Hi, I have 2 -500 gig hard drives, first and the original is a Vista 32 Ultimate, the second is
Win 7pro 64 bit. I love the 64 bit win 7. The vista is too slow and takes forever to load.
What I would like to do is create a RAID 1 setup where as the the two HDDs will be mirrored in case of trouble. How do I do this? Do I format the vista hard drive and then go into bios and turn on raid 1 setup? Will this reformat both HDDs? This is what Im unsure of. I dont want to erase my new 64 bit win7. Any help would be appreciated and also if you could list the steps as I would have to do them. Thx
To set up a RAID 1 configuration with your two hard drives while keeping your existing Windows 7 installation intact, you will need to follow these steps:
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up RAID 1:
Backup Important Data:
Before proceeding with any changes, ensure you have backups of all important data on both hard drives to prevent data loss.
[]Check RAID Support:
Make sure your motherboard supports RAID technology and that both hard drives are connected to RAID-compatible SATA ports.
[]Access BIOS:
Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup by pressing a specific key during boot (F2, Del, F12, etc., depending on the motherboard).
[]Enable RAID in BIOS:
Locate the "SATA Configuration" or "Integrated Peripherals" section in the BIOS.
Look for an option related to RAID and set it to "RAID" mode.
Save the changes and exit the BIOS.
[]RAID Configuration:
During the boot process, you might see a prompt to enter the RAID configuration utility. This varies depending on the motherboard manufacturer.
Enter the RAID configuration utility and create a new RAID 1 array using both hard drives.
[]Format the RAID Array:
After creating the RAID 1 array, you will typically have the option to initialize or format the array. This step will not impact the data on your Windows 7 drive.
[]Install Windows 7 Drivers:
If necessary, have the Windows 7 RAID drivers ready for installation during the Windows setup process.
[]Boot from Windows 7 Installation Media:
Insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB drive and boot from it.
[]Windows Installation:
Proceed with the Windows 7 installation. When prompted to select a drive for installation, choose the RAID 1 array.
Complete Windows Installation:
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Windows 7 installation on the mirrored RAID array.
Important Notes:
Data Loss Risk: While setting up RAID 1 should not erase your Windows 7 drive, there is always a risk of data loss during any disk operation. Ensure you have backups.
RAID Utility Guidance: The RAID configuration utility interface can vary, so refer to your motherboard's manual for specific guidance.
RAID Maintenance: Regularly monitor the RAID array for any issues to ensure data redundancy and integrity.
Following these steps should help you set up a RAID 1 configuration with your two hard drives without impacting your existing Windows 7 installation. If you encounter any specific issues during the process, feel free to ask for further assistance.
. The vista is too slow and takes forever to load
.
