You can leave raid on and still have a non raid system.  Just enable the the sata port in the bios for the 2nd hd (they're numbered just look close) you plugged it into and go into disk management to format.  If you want to install vista on the existing hd, you may have to reformat and partition the entire drive.  I've never used any of the partitioning software available so I'm not sure if the software route is an option.  Wait for a couple more responses, I'm sure you'll get your answer.

As UncleRipper points out, don't worry about the RAID being 'enabled'. All that means is that you have the ability to set up any/all of your drives in a RAID array.

 

When Windows is installed, it has to be installed basically as a RAID enabled system or a Non-RAID enabled system. You can't change from one way to the other without re-installing Windows from scratch.

 

Just install the new drive as UncleRipper describes. You'll be fine.

 

When it comes to dual-booting, you're going to need two different partitions to do it the best way.

 

Unfortunatly, that means re-installing windows so you can change the partitions on your primary drive. As soon as you do that, you're going to lose that ability to access the hidden 'restore' partition.

 

Also, keep in mind that if you re-install Windows and continue to leave the system as RAID enabled, Windows may need you to press F6 during the installation and feed it the RAID drivers on a floppy. I haven't tried this yet on my 410 so I can't tell you for sure. I've been told that you might not have to load the RAID drivers from floppy because Dell has included them (slipstreamed) them onto the Dell Windows CD.

 

 

Here is your fix Fix to change from Raid ON to Auto/ATA without reinstalling Windows  

Hope this helps

Thanks for the replies.  Can anyone tell me what the 2 extra partitions (other than Windows) are on the preconfigured drive?  There's a tiny one at the beginning and a bigger one at the end.