RAID
User Guide
© Copyright 2011 Hewlett-Packard
Development Company, L.P.
Intel is a trademark of Intel Corporation in
the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft,
Windows, and Windows Vista are U.S.
registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
The information contained herein is subject
to change without notice. The only
warranties for HP products and services are
set forth in the express warranty statements
accompanying such products and services.
Nothing herein should be construed as
constituting an additional warranty. HP shall
not be liable for technical or editorial errors
or omissions contained herein.
First Edition: May 2011
Document Part Number: 651196-001
Product notice
This user guide describes features that are
common to most models. Some features
may not be available on your computer.
Table of contents
1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
2 RAID technology overview ............................................................................................................................. 2
RAID terminology ................................................................................................................................. 2
RAID modes supported ........................................................................................................................ 3
The advantages of RAID modes supported ......................................................................................... 6
3 Operating systems and devices supported ................................................................................................. 7
Operating systems supported .............................................................................................................. 7
Devices supported ................................................................................................................................ 7
4 Intel Rapid Storage Technology features ................................................................................................... 10
Advanced Host Controller Interface ................................................................................................... 10
Intel Rapid Recover Technology ........................................................................................................ 11
5 RAID volume setup ....................................................................................................................................... 12
Enable RAID through the system BIOS (f10) ..................................................................................... 13
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console ............................................ 15
Using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console Recovery features .................................................. 34
6 Resetting RAID drives to non-RAID ............................................................................................................ 37
7 Frequently asked questions ........................................................................................................................ 39
Can more than one RAID volume be installed on a computer? ......................................................... 39
Is RAID supported to allow both RAID 0 and RAID 1 on a single RAID volume? .............................. 39
Can the computer be undocked if the recovery HDD is in the docking station SATA-swappable
bay? .................................................................................................................................................... 39
What are the maximum number of HDDs that can be connected to the system during boot when
the storage controller is in RAID mode (f10 Computer Setup)? ......................................................... 39
Index ................................................................................................................................................................... 40
iii
iv
1Introduction
Until recently, there were limited options for most computer users who wanted to protect their data
from loss in the event of a hard drive failure. These options were manually copying files to a backup
drive or using cumbersome backup software. If users failed to perform one of these mundane tasks
prior to a hard drive failure, they had to spend considerable time and money to recover even a portion
of the data on the drive. Server and desktop computer users have long enjoyed the security and
benefits of RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) technology to recover data in the event of
drive failure.
HP now offers a simple RAID solution for notebook computer users who need to protect data on a
Serial ATA (SATA) disk drive in case of drive failure or virus attacks. HP’s RAID solution also benefits
computer users who frequently work with large files and want to improve the storage performance of
their computer.
NOTE: The illustrations in this guide are provided in English only.
1
2 RAID technology overview
This chapter defines the terms used in this guide and describes the RAID technologies supported by
select HP Business computers.
RAID terminology
Some of the terms in the following table have a broader meaning, but they are defined in relation to
the RAID implementation described in this guide.
Term Definition
Fault tolerance The ability of the computer to continue to operate if one drive fails. Fault tolerance is
HDD One physical hard disk drive in the RAID array.
Option ROM A software module inside the system's BIOS that provides extended support for a
Primary drive The main internal HDD in the computer.
RAID array The physical drives that appear as one logical drive to the operating system.
RAID migration The change of data from a non-RAID to RAID configuration. “RAID level migration,” or
RAID volume A fixed amount of space across a RAID array that appears as a single HDD to the
Recovery drive The hard drive that is the designated mirror (copy of the primary) drive in a RAID 1 and
Reliability The likelihood—over a period of time—that a HDD can be expected to operate without
Stripe The set of data on a single hard drive in a RAID volume.
Striping The distribution of data over multiple disk drives to improve read/write performance.
often used interchangeably with reliability, but the two terms are different.
particular piece of hardware. The RAID option ROM provides boot support for RAID
volumes as well as a user interface for managing and configuring the system's RAID
volumes.
the change of data from one RAID level to another, is not supported.
operating system.
Recovery volume.
failure, also known as mean time before failure (MTBF).
2 Chapter 2 RAID technology overview
RAID modes supported
The RAID modes supported by HP Business computers include RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and
Flexible data protection (Recovery) as described below. RAID modes 0, 1, and Recovery require two
SATA HDDs. RAID mode 5 requires three SATA HDDs. This can be accomplished by inserting a
second SATA hard drive into the Upgrade Bay, eSATA port (if available), or the second hard drive
bay (if available) of the computer, or into the SATA-swappable bay of the HP Advanced Docking
Station (see
RAID 0
RAID 0 stripes, or distributes, data across both drives. This allows data, especially large files, to be
read faster because data is read simultaneously from both drives. However, RAID 0 offers no fault
tolerance, which means that if one drive fails, the entire array fails.
The usable amount of the drives is the minimum size of the unassigned space x 2 (number of the
HDDs). For example, if disk 1 has 150 GB of free space and disk 2 has 600 GB of free space, the
usable amount is 150 GB x 2 = 300 GB. It is recommended to use HDDs of the same size and
specifications for RAID configuration.
RAID 1
RAID 1 copies, or mirrors, identical data on two HDDs. If one HDD fails, RAID 1 allows data to be
recovered from the other HDD.
Devices supported on page 7). RAID 10 is not supported.
The usable amount of the drives is the minimum size of the unassigned space. For example, if disk 1
has 150 GB of free space and disk 2 has 600 GB of free space, the usable amount is 150 GB. It is
recommended to use HDDs of the same size and specifications for RAID.
RAID 5
RAID 5 distributes data across three HDDs. If one HDD fails, RAID 5 allows data to be recovered
from the other two HDDs.
The usable amount of the drives is the minimum size of the unassigned space x 3 (number of the
HDDs) x 2/3. For example, if disk 1 has 150 GB of free space, disk 2 has 600 GB of free space, and
disk 3 has 400 GB of free space, the usable amount is 300 GB (150 GB x 3 x 2/3). It is recommended
to use HDDs of the same size and specifications for RAID.
Flexible data protection (Recovery)
Flexible data protection (Recovery) is a feature of Intel® Rapid Storage Technology software.
Recovery enhances RAID 1 functionality with several features that make it easier for users to mirror
data to a designated recovery drive. For example, Recovery allows users to determine how the
recovery volume is updated, either continuously (the default) or on request. Recovery also enables
docking and undocking of the computer if the second drive is in the docking station's bay.
RAID mode summary
The following table describes the functions, applications, and advantages and disadvantages of the
supported RAID modes.
RAID modes supported 3
RAID levels Function/Applications Advantages/Disadvantages
RAID 0
RAID 1
Function:
Data is distributed across
both disk drives.
Applications:
Image editing
●
● Video production
Pre-press applications
●
Function:
Identical (mirrored) data is
stored on two drives.
Applications:
Accounting
●
Payroll
●
Advantages:
Read performance is
higher than that of a nonRAID HDD.
Total storage capacity is
doubled.
Disadvantages:
The entire array fails if one
drive fails; data cannot be
recovered.
Storage space may be
wasted if the capacities of
the primary and recovery
HDDs are different (see
SATA drive option kits
on page 7).
Advantages:
Provides high fault
tolerance.
Disadvantages:
Only half of the total drive
capacity can be used for
storage.
HP
● Financial
Storage space may be
wasted if the capacities of
the primary and recovery
HDDs are different (see
SATA drive option kits
on page 7).
HP
4 Chapter 2 RAID technology overview
RAID levels Function/Applications Advantages/Disadvantages
RAID Recovery
Function:
Identical (mirrored) data is
stored on two drives.
Boosts the functionality of
RAID 1 with valuable
features.
Applications:
Any application that requires
a simple data protection
method.
Advantages:
Provides high fault
tolerance.
Users can choose to mirror
data continuously or on
request.
Data recovery is quick and
easy.
Allows hot-plugging of
mirrored drive (with eSATA
or docking station HDD).
Enables easy migration to
non-RAID.
Disadvantages:
Only half of the total drive
capacity can be used for
storage.
Storage space may be
wasted if the capacities of
the primary and recovery
HDDs are different.
RAID 5
Function:
Distributes data across three
HDDs. If one HDD fails,
RAID 5 allows data to be
recovered from the other two
HDDs.
Applications:
A good choice for large
amounts of critical data.
Advantages:
Data redundancy
Improved performance and
capacity
High fault-tolerance and
read performance
Disadvantages:
During a RAID rebuild after a
hard drive fails, system
performance can be
decreased.
RAID modes supported 5
The advantages of RAID modes supported
Fault tolerance and performance are important terms to understand when choosing a RAID mode.
Fault tolerance
Fault tolerance is the ability of a RAID array to withstand and recover from a drive failure. Fault
tolerance is provided by redundancy. Therefore, RAID 0 has no fault tolerance because it does not
copy data to another HDD. With RAID 1 and Recovery, one drive can fail without causing the array to
fail. With Recovery, however, the restoration of a single file or an entire HDD is much simpler than
with RAID 1 alone. With RAID 5, one of the three HDDs can fail without causing the array to fail.
Performance
Performance is easy to understand, but it is difficult to measure because it involves several factors,
some of which are beyond the scope of this document. Overall storage performance is determined by
write performance and read performance, both of which vary based on the RAID technology selected.
RAID 0 (striping) improves overall storage performance because data can be written and read
●
simultaneously across two HDDs.
Recovery and RAID 1 (mirroring) writes the same data to both HDDs; therefore, write
●
performance may be slower. However, data can be read from both HDDs, so the read
performance can be higher than that of a single non-RAID HDD.
● RAID 5 performs at a level between RAID 0 and RAID 1.
6 Chapter 2 RAID technology overview
3 Operating systems and devices
supported
Operating systems supported
HP RAID supports 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista® (SP1 and SP2), and Windows 7
operating systems.
NOTE: HP offers only limited support for Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (SP1, SP2,and
SP3).
Devices supported
This section describes the devices supported for RAID migration, including the SATA drives,
computers, and docking station. Device support is summarized in the following table and then
explained in more detail below the table. External USB SATA drives connected to the computer or
docking station cannot be used for migrating to RAID.
Primary and Upgrade Bay
SATA HDDs in the
computer
RAID 0 Yes Yes No
RAID 1 Yes Yes No
Recovery Yes Yes Yes
RAID 5 Yes Yes No
HP SATA drive option kits
HP offers SATA drive option kits for the computer Upgrade Bay and the docking station's SATA
swappable bay to support RAID migration. For optimal RAID performance, it is recommended that
both drives have the same speed. However, supported HP Business computers allow drives with
different speeds to be used in a RAID volume.
Drives of different capacities are also supported for RAID migration, as long as the capacity of the
secondary (recovery) drive is equal to or greater than that of the primary drive. For example, if the
primary drive is 200 GB, then at least a 200-GB drive is required in the Upgrade Bay to create a RAID
volume. If the capacity of the secondary drive is larger than that of the primary drive, the excess
capacity of the secondary (or third) drive will not be accessible. If, for example, the primary drive is
160 GB and the secondary drive is 250 GB, only 160 GB of the secondary drive will be usable in a
Primary and secondary
bay SATA HDDs in the
computer
Docking station HDD or
eSATA HDD attached to
computer
Operating systems supported 7
RAID configuration. Therefore, for optimal use, it is recommended that both drives have the same
capacity.
eSATA HDDs (select models only)
External SATA, or eSATA, is an external interface that allows a SATA drive to achieve data transfer
speeds up to 6 times that of a SATA drive using a standard USB 2.0 interface. The following
illustration shows a supported computer with a primary HDD (1) and an eSATA drive (2) connected to
the eSATA port (select models only) to allow Recovery. Regarding the capacity of the eSATA drive,
the same recommendations apply as stated for secondary drives in the computer Upgrade Bay.
HP Business computers
Select HP Business computers support RAID using Intel® Rapid Storage Technology software (v10
and higher) and a second SATA drive in the Upgrade Bay.
The following illustration shows a supported computer with the primary HDD (1) and a secondary
HDD drive in the Upgrade Bay (2) that allows RAID 0, RAID 1, and Recovery.
8 Chapter 3 Operating systems and devices supported
The following illustration shows a supported computer with the primary HDD (1) and secondary HDD
(2), with the third drive in the Upgrade Bay (3) that allows RAID 5.
HP Advanced Docking Station
Recovery supports docking and undocking. It can be used to implement mirroring between the
primary HDD (1) and an optional HDD in the SATA-swappable bay of the HP Advanced Docking
station (2).
The following illustration shows an HP Advanced Docking Station with the recovery HDD in the
SATA-swappable bay that allows Recovery.
Devices supported 9
4 Intel Rapid Storage Technology
features
Intel Rapid Storage Technology supports the following Recovery features.
Advanced Host Controller Interface
The Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) is a specification that allows the storage driver to
enable advanced SATA features such as Native Command Queuing and hot plug capability. AHCI
must be enabled in the system BIOS for these features to apply (see
system BIOS (f10) on page 13). AHCI is enabled by default on supported HP Business computers.
Native Command Queuing
Enable RAID through the
A read/write drive head writes data to an HDD platter in concentric circles (tracks) based on the order
in which the write request was received. Because applications rarely request data in the same order
that it was written to the platter, long delays (latency) would result if the drive head had to locate data
in the exact order that the HDD receives read requests. Native Command Queuing (NCQ) allows
SATA HDDs to accept multiple commands and change their execution order to improve performance.
This is analogous to the way an elevator reorders floor requests to minimize travel time and
mechanical wear. Similarly, NCQ reduces the latency and unnecessary drive head movement
required to execute multiple outstanding read/write requests, resulting in increased performance and
reliability. NCQ requires support from the system BIOS, SATA controller, and controller driver.
Hot plug capability
Hot plug capability allows the SATA recovery HDD to be removed or inserted while the computer is
running. Hot plug capability is supported when the recovery HDD is connected to the eSATA port or
located in the docking station's SATA-swappable bay. For example, the recovery HDD in the docking
station's SATA-swappable bay can be removed while the computer is running if you need to
temporarily insert an optical drive in the bay. Hot plug capability also allows you to dock and undock
the computer at any time.
10 Chapter 4 Intel Rapid Storage Technology features
Intel Rapid Recover Technology
Intel Rapid Storage Technology supports the following Recovery features.
Mirror update policies
With Recovery, you can determine how often the mirror HDD is updated: continuously or on-request.
When using the continuous update policy, data on the primary drive is simultaneously copied to the
mirror drive as long as both drives are connected to the system. If you undock the computer while
using the docking station's recovery drive, all new or revised data on the primary HDD is
automatically copied to the recovery HDD when the notebook is redocked. This policy also allows for
an unfinished mirroring operation to be completed if it was interrupted when you undocked the
notebook.
When using the update on-request policy, data on the primary HDD is copied to the mirror HDD only
when you request it by selecting Update Recovery Volume in Recovery. After the request, only the
new or updated files on the primary drive are copied to the mirror HDD. Prior to updating the mirror
HDD, the on-request policy allows a file to be recovered if the corresponding file on the primary HDD
is corrupted. The on-request policy can also protect data on the mirror HDD if the primary HDD is
attacked by a virus, provided you do not update the mirror HDD after the virus attack.
NOTE: You can change the mirror update policy at any time by right-clicking Modify Volume
Update Policy.
Automatic HDD switching and rapid recovery
If the primary HDD fails, Recovery automatically switches to the mirrored drive without user
intervention. Recovery displays a message to notify you of the primary HDD failure. In the meantime,
the computer can boot from the mirrored HDD. When a new primary HDD is installed and the
computer is booted, Recovery’s rapid recovery feature copies all mirrored data to the primary HDD.
NOTE: If using the update on request policy and the primary HDD fails or a file on the primary HDD
becomes corrupted, all unmirrored data is lost.
Simplified migration from RAID to non-RAID
Users can migrate from a RAID 1 or Recovery volume to two non-RAID HDDs, called “breaking the
array,” by following the instructions in
Migration from RAID 1 to Recovery is also supported. However, migration from RAID 0 to RAID 1 or
from RAID 0 to a non-RAID primary HDD is not supported.
Resetting RAID drives to non-RAID on page 37.
Intel Rapid Recover Technology 11
5 RAID volume setup
The following instructions assume that a supported HDD is installed in the computer Upgrade Bay, in
the SATA-swappable bay of the docking station, or connected to the eSATA port of the computer
Devices supported on page 7).
(see
The basic RAID migration steps are as follows:
Enable RAID through the system BIOS.
●
Initiate RAID migration using Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Console.
●
CAUTION: Make sure that the computer is connected to AC power before initiating the following
procedures. The loss of power during RAID migration can result in the loss of data.
12 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
Enable RAID through the system BIOS (f10)
NOTE: The following procedures assume that you are using the HDD image that shipped with your
computer. If a different image is installed on your computer, you must first enable RAID through the
system BIOS (f10), and then install the operating system and all required drivers, including the Intel
Rapid Storage Technology driver. Next, follow the steps in
Storage Technology Console on page 15.
Users must enable RAID capability through the system BIOS to switch the SATA host controller for
RAID. The steps are as follows:
1. Turn on the computer, or restart it.
2. Press f10 as soon as the computer boots.
NOTE: If you do not press f10 at the appropriate time, you must restart the computer, and then
press f10 again to access the utility.
3. In the system BIOS, select System Configuration > Device Configurations.
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid
Enable RAID through the system BIOS (f10) 13
4. In the Device Configurations window, select RAID under SATA Device Mode. Click Confirm.
The following message is displayed: “Changing this setting may require reinstallation of your
operating system. Are you sure you want to proceed?”
NOTE: The HDD image supplied with your computer contains drivers that allow you to switch
between AHCI and RAID modes without reinstalling the operating system. If you use a different
HDD image, you may need to reinstall the operating system.
NOTE: Below SATA Device Mode, there is a check box for Ctrl I Prompt. If this is selected, the
Intel option ROM screen is visible during the computer bootup time.
5. Select File > Save Changes and Exit. Then, click Yes to save the changes. If you do not want
to apply your changes, select Ignore Changes and Exit.
CAUTION: Do NOT turn the computer power off while the ROM is saving the f10 Computer
Setup changes, because the Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) could
become corrupted. Turn the computer off only after exiting the f10 Setup screen.
6. After the operating system boots, you can begin the RAID migration procedure.
14 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console
Open the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console by selecting Start > All Programs > Intel
▲
Rapid Storage Technology.
NOTE: Windows Vista and Windows 7 include the User Account Control feature to improve the
security of your computer. You may be prompted for your permission or a password for tasks
such as installing software, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Help and
Support for more information.
The console starts at the Status screen, and displays the current status and the hard drives in
the system.
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console 15
Migrating to RAID 1
1. Click Create, click Real-time data protection (RAID 1), and then click Next.
16 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
2. Create a volume name (or use the suggested name), select the two HDDs to use for the RAID 1
array, and then click Next.
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console 17
3. Click Create Volume to begin the migration process.
18 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
4. Once the Create Volume button is clicked, you are informed that the array has been created.
Click the OK button. The array migration continues to run in the background. The computer can
be used normally while the migration continues.
5. When you are notified that the array migration is complete, close all open programs and reboot
the computer.
6. When the computer boots up, the operating system detects the newly-created array and
requests a reboot. Reboot the computer when prompted. After the final reboot, the RAID
migration is complete.
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console 19
Migrating to Recovery
Recovery offers more control over how data is copied from the primary drive to the recovery drive.
When the secondary HDD is in the SATA-swappable bay of the HP Advanced Docking Station or
connected to the eSATA port of the computer (select models only), Recovery is the only RAID option
available.
1. Click Create, click Flexible data protection (Recovery), and then click Next.
20 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
2. Create a volume name (or use the suggested name). The two HDDs to use for the Recovery
array are already selected. Click Next.
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console 21
3. Click Create Volume to begin the migration process.
22 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
4. Once the Create Volume button is clicked, you are informed that the array has been created.
Click the OK button. The array migration continues to run in the background. The computer can
be used normally while the migration continues.
5. When you are notified that the array migration has completed, close all open programs and
reboot the computer. When the computer reboots, the operating system detects the newlycreated array and requests another reboot. Reboot the computer when prompted. After the final
reboot, the RAID migration is complete.
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console 23
Migrating to RAID 0
NOTE: When using an HP supplied image, migrating to RAID 0 requires you to perform additional
advanced steps, including copying data to an additional external USB HDD. Please read the entire
RAID 0 migration procedure before you begin.
1. Click Create, click Optimized disk performance, and then click Next.
24 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
2. Create a volume name (or use the suggested name), select the two hard disk drives to use for
the RAID 0 array, and then click Next.
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console 25
3. Click Create Volume to begin the migration process.
4. A message displays, notifying you that the array has been created. Click the OK button.
NOTE: The array migration continues to run in the background. The computer can be used
normally while the migration continues.
26 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
5. When you are notified that the array migration has completed, close all open programs and
restart the computer. When the computer is restarted, the operating system detects the newlycreated array and prompts you to restart the computer a second time.
6. After you have restarted the computer a second time, the RAID migration is complete.
NOTE: Although the total capacity of the RAID 0 volume appears in the Console, the extra capacity
created with the addition of the secondary HDD appears to the system as unallocated space. After
the system reboots, you must allocate the unallocated space. For Windows XP, the only option
through the operating system is to create and format a separate volume. Windows Vista and
Windows 7 contain additional capabilities that allow you to create a single RAID 0 volume. Refer to
Allocating unallocated HDD space for an HP image on page 30 for further instructions.
Migrating to RAID 5 (select models only)
NOTE: When using an HP supplied image, migrating to RAID 5 requires you to perform additional
steps, including copying data to an additional external USB HDD. Please read the entire RAID 5
migration procedure before you begin.
NOTE: RAID 5 requires 3 hard drives in the computer: the primary HDD, the secondary HDD, and
the upgrade bay HDD.
1. Click Create, select Efficient data hosting and protection (RAID 5), and then click Next.
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console 27
2. Create a volume name (or use the suggested name), select the three HDDs to use for the RAID
5 array, and then click Next.
28 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
3. Click Create Volume to begin the migration process.
4. Once Create Volume is selected, you are informed that the array has been created. Click the
OK button. The array migration continues to run in the background. The computer can be used
normally while the migration continues.
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console 29
5. When you are notified that the array migration has completed, close all open programs and
restart the computer. When the computer is restarted, the operating system detects the newlycreated array and prompts you to restart the computer a second time.
6. After you have restarted the computer a second time, the RAID migration is complete.
NOTE: Although the total capacity of the RAID 5 volume appears in the Console, the extra capacity
created with the addition of the three HDD’s appears to the system as unallocated space. After the
system reboots, you must allocate the unallocated space. For Windows XP, the only option through
the operating system is to create and format a separate volume. Windows Vista and Windows 7
contain additional capabilities that allow you to create a single RAID 5 volume. Refer to
unallocated HDD space for an HP image on page 30 for further instructions.
Allocating unallocated HDD space for an HP image
If you want one continuous C: partition for RAID 0 and RAID 5, you must allocate the unallocated
space after the system reboots for the final time. You can create an additional partition, or you can
extend the (C:) partition. In order to extend the (C:) partition, you must move the Extensible Firmware
Interface (EFI) and Recovery partitions using the following procedure. The EFI partition stores
QuickLook, system diagnostics, and BIOS Flash Recovery files. The Recovery partition contains files
that allow you to restore the computer to the factory image.
NOTE: If the functionality of the EFI and Recovery partitions is not required, these partitions can be
deleted.
In Windows XP:
Allocating
1. After the system reboots, select Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Manage from the
drop-down menu.
2. In the left pane under Storage, click Disk Management. The Disk Management window displays
the unallocated space and two partitions: (C:) and HP_TOOLS.
3. Right-click the Unallocated capacity, and then select New Partition from the drop-down menu.
The New Partition Wizard opens.
4. Click Next.
5. Select Primary Partition, and then click Next.
The partition size defaults to the maximum.
6. Click Next.
7. Assign a drive letter, and then click Next.
8. Select the NTFS format, enter the volume name, and then click Next.
9. Review your selections, and then click Finish to complete the formatting.
In Windows Vista and Windows 7:
1. Select Start, right-click Computer, and then click Manage from the drop-down menu. The
Computer Management window displays.
30 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
2. In the left pane under Storage, click Disk Management. The Disk Management window displays
the existing partitions and unallocated space—(C:), HP_TOOLS, and HP_RECOVERY. Write
down the size displayed for the HP_RECOVERY partition (for example, 11.76GB), and retain
this information for an upcoming step.
NOTE: The drive letters shown in Disk Management may vary depending on your system
configuration.
3. Connect an external USB drive with at least 40 GB of free capacity to a USB port on the
computer.
4. Open Windows Explorer, and then select the primary drive (C:).
5. Select Organize > Folder and Search Options.
6. Click the View tab.
7. Under Hidden files and folders, select the radio button next to Show hidden files and folders.
8. Uncheck the box next to Hide Protected Operating System Files, and then click OK.
9. Select the HP_RECOVERY partition in the left pane, and then copy its contents (\boot,
\Recovery, \system.save, bootmgr, and HP_WINRE) to the external USB drive. If the Destination
Folder Access Denied window displays, click Continue to copy the file. If the User Account
Control window displays, click Continue.
10. Select the HP_TOOLS partition in the left pane, and then copy its contents (\Hewlett-Packard,
HP_Tools) to the USB drive.
11. Return to the Disk Management window and select the HP_RECOVERY partition. Next, click the
Delete icon in the menu bar. Repeat this procedure for the HP_TOOLS partition. The amount of
space to restore HP_RECOVERY and HP_TOOLS must be calculated.
To calculate the amount of space to restore HP_RECOVERY and HP_TOOLS, and to convert
the value of the HP_RECOVERY partition size from gigabytes (GB) to megabytes (MB):
a. Multiply the HP_RECOVERY partition size (see step 2 above) by 1024, and then round up
the result. For example, multiply a result of 11.76 GB by 1024, and then round the result
(12042.24 MB) to 12043 MB.
b. Multiply the HP_TOOLS size by 1024, and then round up the result. For example, if the size
of HP_TOOLS is 5GB, the result is 5120 MB.
c. Calculate the hard drive's metadata space (for example, 6 MB) at the end of the HDD, and
then add these three values together (ex 12043MB + 5120MB + 6MB = 17169MB). The
result shows the space that must be reserved for restoring the HP directories.
12. Right-click the (C:) drive, and then click Extend Volume from the drop-down menu. The Extend
Volume Wizard opens.
13. Click Next.
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console 31
14. The amount of unallocated capacity (in MB) available to extend the (C:) drive is displayed next to
Select the amount of space in MB (for example, 494098 MB). Subtract the value for the
reserved space to restore the HP directories (calculated above) from the amount of unallocated
capacity (in MB) available to extend the (C:) drive. For example, 494098 MB – 17169 MB =
476929 MB. Replace the Select the amount of space in MB with the calculated capacity (for
example, 476929 MB), or press the down arrow until the calculated number is displayed.
15. Click Next, and then click Finish. The new RAID volume capacity and the new unallocated
capacity are displayed in the Disk Management window.
16. Create the HP_RECOVERY partition as follows:
a. Right-click the Unallocated capacity, and then click New Simple Volume from the drop-
down menu. The New Simple Volume Wizard opens.
b. Click Next.
c. Enter the rounded value from step 11a above in the space provided, and then click Next.
d. Select the drive letter (E:), and then click Next.
e. Select NTFS as the File System. To the right of Volume label, enter the name
HP_RECOVERY.
f. Click Next, and then click Finish.
17. The following steps are needed to create the HP_TOOLS partition. The extra steps are required
because the HP_TOOLS partition must be created as a primary partition. If Disk Management is
used, the partition is created as a logical drive.
a. Open a command line prompt with administrator privileges (Start > All Programs >
Accessories).
b. Right-click Command Prompt, select Run as Administrator, and then type the following
commands:
Diskpart
Select disk 0
Create part primary size=5120
Format fs=fat32 label=”HP_TOOLS” quick
Assign
Exit
18. Restart the computer.
19. In Windows Explorer, copy the contents of the HP_TOOLS and HP_RECOVERY partitions from
the USB drive to the respective partitions.
20. In order for the HP Recovery functionality to work correctly (f11 during POST), the Boot
Configuration Data (BCD) needs to be updated. The following commands must be run in
32 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
Administrator mode. It is recommended that a batch file (*.bat) be created with these commands
and run, rather than typing them in individually.
NOTE: The commands assume that the HP_RECOVERY partition is drive (E:). If it is different,
replace E: with the correct drive letter.
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -create {ramdiskoptions} -d "Ramdisk Options"
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdidevice partition=E:
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {ramdiskoptions} ramdisksdipath \boot\boot.sdi
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -create {572bcd55-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} -d "HP
Recovery Environment" -application OSLOADER
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {572bcd55-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} device
ramdisk=[E:]\Recovery\WindowsRE\winre.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {572bcd55-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} path
\windows\system32\boot\winload.exe
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {572bcd55-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} osdevice
ramdisk=[E:]\Recovery\WindowsRE\winre.wim,{ramdiskoptions}
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {572bcd55-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} systemroot
\windows
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {572bcd55-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} winpe yes
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {572bcd55-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} detecthal
yes
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {572bcd55-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} nx optin
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {572bcd55-ffa7-11d9-aae0-0007e994107d} custom:
46000010 yes
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -create {bootmgr} /d "Windows Boot Manager"
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {bootmgr} device boot
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {bootmgr} displayorder {default}
BCDEDIT.EXE -store E:\Boot\BCD -set {bootmgr} default {572bcd55-ffa7-11d9aae0-0007e994107d}
21. After the batch file is created, right-click the file in Windows Explorer, and then select Run as
Administrator in order to execute the batch file.
22. Restart the computer.
Initiate RAID migration using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console 33
Using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console Recovery features
Modifying the volume update policy
When using Recovery, you can select how often the recovery HDD is updated: continuously or onrequest. Continuous Updates is the default update policy (see
The steps to change the update policy to on-request are as follows:
1. Click Manage, and click the Recovery Volume to select it.
Mirror update policies on page 11).
34 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
2. Click the Advanced link in the left pane.
Using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Console Recovery features 35
3. Update mode displays the current setting. To change the current setting, click the Change Mode
link, and then click Yes. When using the on-request update policy, you can manually update the
recovery volume by selecting the Update Data link.
4. You can restore the continuous update policy at any time by selecting the Change Mode link,
and then clicking Yes.
36 Chapter 5 RAID volume setup
6 Resetting RAID drives to non-RAID
You can reset a RAID 1 or Recovery volume to two non-RAID drives using the following instructions
to access the Intel Option ROM and reset both drives to non-RAID status. You must also reset both
drives to non-RAID if you need to move the RAID recovery drive from the computer's upgrade bay to
the docking station's bay.
NOTE: A RAID 0 or RAID 5 volume cannot be migrated to a RAID 1 volume or to a non-RAID
primary HDD because the size of the RAID 0 or RAID 5 volume may be greater than the capacity of
the primary HDD. If you wish to return the primary HDD in a RAID 0 or RAID 5 volume to non-RAID
status, you must first back up all data to an external drive with sufficient capacity. Next, follow the
steps below to reset the RAID 0 or RAID 5 drives to non-RAID. After you complete the procedure, you
must reinstall the operating system on the primary drive.
1. Power on or restart the computer. When the Option ROM window displays, press ctrl+I to enter
the configuration utility.
2. In the Main Menu, use the up or down arrow key to select 3. Reset Disks to Non-RAID, and
then press enter. The Reset RAID Data window displays.
37
3. Press the space bar to select the first drive, and then press the down arrow key and the space
bar to select the second drive.
4. Press enter, and then press Y to confirm the selection.
5. Use the down arrow key to select Exit, and then press enter and Y to boot the system.
38 Chapter 6 Resetting RAID drives to non-RAID
7 Frequently asked questions
Can more than one RAID volume be installed on a computer?
No, there can only be one RAID volume on a computer.
Is RAID supported to allow both RAID 0 and RAID 1 on a single RAID volume?
No.
Can the computer be undocked if the recovery HDD is in the docking station SATA-swappable bay?
Yes. If the “Continuous update” policy is selected, data is automatically copied to the docking station's
recovery drive when the computer is re-docked. If the “Update on request” policy is selected, you
must follow the normal procedure to copy data to the recovery HDD when the computer is re-docked.
What are the maximum number of HDDs that can be
connected to the system during boot when the storage
controller is in RAID mode (f10 Computer Setup)?
This limitation does not apply when the storage controller is in AHCI mode. Once the storage
controller is changed to RAID mode, only 3 HDDs can be connected to the unit during boot up. After
the notebook is booted up, additional HDDs can be connected. This does not apply to attached USB
HDDs.
Can more than one RAID volume be installed on a computer? 39
Index
A
Advanced Host Controller
Interface 10
automatic HDD switching and
rapid recovery 11
D
devices supported 7
E
enabling RAID 13
eSATA HDDs 8
F
fault tolerance 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Flexible data protection 3
frequently asked questions 39
H
HDD 2
hot plug 10
HP Advanced Docking Station 9
HP Business computers 8
HP SATA drive option kits 7
I
initiating RAID migration 15
Intel Rapid Recover Technology
10, 11
Intel Rapid Storage Technology
Console Recovery features 34
M
migrating to RAID 0 24
migrating to RAID 1 16
migrating to Recovery 20
mirror update policies 11
mirroring 6
modes 3
modifying the volume update
policy 34
N
Native Command Queuing 10
O
operating systems supported 7
option ROM 2, 37
P
performance 6
primary drive 2
R
RAID 0 3
RAID 1 3
RAID array 2, 6
RAID migration 2, 7, 12, 15
RAID terminology
fault tolerance 2
HDD 2
option ROM 2
primary drive 2
RAID array 2
RAID migration 2
RAID volume 2
recovery drive 2
reliability 2
stripe 2
striping 2
RAID volume 2, 7, 12, 39
recovery drive 2, 11, 20, 37, 39
reliability 2
resetting RAID drives to non-
RAID 37
S
SATA drives 7
simplified migration 11
stripe 2, 3
striping 2, 6
supported devices 7
supported operating systems 7
supported RAID modes 3
40 Index
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