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    From 1 HD to 2... options?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Satlas, Jun 19, 2009.

  1. Satlas

    Satlas Notebook Enthusiast

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    So, long story short, my hard-drive recently failed and when I went to order a new one, I ended up with two. My model laptop can, however, use two, so it's not a huge waste. I have to wait for a second caddy to install the second hard-drive, however, and in the meantime went ahead and used the first, installing windows and all my drivers and such.

    My question is; once I get the caddy and connect the second, what are my choices? Can I go ahead and setup RAID 0, or will I be unable to since one drive already has stuff on it? Can I do RAID 1? Neither?

    Quite unsure =/.
     
    Satlas, Jun 19, 2009
    #1
  2. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    You cant just start a raid array and keep the data it will format the disk to setup the array. You CAN however be smart and backup your install with the free trial of Acronis or something similar.

    Setup the raid array, then just toss your install back onto the disks and you will be up and going in no time.

    You will need a 3rd (external) hdd or a flash drive big enough to hold the image though.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Jun 19, 2009
    #2
  3. thetank256

    thetank256 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Correct me if I'm wrong, but this wont work with Win XP. I'm not sure about new versions of Windows. I know that XP has to have the RAID drivers loaded when the OS is installed. Maybe another option would be to backup all of your data and then reload the OS, drivers, and apps.
     
    thetank256, Jul 1, 2009
    #3