Keeping my RAID Array When Adding New Boot Drive

Ok, so the quick question is: I currently use a RAID 5 array on an expensive RAID controller card made up of 3 (three) 1TB HDDs. I bought a new WD Vraptor 300GB with which I'd like to install my OS (Vista Ultimate 64) onto, but then also 'see' my existing RAID 5 array as just another drive under Vista. -Is this possible and if so what's the correct way to go about doing it? Optimally, I'd like to keep all the data on my RAID 5 array without having to delete it or worry about it getting reformatted over with. I want it to act like any other pre-formatted drive when added to Vista or XP -I want it to show up upon restart as just another drive. Should this method be as straight-forward as I might imagine it would be?

Thanks!

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

First I would clone your raid to a backup drive (just one drive) for all this just in case you accidentally break the array.

Next refer to your RAID manual, or mobo, wherever your RAID controller is located.

To my knowledge you can add the drive in, go into the raid config and set the new drive to no raid - install windows + raid drivers.

BTW I have a raptor 150gig with windows 7 :). Runs like a beauty.

Well... just install Windows. You may need to install drivers for your RAID controller, but the fact that it's RAID doesn't make any difference. Windows will just see whatever partitions are already present.

Bit of an odd time to be investing in a raptor - I've just got rid of mine for SSDs.

@larchman: Well, Raptors (for the price) are still incredibly competitive with SSDs and from what I hear, SSDs still aren't as reliable yet. I still expect it to be a bit of a while before they're reasonably priced anyway. -And when I do get one, I think it will only compliment my new Vraptor.

AFIAK The RAID drivers are all installed in BIOS. (at least that's how I got it working before) I plan to install the new Vraptor ONLY and install Windows onto it as usual, after it's up and running, I'm expecting to add the RAID controller PCIe x16 card and drives and have them load up the same as always and pop up as Drive D:/

Yea, I was afraid a backup of the RAID may be required. I have about 660 GB on it so far and the next drive I could free up to backup stuff onto is a 500GB so I guess I'll have to only copy the important stuff (i.e. sift around all the junk )

Thanks guys. I'll let ya know the results!

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202