configuring hdd's with raid & winxp

[donpablo]

If anyone can help me out I would really appreciate it. First, here's what I've got;

VIA P4PB400, P4 1.8A, 256MB XMS3200C2, ATI 8500, dvd 16x, S/B Audigy, 1 x 80GB WD JB, 2 x IBM's 120GXP connected to an IWill RAID100 (HighPoint 370) for raid 0, and Win XP pro.

So far I've partitioned 10GB, formated & installed XP on the WD.

Here's the brain teaser (for me anyway, this is my first sys build);

1. Would it be possible to change the 10GB partition to 2GB? In any case, how do I format the rest of this dsk (WD)? I've tried to get in to the partition/format screen, but even changing the boot to cdrom in the Award bios, XP loads every time.

2. I wanted to create 2 x 10GB partitions on the raided 0 IBM's and leave the rest (60GB) for future expansion, does anyone know if multiformating on the HighPoint controller is possible? Again, in any case, how do I format these raided IBMs?

3. As with Q1, is it possible to change partition sizes later on? The reason I wanted one of the 10GB in the raid was for photo/video editing (we all know how this can chew up space).

4. I've read many conflicting reports about cluster/block stripe size. I will use NTFS, and I'll stay (I think) with the 4k default cluster size and 32k stripe size, my question would be; can anyone see any reason not to do this?

Many thanks in advance (just for reading this anyway). I did buy the PC-MECHANIC cd, but much to my suprise there's nothing on RAID. Well worth the purchase though.

[donpablo]

The boot sequence was going so quick that I kept missing the "press any key to boot from cd".

I am really starting to like this XP, well worth the switch from 98SE.

Got the partitions sorted, XP is on a 2GB partition, left 1GB for windows utilities and drivers.

Made 2 x 10GB partitions on the raid config. sweet!

cheers

[Tuf]

Two GB is pretty small for XP. As it starts saving restore points it's not going to leave you with much free space to work with.

[donpablo]

I was a bit worried about lack of space, but the xp pro install only took up just under 1.2GB besides, apart from incredimail, every other utility and downloads are in a D: (1GB partition).

I'll let you know in a few months how I go.

[w0lf66]

ok, i feel real stupid, but ya gotta start somewhere, right? anyway, im building my first pc and need to know a few things, like, i have a asus a7v333r and will put a amd athalon 2100, two 40gig maxtor hhd's, crucial 256 pc2700 ddr, using old geforce 2 ti 64 mb (will up grade later), 10/100 eithernet adaptor, old floppy etc. all in a lian-li tower.

want to configure raid 0, and the question is can i run my xp os with just the raid array?

[glc]

Please do NOT put XP on a partition smaller than 5gb. You WILL run out of space soon, guaranteed. With 140gb of total space, what's 3gb between friends?

wolf: You certainly can.

[w0lf66]

thanks glc, should be putting the finishing touchs tonight and will up date all.