Multi raid, multi OS possible ?

[OldWolf]

Hi

Iam new to Raid and need help please;

I had 2 hdds, 1 has xp pro and other has vista on the same pc. I was choosing OS during boot up with f8. Now after lost my 4th hdd in 4 years i decide to go for raid 1.Since i had to setup my bios as raid, it only boots my raid 1 disks (vista) but since xp on a single drive (no raid) it doesnt boot it and starts to boot vista.

Question is if i buy two new hdds for xp and setup them as raid 1 too can i be able to choose any OS to boot like my old pc setup ?.
Thanks

[kaled]

You can install XP and Vista on a single hard disk - it simply needs to be partitioned. One partition each for XP and Vista and a third partition for common files (if you want). If Vista is installed AFTER Windows XP, the Windows Boot Manager will do all the necessary work. In order words, if two hard disks are configured to look like one, you are still good to go.

Having said that, the question you should be asking is why do your hard disks keep failing? It could be bad luck, but I'd wonder about things like a dodgy power supply (providing maybe 9V or 15V on the 12V line) or poor housing (causing overheating) or poor cables or a nearby source of powerful vibrations.

There are also two hard disk manufacturers I avoid like the plague. I shan't name them, but I usually recommend Hitachi (and I am also comfortable with Fujitsu, Maxtor and IBM).

Kaled.

[OldWolf]

Thanks Kaled
I'll take it as yes.

I know i can have but i don't want to have multi os on a single hdd so if i lose one system i can continue working with other one till i replace other.

As for hdd's failing, i am thinkin it's bad luck. My system is good and cold, but all i can think my box is near wall plugs or may be dust.

Yes i have no luck with S (3 drvs) and W (1 drv)either, the brands you good with are not easy to find in my country. :(
Thanks again

[kaled]

If you want to place each OS on a separate physical drive and have the added security of RAID, I believe you'll need four drives.

It's also worth pointing out that RAID offers zero protection against software failures and theft so backups are still necessary. This simple fact is often overlooked.

Kaled.

[OldWolf]

Yes you are right about backups and here is my plan;
level 1: Xp and vista seperate hdd's as raid 1
level 2: An internal 1tb hdd for back up them
level 3: An external single or raid hdd for back up
level 4: When blue ray goes cheaper...

And yes i know iam paranoid.

Thanks for your inputs

[edited by: OldWolf at 2:47 pm (utc) on Jan. 29, 2009]