Christmas HDD Upgrade... O/S Question.

[streetster]

Hey guys,

It looks like i'm going to get 2x200gb seagate 7200.10's over christmas, with the idea of RAIDing them.

I have the facility to install XP, XP64, Vista (business), Vista (business) x64.


My thinking was that if i have the following setup:

SATA 1 - 7200.10 #1 \
SATA 2 - 7200.10 #2 / RAID 0

SATA 3 - Maxtor 200gb
SATA 4 - Maxtor 80gb

I should install XP (32) across the RAID array, due to stability/driver issues etc... and Vista (32 or 64?) on the Maxtor 200gb, with the 80gb as a spare drive while i sort things out.


Now. What order should I install the Operating systems? If i install XP accross the RAID array, and then install Vista on the 200gb, will it overwrite the boot sector of the XP installation?

Basically, does this sound ok, and what operating systems do you guys reckon I should use (as they're all freely available to me ).

Cheers!

[Supershanks]

Depends to some extent on your rig. I'm running with 2x80gb raid0 with:-
Partition 1 = XpSP2
Partition 2 = Vista 32 RC2
Partition 3 = Vista 64 RC2

It took a bit of research to do but it's been working like a dream for the last couple of months. I have other HD & use Acronis to create images each night, so that if anything goes wrong i can restore the image. My data (my docs etc aren't on the raid.

If u have nvidia4 & want to know more shout up.

luck

[streetster]

If u have nvidia4 & want to know more shout up.

shout up

[Supershanks]

Vista (business), Vista (business) x64.

I worked with RC2, so it's not certain that finalfollow the same pattern., but this is what i did.

Have only seen vista raid intalls to raid made by running vista install through XP. This gives rise to 1st quirck. Vista 32 must be run from XP 32, whilst vista 64 must be run from XP 64
All is not lost though if you don't have xp64 you can (or could ) sign up & download Trial from Windows XP Professional x64 Edition trial software

1) Order of Install:-
1-1) Assuming xp 32 is on partition1
2-2) Install XP64 on partition2.
3-3) Install Vista 64 onto partition3
3-4) Delete XP64 install on partition2 & install Vista32.

My Raid:-
2x80Gb Hitachi Sata2 in Raid 0
Partition 1 = 80Gb
Partition 2 = 40Gb
Partition 3 = 40Gb

2-2) XP64 is pretty difficult to install on raid & this took me most effort. I followed Fernando 1's - Integration of the nVRaid drivers into
Windows XP x64 or Windows Server 2003 x64guide. Was most impressed with Nlight, got p=*d off with xp64 drivers. Think these worked in the end nForce4 Driver Archive Version: 6.86.

3-3) Having installed xp64, boot to it & the insert your Vita64 dvd & run it. You will probably have an upgrade option, but RC2 only had a clean install option, so that is what i'll describe.

After being asked for DVD Key etc., you should see this screen:-
Where do you want to install Windows? Select the Load Drivers option at the bottom of the screen.
Select Browse & this will bring up Select Driver to be installed screen Note: Drivers can be on a floppy or in a folder on your HD. You can use [Shift] & [Arrow] keys to multi select files. Click next & that should be it.
Note: I have read of vista losing the drivers on the 1st reboot, this has been got round by leaving a floppy with the drivers on it in the drive, but i had no issues with this. Rest of install is as normal.

3-4) boot to XP32, Delete XP64 partition by refornmatting. Vista 32 install is
Use Vista 32 DVD & install to partition 2, as described above for Vista 64.

Once both Vista versions are installed set up
Boot Manager - VistaBootPRO 3.1 Beta which can be used to set up a nice boot menu.

Other resources:-
Vista RC2 Build 5744 X64 on NVIDIA NF4 RAID Claims Vista 64 installed without seperate raid drivers, he must have been lucky didn't work 4 me.
PlanetAMD64 Vista
Acronis True Image Imo superior to Norton Ghost, i use this regularly to create images of the above OS partitions & a seperate (non raid) Documents & settings partition. In the event oif anything going belly up I can just restore the effected partition using the rescue CD, if no OS available.

Should keep u occupied over the holidays. Think i've included the main points apologies if not Post back if u get any issues & i'll try to help.

luck

[streetster]

wow

I think I shall keep the RAID to a single partition and install XP (32) on that, and then install Vista x64 on the 'spare' 200gb. Althought I may have to wait as Uni have used up all their vista licenses for the moment

This way I hopefully avoid all the issues of 64bit drivers, but get the benifits of dual booting and x64 vista goodness, I know who to turn to when (rather than if!!) things go wrong

[Supershanks]

Must admit was at a loose end & fancied a challenge, had just got the 2 drives for the raid & thought it would be interesting.

One thing it hasn't helped me with is deciding which option to go for. On the retail editions i understand that both 32 & 64 bit is provided but if u use OEM u must select 32 or 64. I'm in the process of building a pc for the wife using some old bits i have lying around. Was going to get xp pro oem, which now has the coupon upgrade to vista business but that involves choosing 32 or 64. atm i'm thinking of going 64.

luck

[this_is_gav]

Have only seen vista raid intalls to raid made by running vista install through XP. This gives rise to 1st quirck. Vista 32 must be run from XP 32, whilst vista 64 must be run from XP 64

Don't know if that's a limitation of the nforce4 platform. Any textmode-based driver should work from a USB / floppy / slipstream / etc in Vista. I've installed Vista on 2 separate clean RAID 0 arrays now without issue.

[Supershanks]

I've installed Vista on 2 separate clean RAID 0 arrays now without issue

Yes take your point i just followed the path of least resistance, saw this method work on the dfi forums used by soundx98. however the major pain was having to install xp64 to enable vita 64. Nvidia have a pretty poor record with drivers.