My computer's hard drive is set up for RAID, although I have just the one drive. I have installed another hard drive used only for data storage, but can't make it work without removing the RAID setup. I am having difficulty doing this, so I am appealing for help, preferably in easy-to-understand steps. Any help would be really welcome.
jonowyke.
You need to reinstall.
Do you need help in doing that?
Are you going to redo a new RAID setup?
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Upon further review I do find this one example of possibly adding the new drive to the existing RAID (depending on how that is setup already):
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.c...eid=830&page=5
Last edited by jephree; 08-03-2008 at 10:12 PM.
HI jephree,
I need to install a second SATA data drive without RAID. Yes, i can reinstall Windows.
I assume that the BIOS needs to be altered first, and then reinstall. I have downloaded a driver from the motherboard folk (ASUS) and made a floppy as instructed. Because I have been fiddling about with this problem for weeks without getting anywhere, I don't wish to reinstall Windows with all its hassle unless I have a chance of cracking the problem, so that's why i would like some help.Thank tou for replying.
jonowyke
Here is a good guide to a Clean Install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cl...all.html#steps
You will need to press F6 at the prompt to load SATA drivers.
You will soon afterwards be asked to insert your floppy.
Everything else is fairly straight forward.
I would Clean Install on your old drive first then add the new drive afterwards.
You will then just need to go to Disk Management and format the new drive.
Let us know if we can help further.
Hi Jephree,
Due to family commitments, I have not replied straight away,
It is the BIOS part i domnot understand and on which i would like advice.
I have re-installed Windows many times in the past and the RAID setup stays as it was. its what I do before the re-install that foxes me. Sorry if this sounds confusing.
jonowyke.
If you tell the XP Setup to format the entire hard drive it should remove all data.
Make sure you remove all partitions.
You can also try doing it first outside of XP with Gparted:
GParted
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Anyway if you use GParted: Save this download:
http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gpa...2&big_mirror=0
This is an ISO file. You will need an ISO burning program to burn it. It cannot be burnt as data as it is an image.
If you use Nero there is an option called "Create Disk Image".
If you do not have Nero you can use this free program:
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm
This will add the burning option to your right click options or shell.
With Nero just point it to the downloaded ISO. With the other recorder just right click the ISO and choose Burn Disk Image.
A new blank CD is required.
After the burn this CD will be a boot disk and will boot GParted.
Verify that your CD drive is set to boot prior to the hard drive and boot the CD.
There are some basic tutorials on the functions and use of GParted here:
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/documentation.php
Many thanks Jephree.
I seem to have caused a bit of confusion here, as I have done the complete format before but the RAID config stays put. It is the RAID bit that I want removed, so that I can just have two SATA drives. How do I alter the BIOS, and should I move the drive connectors to the non-RAID sockets before or after the format?
Jonowyke.
I understand what you are saying.
I seriously doubt that you have a hardware RAID especially on a single drive it would not be possible.
That being said a format will remove it. You must delete all partitions.
Did you try GParted?
Do not add the second drive until you have reinstalled XP.
If GParted does not work (don't know why it wouldn't) you can use Kill Disk:
http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm
Hello!
Thank you for your reply.
May I describe my problem in detail? I have a 3-year old Mesh 3500 computer with an ASUS A8V DL motherboard. The hard drive ports are RAID SATA 1 & 2 and SATA 1 & 2. The hard drive is connected to RAID SATA 1 but as you mentioned, is not RAID configured. I tried connecting the drive to SATA 1 but had no success. It is from this point that I need direction. Do I format the drive, alter the BIOS from RAID to IDE,(seems the only alternative) and re-install WinXP - or am I on the wrong track? I am not interested in any RAID setup, just two ordinary data drives.
Thank you, Jonowyke
That motherboard manual is here:
http://dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/...a8v_deluxe.pdf
Enter the BIOS Setup
Go to Advanced > Onboard Devices Configuration
Set the Onboard Promise Controller to Disabled
Boot the GParted CD. Delete all partitions. Format NTFS.
Boot the XP CD and install.
You will need the SATA drivers on a floppy if you are installing to a SATA drive.
Disconnect any other hard drives during this process.
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