Replacing dead HDD in Raid1 setup

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Nod

11 posts

Geek

#37443 13-Jul-2009 17:28

One of the harddrives in the raid setup died, which I will replace with a larger HDD.

Can any one just give me a few tips, on what to do and what not to do Please.

System is Gigabyte MB - GA-7NNXP, with only two SATA connectors, in raid.
Raid controller is SIL 3112, using Silicon Image sw Ver 1.0.0.19.
The HDD's are WD 360GD-00FNA0 x2.
Running XP Home edition SP3

I know which is dead, and have disconnected it, so now only running on the good one.
            c-17.5Gb
            d-9.76Gb
            e-7.11Gb

Should get the two new drives tomorrow, WD6401AALS.

1. I know that if I rebuild the Array, it will omly copy the 36Gb across.

2. I want to then copy this to the other new drive, IE the two drives will be mirrored (36Gb)

3. I then intend to change the sizes of the partitions, to utilise the full 640Gb.

4. Must the new drives be formatted, before they are able to be rebuild into the array ?

Adamal

544 posts

Ultimate Geek

#234876 13-Jul-2009 19:51

Best way is to build a new array with the new hard drives, then image the old one across.

Better than trying to get all finiky with adding the new drive, rebuild array, remove old drive, install other new drive, rebuild array, then using some third party app like Partition Magic to extend the partition to the whole drive.
I don't believe that XP Disk Manager can do it.

quandum

204 posts

Master Geek

#234979 13-Jul-2009 23:05

I've tired Gparted (open source) and Shadow Protect (commercial). Work a charm. Download and have a play if you have the time.

I would love to change the world, but they won't give me the source code

#BOFH

Nod

11 posts

Geek

#236891 19-Jul-2009 15:32

OK so far so good,
replaced one HDD, and then rebuild the raid array.
tryed the same with the second HDD, but it killed the power supply
new power supply, then fitted the second HDD, rebuild the raid array.

now all working, except the HDD's are still showen as the same size as the original.

Will resize the partitions using ***** partition Master Home Edition, which seems to have a very good write up.