First time build MISTAKE

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

MrComa

Honorable
Jan 4, 2014
8
0
10,510
Installed OS before setting up RAID

New member and first build. Was mixed up and installed windows 8 before enabling RAiD in bios.
My plan is for OS to live on an SSD with twin HDD in RAID 1. Want to completely remove OS and start over- correctly.

My first glimpses of windows 8 were not wonderful. How has the OS been received? Should I stick with it, or are there recommendations?

Please advise or redirect. Thanks

Asus P8V68-pro Gen 3
Intel i5-2500k
Corsair force3 240GB SSD
WD black 1TB HDD (2)
Corsair vengeance ddr3 16GB
 
Solution
ssddx
z68vpro
Intel® Z68 chipset :
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), blue
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Support Intel® Smart Response Technology on 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family
Marvell® PCIe SATA 6Gb/s controller : *2
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), navy blue
Click to expand...

z68mpro
Intel® Z68 chipset :
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), blue
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Support Intel® Smart Response Technology on 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family
ASMedia® PCIe SATA controller : *2
1 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
1 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), navy blue
Click to expand...

depending on which one you have.....

you should be able to use either the grey or blue sata ports to raid your drives. you cannot however use the navy...
Sort by date Sort by votes
ssddx

ssddx

Titan
May 27, 2009
17,054
5
74,965
one ssd and two hdd in raid? or two ssd in raid?

is the os installed to the ssd correctly or did you install to a hdd instead accidentally?

my opinion is that windows 8 is a piece of trash. in terms of performance its okay howver in terms of design its junk.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ramalpan

ramalpan

Distinguished
Dec 7, 2013
152
0
18,710
Well since you have opened and used the product key I think you are stuck with windows 8. I don't really know what the return policy is for software like that is, but IMO I would try to return it and buy windows 7.

You don't seem to be using a touch screen so 8 really isn't necessary. Also 8 can't support games like bioshock and borderlands 2.

Stick with what you know (windows 7)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ssddx

ssddx

Titan
May 27, 2009
17,054
5
74,965
if you used the product key you are screwed. (if you activated it)

if you didnt activate...and if you didnt destroy the seal by cutting it... you could seal it up and return it. just say you didnt open the box.

i did that with windows vista years back.

though if you were hasty and destroyed the seal or ripped the cardboard you're screwed and stuck.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ramalpan

ramalpan

Distinguished
Dec 7, 2013
152
0
18,710
Based on what you said, you seem to have opened the package...
You might have to get used to windows 8.
You can still purchase a copy of windows 7 tho as well, and use both OS on ur hard drives
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ssddx

ssddx

Titan
May 27, 2009
17,054
5
74,965
well... opened is relative..
it can be easily "closed" and "resealed" if he wasnt to hasty.

i returned vista after i installed it and found out how bad it was. i uninstalled it, washed the seal sticker off, dried, gave it fresh tack by sticking office tape to it (scotch tape) and pulling it off a few times then sticking the sticker back on the box. since i never activated it and uninstalled it before i returned it i simply stated i didnt need it and that i didnt open the box (which looked sealed).

underhanded perhaps but since i didnt activate it... i technically didnt use it.

however if you didnt plan for this and activated or destroyed the box its not possible to do this.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015
ANSWER:

1) You do NOT want to setup RAID1 between an SSD and HDD due to performance issues. It defeats the purpose of getting the SSD.

2) What you WANT to do is use a tool like Acronis True Image to make automated backup Images of your SSD to the HDD instead. http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/trueimage/?adpos=1t1&device=c&network=g&matchtype=e&gclid=CPmvp4Kz5rsCFfBDMgodNEcA2A

*There is a FREE VERSION of this for Seagate or Western Digital users but it is not automatic. Seagate calls it something different I believe. $50 may seem expensive, and I guess it is. Ironically, I bought it just after installing W8 because I had to restore W7 a few times but after 1 year of W8 usage I've never needed to Restore to an earlier point as I've had no issues (other than malware that I solved with removal tools).

I setup mine on a WEEKLY basis. It makes a full backup, then Incremental backups (1+4). This is called a Chain. I have two chains, then it deletes the oldest to save space so I always have at least FIVE backups I can restore to (one for each week). Sounds complicated I know but just read the instructions.

3) W7 vs W8:
Windows 8 is superior in many ways. The only real issue is the new interface and that's easily fixed with a $5 program like START8 from Stardock or even a free one.

With Start8 (and settings in it to remove Charms Bar from desktop and bootup etc) I boot directly to the W7 style desktop. In fact, if you sat down on my PC you'd probably never know it wasn't Windows 7 aside from the shortcut link to the W8 screen that's in my restored Start Menu and the slightly improved Windows Explorer.

Start8: http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

*Once Start8 is installed, just go into the settings and play around with them, such as "Disable Charms Bar when I'm at the Desktop."
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ssddx

ssddx

Titan
May 27, 2009
17,054
5
74,965
@photon

he said twin hdd in raid1 so i'm assuming he has two hdd not 1ssd and 1hdd. i agree with backups but thats a bit excessive and alot of wasted hdd space. their choice.

true, you can modify 8 to look like 7. as you said win8 is superior in ways but so is win7 over 8 in others. win8 has a lack of support for some older programs though which might be an issue if older programs or games are wanted. up to them to keep 8 or get 7. their choice.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MrComa

Honorable
Jan 4, 2014
8
0
10,510
Thank you for all of the responses. It sounds like I am committed to Win 8- at least for now. I will look at start8 since that sounds like a huge improvement.

My main concern is for the build itself. I really want those twin HDD set up in raid 1, but loaded the OS before setting up the drives for RAID in bios. I have loaded no other software. I feel like the best move is to completely remove win8 and start over.

If that is the best option, how can I completely remove the OS? Do I need something like Wipe Drive or specific cleaning program?

Thanks again to everyone for the support.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ssddx

ssddx

Titan
May 27, 2009
17,054
5
74,965
you did not specify WHERE you installed the os.

if you installed it to your ssd......and have nothing installed on your two hard drives (you you have a single ssd for the os and two hard drives for backup right?) then you can set up the raid1 afterwards....

you need to specify before we can tell you anything.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
toxicthunder69

toxicthunder69

Honorable
Jan 2, 2014
25
0
10,530


I'm using Windows 8, I think it's fine as you don't even have to use the Modern UI. Also I have both Borderlands 2 and Bioshock and they run perfectly fine.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MrComa

Honorable
Jan 4, 2014
8
0
10,510
Ah, a very good point. The OS is on the SSD. my plan is to use the SSD for frequent use programs and the HDD set for longer term storage.

At one point while looking for the hdds in windows I somehow created a "system reserved" partition on one HDD. Now, however, I cannot locate the drives at all via windows.

Update: I managed to locate "disk management" again. As described there is a 350MB partition on disk 0, which is one of the HDD. I'm not sure if this will be a problem moving forward.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
O

Outlander_04

Titan
BANNED
Nov 18, 2008
20,308
4
74,960
Win 8 can save you here

First off its horrible out of the box . But at the metro screen right click and uninstall all the apps you wont use . They really are terrible

Then install Classic Shell . Its a free start button program and after that the OS will behave just like 7 , or Vista , or XP , or 98 .
Your choice .

But you will still have the win 8 enhancements available and the one that will save this set up is called Storage Spaces .
I suggest you google "win 8 storage spaces "

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-NZ/windows-8/storage-spaces-pools

You can set up a virtual RAID 1 , in windows software . All done
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MrComa

Honorable
Jan 4, 2014
8
0
10,510


This was definitely my original plan, but I started the process while much too tired and loaded the OS too soon. Now I am not sure the best way to proceed. I read that windows based RAiD is not great, but not why that is so. I will gladly remove the OS and start over but wanted to find out the best way to do so. I have never erased an OS unless completely wiping the drive.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MrComa

Honorable
Jan 4, 2014
8
0
10,510


For reasons I don't understand the windows RAID does not get good reviews. Have you used it personally? It sounds like it might be an easy fix, but I hate to take a shortcut on my first ever build. I've screwed it up enough already.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ssddx

ssddx

Titan
May 27, 2009
17,054
5
74,965
@op

i dont see why its such a big issue about windows being installed on the ssd. for the sake of your two other drives in raid 1 it doesnt exist. just ignore the fact that you have windows on the ssd as it is confined to the ssd.

in fact i always set up my auxilliary (non os) drives after the fact. i always have them disconnected so i dont accidentally install to the wrong one and then i install windows and then add the other drives back in when i turn the system off next.

if you are most comfortable starting from scratch.... then you could do that however i'm 99% sure you dont need to and that all you need to do is go into your motherboards raid utility (look in the manual for the right key to push down at startup) and set the other drives to a raid config. i would format them at this time. they should be easy to tell as they would be two drives starting with the same letters (ie... WDC if you were using western digital caviars) and would be the same size (ie 1048576mb if using terabyte sized drives). then it would ask you which raid type (pick 1 if you want them to be identical copies of one another for backup purposes) and then select the two drives. its very easy.

i've never used windows based raid... i've always used the mobo provided hardware option which has worked flawlessly. so i cant really compare them.. but i would always go with the mobo raid myself in my own systems. your choice.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

MrComa

Honorable
Jan 4, 2014
8
0
10,510
Update-
I changed SATA config to RAID, restarted and configured the drives in the RAID utility. After this, however, windows would not load. Received a message that I must redirect boot path or insert boot media. No launch after verifying the SSD as my boot drive and windows said no way when I tried to boot from the disk a repair/refresh.

I am currently wiping the SSD and will reload the OS.

New question- I found an old post that says RAID is only possible using the SATA3 ports on my mobo(asus p8z68-v pro). The RAID configuration tool let me create a volume despite the drives being on the SATA6 ports. Think this will be an issue?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ssddx

ssddx

Titan
May 27, 2009
17,054
5
74,965
z68vpro
Intel® Z68 chipset :
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), blue
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Support Intel® Smart Response Technology on 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family
Marvell® PCIe SATA 6Gb/s controller : *2
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), navy blue
Click to expand...

z68mpro
Intel® Z68 chipset :
2 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
4 x SATA 3Gb/s port(s), blue
Support Raid 0, 1, 5, 10
Support Intel® Smart Response Technology on 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family
ASMedia® PCIe SATA controller : *2
1 x eSATA 6Gb/s port(s), red
1 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), navy blue
Click to expand...

depending on which one you have.....

you should be able to use either the grey or blue sata ports to raid your drives. you cannot however use the navy blue (dark blue) ones.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
M

MrComa

Honorable
Jan 4, 2014
8
0
10,510
Looks like I am good to go. After re-installing Windows everything looks great. I have yet to install drivers for graphics and sound cards, but the drives are being recognized appropriately. getting to know Win8 is going to be a challenge. I may try Classic Shell pretty quickly.

I appreciate the input from everyone and REALLY thank ssddx for staying with me throughout. I am pretty happy with the outcome of this first build.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
LummusMaximus

LummusMaximus

Honorable
Nov 1, 2013
586
0
11,160


The problem with software RAID is that it usually slows down your system, and will always be beaten by dedicated RAID controllers or just going through the motherboard.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
O

Outlander_04

Titan
BANNED
Nov 18, 2008
20,308
4
74,960


Its not RAID , its virtual drives and it would be slower than a RAID 0 set up . But in this case where the idea is a back up in real time of data on a disk its going to work perfectly well
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom