Re: XP Pro Software Raid 5, any input?
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7
axiomite
|
axiomite
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,379 Likes: 7 |
Agreed. It might also be relevent in this case if the box is going to be used for playback/capture/editing/burning as well as being a fileserver.
M60ti, VP180, QS8, M2ti, EP500, PC-Plus 20-39 M5HP, M40ti, Sierra-1 LFR1100 active, ADA1500-4 and -8
|
|
|
Re: XP Pro Software Raid 5, any input?
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 558
aficionado
|
aficionado
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 558 |
I'm not a big fan of software raid because I just like the comfort level of a dedicated controller but for an HTPC at home it is certainly viable. Most newer motherboards have at least 4 SATA interfaces on board and I've seen up to 8. 4 x 320GB drives would give you nearly a TB of storage, which is really unbelievable to even think about. I think my Dad paid an extra $1500 to put a 5MB HDD in his original PC clone.
"That's some catch, that Catch-22." "It's the best there is."
M22ti
VP150
EP350
QS8
M3Ti
|
|
|
Re: XP Pro Software Raid 5, any input?
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,849 Likes: 15
shareholder in the making
|
OP
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,849 Likes: 15 |
Thanks Joe,
Yes, my main goal is to us it for Data/Files. Basically Songs, Movies, etc... I would assume I would use the SATA for the Raid 5 array. One problem with software OS is that the OS has to be installed before you can set up the array, so you can't stipe your OS also. Not a biggy, I would assume I'll use a somewhat smaller drive using the IDE controller to put XP Pro and my DVD software Theatertek and a few other applications.
Not sure when this will get completed as I have to fork out about 4 grand to carpet part of our basement. Besides my wife does not understand the concept of a HTPC anyway..
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
|
|
|
Re: XP Pro Software Raid 5, any input?
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 558
aficionado
|
aficionado
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 558 |
There is actually a big advantage to having your OS on a different disk. A few, really. Your data drive won't be affected by all the disk activity caused by normal OS functions such as swapfile seeks and the like. Also if the OS needs to be rebuilt it will be much easier as far as connecting to the array. The disks in the array will have information about the array config on them, so the OS can see this and give you the option to reactivate the array. One problem though now that I think of it: I'm not sure XP can do raid 5, I think only 0 and 1. Matter of fact I'm certain this is true.
"That's some catch, that Catch-22." "It's the best there is."
M22ti
VP150
EP350
QS8
M3Ti
|
|
|
Re: XP Pro Software Raid 5, any input?
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 436
devotee
|
devotee
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 436 |
As Sirquack has mentioned it's possible to get XP to setup a RAID 5 by using a registry hack.
|
|
|
Re: XP Pro Software Raid 5, any input?
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467 |
I would highly recommend using a controller card or using a built in RAID controller on the motherboard. Trust me, you don't want Windows managing more important things than it needs to. I forsee huge headaches in the future if Windows ever gets corrupted. And being quite the techy myself, I've seen too many bad things happen with windows like that. Do yourself a favor and get a controller card, have that manage it, and have Windows think it's just operating on a single hard drive.
It's going to be a nightmarish experience if Windows does go bad, and all/any of your data is innacessable. With a hardware controller, you don't have to worry about that.
I'm not entirely sure if the system will recognize the drives as a RAID5 again if you need to reinstall. That's a lot of data there.
M22s|VP100|QS4s|HSU STF2
|
|
|
Re: XP Pro Software Raid 5, any input?
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467 |
I did some searching for you.
Here's a micro-ATX motherboard with RAID5 included. An AMD, of course. AMD is the way to go now days.
Link
Since you are building an entirely new system anyways, this board costs you nothing "extra."
Other motherboars all with RAID 5 are Here
If you need any help building your PC...I've built around 1000 for customers. So, I might be of a little help. If I sounded rude at all I'm sorry, I'm just trying to help.
Edit: Also, I want you to realize that unless you want your HTPC doing the work of the receiver, your DVD playback software does not need any integrated decoders whatsoever. You specify the DVD software to use SPDIF out, and the receiver does the work with the digital signal. In my experience, PowerDVD is the best. Windows Media Player does a fine job as well, it has an option to use SPDIF out.
OH! Another Edit: Windows XP Media Center does a great job combining all of that onto an HTPC. Just thought I'd add that. DVD playback, recording, multi recording, playback, audio, everything.
M22s|VP100|QS4s|HSU STF2
|
|
|
Re: XP Pro Software Raid 5, any input?
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,849 Likes: 15
shareholder in the making
|
OP
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,849 Likes: 15 |
Joe, read my link when I started this thread, that was how to used Raid 5 with XP Pro.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
|
|
|
Re: XP Pro Software Raid 5, any input?
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,849 Likes: 15
shareholder in the making
|
OP
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,849 Likes: 15 |
thanks Dan, I'm planning on using Theatertek DVD. Also I will be using SPDIF out to my Denon, not sure if I'll use the on-board motherboard or buy a seperate card. Have you read the article from Toms Hardware about XP Raid 5, pretty interesting when they pulled one of the SATA connections, and even used a different mother board with differant southbridge chipset.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
|
|
|
Re: XP Pro Software Raid 5, any input?
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467
connoisseur
|
connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467 |
Also, keep in mind that the Windows RAID 5 is slow, and look at the date on that review...2004...old.
That article was made before RAID 5 on motherboards was getting popular. You might find this article useful for motherboard RAID 5 applications.
Link
M22s|VP100|QS4s|HSU STF2
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics24,984
Posts442,691
Members15,643
|
Most Online2,699 Aug 8th, 2024
|
|
0 members (),
595
guests, and
0
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|