RAID without losing OS

[RonnieSlowinski]

So I have 2x Samsing 120gb EVO SSDs and a WD Black (which I will replace with a green soon because the noise is killing me!) and I would like to set up RAID 0 with the 2 SSDs. The problem is that I have my OS on one of them and some games on the other. I do not mind losing the games but I would like to preserve my OS since I am out of money. My idea is to temporarily migrate my OS to the HDD, then I will create the RAID volume with the SSDs and migrate my OS back to them. I am not sure of 2 things:

 

-Is this even possible?

 

-Is this the best way to do it?

[Vitalius]

Yes. 

I believe so. 

I would use AOMEI Backupper personally. Create a volume just big enough to hold your OS on your HDD, then use AOMEI Backupper to clone the OS to that volume. Also move all your games if you have enough space. 

Then RAID 0 the two SSDs and use AOMEI to clone the OS install back to the RAID 0 array and expand the volume to include the total space available (otherwise, it won't take it all up) and do whatever with your games that you want (probably move them back to the RAID 0). 

That should allow you to move your entire OS without having to reinstall or anything like that.

[Scheer]

You know that you don't have to buy Windows every time you format your computer, right? The product key can be reused on the same computer.

[Vitalius]

You know that you don't have to buy Windows every time you format your computer, right? The product key can be reused on the same computer.

This is true as long as it isn't an OEM copy. Those can only be used once without calling M$.

There are other advantages to not having to reinstall. Specifically keeping all your programs and customizations.

[Blade of Grass]

This is true as long as it isn't an OEM copy. Those can only be used once without calling M$.

I don't think you're correct (from anecdotal evidence). 

I've now used my key twice without calling MS.

[Vitalius]

I don't think you're correct (from anecdotal evidence). 

I've now used my key twice without calling MS.

Different or same hardware? It's fine if it's on the same motherboard/cpu, but if you change those,you have to call AFAIK.

[Blade of Grass]

Different or same hardware? It's fine if it's on the same motherboard/cpu, but if you change those,you have to call AFAIK.

Different, went from 1155 to 2011, and the key worked without having to call.

 

EDIT: Basically, from what I've heard, it depends, some people (like me) ar lucky and can use it over and over again without calling, while some people need to call every time.

[RonnieSlowinski]

So I made 3 extra partitions on my HDD, 2 from my original SSD (for the files and the system reserved 100MB) and another for my games. I just wanted to ask if it is necessary to clone the 100MB as well.

[RonnieSlowinski]

So, I managed to get everything onto my HDD. I went into my Motherboard and set the controller to RAID, I then set up the RAID volume and everything looks fine!

 

That is until I actually try to load windows. It goes into the windows logo and just as the 4 squares are about to assemble it blue screens. I've tried it like 50 times and it's always the same thing!

 

I deleted the RAID volume and went back and luckily I didn't damage the HDD, I mean it's the only way I am actually typing this right now, but I have no idea what is going on

[Vitalius]

So I made 3 extra partitions on my HDD, 2 from my original SSD (for the files and the system reserved 100MB) and another for my games. I just wanted to ask if it is necessary to clone the 100MB as well.

 

It'd be best I believe.

So, I managed to get everything onto my HDD. I went into my Motherboard and set the controller to RAID, I then set up the RAID volume and everything looks fine!

 

That is until I actually try to load windows. It goes into the windows logo and just as the 4 squares are about to assemble it blue screens. I've tried it like 50 times and it's always the same thing!

 

I deleted the RAID volume and went back and luckily I didn't damage the HDD, I mean it's the only way I am actually typing this right now, but I have no idea what is going on

Hmm, check to see if your Motherboard has a firmware update and update it. Then try it again. If it doesn't, I'm afraid you are out of luck unless you want to buy a RAID card (good ones are expensive) or decide to just use software RAID with your OS.

[JohnnyP]

Could be a driver issue.

[RonnieSlowinski]

 

 

If it doesn't, I'm afraid you are out of luck unless you want to buy a RAID card (good ones are expensive) or decide to just use software RAID with your OS.

 

I can't buy a RAID card because I have an mITX board (maximus vi impact). Are there any drawbacks for using software RAID?

 

I see that when you create software this message appears:

Does this mean I cannot clone my OS to this RAID array?

[MrBucket101]

copy the windows partition to a different temporary drive, setup your raid, copy the partition from the temp drive back onto the RAID.

 

run the windows repair disk and reinstall the bootloader