Help me set-up my Raid Sata! and windows install

Hi peeps

Well the time has finally come to dump the Ide hdd that i have had for some time and install my new 2 x 250gig Sata drive's firstly my system

A64 3500+
MSI SLI mobo
Raddy 800xl
2 250gig sata
1 80gig sata

Now i want to raid the drive's as im guessing this give the best performace? which i dont know how to do?

and i want to know the quickest method to install windows, i havent got a floppy installed i can get 1 but tbh dont really want to! is there a way of doing a clean windows xp install onto the 2 sata drive with in windows??
any help pls i tbh have never been good at the installing of windows :D

cheers

I'm 90% sure if you have a copy of Windows Xp Pro SP2 you dont need a floppy drive to set the RAID up........ Just getting hold of the SP2 cd might be the problem

If you've not got an XP with SP2 applied already use the following to make one :D

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm

as it happens, drivers built into windows don't deal with softraid, only standalone disks - you _NEED_ the manufacturer ones for that.

either get ahold of that floppy drive, or read a guide on xp slipstreaming with driver integration

The best way would be to install windows and dirver using the FDD. Just plug on in temp, then when windows is installed take it out. You somply plug it in with the cable & power :)