I have 4 onboard sata ports on my motherboard - Can I add an additional drive and configure RAID

For the most part when you have the 4 SATA ports on a drive (such as newer computers) it usually has RAID support built in.  To take advantage of it, you would have to set it in the onboard SATA controller (either in the BIOS or after the Post-Test when the SATA bios/detection screen comes up).  Next depending on your operating system, you will more than likely have to install the software support that came with your motherboard/computer.  Most times it is not installed as a default. Check your computer/motherboard manual and specs and see where the software is needed to be installed.  

Also, usually with these multi-SATA port boards, you are able to select which ones you would like to use for the RAID array.  Such as on mine (I have 4 as well) I have the first 2 set up as stand-alone drives, and the second 2 set as a RAID array.  Mine is set up through the independant "SATA BIOS" that comes up after the POST-Test screen.

PS.. I recommend giving some deep thought to which level of RAID you REALLY want!  While 'stripping' may have some performance appeal - LOSING EITHER DRIVE MEANS LOSING EVERYTHING - effectively doubling the odds of data loss due to hard drive failure.   (lesson learned the hardway)

 http://www.raidweb.com/whatis.html - Nice Site on RAID basics

<<<<Can I add a drive utilizing the onboard ports and implement a RAID array or will I only be able to use the additional ports for separate drives (no RAID array).


You can do both.  What type of motherboard do you have so we may investigate some recommended uses of a mobo with 4 SATA connections.

If you really wanted some bitchin hardware you could get a SATA Western Digital Raptor hard drive that runs 10,000rpms :)

I have dual raptors on 0RAID, I know its risky, but if done right everything runs top notch for me.  But i'm not a person too worried about losing data since I install all games and programs on a separate hard drive from the dual raid I've got going.

thephalanx

HP's site has this

Motherboard:
ASUS PTGD1-LA
HP/Compaq name: Grouper-UL8E  as the motherbord spec.  

I also found HP's posting of the complete set of raid drivers for this model (not sure if they are motherbord or os drivers)

I'm at a loss as to the set-up all of this.  I have read that if the raid drivers were not installed during the os installation there is a way to install after the fact.  I also have read that there should be a BIOS setting referring sata raid or an independant SATA BIOS.

From what I can tell I will need some type of download for my motherboard and mybe additional drivers for the os (XP Pro)  

Mat - i'm feeling like I understand this a lot better.  I'm still having an issue with access to the above mentioned BIOS options.  I tried to see if there was a way to install the drivers I downloaded from HP's site.  Below is the text doc. included in the driver download executable.  there are also s few other files i.e. sys, dll, oem...etc

******Title: Summer 2004 Original RAID Driver Collection

Version: N/A

Description:
Complete collection of original RAID drivers

Purpose: Original Driver

Category: Storage

Operating System:
Windows XP Home
Windows XP Professional

Language(s):
Global English

Fixes:
N/A

Prerequisites:
N/A

How To Use:
1. Download the driver package.
2. Double-click on the icon for the driver package downloaded in step 1, and then click NEXT.
3. Accept the terms in the HP license agreement, and then click NEXT.
4. Click OK to continue.  The original drivers are now stored in the C:\HP\Drivers\Raid folder.
5. Follow the Windows XP installation instructions to install the driver on your PC.

Copyright © 2004 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.********

Thanks for all the advice.  Yes I agree about playing around first and this is what I am doing on what is for me an older machine.  For me like many I know I have an overwhealming need to... "figure it out" or understand how somthing works.

Ralph

The techs will be able to help you understand exactly where it is...  Hopefully I've been helpful in getting you to understand... I know how it is, I'm the same way about figuring everything out.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?dlc=en&lc=en&product=426322&jumpid=re_r329_search/internal/cc_a630n&lang=en&cc=us&docname=bph07110

this is the link for configuring the Bios but as I checked there is no raid on the motherboard so I am not sure if you could use this option without hardware suport but anyway Good Luck with your new MoBo

This has been a good learning experience for me.  Thank you all for the comments.  It turns out the solution relates to the motherboard including the chipset family (Intel 915 express), and storage controller, and if they are supported by the RAID program "Intel Matrix Storage Technology" that is used to set-up the RAID configuration.  In my case the storage controllers are the issue and it appears the I will not be able to move forward with a RAID array.

Its incredible what you'll find on the net if you know where to look... inluding some great support from all of those who commented here.  Thanks!!