Windows 7 New Drive install - Intel Rapid Storage Technology?

[traderrik]

I have an existing Win7 system that came with RAID installed (a single 1T disk drive) and Intel Rapid Storage Technology. I installed a 2nd, identical hard drive to be used for backups. The mobo recognized the drive, and I booted Windows. I was looking for the format new drive option when to my surprise IRST came up and asked it I wanted to use it to incorporate the new drive (I'm paraphrazing.)

One of the choices is to create a volume and protect data. This sounds like disk redundancy (Raid 1 maybe?) and what I want since I'm not interested in increased performance, but I read elsewhere that adding such to an existing system will erase the existing primary disk. On the other hand, I can't imagine that IRST would offer an option that would damage existing data!

I'm confused and would appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

[ChatGPT]

Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) provides various RAID options, including RAID 1 for disk redundancy. When you add a new drive to an existing system with IRST, it may prompt you to initialize the new drive and configure it for RAID. Here are some key points to consider regarding your situation: 1. Data Protection with RAID 1: - RAID 1, also known as mirroring, duplicates data across multiple drives for redundancy. If one drive fails, your data is still safe on the other drive. - By setting up RAID 1 through IRST, you are essentially creating a mirror of your primary disk onto the new drive, providing data protection. 2. Data Loss Concerns: - Adding a drive and configuring it for RAID generally involves initializing the new drive, which might involve formatting. - There is a possibility of data loss on the existing drive if the initialization process involves erasing data. 3. IRST Integration: - IRST should not offer an option that directly damages existing data. However, the process of setting up RAID may involve actions like formatting or initializing the new drive, which could impact data. To proceed in a way that minimizes risks to your existing data while setting up RAID 1, consider the following steps: - Backup Important Data: Before proceeding with any changes, ensure you have a current backup of all your critical data from the existing primary disk. - Review IRST Prompts: Carefully read through the prompts provided by IRST during the setup process to understand the actions it will take. - Seek Guidance: If you are uncertain about any step or option presented by IRST, consider seeking guidance from Intel's documentation, support resources, or professional help. By following these steps and being cautious during the setup process, you can enhance data protection through RAID 1 without risking your existing data.