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    For those waiting on the FX's from gateway, good RAID harddrive on sale

    Discussion in 'Gateway and eMachines' started by ZoMBiE, Mar 14, 2008.

  1. ZoMBiE

    ZoMBiE Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey guys, just saw this posting somewhere, it's a pretty good deal for those of you who are getting the new fx laptops with the 250gb sata drives. This is almost the exact same, and will make a nice raid setup for you.

    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3233378&body=MAIN

    I know it's only 5400 RPM, but some of us can't afford to buy 2 7200's after getting an expensive laptop, so this will hold you over for a while, I think.
    It will be sold out fast, so if you think it's a good deal, get it fast.
     
    ZoMBiE, Mar 14, 2008
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  2. flamarc

    flamarc Notebook Consultant

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    That's a great deal but I thought for the RAID setup to work efficiently that you needed 2 identical hard drives(same brand,size,speed etc.)
     
    flamarc, Mar 14, 2008
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  3. ZoMBiE

    ZoMBiE Notebook Enthusiast

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    No, what happens is, if you have 2 hard drives of the same speed, but ones a 250, and one's a 200gb hd, then, a raid 0 will use 200gb from each (it always goes with the smallest size, I believe). I really don't know what happens if they're different speeds, but it probably shouldn't stop you from using it.
     
    ZoMBiE, Mar 14, 2008
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  4. flamarc

    flamarc Notebook Consultant

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    Oh I see so if the drive size is mismatched you will essentially lose the ability to use that extra hard drive space?Yeah I am thinking of trying the RAID configuration as my last upgrade for this laptop I just did the processor and memory and plan on maybe trying the RAID configuration to see how it performs.Thanks for the info. :)
     
    flamarc, Mar 15, 2008
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  5. Hahutzy

    Hahutzy Notebook Deity

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    Can we use this with the stock HDD for perfect compatibility RAID? It only differs by brand right.
     
    Hahutzy, Mar 16, 2008
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  6. Dragoonx

    Dragoonx Notebook Consultant

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    Would this require a complete HD reformat?
     
    Dragoonx, Mar 17, 2008
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  7. ZoMBiE

    ZoMBiE Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, setting up a raid means you will have to format. But you have recovery disks, I'm sure
     
    ZoMBiE, Mar 17, 2008
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  8. peteryorkuca

    peteryorkuca Notebook Consultant

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    You can also use disk imaging software like Norton Ghost and ghost the C: to disk image to different external drive or flash drive then RAID your 2 disks together, then put back the image from external source to newly created RAID drives.

    Only problem you may encounter may be that it may complain about RAID drivers and may give you BSOD. But worth a try if you have 8gb flash key or spare external drive laying around. As imaging 8gb compressed to like 4gb only take 30mins by Norton Ghost.
     
    peteryorkuca, Mar 17, 2008
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  9. Dragoonx

    Dragoonx Notebook Consultant

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    So has anyone got a successful RAID set up? I didn't see mention of it under the unofficial guide.
     
    Dragoonx, Mar 19, 2008
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  10. iaTa

    iaTa Do Not Feed

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    You are always best in a RAID setup to use the same make and model of hard disc. The previous advise is WRONG - you will get greatly reduced performance in some cases.
     
    iaTa, Mar 19, 2008
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  11. flamarc

    flamarc Notebook Consultant

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    This is what I have been reading on other forums regarding RAID and also from one of the IT Technicians that I worked with.Thanks for clearing that up. I am considering trying a RAID setup as my last upgrade to my system.
     
    flamarc, Mar 22, 2008
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  12. Dragoonx

    Dragoonx Notebook Consultant

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    That being the case, the best route for RAID with the default drive would be a western digital 250GB 5400RMP drive?
     
    Dragoonx, Mar 23, 2008
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  13. WJamesLord

    WJamesLord Notebook Geek

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    Yeah, I'm running with 2 Seagate 160 Momentus drives (7200 RPMs) in a matrix raid array - 100GBs are reserved for mirroring and the rest for striping. The performance is very good and I have a fail safe for the OS and other critical applications.
     
    WJamesLord, Mar 23, 2008
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