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#1
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Convert Single Disk To Two Disk Raid 1
Hi,
Is it possible to convert a single disk system to a two disk Raid 1 without losing the contents of the original disk? I would like to just install the second disk, run a utility, and have the original disk copied. Thanks, Gary |
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#2
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Convert Single Disk To Two Disk Raid 1
"Abby Brown" wrote in message ... Hi, Is it possible to convert a single disk system to a two disk Raid 1 without losing the contents of the original disk? I would like to just install the second disk, run a utility, and have the original disk copied. Thanks, Gary When you set up a RAID array with Windows then you need to click the two disks while in Disk Manager to start the process. This is non-destructive for the first disk. Note also that creating a two-disk RAID array is in most cases a waste of resources. Disk failures are rare these days. The vast majority of PC problems relate to damaged Windows installations, viruses, malware, user error, file system problems, theft and physical damage. A RAID array will give you no protection against any of these events. You would get far better protection if you set up a decent backup scheme, using your second disk as an external storage unit. Installing a partition image program such as Acronis True Image and creating/maintaining an image of your System partition would also be an excellent idea. 90% of all problems posted in this forum could be solved by restoring an image . . . |
#3
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Convert Single Disk To Two Disk Raid 1
"Abby Brown" wrote in message ... Hi, Is it possible to convert a single disk system to a two disk Raid 1 without losing the contents of the original disk? I would like to just install the second disk, run a utility, and have the original disk copied. Thanks, Gary When you set up a RAID array with Windows then you need to click the two disks while in Disk Manager to start the process. This is non-destructive for the first disk. Note also that creating a two-disk RAID array is in most cases a waste of resources. Disk failures are rare these days. The vast majority of PC problems relate to damaged Windows installations, viruses, malware, user error, file system problems, theft and physical damage. A RAID array will give you no protection against any of these events. You would get far better protection if you set up a decent backup scheme, using your second disk as an external storage unit. Installing a partition image program such as Acronis True Image and creating/maintaining an image of your System partition would also be an excellent idea. 90% of all problems posted in this forum could be solved by restoring an image . . . |
#4
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Convert Single Disk To Two Disk Raid 1
On Thu, 9 Sep 2010 11:00:18 -0400, "Abby Brown"
wrote: Is it possible to convert a single disk system to a two disk Raid 1 without losing the contents of the original disk? I would like to just install the second disk, run a utility, and have the original disk copied. RAID 1 (mirroring) is almost always a mistake for home computer users. RAID 1 (mirroring) is *not* a backup solution. RAID 1 uses two or more drives, each a duplicate of the others, to provide redundancy, not backup. It's used in situations (almost always within corporations, not in homes) where any downtown can't be tolerated, because the way it works is that if one drive fails the other takes over seamlessly. Although some people thing of RAID 1 as a backup technique, that is *not* what it is, since it's subject to simultaneous loss of the original and the mirror to many of the most common dangers threatening your data--severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, theft of the computer, etc. Most companies that use RAID 1 also have a strong external backup plan in place. "Why RAID is (usually) a Terrible Idea" http://www.pugetsystems.com/articles?&id=29 -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
#5
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Convert Single Disk To Two Disk Raid 1
On Thu, 9 Sep 2010 11:00:18 -0400, "Abby Brown"
wrote: Is it possible to convert a single disk system to a two disk Raid 1 without losing the contents of the original disk? I would like to just install the second disk, run a utility, and have the original disk copied. RAID 1 (mirroring) is almost always a mistake for home computer users. RAID 1 (mirroring) is *not* a backup solution. RAID 1 uses two or more drives, each a duplicate of the others, to provide redundancy, not backup. It's used in situations (almost always within corporations, not in homes) where any downtown can't be tolerated, because the way it works is that if one drive fails the other takes over seamlessly. Although some people thing of RAID 1 as a backup technique, that is *not* what it is, since it's subject to simultaneous loss of the original and the mirror to many of the most common dangers threatening your data--severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus attacks, theft of the computer, etc. Most companies that use RAID 1 also have a strong external backup plan in place. "Why RAID is (usually) a Terrible Idea" http://www.pugetsystems.com/articles?&id=29 -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003 Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
#6
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Convert Single Disk To Two Disk Raid 1
"Pegasus [MVP]" wrote in message ... "Abby Brown" wrote in message ... Hi, Is it possible to convert a single disk system to a two disk Raid 1 without losing the contents of the original disk? I would like to just install the second disk, run a utility, and have the original disk copied. Thanks, Gary When you set up a RAID array with Windows then you need to click the two disks while in Disk Manager to start the process. This is non-destructive for the first disk. Note also that creating a two-disk RAID array is in most cases a waste of resources. Disk failures are rare these days. The vast majority of PC problems relate to damaged Windows installations, viruses, malware, user error, file system problems, theft and physical damage. A RAID array will give you no protection against any of these events. You would get far better protection if you set up a decent backup scheme, using your second disk as an external storage unit. Installing a partition image program such as Acronis True Image and creating/maintaining an image of your System partition would also be an excellent idea. 90% of all problems posted in this forum could be solved by restoring an image . . . I was wondering about that. That will save me a disk. Thanks, Gary |
#7
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Convert Single Disk To Two Disk Raid 1
"Pegasus [MVP]" wrote in message ... "Abby Brown" wrote in message ... Hi, Is it possible to convert a single disk system to a two disk Raid 1 without losing the contents of the original disk? I would like to just install the second disk, run a utility, and have the original disk copied. Thanks, Gary When you set up a RAID array with Windows then you need to click the two disks while in Disk Manager to start the process. This is non-destructive for the first disk. Note also that creating a two-disk RAID array is in most cases a waste of resources. Disk failures are rare these days. The vast majority of PC problems relate to damaged Windows installations, viruses, malware, user error, file system problems, theft and physical damage. A RAID array will give you no protection against any of these events. You would get far better protection if you set up a decent backup scheme, using your second disk as an external storage unit. Installing a partition image program such as Acronis True Image and creating/maintaining an image of your System partition would also be an excellent idea. 90% of all problems posted in this forum could be solved by restoring an image . . . I was wondering about that. That will save me a disk. Thanks, Gary |
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