Install SATA RAID On The Boot Hard Drives

RAID

This page describes how to install a RAID configuration on the computer. Most people don't use RAID and in that case, this page can be skipped. I usually don't run My Super PC with RAID. But sometimes I've done it just for fun and to see what it's all about. What's needed in terms of building the computer with RAID is neatly contained on this one page. Other assembly pages show My Super PC as built without the second SATA hard drive since most will build that way and there's no need to also show the corresponding picture with a second hard drive.

The RAID assembly instructions on this page show two SATA hard drives with a MSI K8N Neo Platinum motherboard in an Antec Sonata computer case. These steps take up where the previous page left off, which is after running the Data Lifeguard Diagnostic to test out the first SATA hard drive.

The steps on this page are:

Install The RAID Second SATA Hard Drive

Setup The BIOS For RAID

Use the NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility to identify and configure the hard drives

Install The RAID Second SATA Hard Drive

Power down the computer. Flip the switch on the power supply into the off/0 position. Unplug everything from the back, including the video cable, keyboard cable, mouse cable, speaker wire and power cord.

Install the second SATA hard drive into the computer. The second hard drive installs in the computer much like the first SATA hard drive. The second SATA hard drive uses it's own SATA data cable and uses the second power connector on a power supply cord that contains two SATA power connectors. As with the first SATA hard drive, mount the second SATA hard drive into the bay, connect the SATA data cable to the motherboard and hard drive, and connect the power connector to the hard drive. Don't worry about the jumper on the back of the hard drive - it does not need to be set to anything in particular. With both SATA hard drives installed, it looks like this. You can see both SATA hard drives mounted in their bays, and you can see both SATA data cables connected to the motherboard.

Reconnect everything in back of the computer, including the video cable, keyboard cable, mouse cable, speaker wire and power cord. Flip the switch on the power supply into the on/1 position. Turn the computer on and enter the BIOS. From the "CMOS Setup Utility" main menu, select "Standard CMOS Features".

On the "Standard CMOS Features" screen, the second SATA hard drive should be shown as recognized. In the picture below it is listed as the "IDE Fourth Master".

It already shows as recognized because the BIOS settings that were needed to have the first SATA hard drive also apply to the second SATA hard drive. This was covered on the Second Boot With SATA Hard Drive page. Remember this setting from the "IDE Function Setup" sub-menu...?

...and this setting from the "Onboard Device" sub-menu?

Just as it was a good idea to thoroughly test the first SATA hard drive as described on the Test The SATA Hard Drive page, the second SATA hard drive should undergo the same testing. The BIOS settings for the boot devices under the "Advanced BIOS Features" sub-menu should still be set to "Floppy Drive" from testing the first SATA hard drive.

The floppy containing the Data Lifeguard Diagnostics should also still be handy from having tested the first SATA hard drive. It should be re-inserted back into the floppy drive. Save the BIOS changes and exit the BIOS, done via the "F10" key on the MSI K8N Neo Platinum motherboard. As before, the computer restarts after saving the BIOS changes and boots from the floppy drive, starting the Data Lifeguard Diagnostics utility again.

The Data Lifeguard Diagnostics utility defaults to the first SATA hard drive. To switch to the second SATA hard drive, highlight the "Select Drive" menu item (actually, it may already be highlighted) and press the "Enter" key.

Setup The BIOS For RAID

With the hard drive tests completed, select "Quit" from the Data Lifeguard Diagnostic main menu to exit the utility. Reset the computer and re-enter the BIOS. Select "Integrated Peripherals" from the "CMOS Setup Utility" main menu.

On the "Integrated Peripherals" sub-menu and select "Onboard Device".

Press the "Enter" key on the "RAID Config" entry.

The "RAID Config" sub-menu appears. The first entry shows that RAID is disabled. Use the "+" key on the numeric keypad to change it to "Enabled".

Now that RAID is enabled, use the arrow keys to cursor down and enable SATA 1 RAID...

...and enable SATA 2 RAID.

That's it for the BIOS changes. Hit F10 to bring up the save prompt, then press the "Enter" key to save the changes and exit the BIOS. The computer will restart. Keep track of where F10 is on the keyboard, because you'll need it after the computer restarts at the RAID startup screen to enter the RAID Setup Utility.

The NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility

First you'll get the usual startup screen. Just let it pass.

Then a second start up screen appears, this one is for the RAID configuration. Press the "F10" key to enter the NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility . Entering it like this only needs to be done one time since a new RAID configuration is being setup. Every other time the computer boots, this RAID Startup Screen will reappear briefly to provide an opportunity to enter the NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility, but the computer will move on automatically and continue booting, just as is done with the first startup screen that gives an opportunity to enter the BIOS.

The NVIDIA RAID Setup Utility appears. Notice the value for "RAID Mode" defaults to "Mirroring", and that both SATA hard drives are listed in the "Free Disks" box. The currently selected field is the one shown with a light-blue background, namely the "RAID Mode" field.

Use the up/down arrow keys to scroll through the options and change the value of the "RAID Mode" field to "Striping". Or the "Enter" key can be pressed to bring up a small popup window listing the available modes.

Use the "Tab" key to navigate from field to field on the screen. Skip over the "Striping Block" field, leaving it set to "Optimal". Continue tabbing to the "Free Disks" box. Hard drives listed in this box can be selected to be included in the RAID configuration.

Pressing the right-arrow key causes the first hard drive listed in the "Free Disks" box to be selected and moved over to the "Array Disks" box.

Pressing the right-arrow key on the remaining hard drive listed in the "Free Disks" causes it to also be moved over to the "Array Disks" box.

At this point, the RAID Mode has been selected and the hard drives in the RAID configuration are now set. Press the "F7" key to exit the screen. This brings up a "Clear disk data?" prompt. The hard drives should already be wiped clean from using the hard drive utility to verify the hard drive is good. Press the "Y" key to indicate the hard drives are empty. This takes you immediately to the next screen.

The "Array List" screen shows the RAID configurations that have been made. Press the "B" key (uppercase or lowercase) to set the highlighted entry (the only entry) such that is to be used for Boot.

Notice that "Yes" now appears in the Boot column for the entry. Use Control-X to exit the screen.

The computer attempts to boot and then stops on this screen with a message like this at the bottom.

Verifying DMI Pool Data ...........
DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER

as shown in this picture.

And that's fine since there's nothing on the hard drives. The Windows operating system can now be installed as described on the next page.

One thing I'll point out now so you won't be surprised is that the next time you happen to enter the BIOS and look under "Standard CMOS Features" you'll notice it looks like this. The two SATA hard drives are no longer listed now that they are in a RAID configuration.

Next: Computer Assembly - Install Windows XP On A Serial ATA (SATA) Hard Drive

My complete recommendations for building a computer with quality components at unbeatable prices is on my home page at Build A Computer Like My Super PC - Cost To Build A Computer. Here again are the recommendations for a hard drive! Description Where I Would Get It Today Today's Price Comments Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB 7200rpm Parallel ATA100 Amazon $71.25 Free shipping! OEM version. Standard IDE/PATA (parallel ATA) hard drive. Clicking the link takes you directly to it. Western Digital Caviar SE 250GB 7200rpm Parallel ATA100 Amazon $89.99 Free shipping! OEM version. Standard IDE/PATA (parallel ATA) hard drive. Clicking the link takes you directly to it.

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How To Build A Computer. Step By Step Instructions To Assemble. Skip To Any Assembly Step.

	Parts List [go]
	Tools [go]
	Antistatic Wrist Strap [go]
	Computer Case and Power Supply [go]
	Motherboard [go]
	Processor, CPU Cooler and Thermal Compound [go]
	RAM - System Memory [go]
	Video Card [go]
	Monitor [go]
	Keyboard and Mouse [go]
	Floppy Drive [go]
	Hard Drive [go]
	CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD RW [go]
	Sound Card and Speakers [go]
	Modem [go]
	Install the Processor onto the Motherboard [go]
	Install the CPU Cooler [go]
	Install the RAM - System Memory [go]
	Install the Motherboard into the Computer Case [go]
	Install the Video Card [go]
	Connect the Power Supply to the Motherboard [20-pin Connector  or  24-pin Connector]
	Connect the PN1 and PN2 Indicators to the Motherboard [KS-282 to EPoX 8RDA+  or  Sonata to MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Ready the Monitor [go]
	Ready the Keyboard and Mouse [go]
	First Boot [go]
	First Boot Common Problems [go]
	Install the CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD RW Drives [go]
	Install the Hard Drive and Floppy Drive [PATA Hard Drive  or  SATA Hard Drive]
	Connect the Speakers (if using built-in sound) [go]
	Second Boot [PATA  or  SATA]
	Configure the BIOS Parameter Settings [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Test The Hard Drive [PATA  or  SATA]
	Install a Second SATA Hard Drive For RAID (optional) [go]
	Install the Operating System - Windows XP [on PATA hard drive  or  on SATA hard drive]
	Driver Installation [go]
	How To Copy Big Files From Another Computer Using Just a Floppy Drive [go]
	Install the Modem [go]
	Install the Motherboard Chipset Drivers [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Install the Monitor Driver [go]
	Install the Video Card Drivers [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Install the Sound Card and Speakers [go]
	Install System Information Utility - EVEREST [go]
	Diagnostic Test - DirectX [go]
	Speed Test - System Memory (RAM) Performance [go]
	Speed Test - Hard Drive Performance [PATA and SATA results]
	Speed Test - CD Performance [go]
	Speed Test - Total System Performance [go]
	Stress/Torture Tests [go]
	Connect Front Panel Ports For Audio, Firewire and USB 2.0 [go]
	Install Rear Panel Ports For Firewire And USB 2.0 [go]
	Install The Computer Case Fans [go]
	Post Assembly Needs [go]
	Graduation [go]
	Video Card Driver Settings [go]
	BIOS Flash Update [go]
	BIOS Settings [go]

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