"replacing raid 5 array(3 hdd's) with single drive" for noobs

[Hidd3nAJ3nda]

Hello all,

I really need to replace my hdd's. They've lived out their expected life span plus some, with some abuse along the way. So my question is.... How do I go about switching out my raid 5(3 hdd's) with a new SINGLE drive ? I have backed up all of my pics, music, movies, and games, now i just need to know how to fix this thing!!! I'm still a noob when it comes to working on my pc so any and all help is appreciated because the only things i've done are swap out my gpu and add more RAM.... and thats... well... easy mode so.. ya. 

Thanks in advance!

[dalekphalm]

So you currently have a 3-drive RAID 5 array, and you'd like to replace this array with a single HDD?

 

Okay... that's quite simple. Copy the contents of the RAID 5 array onto the single larger HDD... and then you're done. Can you be a little bit more explicit in what you're asking for?

[Vitalius]

So you currently have a 3-drive RAID 5 array, and you'd like to replace this array with a single HDD?

 

Okay... that's quite simple. Copy the contents of the RAID 5 array onto the single larger HDD... and then you're done. Can you be a little bit more explicit in what you're asking for?

This. 

Also, if you do decide to go with parity RAID again, be sure to get NAS drives. Consumer drives are bad for Parity RAID. 

But a copy/paste is basically what you need. Then just delete the RAID5 volume in Disk Manager and rock on.

[TheProfosist]

I was expecting something much more complex being asked...

[Hidd3nAJ3nda]

Thanks, so I can add the new drive even with raid enabled ? then just copy, paste, disable raid and I'm done ? 

[Hidd3nAJ3nda]

And i know this is probably a simple thing to solve but I know nothing about raid arrays and how they work. 

i just want to be sure so I dont mess anything up. 

Thanks again.

[TheProfosist]

If the array is still alive and kicking and isnt a boot drive just pop the new drive in your system and copy and past the files in windows.

[TheProfosist]

Thanks, so I can add the new drive even with raid enabled ? then just copy, paste, disable raid and I'm done ?

yes

[Hidd3nAJ3nda]

ok awsome thats much easier then i thought it would be! 

[ultimatemythbuster]

Thanks, so I can add the new drive even with raid enabled ? then just copy, paste, disable raid and I'm done ? 

You technically don't have to change the SATA controller from RAID to AHCI mode, you can just delete the RAID volume and leave the controller in RAID mode.  Won't hurt anything.