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How to set up NVidia RAID array

Refer to your motherboard user manual on specific instructions in setting up NVidia MediaShield RAID. The user manual can be re-downloaded from the manufacturer's Support web pages.

If you need general directions, here is my copy of ASUS P5N-D motherboard manual:

ASUS P5N-D motherboard manual

When setting up a RAID array, do the following:

1. Do not use WD RE (enterprise) drives for consumer (home) RAID arrays.

2. Do not use a SATA power cable with two ends (a Y cable) to supply power to both hard drives at the same time. Do not use an IDE to SATA power cable adapter. Supply power to each hard drive from a separate wire going back to the power supply.

3. Ensure sufficient ventilation is provided in the case. It is best to not mount the hard drives right on top of each other, if you can use a different 2.5" slot.

4. It is preferable to use two hard drives of the same size and model.

5. Use locking SATA connectors. Conventional SATA cables were designed by an idiot -- they pop out by themselves or with you fumbling around in the computer case internals. Both of these scenarios are very dangerous to the health of your data.

6. To prevent damage to the RAID array, do not play video games on the computer which you also have user data and files saved on.

7. Do not ever do a hard ACPI reset (by holding down the computer power button). Set your desktop to shutdown after a press of the power button on the tower. If the computer stops responding, you must stop and allow it to recover on its own. Give the computer an hour if it stops responding. Do not attempt to turn the power off. The computer may be attempting to recover from hard drive errors or problems. Turning power off has never helped. If the computer does not respond after an hour, only use the RESET button to cycle power. This button is sometimes small or hidden on the tower case. If you are certain your computer was not equipped with a RESET button, then a RESET can be still triggered from a connector on the motherboard.

8. Write down on a piece of paper the model number, serial number, ID, and SATA location of each drive in your array. Refer to your motherboard user manual or legend on the motherboard about how SATA connectors are numbered on your motherboard. For example:

WDC WD3200AAKX-081DA1 installed in SATA1

WDC WD3200AAKX-081FA1 installed in SATA2

When rebuilding of the array would have to be done, your computer will only show you information like this. It is very easy to tell the computer to rebuild a damaged hard drive onto a healthy drive. This action will wipe out both drives.

9. Purchase at least one additional empty hard drive for the array, and keep it in a secure place in its ESD bag. Should you need to rebuild the array, you will have to pull out the faulty drive and immediately replace it with a new drive to preserve the array functionality.

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