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    M17x R3 RAID question

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by BHGM, May 22, 2011.

  1. BHGM

    BHGM Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi Guys!

    Am getting my new M17x R3 tomorrow, all being well. I have ordered the machine with 1x750Gb HD with the plan of adding a second disk just for Data.

    However browsing the forums it appears that the BIOS is configured for RAID. I'm not overly keen on using RAID unless I have to (Have had issues with my last 2 RAID set-ups; and there is always something that you havent backed up isnt there!)

    I would like to ask the forum if anyone is aware if I am just change the RAID setting in the BIOS will I be able to have a 2 disk Non-RAID set-up, or do I have to do the dreadful (and for me scary!) thing of having to re-install Windows, drivers etc.

    Many thanks for such a great resource; have had many hours of happy browsing here already.

    Ooh one more thing; if I have no choice but to go for a RAID set-up, I have been looking for a compatible Drive...my current choice is a Scorpio Black ( 750 GB - 2.5" - SATA-300 - 7200 rpm - buffer: 16 MB.... ) Do we think that it would work with the Dell one in my machine, 'cos I cant find the name/model of that one anywhere?

    Cheers Guys!
     
  2. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    BIOS raid setting does not actually require you to run your disks in RAID mode, it does give you the option to use the built in raid controller and define a RAID array.
    if you wish to add another disk non raided you can still keep the bios setting of RAID mode.
    Oh, and any hdd you choose will work great.
     
  3. MrHappyyy

    MrHappyyy Notebook Consultant

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    In BIOS "RAID" is just the operation mode. It does not mean that the second HDD you add will be running in RAID 0/1..etc..

    My setup is 256GB SSD + 750GB HDD, BIOS: RAID.
     
  4. BHGM

    BHGM Notebook Enthusiast

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    That is a great news;

    Thanks for you help guys!
     
  5. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    How do you actually set up the raid0? Is there a hardware Raid bios menu?