Question: RAID setup

[Recon]

I have a question about sewtting up RAID on an existing sytem. Can I just add a second hard drive to my existing setup or do I have to start from scratch with clean drives?
My motherboard is RAID and SATA compatable.

[gary_hendricks]

Hi Recon,

Good question. This really depends on your use of the RAID array. If you intend to use your existing hard disk (with the operating system installed) as part of your RAID array, I'm afraid you need to backup and clean out everything, then set up the RAID from scratch.

However, if you intend to leave the existing hard disk intact, then set up a separate RAID array for storage (which means you have 3 drives), then you don't have to set up from scratch.

These articles on RAID should help you out:
http://www.build-your-own-computers.com/a-guide-to-raid.html
http://www.geeks.com/pix/techtips-012705.htm

[Recon]

Thanks Gary! Those articles are just what the doctor ordered. But in looking things over further I'm thinking maybe I'm approaching this the wrong way. Basically I'm mostly concerned with storage capacity (I keep alot of games and have high end graphics and business programs that I use all the time). Now, perhaps I just need to add a second SATA drive, but the question is how to set up? Do I need to keep ALL the program files I use on one drive and just use the second for data storage or can I have some lesser used program on the second drive as well. Although, I just built my first system, I'm still pretty new to all this and still learning. BTW-this site and forum have been of immeasuable help and has saved me much money time and hair-pulling. Keep up the great posts everyone!

[glc]

If you just add a second drive, you can install programs to it no problem - just change the drive letter in the program's setup routine. It will still install some system files to the Windows drive but the bulk of the program will be on the other drive.

[Recon]

Great, thanks again.