Setting up RAID.

[sanderzz]

I have a wd blue 1tb hard drive and I want to buy a second drive and run them together in RAID 0. I want to keep the data off the original drive, I do not want to format it, is this possible? Also how would I configure RAID using a standard BIOS I do not have a bios with a gui.
Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

If you're looking for speed (and that is mostly the only reason for RAID 0), get an SSD instead of another WD Blue. Way faster than two of those in RAID 0.

 

[itsVance]

You need to back up the original drive to another device (create system image) before you configure RAID0 if you want to keep the data.

Does your motherboard support RAID0? What is your motherboard model?

I agree SSD is a faster way to go. If you have an older PC (not sata3) you may wish to use RAID0 with 2 SSD's and keep your HDD to make regular image backups.

 

[ss202sl]

During a raid setup, the drive(combined drives) is initialized which wipes all the data from any drives.

 

[jitpublisher]

You will lose all the data off your current drive if you use it to build a RAID 0 array.
The only way to accomplish what you want to do without losing your current installation of OS and programs is to buy 2 more drives. Set these drives up in RAID 0, then using imaging software, image your current drive to the array. Otherwise, you start all over from scratch. The great thing about doing this, you will then have a backup drive for your array, which you WILL need because you are going to lose everything at one time or another.

 

[sanderzz]

You need to back up the original drive to another device (create system image) before you configure RAID0 if you want to keep the data.

Does your motherboard support RAID0? What is your motherboard model?

I agree SSD is a faster way to go. If you have an older PC (not sata3) you may wish to use RAID0 with 2 SSD's and keep your HDD to make regular image backups.

My motherboard is an asus m5a78l-m/usb3. is it compatible?

 

[itsVance]

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M5A78LMUSB3/specifications/

Looks like it is.

 

[itsVance]

Here is where to find your manual.

Start at page 43 for using the BIOS

http://support.asus.com/download.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=1&s=24&m=M5A78L-M%2fUSB3&os=&hashedid=2TinR0vmf3nCJ2GF

Page 46 starts talking about SATA Configuration.

Again, you need to create a backup image of your drive on a separate drive or you will lose the data if your using that HDD in a raid0 setup.

 

[ss202sl]

You will lose all the data off your current drive if you use it to build a RAID 0 array.
The only way to accomplish what you want to do without losing your current installation of OS and programs is to buy 2 more drives. Set these drives up in RAID 0, then using imaging software, image your current drive to the array. Otherwise, you start all over from scratch. The great thing about doing this, you will then have a backup drive for your array, which you WILL need because you are going to lose everything at one time or another.

While this does provide a backup, it doesn't protect you from a catastrophic event that takes the whole computer out(fire, flood, theft, ect.). A better backup would be a couple of external drives with one off-site.

 

[jitpublisher]

You will lose all the data off your current drive if you use it to build a RAID 0 array.
The only way to accomplish what you want to do without losing your current installation of OS and programs is to buy 2 more drives. Set these drives up in RAID 0, then using imaging software, image your current drive to the array. Otherwise, you start all over from scratch. The great thing about doing this, you will then have a backup drive for your array, which you WILL need because you are going to lose everything at one time or another.

While this does provide a backup, it doesn't protect you from a catastrophic event that takes the whole computer out(fire, flood, theft, ect.). A better backup would be a couple of external drives with one off-site.

Yeah but the question wasn't about backups, it was about how to move his OS and progams to RAID array.
If the OP wants some advice about good reliable backups, I am sure he will ask.

 

[sanderzz]

You will lose all the data off your current drive if you use it to build a RAID 0 array.
The only way to accomplish what you want to do without losing your current installation of OS and programs is to buy 2 more drives. Set these drives up in RAID 0, then using imaging software, image your current drive to the array. Otherwise, you start all over from scratch. The great thing about doing this, you will then have a backup drive for your array, which you WILL need because you are going to lose everything at one time or another.

While this does provide a backup, it doesn't protect you from a catastrophic event that takes the whole computer out(fire, flood, theft, ect.). A better backup would be a couple of external drives with one off-site.

Yeah but the question wasn't about backups, it was about how to move his OS and progams to RAID array.
If the OP wants some advice about good reliable backups, I am sure he will ask.

I don't care for backups, the PC I plan to do this on is purely a gaming rig. I just don't want to reinstall all my steam games and windows.

 

[sanderzz]

I have another question linking to this. If I where to wipe my original drive, would I need to buy a new windows license key, or would the one I have still work?

 

[itsVance]

IF its for the same motherboard you should be able to use the same key. (assuming you have the original installation disc)

 

[itsVance]

If your original question is answered would you kindly choose a best solution? I will be happy to answer more questions if you post them under their own threads.

 

[sanderzz]

IF its for the same motherboard you should be able to use the same key

Ok, excellent. So overall would you recommend RAID or should I just add another drive and not bother setting up a RAID array?

 

[itsVance]

IF its for the same motherboard you should be able to use the same key

Ok, excellent. So overall would you recommend RAID or should I just add another drive and not bother setting up a RAID array?

I am typing to you on a PC with sata2 raid0 SSD setup and a 2TB HDD as storage.

I would recommend it.

 

[sanderzz]

IF its for the same motherboard you should be able to use the same key

Ok, excellent. So overall would you recommend RAID or should I just add another drive and not bother setting up a RAID array?

I am typing to you on a PC with sata2 raid0 SSD setup and a 2TB HDD as storage.

I would recommend it.

Thank you very much for your help

 

[itsVance]

IF its for the same motherboard you should be able to use the same key

Ok, excellent. So overall would you recommend RAID or should I just add another drive and not bother setting up a RAID array?

I am typing to you on a PC with sata2 raid0 SSD setup and a 2TB HDD as storage.

I would recommend it.

Thank you very much for your help

No problem