Reccomendations for RAID 1 software config.

[Clubconsoles]

I was thinking of getting a 2nd 1TB HDD and making a RAID 1 from 2 1TB HDD'S. I just have some questions:

 

1) Will it format my existing 1TB drive?

2) Will it inter fear with my SSD?

3) Is it even possible?

 

If I have to back my data up I have no where to back it up so yeah.

Also doing it because I am lazy and can't be bothered to back up my computer manually. 

 

Thanks.

[NinjaJc01]

1- Yes, but depends on the method, take a backup anyway

2- Nah

3 - If the drives are the same model and make, it should be fine.

[Clubconsoles]

Just now, NinjaJc01 said:

1- Yes, but depends on the method, take a backup anyway

2- Nah

3 - If the drives are the same model and make, it should be fine.

I don't have enough space on my 1TB external HDD to back it up. (My backups are all over the place and not very recent)

[Sevilla]

The only route you have is a software raid via Windows, as a hardware raid (say via a RAID controller in your board) will wipe your 1TB drive. 

 

Simply run Disk Manager (Start>Run>diskmgmt.msc), and convert the first drive (with the data on it) to a "dynamic disk". Do the same to the second drive. Right click on the first drive, and there should be an "Add Mirror" option available.

All this being said, I highly recommend making a backup of your stuff before doing this regardless--things can go wrong in the process like the system getting hung mid-raid creation or the like. I get your data may be scattered everywhere, but realistically if you're that serious about redundancy of your valued data, you should consider actually doing it right, but that's just my opinion.

[dalekphalm]

21 hours ago, Clubconsoles said:

I don't have enough space on my 1TB external HDD to back it up. (My backups are all over the place and not very recent)

Keep in mind, that RAID DOES NOT EQUAL Backup.

 

If you accidentally delete a file, it's gone. If you accidentally save a file with the wrong details inside, the old version is gone. If you get a virus infection, your "mirror" is infected too.

 

RAID1 mirrors protect against hardware failure. They protect files in the case one of your HDD dies. They do not protect those files in situations where the files themselves are damaged, erased, etc.

4 hours ago, Sevilla said:

The only route you have is a software raid via Windows, as a hardware raid (say via a RAID controller in your board) will wipe your 1TB drive. 

 

Simply run Disk Manager (Start>Run>diskmgmt.msc), and convert the first drive (with the data on it) to a "dynamic disk". Do the same to the second drive. Right click on the first drive, and there should be an "Add Mirror" option available.

All this being said, I highly recommend making a backup of your stuff before doing this regardless--things can go wrong in the process like the system getting hung mid-raid creation or the like. I get your data may be scattered everywhere, but realistically if you're that serious about redundancy of your valued data, you should consider actually doing it right, but that's just my opinion.

Good points - agreed on all counts.