Setting up a raid. Moving data to external drives then back again.

[Bupalooga]

So iv got a second 2tb hdd to set up a Raid 1 redundancy array with my existing 2tb drive. There's about 1.2tb of data existing, the OS is on an ssd so this is mostly files, media, games & installed programs. I need to move my data off the existing drive over to 2 external drives (1tb & a 500gb) & then back again onto the fresh raid setup.

Whats the best way to do this? Simple copy paste or is there some free software i should use?

[markes12344]

Hello Bupalooga,

since most, to all, files wont be write protected or administrator approval needed, i would suggest;

-attaching the 1tb and 500gb to the motherboard

-then bring up the 2tb folder view

--place to fit one side of your screen

-then bring up either the 1tb or the 500gb 

--repeat as you did with the 2tb but this time to the other side of your screen

-then highlight all and click and drag

-then change the drive to the next one 

-and repeat, highlight all and drag

 

I would wait 10 mins or until all the files are counted and starting to transfer, if no, yes no questions pop up than go to bed, it'll be awhile.

this method is as you asked, copied. 

 

I have done this myself many times, always has worked. NEVER CUT and paste, power outage can be a prick to you then. there is no need to get software to do a manual copy. 

one extra thing i do is highlight all the files/folders and right-mouse click and view properties. do this on both original and new files, see if the bits are roughly the same... some variance can occur due to placement of files on the platter, but its a good way to see if all files have been transferred. 

 

QUICK ANSWER
COPY FILES.

 

Best regards
Markes12344