RAID 0 Problem

[Jixie]

Hey all, thank you for your time now and the many times in the past when I have come here seeking help:

I have recently brought two inexpensive Maxtor 500gb (32mb cache) HDDs (new) with the intention of creating a RAID 0 to add to my current system:

(Mobo: p5w dh deluxe
CPU: Intel 2.4ghz C2D
GC: Radeon 3870
HDD: Western Digitial Caviar 250gb 16mb cache)
4gb RAM

My intention is to place all my files (lots of music and video) on the RAID then re-instally the OS (windows XP 32 - bit (last gb of ram is not recognized)) on the 250gb drive (currently its split into 50gb and a 200gb partitions).

I installed the two maxtors, and created the RAID as per the MOBOs instruction manual (Set the BIOS to recognise an IDE Configuration of RAID, enabled BOOTROM) then opened the Intel utility (this mobo has many options for creating a raid, I simply selected the first one, it also has an EZ utility and a Jmicron one) and created a RAID 0 from the two maxtors, leaving the WDC alone. I did all of this exactly as the manual stated.

I then discovered that my system wont boot to windows, even after ive checked and set the boot priority to the correct hard drive (i.e. the original one on which windows is installed).

The only way I can boot to windows is by resetting the BIOS from its IDE configuration of RAID to one of Hard Disk, but then I cant see the Maxtors in my computer or anywhere else whilst in Windows. I would prefer not to have to go through a lenghty back up procedure to an external device, although I have backed up all my really important files (so its not out of the question).

Any ideas?

Many thanks,

Jixie

[Midknyte]

After all the problems on this thread (http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202455), I have to ask you why you want to use RAID0 to store data. We normally don't recommend RAID0, especially for important data.

[Jixie]

The vast majority of it isn't important data - like i said its backed up to CD (which is better than nothing, no?) and I do that fairly regularly.

Is there a particular reason that RAID 0 is less reliable than other forms (except for the obvious striping vs mirroring)? I chose it because its supposed to offer much faster read-n-write times, but as there is nothing on it as yet its no issue to change it to RAID 1.

[BipolarBill]

I don't recommend RAID 0 because the minimal speed improvement doesn't compensate for the fragility, but lets get this sorted.

There may be multiple selections for booting in BIOS setup. Try disabling the RAID BootROM first.

[Midknyte]

I'm assuming you understand the different RAID levels if you are asking how to set it up. If not, refer to the RAID section in Best of Data Storage. Read the article "Is RAID0 worth it?"

RAID0 is for pure performance, not reliability. RAID0 arrays can fail or get corrupted. One of the two drives could die. In either case, you lose ALL your data. I don't see how you can backup 1TB of data onto CDs.

That is why I want you to be extra sure you know what you are doing. I think it would be irresponsible of us to help you, if you don't understand the risks. I don't want you to come back later with a thread about "how do i recover data from RAID0".

[Jixie]

1. I do understand in the difference between RAID 1 and RAID 0. My question is not how to set it up - this I have in theory done, according to my instructions - its why my system wont boot from my original hard disk with my OS installed, which I haven't touched or put into a RAID. The reason I selected RAID 0 is because I am involved in an ongoing student project which requires some video editing. All the video files are either on tape or my friends seperate RAID array (which is a seperate matter). We live in different places, and both require the source video, otherwise I would use an eSATA from his external array. I am aware that upgrading the CPU would probably yield better results, but that would be more expensive and I've wanted to learn about RAID for quite some time.

2. I dont back up a terabyte of data to CD. I dont have a terabyte of data. I back up all the really important files I have (i.e. my uni work, which takes up very little room as its all text documents and some student project stuff) to CD. My music is on my mp3 player, and as I do not on principle pirate movies or music off bittorrent I don't have much media which isn't on a seperate physical...thing (i.e. an actual album or DVD). except for savegames of course, but I always like replaying the good ones :D Losing all that from HD would be annoying, but more for conveniences sake than any other reason. As I said the video for the project isn't stored on this machine.

I did as you suggested BpB but it came up with same error message - insert boot media.

Two things I perhaps should add now:

Firstly, when I've selected RAID in the BIOS it doesn't recognize any hard drives on the main screen, and sees only 'hard drive' on the boot priority list, not 'WDC 2500' as it does when normal IDE configuration is selected. I assumed first time round this was meant to happen, but perhaps not.

Secondly, I wonder whether having one hard drive which isn't in a RAID, and two which are, is confusing things; would this affect it at all?

Jixie

p.s. Ill definitely take on board what you say about RAID 1 vs 0. perhaps once this is sorted ill experiment with the other one and see which works better given what we want to do.

[Midknyte]

As long as you're ok with the pitfalls, we can proceed. For video, RAID0 may yield dividends.

There are THREE SATA controllers on that board; Intel Matrix, Jmicron, and Silicon Image. The Jmicron is for eSATA, so you can leave that alone for now.

You should use the ports closest to the right side IDE connector for your boot drive (Intel). Set "Configure SATA As" to Standard IDE. That should allow you to boot to Windows. If you set it to RAID, it's going to assume you are booting from a RAID Array. I didn't see a JBOD feature, so that's probably why it doesn't support single disks.

The two ports on the bottom next to the switch connector pins should be used for your RAID0 array (EZ-RAID) See page 5-48 of the manual. You need to install the Asus EZ-Backup software to create your RAID0 array from windows.

[Jixie]

Ah ok - so it cant boot if the raid is coming from the intel option rather than the EZ one, if there isn't an OS installed on the array, but there is on a seperate, non - arrayed drive?

Gotcha, Ill give it a go. Presumably this means I have to reverse the RAID I created using the Intel system, and re-do it on the EZ one?

thanks

[Midknyte]

according to the manual, that is my best guess. you'll have to create a new array on the EZ.

[Jixie]

That seems to have worked, thank you very much. I have a working RAID 0 with the video files on it, the OS and important documents backed up on my original disk. :D

Do you have manuals for loads of motherboards?

[BipolarBill]

Motherboard manuals are downloadable as long as the company still has a website.

http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

[Midknyte]

When in doubt, RTM. You can't bake a cake if you don't know what ingredients you have.

[Jixie]

Heh, couldn't agree more. thanks again guys.