[Pc_Support] Re: Advice request: Windows non-raid -> Windows RAID on 7006-2

[Bryan J. Smith]

Ugo Bellavance <ugob at lubik.ca> wrote:
> Hi Brian,
> I have to do this task:
> Take a workstation with Windows XP pro + other apps + data, that is
> running on only one, 13-gig HDD and make it run on a RAID1, powered
> by a 3ware 7006-2 and 2 WD800JB, without reinstalling windows.  Is
> it possible?

Yes, with one huge caveat on NT5+ (2000+).

> I thought of that as a potential solution:
> 1- Install the 3ware drivers into windows, with or w/o the 3ware
> card inside and/or the 2 disks. Then shutdown the system, create
> the RAID1 array with the 2 WD, use ghost to copy the 13 GB drive
> to the array, then remove the 13 GB, tell the BIOS to boot on the
> controller, then hope it works.

Unfortunately, that doesn't solve the huge caveat.

To boot NTLDR, you need:  

A)  The Registry settings for the first storage device to match the
actual

B)  3Ware storage controller driver installed as C:\NTBOOTDD.SYS
(which is required when a stock ATA driver isn't used as the boot
device)

"B" can be handled by booting into Rescue Mode with the CD (and
hitting F6 at boot to load the 3Ware driver), and running "fixboot"
(possibly "fixmbr" as well, although it's probably not needed).

"A" is the big issue.  Installing the drivers before rebooting _may_
work, but it typically hasn't for me when the driver isn't just a
simple ATA controller change.

> I'll do a ghost image on an external USB HDD just in case...

Ghost, Partimage, etc... isn't the issue.  Although it will prevent
the NT5+ (2000+) kernel from relabeling drive letters, it doesn't
solve A or B.

-- 
Bryan J. Smith     Professional, Technical Annoyance
b.j.smith at ieee.org      http://thebs413.blogspot.com
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