M17XR2 Raid 0

Hey guys, I've got an M17xR2 with two hard disks, that were *supposed to* be running in Raid 0. I decided to use both hard drives seperatelty for a while, but now I want to try out how much better the performance is using Raid 0. I know the option for the Raid configuration is in the bios, but how do use both hard disks as one? And I do not want to loose the pre-installed operating system, that came with the computer.

I have heard that there are risks, what are they and how are they caused?

 

Don't have the actual stats on hand but I've heard RAID 0 can give at least a 60% performance increase, even up to 80% over a single drive.

Now, the bad. If either drive fails in a RAID 0 config, you lose all your data. I've had my M17x for almost a year, never had a drive fail. I also do regular backups on a usb drive.

To set up, you enable RAID in BIOS, then you select both drives to be part of the RAID. You will not be able to keep the existing OS, in fact, you will need to backup anything you want to keep, reformat the new RAID config, and reinstall everything.

 

By "fails", do you mean temporarily, or permanantly?

 

I suppose I mean a non-recoverable failure. Basically, if the unit must be replaced, your data is lost. If its minor issues like bad sectors, then you'll be okay.

 

The problem with you swapping to raid 0 is that in raid 0 a file can be written to both drives. Such as 1/2 the file one one and 1/2 the file on the other. Kinda makes both hard drives into one massive drive.
That is why if one drive fails, you lose all your items.. You can't just convert it over to raid 0 right now. You would have to format and reinstall to move to raid and to leave it. The only scenario would be going to a mirrored set up where it clones the info to both drives. That you dont have to reinstall for and if one drive fails the other will still run.

Mirrored doesnt help for speed.

So your call.

 

What software would you recommend for copying the OS and copying it back?

 

If you mean to make a backup? Acronis does really good. However, if you are moving to raid 0. I would recommend doing a full clean install so everything is set up properly. I would not advise to restore a non raid 0 setup to a raid 0 setup.

 

I agree with Kilthro. You are better off using a clean install.

lol I haven't used software. I just copy and paste.

 

But can i just use acronis to copy the os, and return it after the raid configuration, or will that just be a waste of time? lordqarlyn, what is your WEI for the hard disk?

 

Fresh install or you will throw off disk alignment.

 

Wiser words have never been spoken If i then decided to seperate both hard disks, can the original OS be returned, as it was from the factory?

 

When you install from the OEM DVD and resource DVD that is the same as "from the factory".

 

With the alienware logon screen, and stuff like that? I know this is a really stupid question, but it looks so good that i can't think about loosing it

 

You can change the logon screen to whatever you want. That is changeable. You will also get all the OEM "accents" to it.

 

not good, only 5.9

 

5.9 is default for 7200RPM HDDs. Anything higher is reserved for SSDs.

 

lol...perhaps but still brings my total WEI down...

 

Oh god this is funny. But is this a default for dual 640 5400 rpm hard drives? Mine is at 5.9. Slower hard drives but same score.

One thing I learn is space vs rpm can help in programs. faster rpm is not always better. if file space is more compact the speed is faster.

One thing I learn over time is Higher Numbers dont mean better. Please remember the p4 going beyond the 3ghz setup and amd blowing them away due to the fact it was cooler and faster.

It took Intel to go back to the P3 (core duo) setup and go oh crap we mess up. Then rework the computer to make the core 2. Then they made the i3 i5 i7 chips to go faster.

I hope this helps

 

HDD's with increased density improve seek time so the seek time is probably very similiar.

 

Hey man codebreaker... You're living in kuwait. Where'd you get these notebooks from?
This is off topic but I cant seem to PM you.
Could you please PM.

 

acronis will create an image of ur computer well thats what mine does at least so if u wish to put that image back on everything will be pretty much the same

 

Can't PM, you need at least 10 good posts to access those priveliges. Try this thread: How to order from dell US for non US citizens

 

not sure if this is what you were asking codebreaker (and if not, sorry for stating the obvious) but the intel RAID options are accessed by hitting ctrl+I at the bios screen. you can combine the drives into one volume there. i was in your shoes friday so hope this helps

 

I'm very new to raid and I'm really looking at upgrading to a multiple hard drive setup within the week. I was wondering, is it possible to not do a raid steup but rather assign different drive letters to the separate hardd drives. Then I can just move whatever files on to the second hard drive that I want.

I currently have a 500GB HD in my R2 but im possibly thinking of upgrading to dual 256GB SSD's or dual 128GB SSD's. I know its a big price different but I need to figure out how much space im going to need.

 

yea definitely. simply install windows to one of the drives and then format the other & assign it a drive letter once you're in windows

 

Is there any downside, performance wise, doing it this way?