This rather depends on how the RAID array is set up. If you are dealing with a
hardware RAID array, then it really does depend on the motherboard.
The good news is that you can find out how it's set up by looking at
the "disk-management tool" in the "control panel". If you see one hard drive
then you are using a hardware RAID, if you see two, then it's a software
RAID.
Now, if you're using a software RAID array, you can just plug the disk in and
go. Hardware RAID is a different matter. The only way to find out is to try
it, and read the messages at bootup. Hardware SATA controllers are not
expensive, if you're at all worried, buy one and set up the new disks from
there.
Hope this helps,
Tim B.
On Tuesday 04 March 2008 11:59:23 Pierre Cazenave wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I have a question about adding disks to a RAID 1 set up on a Windows
> Box, such that it shows up as a separate disk from the existing RAID
> volume.
>
> In essence, the set up at the moment is of two 300GB SATA II disks
> acting as a single 300GB volume (RAID 1). I need to add another disk
> (probably 1TB) into this, but I don't want it to be part of the RAID
> array; I want it as a separate disk visible to Windows (drive D:\ in
> Windows' parlance). I've had a look at what I presume is the RAID
> controller on the motherboard (both existing hard drives are plugged
> into it) and it has a total of 4 slots (two free).
>
> I've had trouble finding spec for the motherboard. It's says it's a
> Microstar Model MS9179, but searching on Google for that wasn't
> amazingly useful, although this[0] site seems like it's the right one.
>
> If I simply plug in my new hard drive, will it show up as a new disk
> (D:\)? Or will it try to become part of the RAID 1 array?
>
> Any thoughts or pointers would be much appreciated,
>
> Pierre
>
> [0] http://tinyurl.com/2yyuz3
>
> --
> Pierre Cazenave
> Research Assistant
>
> National Oceanography Centre, Southampton,
> University of Southampton,
> European Way,
> Southampton
> SO14 3ZH
