Question for the RAID Experts at DVinfo.net

Steven Reid · October 8th, 2009, 08:23 AM

I'm just savvy enough to have established and use RAID, but out of my depth (for now) on what happens to it with major system changes.

Put simply: will reformatting and (re)installing an OS on my main HDD result in irrecoverable loss of data on a separate and existing RAID?

My setup:

1. Dedicated HDD for OS and programs only.
2. RAID0 for 2xHDD (media). Using motherboard RAID drivers ("fake RAID").
3. RAID5 for 3xHDD (rendered projects). Also using mobo drivers.
4. I'm about to install an ARECA ARC-1210 card to control RAID5 for 4xHDD as a backup for both (2) and (3) above.

If it matters, I set up (2) and (3) first in the mobo BIOS, then used Intel Matrix Media Console to format these software RAIDs.

I'm running Vista Ultimate 64, but I'd like to move to Win7 Ultimate. When I reformat (1) above and then install the new OS, will I lose my software RAIDs? The data will still be there, of course, unless I reformat, but will the new OS recognize the RAIDs that now exist?

Relatedly, I understand that hardware RAID, as in (4) above, should survive because it's formatted on the card, not with software. So, should I havbe no worries about losing my backup data on (4) when I reformat (1) and install the new OS?

Thanks for any advice.

Steve

Nicholas de Kock · October 8th, 2009, 01:28 PM

Should not be a problem I format my OS every now & again and it works fine. Your RAID is on the motherboard not in Windows, you can even get another motherboard that supports RAID and simply move your hard drives to that board and it will pick up your RAID.

Steven Reid · October 8th, 2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholas de Kock

Should not be a problem I format my OS every now & again and it works fine. Your RAID is on the motherboard not in Windows, you can even get another motherboard that supports RAID and simply move your hard drives to that board and it will pick up your RAID.

Just what I wanted to hear. Thanks very much.

Steve

October 8th, 2009, 08:23 AM	#1
Steven Reid Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 435	Question for the RAID Experts I'm just savvy enough to have established and use RAID, but out of my depth (for now) on what happens to it with major system changes. Put simply: will reformatting and (re)installing an OS on my main HDD result in irrecoverable loss of data on a separate and existing RAID? My setup: 1. Dedicated HDD for OS and programs only. 2. RAID0 for 2xHDD (media). Using motherboard RAID drivers ("fake RAID"). 3. RAID5 for 3xHDD (rendered projects). Also using mobo drivers. 4. I'm about to install an ARECA ARC-1210 card to control RAID5 for 4xHDD as a backup for both (2) and (3) above. If it matters, I set up (2) and (3) first in the mobo BIOS, then used Intel Matrix Media Console to format these software RAIDs. I'm running Vista Ultimate 64, but I'd like to move to Win7 Ultimate. When I reformat (1) above and then install the new OS, will I lose my software RAIDs? The data will still be there, of course, unless I reformat, but will the new OS recognize the RAIDs that now exist? Relatedly, I understand that hardware RAID, as in (4) above, should survive because it's formatted on the card, not with software. So, should I havbe no worries about losing my backup data on (4) when I reformat (1) and install the new OS? Thanks for any advice. Steve

October 8th, 2009, 01:28 PM	#2
Nicholas de Kock Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: KLD, South Africa Posts: 983	Should not be a problem I format my OS every now & again and it works fine. Your RAID is on the motherboard not in Windows, you can even get another motherboard that supports RAID and simply move your hard drives to that board and it will pick up your RAID.