If you can't figure out a way to do it with Intel RST, or from the BIOS controls ... just Acronis Image Backup, undo the RAID-0, and then restore the Image.

So switching to RAID 1 in the BIOS would not automatically rewrite the data to a single drive and then mirror it to the other?

I can't run an Acronis image because I hav Rollback RX protecting my data. It won't allow Acronis to be installed as the 2 programs conflict. I may be able to use Horizon's image backup though because that was designed to work with Rollback. Better still, I could buy the new version of Rollback which is designed for RAID configurations and features an image backup option.

So switching to RAID 1 in the BIOS would not automatically rewrite the data to a single drive and then mirror it to the other?

Possibly, but I really doubt it (don't you ?).

It's been a couple of years since I messed around with Intel "on-board level" RAID technology. When I did, I switched back-and-forth as described above.

If there is anything valuable you want to keep on the system ... regardless of what ends up working ... don't you think a full Image Backup would be a good idea (even if used for nothing more than a "safety net")?

At the very least, I would "straight file copy" all my data folders to an external USB drive or optical media ... in case it all "blows up" and you have to resort to a Format and clean Win-7 install.

RollBack RX just adds another layer of complexity to the situation. I can't talk about it ... I don't use it.

Yes, I think overall you are right Tesla (as usual). Where I'm at at the moment, if you haven't already followed my posts today, is that my data is on my dead M17x. I'm waiting for the replacement to arrive. When it does, Dell have given me 5 days to copy my data over to the new machine.

Ideally, I would prefer to just swap the drives over rather than do as they suggest and they have informed me that I can do that as long as we do a Windows key change. So, the way I'm thinking at this time is to go down that route and then switch to RAID 1 so that I can run a backup to an external drive and have a mirror on the 2nd internal drive on a permanent ongoing basis. I always double backup my data because I have been caught already by a RAID server on which ALL data was lost. That's right, it had 8 drives and according to my host the unthinkable happened. All 8 died at the same time which is theoretically impossible!

I have also been in the situation where I kept backed up data on an external drive and both that and the main HDD failed. That's why today I am maniacal about backups and yet, RAID 0 is new to me so I didn't take enough precautions.

Yes, I think overall you are right Tesla (as usual). Where I'm at at the moment, if you haven't already followed my posts today, is that my data is on my dead M17x. I'm waiting for the replacement to arrive. When it does, Dell have given me 5 days to copy my data over to the new machine.   Ideally, I would prefer to just swap the drives over rather than do as they suggest and they have informed me that I can do that as long as we do a Windows key change. So, the way I'm thinking at this time is to go down that route and then switch to RAID 1 so that I can run a backup to an external drive and have a mirror on the 2nd internal drive on a permanent ongoing basis. I always double backup my data because I have been caught already by a RAID server on which ALL data was lost. That's right, it had 8 drives and according to my host the unthinkable happened. All 8 died at the same time which is theoretically impossible!   I have also been in the situation where I kept backed up data on an external drive and both that and the main HDD failed. That's why today I am maniacal about backups and yet, RAID 0 is new to me so I didn't take enough precautions.

Man, what a mess ... ok, lets see if we can dig you out of this hole

First ... IMHO, the slight speed gain of RAID-0 is hardly worth lowering your over-all dependability by 50% (2 drives must work perfectly instead of just one). Also, if the dead M17x would have been running on a standard single drive ... you could just connect the old drive to the new machine via a USB-HDD adapter, and copy your data over.

RAID-1 sounds good in theory. However, you do take a performance hit. Also, if something like a virus infects the main drive ... it gets copied to the backup instantly. Plus, your backup is in the laptop ... so if it gets stolen or catches on fire, it's gone.

Personally, I would forget about RAID. Use C: for OS and programs. Use D: for Data. Acronis Backup to an external drive as often as you want. Use 2 and rotate backups between them if you want. Use eSata if available for speed. Problem solved ... no single point of failure. All laptop hardware is completely expendable.

Now, to make that happen ... this will be a little painful (but it will only hurt for a little while)

After you do the "first time setup" on the new laptop (and you are sure it's working fine) ...

1. Write down the normal non-RAID BIOS settings (for later).
1b. Be very careful handling HDDs. Don't be in a hurry or have distractions.
2. Swap the drives and set to RAID-1 (hopefully this works ... not really sure how this part works ... ask Dell)
3. Hopefully it boots and works like your old laptop now.
4. Backup only your Data to an external drive
4a. You can backup everything if you want (to be sure you get everything) but we are only going to restore Data files later
5. Swap the drives back. Be sure the RAID BIOS settings are OFF and back to a normal non-RAID config
6. New laptop should be working and back to it's original config. All new hardware for you to use.
7. Run an Acronis Full Backup (Optional .. but an easy way to restore laptop to shipping software config)
8. Install Programs. Restore Data files (only).
9. Run a 2nd final Acronis Full Backup to external drive. Never overwrite either of these 2 master backup images.
10. Pat yourself on the back. You are done. Enjoy your new computer.

You are now protected from just about anything. Establish a backup routine and stick to it.

If you Acronis Full Image Backup to a 2nd or 3rd external HDD, take it offsite and then you are really protected. Or, since it's really just the "data files" that are super important ... copy them to a small flash drive and keep it off-site (safety deposit box, hidden at parents house, whatever). Secure Internet Cloud storage is another option.

Thanks very much for all the time you spent helping me there Tesla. There appears to be one major challenge though. According to my Dell tech support rep, as the data and Windows installation was written to the drives using RAID 0 it will not be possible for me to return to a non RAID configuration unless I reformat the drives and start over. This is because Windows will not be visible therefore the machine won't boot ...unless the BIOS is set to RAID. He is not certain whether I can switch to RAID 1 but should get back to me with an answer soon.

As for keeping data off site, only internet storage is an option because my data is changing constantly. What I usually do is backup all changes as they are made using the synchro function in Xplorer2.

Thinking on what you have said, it seems to me that RAID 0 must be really dangerous in that if one of the drives fails, which is inevitable eventually, you would lose everything. Backing up data externally is not just a good idea for a RAID 0 user, it's an obligation!!

I've never been a big fan of RAID...
All my machines for the past 10 years have had multiple drives in non RAID configurations. Theonly thing I have with RAID is my MyBook World Edition (Network HD) which is mirrored but that's because it's how it came.

I just bought a Drobo v2.  Am finding it quite useful and very reliable.  I'm not 100% certain just how it works yet but it does away with RAID.  I have 4 drives and it has an internal system where if one of the drives fails you can simply swap it out and you don't lose any data (in theory but I'm hoping to not hav eot test this.. :) ).

Thanks very much for all the time you spent helping me there Tesla. There appears to be one major challenge though. According to my Dell tech support rep, as the data and Windows installation was written to the drives using RAID 0 it will not be possible for me to return to a non RAID configuration unless I reformat the drives and start over. This is because Windows will not be visible therefore the machine won't boot ...unless the BIOS is set to RAID. He is not certain whether I can switch to RAID 1 but should get back to me with an answer soon.

You lost me. My instructions don't include that step. Also, nothing is RAID-1 now, or does anything ever need to be.

Have them send the new machine with NO RAID ... just 2 normal drives ... C: and D:

As for keeping data off site, only internet storage is an option because my data is changing constantly. What I usually do is backup all changes as they are made using the synchro function in Xplorer2.   Thinking on what you have said, it seems to me that RAID 0 must be really dangerous in that if one of the drives fails, which is inevitable eventually, you would lose everything. Backing up data externally is not just a good idea for a RAID 0 user, it's an obligation!!

Re: Internet Cloud Storage

As you wish. Just keep the whole large Acronis Image partition backups on a local external USB drive in case of total HDD failure (so you don't have to rebuilt the whole machine in case of catastrophic failure)

Re: RAID-0

Exactly correct!