How to transfer from my HDD into my RAID 5

riccardi50 · Jan 3, 2017

I have a harddrive that I use right now with my computer. I recently bought 2 more of the identical drive (WD 6TB black) so that I can put all 3 of them in a RAID 5 array. I don't know jack about how to go about safely taking the files/programs/ect from the single HDD and put that into the new RAID 5.

I know I probably have to do a system image or something...but I don't really know how to do that or what the heck a system image is and if it is even better than just backing up files onto an external HDD. I could really use some guidance here.

I should note that I have an intel 750 series SSD that runs my OS and that is staying the same. I simply want to turn my single storage HDD into the RAID 5. Thanks!

utroz · Jan 3, 2017

So you might have a slight issue if you do not have another drive to put the data on while you are making the RAID 5 with your 3 identical drives. Other than that, are there programs installed on this drive currently or just data? If programs then you are going to probably clone the drive with something like Macrium Reflect Free www.macrium.com%2Freflectfree.aspx&usg=AFQjCNG0f_QPhbenn0BJ2ONmmZgr1fsSNg&sig2=HLP-qybr97ChXD_l58rCjw If it was just data you could risk just copying the files with Teracopy (for CRC check) or something like that. I can not recall if the free version of Macrium allows you to resize an parition when you copy the image file to a new drive but worse case you can do it afterwards with Windows Disk Management or a plethora of programs.

USAFRet · Jan 3, 2017

OK..I have to ask...why a RAID 5?

But to do this, you have to move everything off the single existing drive.
Build your RAID 5 thing (again, why?), and then move that data back.
Ensuring the new RAID array ends up with the same drive letter as the old drive used to be.

riccardi50 · Jan 3, 2017

utroz :

So you might have a slight issue if you do not have another drive to put the data on while you are making the RAID 5 with your 3 identical drives. Other than that, are there programs installed on this drive currently or just data? If programs then you are going to probably clone the drive with something like Macrium Reflect Free www.macrium.com%2Freflectfree.aspx&usg=AFQjCNG0f_QPhbenn0BJ2ONmmZgr1fsSNg&sig2=HLP-qybr97ChXD_l58rCjw If it was just data you could risk just copying the files with Teracopy (for CRC check) or something like that. I can not recall if the free version of Macrium allows you to resize an parition when you copy the image file to a new drive but worse case you can do it afterwards with Windows Disk Management or a plethora of programs.

There are programs on the drive...soooo what now?

riccardi50 · Jan 3, 2017

USAFRet :

I mean, I have 3 drives...RAID 5 just seems like the best fit right? I'm open to suggestions here.

and how do I go about move files AND programs from the old drive onto the new RAID array?

USAFRet · Jan 3, 2017

riccardi50 :

You're starting from a false premise.
That RAID 5 is NOT automatically the 'best fit' with that collection of drives.

My main system has 5 drives. 4 x SSD and 1 x 3TB HDD. Approx 5TB total.
No RAID in sight.

My HTPC/house server has 6 drives, approx 20TB. No RAID in existence.

What specific benefits are you looking for with this RAID?
With a RAID 5, your 3 x 6TB drives gives you 12TB effective space.

Personally, I would just add those 2 new drives as individual drives.

riccardi50 · Jan 3, 2017

USAFRet :

I've had a HDD fail on me in the past and was glad that I had a RAID 5 as I was just able to pull out the bad drive and put in a new one. After a bit of research, I'm thinking of getting 1 more drive and running a RAID 10. I'll get better performance and a bit of mirroring....kind of.

I don't have a home server to back everything up to hence why I have a large storage on my computer. I backup important files to my external WD.

USAFRet · Jan 3, 2017

Well..OK.
(with an actual backup, that RAID 5 is just a waste of space)

But to create this RAID 5 or 10, you need to move everything off that existing drive, to some other drive.
Create the RAID array.
Copy everything back.

Since this is just a secondary drive with no OS, the copy thing works.
Ensure that the RAID drive ends up with the same drive letter as the original drive.
The OS on the SSD does not know nor care, as long as it sees the same data on the same drive letter.

riccardi50 · Jan 4, 2017

USAFRet :

Is there a walkthru video on how to use that program? I have no idea how to use it.

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