Is it impossible to set up software RAID1 with a boot drive?

[c0mplexx*]

I got 2 identical 3TB hdds with 1 of them being the boot drive but windows (10 pro) won't let me mirror either

[Electronics Wizardy]

Not in windows. But you probably don't want a hdd for boot anyways as its too slow. What system are you using? There is often motherboard raid.

[c0mplexx*]

8 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Not in windows. But you probably don't want a hdd for boot anyways as its too slow. What system are you using? There is often motherboard raid.

Aww can Ubuntu desktop do it?

I know HDDs are slow but I want the PC to mainly be used to store files and I'd rarely turn it off and don't want to buy another part 

The mobo is Gigabyte GA-H61M-S2PV and it was a budget mobo when I bought it so I doubt it has any raid features on it

[Electronics Wizardy]

1 minute ago, c0mplexx* said:

Aww can Ubuntu desktop do it?

yup most linux distros can do it, but it may take some more configuration

 

2 minutes ago, c0mplexx* said:

I know HDDs are slow but I want the PC to mainly be used to store files and I'd rarely turn it off and don't want to buy another part 

The mobo is Gigabyte GA-H61M-S2PV and it was a budget mobo when I bought it so I doubt it has any raid features on it

 

 

For a basic file server, Id just use the second drive as a backup, and not use raid. Generally better at protecting your data, and will work with one of them as a boot drive.

[Bombastinator]

To reinforce the above there is a bromide often used “RAID is not a backup”. Personally I don’t see how a software based system could be used without running the software first.  This probably involves drive partitioning which would mean peculiarities of NTFS would be involved for windows systems. There are at least currently issues with some types of raid on SSDs. It would seem to me that the simple solution for this one is a cheapass small SSD as a boot drive.  Thus sidestepping the problem.

Edited February 12, 2022 by Bombastinator

[c0mplexx*]

5 hours ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

For a basic file server, Id just use the second drive as a backup, and not use raid. Generally better at protecting your data, and will work with one of them as a boot drive.

Aw problem is I also might edit files on it and constantly copy pasting would be annoying. Though there might be software I can find for that  

5 hours ago, Bombastinator said:

To reinforce the above there is a bromide often used “RAID is not a backup”. Personally I don’t see how a software based system could be used without running the software first.  This probably involves drive partitioning which would mean peculiarities of NTFS would be involved for windows systems. There are at least currently issues with some types of raid on SSDs. It would seem to me that the simple solution for this one is a cheapass small SSD as a boot drive.  Thus sidestepping the problem.

Yeah I might eventually just get my friends SSD when he upgrades or i'll wait for a sale and buy a 120GB one, gonna take a while though

[Bombastinator]

47 minutes ago, c0mplexx* said:

Aw problem is I also might edit files on it and constantly copy pasting would be annoying. Though there might be software I can find for that  

Yeah I might eventually just get my friends SSD when he upgrades or i'll wait for a sale and buy a 120GB one, gonna take a while though

The little ones cost less than replacement cables these days especially if they’re sata and small.  No one wants em. so it may not be worth the wait depending on how flush you are.  All you need is something big enough to hold win11.  A 64g one should be more than enough.  Heck, you could run it off a flash drive.

Edited February 12, 2022 by Bombastinator

[Electronics Wizardy]

51 minutes ago, c0mplexx* said:

Aw problem is I also might edit files on it and constantly copy pasting would be annoying. Though there might be software I can find for that  

6 hours ago, Bombastinator said:

There is lots of backup software that will automate this for your, or use copying software to sync the drives. No need to do it manually. Should be much easier than raid to setup.

[wseaton]

As I recall NT4 used to be able to do this. Not sure if any Windows versions still can, but it's an inherently terrible idea.

 

The common recommendation I have for this is put Windows on a 256GB NVMe or Sata, then create a RAID 1 with the 3TB spinners. Periodically back up the 256GB boot drive to the 3TB RAID 1 array, and periodically backup the 3TB array to an external 3TB drive. Your butt is covered like a blanket. Or, just run a single 3TB drive as a data drive and be a little more dilligent about backing up to your external nightly.

[kokosnh]

If we talk about boot-able software RAID 1, then what you are looking for is that RAID 1 that you do from the UEFI (it's just a flag for windows, and the RAID 1 is software base).