Vista x64bit Software Raid question.

GodSin · 06-10-2008, 10:03 AM

My brother was nice enough to install a rather nasty virus onto my computer and I need to reinstall windows vista. The Question I have is that I have 3x 1TB Seagate drives setup using the software raid configuration. I was wondering if I was to Reinstall windows by formatting the hard drive that windows is on if the stuff on the other 3 drives would still be intact?

I would rather not have to burn 3tb of data off my computer as that would take alot of dvds and probably burn out my dvd burner.

Thanks in advance

snipazer · 06-10-2008, 12:50 PM

No, the only data you will loose is the stuff on the drive you're installing Windows to. But, if you are doing a mirror RAID, then you will loose the data on all drives that you install Windows to that is mirrored. I know that second part is a bit confusing.

Example:

If you install Windows to Drive 1, all data will be lost there
Drive 2, 3, and 4 are the RAIDs, they will be fine

If you install Windows to Drive 2, 3 or 4, you will lose everything

GodSin · 06-10-2008, 11:43 PM

I have windows vista ultimate x64bit installed onto 2x Raptor 74gig 10,000 RPM hardware raided drives.

The software raid I setup inside the current installation of windows under...
Control Pannel
-> Admin Tools
-> Computer Managment
-> Storage
-> Disk Managment

The Drives that are using the software raid are different from the one I run windows from. Just trying to make sure that if I format the drive that has windows installed on it that the software raided drives will remain intact once I reinstall windows vista back onto the computer.

snipazer · 06-12-2008, 09:58 AM

Right, they will stay the same. The only drives that get effected are the ones where you install Windows to. Just make sure that you install to the right one! I suggest unplugging any hard drive you don't need during installation

mistical · 06-13-2008, 05:15 AM

I don't mean to hijack this topic but snipazer, I'm about to do the same thing as him. But instead I'll be reinstalling XP Professional 32-bit. I have Software RAID setup on drives 2/3 and my main install is drive 1. I already understand that it seems I can do this as well, reinstall and still have all my backed up data on my RAID setup (HD 2/3).

But is there anything special I need to do? Or will they automatically be picked up as Dynamic Disks with RAID Setup again? (One disk though obviously) I will be unplugging both SATA so I don't accidentally install on, not that I would though.

GodSin · 06-13-2008, 11:05 AM

Thanks to everyone for the fast answers. All my data was still on the 3 software raided drives after I formatted the drive with windows and reinstalled vista and got all the updates.

Never hurts to make sure before by asking around. Nothing like loosing a pile of digital photos you have taken over the years. Been there done that lol.

Thanks again everyone... Best thing is I did not have to do anything special.

snipazer · 06-13-2008, 04:28 PM

Load the drivers. Thats all

06-10-2008, 10:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
GodSin Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Mac OSX	Vista x64bit Software Raid question. My brother was nice enough to install a rather nasty virus onto my computer and I need to reinstall windows vista. The Question I have is that I have 3x 1TB Seagate drives setup using the software raid configuration. I was wondering if I was to Reinstall windows by formatting the hard drive that windows is on if the stuff on the other 3 drives would still be intact? I would rather not have to burn 3tb of data off my computer as that would take alot of dvds and probably burn out my dvd burner. Thanks in advance

06-10-2008, 12:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
snipazer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 77 OS: Windows Xp SP3, Windows Vista x64 SP1	Re: Vista x64bit Software Raid question. No, the only data you will loose is the stuff on the drive you're installing Windows to. But, if you are doing a mirror RAID, then you will loose the data on all drives that you install Windows to that is mirrored. I know that second part is a bit confusing. Example: If you install Windows to Drive 1, all data will be lost there Drive 2, 3, and 4 are the RAIDs, they will be fine If you install Windows to Drive 2, 3 or 4, you will lose everything

06-10-2008, 11:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
GodSin Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Mac OSX	Re: Vista x64bit Software Raid question. I have windows vista ultimate x64bit installed onto 2x Raptor 74gig 10,000 RPM hardware raided drives. The software raid I setup inside the current installation of windows under... Control Pannel -> Admin Tools -> Computer Managment -> Storage -> Disk Managment The Drives that are using the software raid are different from the one I run windows from. Just trying to make sure that if I format the drive that has windows installed on it that the software raided drives will remain intact once I reinstall windows vista back onto the computer.

06-12-2008, 09:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
snipazer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 77 OS: Windows Xp SP3, Windows Vista x64 SP1	Re: Vista x64bit Software Raid question. Right, they will stay the same. The only drives that get effected are the ones where you install Windows to. Just make sure that you install to the right one! I suggest unplugging any hard drive you don't need during installation

06-13-2008, 05:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
mistical Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 OS: XP Pro SP3	Re: Vista x64bit Software Raid question. I don't mean to hijack this topic but snipazer, I'm about to do the same thing as him. But instead I'll be reinstalling XP Professional 32-bit. I have Software RAID setup on drives 2/3 and my main install is drive 1. I already understand that it seems I can do this as well, reinstall and still have all my backed up data on my RAID setup (HD 2/3). But is there anything special I need to do? Or will they automatically be picked up as Dynamic Disks with RAID Setup again? (One disk though obviously) I will be unplugging both SATA so I don't accidentally install on, not that I would though.

06-13-2008, 11:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
GodSin Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Mac OSX	Re: Vista x64bit Software Raid question. Thanks to everyone for the fast answers. All my data was still on the 3 software raided drives after I formatted the drive with windows and reinstalled vista and got all the updates. Never hurts to make sure before by asking around. Nothing like loosing a pile of digital photos you have taken over the years. Been there done that lol. Thanks again everyone... Best thing is I did not have to do anything special.

06-13-2008, 04:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
snipazer Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern California Posts: 77 OS: Windows Xp SP3, Windows Vista x64 SP1	Re: Vista x64bit Software Raid question. Load the drivers. Thats all