Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of stelcontar
stelcontar

asked on

Upgrading existing Server 2003 installation to RAID 1 without reinstalling Windows.

I need to convert an existing Windows Server 2003 non-raid installation to RAID 1. As of now there is a 80 gig IDE drive in the machine divided into a 30GB system partition (C:) and 20GB data partition (D:). The drive is using the IDE controller onboard the Intel D875PBZ mainboard. I would like to buy a PCI RAID card with 2 new drives and copy the system to the new array without reinstalling windows. The old drive will be used as a spare. How should I proceed? I'm assuming 1. Install the RAID card and drivers, 2. Clone the old 80 gig drive to one of the new drives, 3. Remove the old drive and plug both new drives into the new RAID controller, 4. Rebuild the array. Would windows be able to boot since the drivers were installed previously? Any insights / recommended RAID cards appreciated.

Note: I also have a AIC tape backup installed on this machine. Maybe it could be used to restore the OS to the array if needed?

Note2: I am also considering using SATA for the array if it wouldn't create additional problems.

SOLUTION
Avatar of two22
two22

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Avatar of rindi
Follow Lapuman's solution, and you'll be fine.
Avatar of stelcontar
stelcontar

ASKER

Thanks.

How has the Adaptec card been working? Their RAID cards don't have the best reputation according to some.