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RAID-Free: Changing from RAID1 to non-RAID
I checked the forum on this one, but still looking for some clarification re DOs and
DONTS!
My 9200 machine will arrive configured with Windows VISTA in a RAID1 mirrored configuration. I am looking for the correct instructions to change both disks from that configuration to a non-RAID configuration without losing any data in the main drive (drive 0). I want to be
RAID-Free !
In doing so, I want to avoid some of the pitfalls of:
a) seemingly being successful, only to find the system rebuilding the RAID
configuration on reboot
b) getting a blue screen on reboot
c) losing the data on BOTH drives ....specifically the Ctrl I warnings in the manual that say "If your computer currently boots to RAID and you delete the RAID volume in the Intel RAID Option ROM, utility, your computer will become unbootable."
b) getting a blue screen on reboot
c) losing the data on BOTH drives ....specifically the Ctrl I warnings in the manual that say "If your computer currently boots to RAID and you delete the RAID volume in the Intel RAID Option ROM, utility, your computer will become unbootable."
Is the following correct: ??
0) (Is this neceesary ? ) Take a full image copy of Drive C before you start.
1) Boot the system
2) As it boots, press press CTRL+i to go into the RAID BIOS setup
3) You will see 4 options : 1 create RAID volume / 2 delete RAID volume / 3 Reset disks to Non-RAID / 4 Exit
4) Select Option 3- Reset Disks to Non-Raid
5) The above will give a warning about data loss, but that is a generic warning because resetting a RAID0 volume *would* cause data loss, but with RAID1 will be result in no data loss on either drive. ( << Really???)
6) After breaking a RAID-1, windows should show two separate hard drives that are exactly the same and will assign a letter to the second drive.
2) As it boots, press press CTRL+i to go into the RAID BIOS setup
3) You will see 4 options : 1 create RAID volume / 2 delete RAID volume / 3 Reset disks to Non-RAID / 4 Exit
4) Select Option 3- Reset Disks to Non-Raid
5) The above will give a warning about data loss, but that is a generic warning because resetting a RAID0 volume *would* cause data loss, but with RAID1 will be result in no data loss on either drive. ( << Really???)
6) After breaking a RAID-1, windows should show two separate hard drives that are exactly the same and will assign a letter to the second drive.
7) Rebbot the system to confirm the above.
8) (Is this a must??) : Format the second hard drive.
8) (Is this a must??) : Format the second hard drive.
....but when an XP user tried the above, it did not go so smooth ..." when I rebooted I got the Blue screen Stop message # 0x0000007b with instructions to check the drive for viruses and do a chkdsk. I did a chkdsk and everything seemed to be ok except the chkdsk message stated that that one or more errors had been corrected, but I still can't get past the Blue Screen Stop 7b message."
Many thanks
=====
keithg2
935 Posts
1
August 23rd, 2007 13:00
During boot up of your system, at the Intel Matix ROM Utility screen press CTRL-I (that's an eye) to enter the ROM utility. Select "Delete RAID volume". You will be warned that you will lose all your data which will not happen for a RAID 1 setup. Confirm the delete and exit the ROM utility. Your system will reboot and you will see at the ROM utility that you now have non-RAID drives. Let your system boot into Vista. In Vista you will see two identical drives with identical partitions. You can then do whatever you want to the 2nd hard drive. For example, you can reformat the entire drive, partition it the way you want, etc. I've done this many times without issues.
Sheldon G
509 Posts
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August 23rd, 2007 13:00
So what then is the diff between "2 delete RAID volume" and "3 Reset disks to Non-RAID " ??
keithg2
935 Posts
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August 23rd, 2007 16:00
Sheldon G
509 Posts
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August 23rd, 2007 23:00
willjenkin
15 Posts
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July 24th, 2008 20:00
Sheldon G
509 Posts
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July 25th, 2008 01:00
Nope, I am still RAID free and after almost two years like this, its perfect.
I have automated daily file backups to the second hard drive PLUS another independant set of automated daily file backups (staggered 12 hours) to an external drive PLUS a weekly full image backup to the external drive, PLUS those images are staggered on a 3 week cycle.
In this way, for 99.9999% of the time, I enjoy full use of all the storage I own, and have full confidence that my data is secure and I can easily recover data that may have become corrupt or was accidentally overeritten or erased, by going back to a copy saved 12 hours ago, 24 hours aga, 1 week, or two weeks or 3 weeks ago (or DVD backups before that).
For that .00001% of the time when I need to deal with a hard drive failure, sure I will be inconvienced and need to manaully recover from my image and file backups, but thats no big deal. I can essily recover, and besides, I have four other machines in the house if I need to do something in a hurry, and each can access the backup drive.
RAID-free is a perfect arrangement for me.
Re your post, I gather you want to go back to (or first establish) a RAID1 configuration. Is there an issue you are facing in doing this??
willjenkin
15 Posts
0
July 25th, 2008 04:00
Thanks for asking ..... Rather than cut and paste the other thread in here, could you do a search for "Unable to stop RAID1" - this is my current issue.
That being said, I am very tempted to follow your line and give myself access to all my available storage and manage backups, disk copy etc myself. While obviously providing a level of resilience, RAID1 may be overkill for me at the moment.
But if you have any ideas on how to resolve my problem, they would be gratefully received.
Thanks.
willjenkin
15 Posts
0
September 15th, 2008 19:00
Arturek007
1 Message
0
July 14th, 2016 12:00
if "Delete Array" option is unavailable just use "Reset disk to Non-Raid" for both disk (one at the time) ignoring warnings about data loss.
It worked for me on Vostro 410.
shesagordie
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46K Posts
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July 14th, 2016 13:00
This thread has been locked due to it's age, if you have a similar issue, please use the 'New Post' feature at the top of this page and start a new thread.
Bev.