6gb-s-raid-controller-direct-attached-driver-less-html.html

One step, accomplice everything you want - if you order use code: SAV8 to save 8% additional to free shipping

Thank you! I looked into it and it seems like a great product. The only downside is that it doesn't support RAID 5, which is what I have.

 

[FireWire2]

I have a server that currently has two separate 1TB HDD's for storage, each with different data (drive U:\ and drive W:\). I want to clone each one of those into two different RAIDs. How can I go about getting this done?

You can use this Retain DATA controller here and make the two RAID 1 out of it
http://www.datoptic.com/ec/retain-data-raid-mirror-dual-sata-iii-6gb-s-raid-controller-direct-attached-driver-less-html.html

One step, accomplice everything you want - if you order use code: SAV8 to save 8% additional to free shipping

Thank you! I looked into it and it seems like a great product. The only downside is that it doesn't support RAID 5, which is what I have.

The above controller allows you to CLONE your drives...
If you want a low cost raid 5, use this:
http://www.amazon.com/multiplier-hardware-RAID0-CLONE-Controller/dp/B004JPUZWU
I used it and lot of people use it, look at the reviews