Removing RAID 1 array without losing data?


Recommended Posts

Basically, I have a 2TB drive setup in a RAID 1 with another 2TB drive. It has the OS and all my data on it. I'm trying to disable the RAID 1 configuration, but leave the two drives as they were, so I can boot to one of them (guess it doesn't matter which) as if nothing had changed (other than the data no longer being mirrored).

 

Is this possible? I've been using the RAID that came with my motherboard, Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3. I believe it's an Advanced Micro Devices controller.

 

[EDIT]

I should mention that when I press Ctrl-F at boot time and go to Delete LD Menu, it says "Press Ctrl-Y to delete the data in the disk!"...

[/EDIT]

As far as I know, there is no way to break an array and retain your data. You'd have to back up everything, then configure your BIOS for separate drives instead of RAID, and install your OS and restore data accordingly. Others can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I've done this before by accident actually and lost my data. That was on a RAID 0 setup though so since maybe you are on RAID 1, you can keep your data on one of the drives when breaking up the array.

All the RAID-1 configurations I have encountered would not have the data persist if you delete the RAID. You have to pull the data off the RAID, delete the RAID, then put the data back.

 

This is the MAJOR reason I don't like realtime RAIDS, and prefer snapshot raids for archiving data (note, OS' don't work well with snapshot raids...)

 

I would get confirmation of this...but my advice is to backup before deleting the RAID.

I don't know what "realtime" and "snapshot" raids are. Can you clarify? I use Windows' software RAID with my 2 2TB drives for a 4TB volume. I stay away from hardware RAIDS because if the hardware fails, I am kind of screwed. With a software RAID, I can just reinstall WIndows and it's back.

No way of breaking the raid without loosing data - Quick idea though.

 

Boot with 1 disk into Windows, plug in the second drive and format (NTFS), then perform a bare metal backup using Windows Backup and Restore to the second drive. Change boot from RAID to AHCI in BIOS and boot into the Windows disk (DVD), select restore and recovery, wipe the drive (DISK1), plug in the second drive with BMR files, restore using BMR to the formatted drive. When booted back into Windows you will have all your data and applications on a single disk, then plug in the other drive and format.

I have Intel Rapid Storage Technology installed which monitors the RAID in Windows and well as having it setup in BIOS. If I was going to split my RAID1, I would firstly uninstall the Intel application monitoring the raid then physically disconnect 1 of the drives in the raid. Next turn on the system and change SATA configuration from raid to ACHI. Then go into Windows and check if the drive is detected on its own with all data present, if so, I would go ahead and get the second drive connected back up again.

I have one of those Intel RST cards too, in a parts drawer lol. I used it for a long time and was annoyed by how much longer Windows seemed to boot with it because of posting. I've found the Windows software RAID to be just as fast and safer because there's no hardware to break.

  • 4 years later...

So I’m trying to repair my raid basically the same as you I want to delete it, so I’m using an extrenal had mirror my current raid then going to break/ delete raid then reboot off the extrenal had then re mirror off that with just the one drive, Anya thoughts ?

 

  • Nick H. locked this topic
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • Sure, that must be why it was revealed at the Sony showcase... the game was announced 5 years ago and the visuals are far from poor, what the hell are you smoking, plus the Switch 2 is pretty much on par with an Xbox Series S. It would be absolutely stupid for a dev to build a game "with the Switch 2 in mind" when it's coming to all platforms were the majority of sales will happen.
    • The Irony... China wouldn't be what it is today without Apple 😂
    • Microsoft makes it easier to find PC specs in Windows 11 Settings by Taras Buria Windows 11 has already received several improvements that make it easier to learn about your computer's specifications. Recently, Microsoft released Spec Cards for the System > About section, which provide basic information about the PC's main components, such as processor, memory, storage, graphics card, and video memory. Now, the Settings app is getting a new way to find your device info. Microsoft wants to display basic device information right on the Home page of the Settings app. The latest preview builds from the Dev and Beta Channels introduced a new "Your device info" card for the Settings' Home page. It displays specs like processor name and speed, graphics card and the amount of video memory, storage, and RAM. The card also has a link to the "About" section, where you will find more information about your computer, its Windows edition, product ID, and the recently introduced FAQ section that answers common hardware-related questions. The "Your device info" card joins the existing cards on the Settings app's home page. While the section offers useful information like quick access to Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi, personalization, and recommended settings, users received it with mixed reactions, as many considered it another way for Microsoft to promote its services and subscriptions like Microsoft 365, OneDrive, and Game Pass (seriously, who thinks about Game Pass when opening Settings?). Now, the Settings' Home page is a bit more useful, as it saves you a few clicks when checking your computer's specs. If you want to test the new "Your device info" card, update your PC to build 26200.5622 or newer (Dev Channel). Just keep in mind that Microsoft is rolling it out gradually, and it requires signing in with a Microsoft Account in the United States. Other changes in build 26200.5622 include a new Settings section for Quick Machine Recovery, widget improvements, more app recommendations in the "Open with" dialog, and more. Check out the full release notes here.
    • Ponies will finally have good games to play after replaying Last of Us for the 100th time. Oh and I lied, Silent Hill f looks pretty great too, but we already knew about that.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      jbatch earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • First Post
      Yianis earned a badge
      First Post
    • Rookie
      GTRoberts went up a rank
      Rookie
    • First Post
      James courage Tabla earned a badge
      First Post
    • Reacting Well
      James courage Tabla earned a badge
      Reacting Well
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      397
    2. 2
      +FloatingFatMan
      177
    3. 3
      snowy owl
      170
    4. 4
      ATLien_0
      167
    5. 5
      Xenon
      134
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!