Raid 1 Setup on XPS 8100

Question

I have an Studio XPS 8100 with a single 1 TB SATA drive. I have purchased a duplicate drive that I want to install into the chassis and then configure a RAID 1 array. So far, I have been unable to locate a procedure on the support web site, and since the array was not originally installed by Dell, it has been difficult finding the right department to get instructions on how to proceed.

I need to know how to setup the array, and whether or not the procedure will require the existing drive to be rebuilt from the OS up or not.

osprey4 · Answer

Hi Veers123,

Please review this section of the technology guide first . The steps are pretty easy. Install the new drive. Boot to the BIOS and enable RAID. Then boot to the RAID BIOS and select the RAID setup you want. Then allow the system to build the array. You do not need to do anything with the existing drive.

After you've reviewed the instructions, please feel free to post any questions you still have.

henrybailey21 · Answer

I'm lost here. I am trying to replace a dead raid drive. The pc was operating with the one good raid drive. I install the replacement drive- cmos says raid is enabled. I go into F5 and get several raid choices but I don't understand them. One screen talks about erasing all data, How do I make sure the good drive doesn;t get corrupted?

miloandbono · Answer

I'm in the same spot. I want to replace a drive, but I'm having problems finding documentation on the raid stuff. I'd love to replace the drive without doing a reload.

osprey4 · Answer

Hi Miloandbono, I've got a link above to the manual for the Studio XPS 8100, which explains how to work with RAID.

miloandbono · Answer

hi :) Thank you. Is this what you were referring to?

"Please review this section of the technology guide

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

first. The steps are pretty easy. Install the new drive. Boot to the BIOS and enable RAID. Then boot to the RAID BIOS and select the RAID setup you want. Then allow the system to build the array. You do not need to do anything with the existing drive.

After you've reviewed the instructions, please feel free to post any questions you still have."

I'm not getting much raid info out of the link, I can try following your instructions but I was hoping to understand the options under the "cntl i" area. Is there a manual on that?

thank you!! -sam

osprey4 · Answer

Sam, Not really a manual but you could find out more information by searching for the RAID configuration menu (Ctrl i).

Storage, Drives & Media

Raid 1 Setup on XPS 8100

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