How to disable raid 0 in M17?

Hi all

Tomorrow will arrive my new M17, my first gaming lap top. When I bought it I thought RAID 0 was a good option but now I am thinking to disable it to create a partition for Vista as I always have done in my desktops.

From what I understand, after disabling RAID 0 I will have to do a new and clean install of Vista. I think the M17 comes with a Vista install disk and a basic drivers disk so installing OS will not be a problem. Right? Then I will make an image of the drive for emergency recovery.

Can anyone help me telling me how to disable RAID 0 in the M17? Is there a quick guide or something that can help me? Do you think this is the correct way to install Vista again and get an image? AW sends a Vista install disk right?

Thx

 

ughh reinstall and disable in bios
yea they send a disc and a drivers disc etc

 

It sounds like you have no AlienRespawn DVD?

So make a backup of your system with acronis befor, than disable Raid 0 and than use the backup to install it ... this should save you some time

Do you want to switch to Raid 1 or to "normal use"?

Greetings
Julian

 

Thx both.

Alienrespawn DVD? the one that AW sells? No I didnt buy it because a clear image of the HDD is the same and free.

The problem is that the OS is in both HDD since they are in RAID 0 right? so how could I make a backup of the two halfs and then unite them in one HDD? Thats my problem. So I am expecting Vista install disc that AW sends will be enough. I will be installing a couple of hours but I think I have no choice. Or there is a way to make the backup?

I want to move to normal use.

So in the end... to disable the RAID config I just need to make the change in the BIOS? but then how will the system boot? just using the vista disc?

 

true, but your computer sees the two HDDs as a single drive... so you can use a program like Norton Ghost or DriveImage XML to image your drive onto an external HDD, and then un-RAID the internal HDDs and then copy the image you made earlier back onto the machine.

 

You can still run it in RAID 0, and just partition it into 2 seperate "drives."

I'm assuming you're trying to create 2 partitions, one for Vista, and the other for ?

 

Jep ...

Why did you chance your decision to use Raid?

Greetings
Julian

 

I want to use one partition for Vista and one for programs (or maybe one for Vista, one for programs and one for files). This is the way I have always worked with my desktops and it has been very useful a couple of times when I had to format and reinstall Windows: in a single partition HDD you have to format all loosing personal data. And I dont want to take that risk just for a unnoticeable performance improvement of RAID 0.

I know there are external HDD... but this system is killing my wallet, no more expenses please

I decided to change since I have noticed that the RAID 0 config in a laptop is just "software RAID" not a real one like in desktops. Many users in internet (even here in NBR) say that the difference with no raid is almost unnoticeable.

Thx for the answer Whizzo I forgot the system sees the HDDs as a single one

 

So there is no perfomrance improofment like you have with SSDs?
Hm ... I hoped that I would get some "profits" ... now this sounds like I only higher the risk to loos datas ...

You see I am now :confuesed:

Greetings
Julian

 

is this difficult to set up and to use? i wanna do a setup like this when i switch to Win7...

 

SSDs is another issue... I dont know many people who have tested SSDs. Actually only one friend and his desktop literally smokes when writing/reading data. However I cant afford the cost of a SSD right now... like most people

I think you have RAID 0 config... how much improvement have you noticed? Honestly, I want to listen users opinions.

 

Is the safer setup I know (except for the "dead HDD" risk). I create the partitions when my HDD is new while installing Windows.

I have used XP and in the last 5 years I have had to reinstall it like 3 times because of virus and other issues. Since I had 2 partitions (one XP, one programs and files) didnt lose any personal data. I just formated the XP partition and reinstalled XP. All my friends use the same setup.

On the other hand, this is my first Vista system. I hope it will not have the same problems I had with XP.

 

Yamato, not sure what you decided to do.. HOWEVER - I have a buddy who created a thread which may offer you even more flexibility. It involves creating 2 RAID arrays, instead of one. On the first array, you use a smaller stripe for faster access time to Vista. The 2nd array is your downloads, games, etc. It's kinda like partitioning, such as you're doing now. But, you start from scratch to build the new arrays. Rather simple guide here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=327669

Otherwise, if you partition via Vista and decide to just use the original array..you shouldn't have any issues. You may run into the problem that you can change the primary partition as small as you'd prefer(dunno what you prefer). But Vista's disk mgmt works very well

 

What I'm saying is that with RAID 0, the system sees 2 HD's as 1. You can treat it just like you would the 1 hard drive.

So why not just leave it as RAID 0, and partition it into the 2 drives as you're currently speaking of doing.

As a side, Why do you need to reformat that often? Unless you're not experienced with computers and constantly get infected with spyware/viruses, you should never have to reformat.

 

All accurate. I only offered the input, because with the varying stripe sizes across each array(which partitions the HDD), you can allow for faster access of the OS - and a broader speed compatability with the larger stripes of the 2nd array. Also, you can choose EXACTLY how big your OS partition will be, and your data partition. Thru Vista Disk mgmt, that will be an issue. It will limit the shrinking of the first partition.

Side note - good question for OP - personally, I format just cause.

 

Thanks E. I found very useful your friend's thread. Although I want to do exactly the opposite (disable RAID 0), there is a lot of useful information. Thx again.

 

So, you do want to disable? Well.. guess ya gotta just fresh install. If you diskimage the RAID setup, then try to restore to a non-RAID config.. then it's likely not gonna let Windows load. Your Matrix storage manager will see RAID in the Vista driver config.. and you'll BSOD when vista goes to load. Well..that was my problem. I'm sure there's workarounds. Where you at with it so far?

 

That is the answer I was looking for. So... although I can diskimage my RAID config, I will not be able to use the image for a non raid load... that image will be useful only if I want to load again a RAID 0 setup.

So summarizing what I have to do is:

1) Save any personal data (have none since the system is brand new).
2) Disable RAID config in BIOS, save and restart.
3) Control + I to enter the raid config utility. Choose Delete Raid Volume or Reset Disks to Non-RAID (I dont know the difference although I think they do the same).
4) Use to Aw recovery cd to install Vista from the beginning, the drivers and create the partitions... zzz...

any helpful comment?

At least a didn't get the AW respawn dvd... it would be a waste of money since I couldn't use it to load an image for a non RAID setup.

 

actually.. close. Swap # 2 & 3. Then you're golden

See.. I'm good for something more than a pretty Avatar

 

Are you sure? I thought a backup could be used for Raid or non Raid ...
I thought the "Raid" is a "biosthing" so it appears for Windows like one driver ...

Greetings
Julian

 

It is a BIOS thing, but the "Disk Image" is exactly that..it images sector for sector, and obviously if you have a RAID setup your info is striped across drives..so the sectors will not contain all the info on each drive for each program..it's shared by both drives. So, disk imaging a RAID setup to a single disk is possible.. it's not really worth it tho unless you have info you really dont wanna lose.. But in that case, just back it up elsewhere.

 

You mean a when I use the RepawnDVD (for my non raid setup) after I installed a Raid 0/1 on my m17 ... I will get no "raidperformanceboost" because the "parts" are all on one HDD like it was when the DVD was made?

That's not good^^ When I make a backup of my OS ... will it also "have the information" where the "parts" have been?

To my situation ... I have a RespawnDVD and a W7 BootableBackupDVD ... both made on my m17 non Raid ... today I ordered a second HDD (same as I have) and now the question ... can I use both (I'll only use one but just for information^^) to make my "old OS + stuf" run on the Raid? Without loosing the performanceboost of Raid?

Sry for asking something twice but sometimes it's hard to understand for me

Greetings
Julian

 

You can take a non-raid disk image, and using Intel Matrix Storage manager use it to create a RAID array via backup image. HOWEVER, it is much more difficult to take a RAID image and put it on a non-RAID setup. Its possible, but its a pain in the rear.

So: AHCI/IDE transfers to a RAID array pretty easy
RAID does not transfer to non-RAID easily. It is possible though.

 

Is thee a performanceboost @ Raid 0 and Raid 1

Greetings
Julian

 

Thanks E. You are really helpful.

I will make the changes today and post the results as soon as possible.

Just hope I dont erase any important data from AW... I think that the only valuable file is the one they paste in the desktop with the factory bench results

 

I don't realy think this is important
But somewhere the 3DMark Key is hidden ... (you know if you install the newest 3Dmark06 version you will have acsess to the full version ) ...

Depending if you want a clean installation of vista or a "copy" of the image you should look for the newest drivers ... may be the ones on the cd aren't the newest atm ...

Greetings
Julian

 

Thats the same question I had. I have been reading here in NBR that real RAID setups are Desktops ones, making some hardware change that I dont understand. In notebooks, because of the space I guess, RAID is achieved through software (BIOS) and that kind of RAID setup gives an unnoticeable performance improvement.

There are people who say that neither RAID 0 in desktops gives a big performance improvement. They say that only SSDs are real performance improvers.

Look for info in other forums here in NBR. You will find a lot of information as I did... or wait for an answer from E-wrecked.

By the way, sorry for my english. Im not an english native speaker.

 

Dito^^ Ok thx 4 infos

Hm ... I guess I'll make a Raid 0 or a non Raid setup^^

Greetings
Julian

 

Right? where could be that key?
haha yeah I know that benchmark file isnt really important but a friend of mine will envy me... he doesnt know the file isnt right

Thx for the advice. Drivers will be the next step.

 

You know I'm always willing to chime in.. You're right about the Software RAID.. A legit hardware RAID is costly, creates a lot of heat, and is really meant for a desktop. That's why you don't read about a lot of laptops in RAID.. however, there are performance gains with RAID 0 - However RAID 1 isn't for performance whatsoever. You've done your research, you know it's for data redundancy/security..in case you lose one drive, the 2nd has a mirror image of everything. Kinda like a realtime backup. As for software RAID, of course it's not going to offer the performance of hardware RAID. But, there are still noteable gains. I wanna see some SSDs in RAID 0 though

By the way, your great with the language. Keep learning

 

He never said this to me ... he likes you more then me



OK thx ... I read on wikipedia that there is also a performance gain at Raid 1 but not at all Raid 1 systems ...

Ok THX E-wrecked,
I hope my second HDD arives soon

Greetings
Julian

 

You know I love ya bro

 

sure

I, too

 

Thx E and Julian.

Right now I am doing the RAID disabling...

If the system blows up I will let you know.

By the way... I got 13401 3d marks in 3dmark06 and AW says 14355... so based on what I have heard from other users my bench is normal

 

Oh so I guess you have a nice system

Extreem Dual- or Quadcore?

I would be happyer if you let us know when everything is fine

Greetings
Julian

 

Extreme Quad Julian. Right now I am doing it, I will let you know soon.

(honestly, I am scared about doing this hehe)

 

Bevor I got my M17 I was scared of even changing drivers

Since I saw how easy it is to reload the image I made from W7 Beta after installing all drivers I am no more scared!

Greetings
Julian

 

If you run 3dmark at 1280.720 or 1280.800 resolutions what do you get? I bet it's within a couple points of their score. They prolly didn't run at the 1280.1024 settings

 

Hey Julian, that is what I want to do now. What program I could use to save my HDD image? I'm just finishing to install Vista... zzzz... I don't want to do this again...

 

Good point E. I'm just finishing with the Vista installation... almost sleeping...

In a couple of minutes I will finish this and make a bench. With a clear Vista. Then I will update the drives, especially the last one you uploaded for the video cards

I have to copy an image of my HDD... don't want to do this again

 

For HDD imaging, I suggest using Acronis true image. Extremely easy to use, very efficient. And free trial download can be found here:
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/download/trueimage/

 

+rep for you E
thx for your help

 

AAAAhhhh one houre ago my second 160GB HDD arived

Raid 0 inc!

I am just running the last Crysis Benchmark for my "ATI Driver Comparison" and than ... I'll try installing Raid 0 *happy*

Greetings
Julian

 

I got very close to my score (My old M17: @ home 11,091 and @ AW 11,100) with 1280x720

Greetings
Julian

 

Congrats Julian.

Yesterday I finished the new and clean installation of Vista, made the DVDs restore images using Acronis and everything is OK.

However I couldn't install a couple of drivers: Intel Turbo Memory and the Intel Matrix Storage Manager.

Correct if I am wrong: the first one is only for single drive systems and the second manages the raid setups. SO since now I have no more RAID 0 but 2 non-RAID HDD this drivers are no longer useful for me?

 

I guess you are right ... but I didn't install the Matrix as well and it works



Greetings
Julian

Edit: Öhm ... btw ... I have Raid0 and two partitions One for W7 (50gb) and one for Games/Data (248gb) and it works perfect! Even 3DMark06 likes my Raid0

 

Congrats on your raid config! Mine was good too...

Now I am using non-raid and the system works perfect

BTW, I think you should install Intel Matrix Storage Manager according to this note:

http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/matrixstorage_sb.htm#choose

 

KK THX 4 info ...

I'll install it and make a backup and then I'll try the Catalyst 8.9 @ 3DMark06^^

One more question!
I used to save my DLs on a usbstick pluged in all the time ... since I have the raid I have to unplug it for Boot otherwise the m17 will not boot or after more than 3 min (I didn't test it for more than 3 minutes xD just rebootet without usb^^)

I took a look at the bios boot options but the USB is after HDD so I don't know why this problem is there

THX & Greetings
Julian

 

is the USB stick after both HDDs in the boot order?

 

I think there is only one HDD in Bios but I guess you are right ... I'll take a look

I saw W7 has the Matrix already installed ... the AW version is older

Greetings
Julian