Will I need to re-format to install Vista in RAID?

[DannyITR]

Hi guys,

I'm just wondering if I will need to re-format any of my drives when I buy Windows Vista. I plan to buy the full version and not the upgrade. I have 2 HD in a RAID 0 setup and a spare HD for storage.

Thanks

[rjfvillarosa]

The installation of Vista is the same as any other OS and it will ask you if you want to format the harddrive.
If you are planning on buying a new version of Vista and starting all over, then I would recommend backing up your personal files and zero filling the harddrive prior to installing Vista.

[DannyITR]

it will ask you if you want to format the harddrive.

I forget if we have a choice of not re-formatting. Do we?

[rjfvillarosa]

Not really, if you don't format you will wind up with two OS's on the harddrive possibly conficting with one another and one possibly damaged, you also run the risk of having the nag screen every time you start the machine up asking you which OS you want to load.
Not formatting is likely to cause you all sorts of problems, also the new installation will probably overwrite parts of your existing OS and your personal files.
I don't know how much space the retail version of Vista will take on the harddrive but my beta version takes up almost 10gig so the chances of files being overwritten is very high.
It is far better to install an OS on a fresh clean formatted harddrive in my opinion.

[MaxRat]

In Vista you dont get an option to format...it just does it...;)

and yes...it will reformat the drives....it's best to zero fill them after you save the info you want...

[rjfvillarosa]

In Vista you dont get an option to format...it just does it...;)

I beg to differ.

a quote from Paul Thurrott's site. ( http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winvista_03.asp )
In the next phase of Setup, you choose the partition to which to install Windows Vista (Figure). If you are installing Vista to a previously-used hard drive, you can use the Drive options (advanced) option to format the drive, which is recommended.

Similar information can be viewed here:
http://vistahomepremium.windowsreinstall.com/installnewnohdd/installnewhddnotseen.htm

I have installed several instances of Vista and I have formatted the harddrive on each occasion.

[MaxRat]

Sorry...I havent ever got that option....from a zero-filled drive...

I will test that on a drive with a previous install on it...Thanks...