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I've currently 2 HDD's running in stripe array via windows dynamic disk..
is there any way for me to add a new (3rd) HDD to that array w/o blowing up my existing array first?

Is that like their "software RAID" ? What's your config on your mobo? As in channels available and how do you have your HDDs set up? Both mastered? Any opticals on the bus?

sys specs would help too ya foldin' foo !

Todd, glad to see you're feeling better

I don't think anyone would really need my system specs if I'm inquiring about software RAID via Windows XP. With that said, I've 3 HDD's on a PCI ATA133 controller. 2 of them are already on an existing s/w RAID configuration. What I want to know is if there is a way of adding the 3rd drive to the array w/o having to blow up the original RAID to make a new one.

That's the thing Busby, I am not using a simple volume. I am using a striped dynamic disk volume.

looks like ur fubar'd. :laugh

use a hardware RAID........that Asus mobo prolly don't have it tho.

lol dork... and what difference would having used h/w raid make?

WHY are you running a RAID stripe array? Any speed benefit you get from the striped array would be offset by the processor overhead.

Mind you I don't recommend a stripe array at all unless you need it for video editing or something. Increases the chance of a drive failure too much for my taste.

But if you're going to do it, go hardware or don't bother.

Well first off none of the onboard RAID controllers are not true hardware RAID. Hardware RAID cards cost $200+. What the onboard stuff is firmware RAID, or another form of software RAID that has less overhead. I've never heard of any type of striped array being able to just add a disc to it without destroying an array. I could be wrong but a quick glance through my PCI Promise's manual doesn't mention adding a disk to an existing array or anything.

I remember reading several tests showing that there's not that big a difference in performance between h/w and s/w raid... I think THG had one stating that a while back.

Originally posted by FlyingPenguin
WHY are you running a RAID stripe array? Any speed benefit you get from the striped array would be offset by the processor overhead.

Mind you I don't recommend a stripe array at all unless you need it for video editing or something. Increases the chance of a drive failure too much for my taste.

But if you're going to do it, go hardware or don't bother.

Not always so my good man......In a RAID 1.5 stripe array you not only have increased performance ( mostly the "read" aspect, not the "write" ) but your processor utilization actually decreases. In addition you can rebuild the array if one HDD fails as long as you use the same controller. In my case, the o/b Highpoint 372N on my DFI mobo.

THG has a nice article on it as it pertains to this mainboard. Run a search on Google for [RAID 1.5] and it will show as the top link in German and the next down in English.

I do agree with the last line of your post tho.

Oh hush up you dork, Asus 4 teh win!

software RAID. :laugh

kinda like wearin' ladies undies ant it?

You would know how that feels better than me buddy

Is it Friday already?????? :laugh