Install WinXP/2000 to RAID 0 w/o floppy?

[SoopahMan]

I have a machine that has no floppy drive. I'd like to buy a SATA RAID controller, attach 2 SATA drives, and install Win2000 or XP onto them in a RAID 0 config.

Is this possible? Adaptec's documentation suggests it isn't for their products... .

Thanks!

 

[lunitic]

It should be possible. As of Adaptec i don't know, I have a Promise RAID controller. First install controller + HDs. Boot PC and define array. Then reboot from Win2k CDROM, very soon you'll see the message "Press F8 to load RAID drivers", (or something similar) press F8 and load the drivers from the adaptec driver CD. The rest should be standard.
BTW: Chances are that w2k/xp already has drivers for your controller, so you might try them. I would use the Adaptec drivers though.
BTW2: In order to boot from the array you have to set the boot-device to SCSI in the BIOS.
BTW3: It's fairly easy to hook up a floppy drive to your system

 

[SoopahMan]

Thank you very much for the response!

The floppy complication is that this is an SFF machine (BioStar IDEQ 200N), so both drive slots will be taken. A floppy drive would have to hang out if absolutely necessary (and I'd ditch it ASAP).

But, the CD story is very encouraging. The RAID controller is the new Via VT6-something, adds RAID to an MB. I doubt XP has the drivers for it built-in but there's always hope 😱)

Thanks a lot for the help!

 

[goblinking]

XP doesn't have SATA controllers in it, RAID or otherwise. You will need to install them from disc when XP prompts you for the RAID controllers, although chances are fairly good you can use a CD instead of a floppy, if you prepare the CD beforehand. I'm pretty sure the XP installer supports CD reading.

 

[FallOutBoyTonto]

<A HREF="http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8134&highlight=" target="_new">http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8134&highlight=</A>

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=24106" target="_new">My System Rig</A>
<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=535386" target="_new">3DMark03</A><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by FallOutBoyTonto on 08/22/03 09:36 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[SoopahMan]

When it asks for the SATA (etc) files, does it demand a floppy? Or can it be on a CD or other drive?

For example would it let me just pop out the XP CD, put in a drivers CD and work from there?

That boot CD for XP is very complex... .

 

[FallOutBoyTonto]

I haven't tried it myself yet, just slipstreamed SP1a into my XP Pro CD, not the drivers though. I'm assuming you wouldn't need to any other CD other than the XP CD in there since the drivers will be on the XP CD and installed with all others. You wouldn't need to press F6. That boot CD for XP is very complex indeed, isn't that what you are trying to do? There was another guide that shows how to do it on <A HREF="http://www.msfn.org" target="_new">http://www.msfn.org</A> but I can't find that particular thread.

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=24106" target="_new">My System Rig</A>
<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=535386" target="_new">3DMark03</A>

 

[SoopahMan]

If I don't make my own XP install CD, then I'll have 2 separate CDs: the original XP CD, and the CD with my SATA RAID controller drivers on it. I want to install in the RAID config from the get-go.

So, I'd have the XP CD, then the prompt for RAID controller, and hopefully I can use the other CD, not a damned floppy. I've no room in this box for a floppy drive.

 

[FallOutBoyTonto]

I think XP only looks in the floppy for RAID drivers during the setup process though. The only suggestions I have left are to just leave the side of your case open and install a floppy until your install is done. Just leave the floppy dangling for now, then remove after you're done.

But I still suggest making an XP boot CD, you can do that after your install. Then you wouldn't need a floppy at all if you ever needed to reinstall again, also you can put in the service packs and drivers on that CD. It'll require lots of reading but it'll be worth it!

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=24106" target="_new">My System Rig</A>
<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=535386" target="_new">3DMark03</A>

 

[SoopahMan]

Thanks for all the help. I did end up "Slipstreaming" Windows XP - basically, dump the CD files to ur HD, put the SATA drivers in the i386 folder, change 4 lines in TxtSetup.sif, download the boot sector, and write it all as a Boot CD with Nero with the same labels as the original XP CD. Works like a charm! This is actually a lot better than ever having to use a floppy anyway - any reformat is as simple as booting with the custom CD in the drive, no F6.

Slipstreaming was a lot simpler than the guides I've found have suggested. I highly recommend it.