SATA RAID + separate SATA HD without loss of data

Alex1Sun

Honorable
Nov 20, 2013
1
0
10,510
Dear all,

I am not experienced in computers and need some help.

I have Dell 3400 workstation with Windows 7 and 3 SATA HDs in a raid configuration. I also have a separate SATA HD salvaged from a computer with a broken motherboard; it was a secondary HD there without any OS. I need to be able to access these HDs from a Dell 3400 workstation without loss of data, and I do not want to include a salvaged HD into a RAID.

What I have done so far:
1. I have connected power and SATA data cables to a salvaged HD and booted up Windows 7.
2. I checked the Disk Management tool and did not find any indications of a salvaged HD there.
3. I rebooted into BIOS and saw that SATA was set in the regime RAID always on.
4. Trying to change this setting gives a warning that it may cause inability to boot up an OS.
5. I left everything alone without any changes and went here to ask for help.
 
Solution
If your motherbd has sata controllers that are not part of the raid controller use those otherwise get a usb enclosure or drive dock as Giantbucket already suggested.