Image/Backup software for RAID 0 ? GT 683DX

[Gidorra]

Hello
I would like to upgrade a GT 683DX with a RAID 0, coming from a single HD.

I would like to know which drive imaging software supoorts the RAID solution used by this model. Also, coming from a single HD setup, will I be lacking the RAID driver after cloning?

Thanks !


PS On a somewhat (un-)related note - are there 8GB SODIMM on the horizon anywhere?

 

[Henry]

"PS On a somewhat (un-)related note - are there 8GB SODIMM on the horizon anywhere?"

Yes there is, just Google and you can find them. I don't know where you are but a quick look at newegg shows Crucial 8 GB RAM single stick and 2x8 GB kit for sale.

As for your RAID questions I have no reply as that's not something I know much about.

 

[Gidorra]

Thanks on the RAM - that is jolly expensive !! It should be half of that. So I guess I'll only go for another 2x4GB.

OK, I made some progress on the RAID.

First, it seems I have a non-RAID BIOS - can I just flash the RAID version but keep running a single HD for now? Why isn't there only one BIOS with RAID enabled anyway?


Then, I found a couple forum posts which suggest to:

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStorV

and change the value for 'Start' from 3 to 0. Apparently, then you can install the RAID driver on your single HD system.

If you then create an image from within W7, you can load the RAID driver off a USB stick as you boot with your restore CD and re-image to the RAID.

I am quite experienced with building PCs, but never opened a laptop before - Is it a tricky business to open the 683 for the purpose of adding RAM + HDs? Is there a Youtube walk-through yet?

PS:
I cannot recommend enough to get an external USB 3 drive to everyone - writing a +100GB image takes 10 minutes.