If I do the raid 1 configuration with my current hdd and the new one, will I loose all the data?

[asdgw]

I have a 1tb wd blue hdd. I want to buy another one like it and configure it for raid 1 for backup. My current hdd is filled with data. If I do the raid 1 configuration with my current hdd and the new one, will I loose all the data?

 

[mbarnes86]

Hi

Better to backup to an external hdd using usb 3.0 or esata
Then keep drive in a different location to avoid risk of fire, flood or theft

Whether you can add a disk and make it a mirror depends on motherboard, raid bios etc .

It is risky unless you have a backup of critical data and have details of raid setup proceedures

Regards
Mike Barnes

 

[USAFRet]

Standard mantra: RAID 1 is not a backup

It can be helpful in one and only one circumstance, a dead drive. It does nothing for accidental deletion, corruption, virus, malware, etc.

There are much better, easier ways to ensure the safety of your data.

 

[asdgw]

Ok. So If I get a malware or a virus it will infect both raid drives?

 

[USAFRet]

Ok. So If I get a malware or a virus it will infect both raid drives?

Exactly. It is a mirror. Everything just happens twice.
Similarly, an accidental file deletion.

 

[asdgw]

So my best option is to make a backup my self. One more thing. Which is better, a 2tb seagate barracuda or a 2tb wd green?

 

[USAFRet]

So my best option is to make a backup my self. One more thing. Which is better, a 2tb seagate barracuda or a 2tb wd green?

Is this your OS drive, or a secondary drive?
There are multiple ways of doing what you want.

 

[asdgw]

My current one is split in 2 partitions. 1 for the os and the other is data like movies etc.. The one that I'm buying next is for backup only and even I may disconnect it after I make the backup to extend it's life.

 

[USAFRet]

My current one is split in 2 partitions. 1 for the os and the other is data like movies etc..

OK...so an application like Macrium Reflect or Casper will do a partition or whole disk image, to another drive.
On a schedule you set, all automated.

For instance, I have my C drive imaged every night at 2AM. All automated.

For other drives with just pics/movies, I use SyncBackFree.
Copies files or folders as needed, again on a schedule.

 

[asdgw]

thank you.