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Can you setup RAID 1 with 2-4TB hard drive on a Dell Precision T3600?

PAMurillo
PAMurillo asked
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Last Modified: 2017-08-06
I have seen scattered info but nothing definitive and that has step-by-step instructions.  The obvious hurdles are:
-How do you install Windows when it won't recognize the RAID Array in the Windows installation?
-Can you partition a C: drive at 100GB and a D: drive at 3.9TB? If so how?
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Dr. KlahnPrincipal Software Engineer
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Commented:
RAID 1 is not the error-recovering, backup-preventing panacea that some users seem to consider it to be.  Could we inquire as to the background that makes this project a target for RAID 1 instead of RAID 5 or higher?
Mal OsborneAlpha Geek
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Commented:
Windows will let you stop and provide RAID drivers on external media, early in the install process.  The details vary, depending on the version. For older OSs, (XP and Server 2003) you need a floppy drive, later versions can read a USB key.
arnold
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Commented:
Not sure to what the RAID type 5 is a higher risk with large drives, the rebuild process of a 2TB-4TB drives could take long enough to have a similarly aged drive which are part of the array to fail as well.

You are not specifying which OS you are installing, but GPT partition with UEFI might still be a chalenge.

Not sure DEll if you get their RAID controller will have an approved 2TB-4TB drives to be used.
PAMurillo

Author

Commented:
Hi Guys,
Sorry for the slow response. I wan't notified of your input for some reason.

I am installing Windows 7 64 Pro.  In the interim I found this guide: https://superuser.com/questions/499681/windows-7-install-issues-with-2x3tb-in-raid1 and have been using it as a guide.

Following these steps I can:
>Create the RAID array
>Initiate the install
>When I go to add the driver (since the Windows Installation doesn't display ANY hard drive) I navigate to my flash drive (formatted to FAT32), find the folder with the SATA driver, click on load driver, it sees the SATA driver which I select to install, acts like it is installing it, but when it returns to the Hard Drive list, its still blank. That's where I am stuck.

I am sure I am missing some detail.
arnold
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PAMurillo

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Commented:
thanks arnold.  I was rushing so I may have flubbed it.  I'll give it a shot late today and update you
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PAMurillo

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Commented:
It was the correct one.  Arnold helped me look a little deeper in finding the correct driver

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