Installing A Raid Array

[TeaLeaf]

I have just spent the last 3 hours and 30 minutes trying to install a RAID array on my Windows 2000 Server.  It should have taken me about 30 minutes  :angry:

Tip 1:
If you are installing your RAID array on an existing boot installation then DO NOT read the motherboard manual - it will be wrong, I guarantee it.

Tip 2:
Install the RAID drivers on the existing installation before connecting, defining and building the RAID array. (this is exactly the opposite of what the motherboard manual says).  Only when the drivers are installed should you then connect your other drives and start building the array.

Tip 3:
Try to create the array initially from two different size and brands of hard drive (the new drive being bigger than the existing drive).  This will help you when the Raid software in BIOS says "which drive would you like to use as the source drive" and you are given two choices both of which say 'MAX60058656 30GB'.  The bad news with this particular Hobson's choice is that one of these identically named drives is your master boot disk with all your business data, MS Exchange files etc, whilst the other drive is in fact a worthless POS and does not have anything on it. Imagine picking the wrong source drive........ :blink:

Tip 4:
Always have copious quantities of beer next to you at all times, because I lost count of the number of times I had to wait for the Windows 2000 Server to re-boot and fully initialise.  I did and it helped me through an otherwise frustrating time.

Tip 5:  Re-read Tips 1 & 2 as they will save your nuts from 3 hours of sitting on a chair waiting and trying to fix a borked RAID installation.

/Rant mode off
/RAID working smoothly
/Alcohol tolerance increased

TL.