Clean install Win 7 on older Windows XP system and setup RAID 1 array

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highcountryrider

highcountryrider

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I built a Win XP system for a friend (my first build!) about 6 years ago and now since XP is going EOL he wants to upgrade to Win 7 or 8.1 (if the hardware will support 8.1). When building it I set up a RAID 1 array since he wanted mirrored data backup. That was and still is the only time I have set up a RAID array

I can't remember all the steps I used back then but I do know I installed the RAID drivers when doing the Windows XP install (using the floppy disc method) and then I think i configured the RAID 1 array in the MB BIOS.

I would like some advice on how to go about deleting the current RAID array (in the BIOS?), formatting both HDDs and then setting up a new RAID 1 array when I clean install the new OS. I know that I will be formatting and partitioning one of the two HDDs using the new OS disc but have no clue how the second hard drive gets formatted and partitioned so that all the data on it is removed and it is ready to be used in the new RAID array. Will the Win 7 install disc install RAID drivers for me?

I hope my questions are clear and I would appreciate any responses.
 
Solution
USAFRet
Going in a different direction here, but there is a standard phrase for this:
RAID 1 is not a backup

Yes, it mirrors data across two drives. It also faithfully mirrors any accidental file deletions, corruptions, viruses, etc.
Accidentally delete a file, and a RAID 1 merely does it twice.

You still need an actual backup. And if you have that, why bother with the RAID?

RAID 1 only helps in case of a drive fail, and you need to keep running no matter what. As in the case of a webstore or something, where downtime = lost sales.
For regular desktop use? Not even a concern. Your personal data backed up elsewhere...reinstall the OS and applications and bring your data up from the backup. Offline for maybe a day.
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Going in a different direction here, but there is a standard phrase for this:
RAID 1 is not a backup

Yes, it mirrors data across two drives. It also faithfully mirrors any accidental file deletions, corruptions, viruses, etc.
Accidentally delete a file, and a RAID 1 merely does it twice.

You still need an actual backup. And if you have that, why bother with the RAID?

RAID 1 only helps in case of a drive fail, and you need to keep running no matter what. As in the case of a webstore or something, where downtime = lost sales.
For regular desktop use? Not even a concern. Your personal data backed up elsewhere...reinstall the OS and applications and bring your data up from the backup. Offline for maybe a day.
 
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highcountryrider

highcountryrider

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Thanks for the response. I see what you're saying about RAID 1 configuration. My friend wanted RAID originally to just have a backup in case the HDD failed. I guess what I will do is use one of the HDD as the OS drive and use the other as a backup drive.

Do I delete the RAID array in the BIOS before I format and install the new OS?
 
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