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RAID driver installation

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by ross.galloway

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I recently installed a new motherboard and processor, and in order for it to detect my Hard drives in RAID mode, which they were in previously, i need to install the RAID drivers. I downloaded the drivers from the ASUS website, but I'm not sure which Version to use (x64, x86, some other unnamed version). My new processor is an Athlon x2 64 5600 with a ASUS M2A MVP motherboard. I have regular 32 bit windows though. Do Install the 64 bit drivers to go with the 64 bit processor, or the 32 bit drivers to go with the 32 bit operating system?

let me know if you need any more information

Thanks

6 replies

by thechas

Since you are running a 32 bit operating system, you want to install the 32 bit or x86 version of the driver.

Keep in mind that you may have a LOT of work ahead of you.

First and foremost, before you install the new RAID drivers make sure that you have a full backup of your files.

Setting up your drives for the new RAID controller may cause data loss.

If you are porting over a Windows XP installation to your new motherboard, be prepared for any number of other issues to come up. At a minimum, you WILL trigger an Activation event.

You may even have to perform a repair installation of XP.

Chas

by jdclyde

Wouldn't a clean install be best, rather than trying to do a recovery?

Another question Chas, do you know how much of an impact running a 64bit OS on the 64bit hardware makes over running the older 32bit?

by thechas

For the most part, I am erring on the side of caution to protect the data on the drives.

I have never attempted to port an existing RAID configuration to different hardware.

If I needed to, my first step would be to make a good backup. In this instance, buying a board on ebay might be wise.

As to the OS question, if your applications are still 32 bit code, you won't see much of a difference with a 64 bit OS. Going back to the days of 8 to 16, and 16 to 32 bit systems, most of the difference you saw when you ran the older OS and applications was from the faster clock speed of the new CPU, and the faster RAM.

Chas

by ross.galloway

chaz, thanks for the reply. Personally im at a loss as to how i can go about backing up my harddrives. My upgrade is due to the fact that my last motherboard died. Most everyone i know have laptops, so I dont think i can install my harddrives on their pcs to back my data up. Even if i did find someone with a desktop willing to let me use their computer and transfer important files, I dont even know where to begin to do it. Wouldn't I need to set them up in the same raid 0 format that they were in previously in order to read the data? Would this be a hard task to set my drives up in raid if theirs are not?

Could I buy a new 3rd harddrive and do a clean windows install and then install the other 2 after that? would the 2 installations start competing with each other?

any ideas as to how i could back up the data that I am overlooking?

this may be a stupid question but, is an activation event just a point where i have to verify the authenticity of my windows copy?

by thechas

I had suspected that what drove you to where you are at was a dead motherboard.

The easy question first. Because most of your system has changed, it will trigger an activation event. How much of a pain this is depends on your version of XP, and how many times you have had activation events.

If you have the retail or upgrade version, you should be fine. If you have an OEM version, Microsoft may require you to buy a new license. This will depend on how long it has been since your last activation, and how much hardware you bring over from the old system.

Now, as to the RAID, if you read most manuals for setting up a RAID array, they warn you that you may loose data that is on your drives. How high your risk is depends on how compatible the 2 different RAID controllers are, and "IF" the new controller recognizes your existing RAID configuration.

The best suggestion I have for backing up your existing files would be to install a PCI RAID card that uses the same brand and model controller as was on your old motherboard.

Alternately, you can set up the system and enter the RAID configuration program. If the software is written well, it should let you know there is an existing RAID configuration and if it can use the existing RAID or not.

If the RAID configuration software does not recognize your existing RAID or states that it cannot use the existing configuration, then you know you need to find a way to back up your files.

Remember, all you want to do at this time is verify that the new RAID controller recognizes your RAID configuration. If so, you should be able to proceed with caution.
If it does not recognize your RAID configuration, "DO NOT" allow the software to configure your array.

It would not hurt to contact tech support at both the motherboard and RAID controller manufacture. There might even be a FAQ on recovering an existing RAID configuration or a list of compatible configurations.

And yes, I am erring on the side of caution.

Chas

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