Dell DCSM, PY349 Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID, Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility

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Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID

Your computer can be configured for RAID, even if you did not select a RAID configuration when the computer was purchased. For an explanation of RAID levels and their requirements, see "About RAID Configurations" on page 29. For information on how to install a hard drive, see "Hard Drives" on page 87.

To configure RAID hard drive volumes use the Nvidia MediaShield ROM utility before you install the operating system onto the hard drive.

Ensure that you set your computer to RAID-enabled mode before you begin.

Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode

1Enter the system setup (see "Entering System Setup" on page 111).

2Press the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight Drives, then press <Enter>.

3Press the up- and down-arrow keys to highlight the SATA operation, then press <Enter>.

4Press the left- and right-arrow keys to highlight RAID On, and then press <Enter>.

NOTE: For more information about RAID options, see "System Setup Options" on page 112.

5Press <Esc>, press the left- and right-arrow keys to highlight Save/Exit, and then press <Enter> to exit system setup and resume the boot process.

Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility

NOTICE: The following procedure will result in the loss of all data on your hard drive(s). Back up any data you want to keep before continuing.

Hard drives of any size may be used to create a RAID configuration. Ideally, however, the drives should be of equal size to avoid unallocated or unused space. For an explanation of RAID levels and their requirements, see "About RAID Configurations" on page 29. For information on how to install a hard drive, see "Installing a Hard Drive" on page 88.

1Enable RAID for each applicable hard drive on your computer (see "Setting Your Computer to RAID- Enabled Mode" on page 30).

2Restart the computer.

3Press <Ctrl><N> when prompted to enter the RAID BIOS.

NOTE: If the operating system logo appears, continue to wait until you see the Microsoft Windows desktop, then shut down your computer and try again.

The Define a New Array window appears.

4Press <Tab> to navigate to the RAID Mode field.

To create a RAID 1 configuration, use the arrow keys to select Mirroring.

5Press <Tab> to navigate to the Free Disks field.

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Setting Up and Using Your Computer

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Contents USB 2.0 connectors Microphone connectorDiagnostic lights Hard-drive activity light W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o mAbbreviations and Acronyms Contents Microsoft Windows operating system Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Resolving Software and Hardware IncompatibilitiesRecommended Drive Cable Connections Addressing Memory With 4-GB ConfigurationsConnecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables 100112 107111 116Contents What Are You Looking For? Find it Here Warranty information Finding InformationHow to use Windows XP Enter your Service Tag or product modelAppropriate for your configuration How to work with programs and filesFront View of the Computer Location of Service TagSetting Up and Using Your Computer Cover latch releasePower button Headphone connectorDiagnostic lights Power lightBack panel connectors Voltage selection switchPower connector Back View of the ComputerBack Panel Connectors Printer Cable Setting Up a PrinterConnecting a Printer Center/subwooferConnecting to the Internet USB connector on computer 2 USB printer cableSetting Up Your Internet Connection Playing CDs and DVDs Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the PictureHow to Copy a CD or DVD Using Blank CDs and DVDsCopying CDs and DVDs Helpful Tips Media Type Read Write RewritableSmartMedia SMC Using a Media Card Reader OptionalXD-Picture Card SecureDigital Card SDConnecting Two Monitors Connecting Two Monitors With VGA ConnectorsFollow the procedures in Before You Begin on Connecting a TV VGA blue connectorConnecting to a Network Adapter Setting Up a Home and Office NetworkChanging the Display Settings Network cable Setting Up and Using Your ComputerPower Management Network Setup WizardStandby Mode Hibernate Mode Power Options PropertiesAdvanced Tab Place the power options iconEnabling Cool ’n’ Quiet Technology Hibernate TabAbout RAID Configurations RAID Level 1 ConfigurationConfiguring Your Hard Drives for RAID Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM UtilityUsing Nvidia MediaShield Rebuilding a RAID ConfigurationSetting Up and Using Your Computer Troubleshooting Tips Battery ProblemsSolving Problems Drive Problems CD and DVD drive problemsProblems writing to a CD/DVD-RW drive Mail, Modem, and Internet ProblemsHard drive problems From the Power Schemes tab, select Always OnError Messages Keyboard Problems Computer stops responding Lockups and Software ProblemsComputer does not start up Program stops respondingOther software problems Program crashes repeatedlySolid blue screen appears Media Card Reader Problems Memory Problems Mouse ProblemsNetwork Problems Power Problems Printer Problems Scanner Problems Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakersVideo and Monitor Problems No sound from headphonesIf the screen is blank If the screen is difficult to read Diagnostic Lights Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested ResolutionTroubleshooting Tools Reinstalled all modules without error Remove the card, reinstall it see PCIHave identified a faulty module or If available, install properly workingLight Pattern Problem Description Dell Diagnostics Dell Diagnostics Main MenuOption Function Identifying Drivers What Is a Driver?Drivers Tab FunctionReinstalling Drivers Using Windows XP Device Driver RollbackWindows XP Click the Start button and click Control Panel Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities Restoring Your Operating SystemUsing Microsoft Windows XP System Restore Ensure that Turn off System Restore is unchecked Using Dell PC RestoreEnabling System Restore Click SystemTroubleshooting Tools Using the Operating System CD Before You BeginTroubleshooting Tools Recommended Tools Removing and Installing PartsBefore You Begin Turning Off Your ComputerBefore Working Inside Your Computer Bottom hinge tabs Removing and Installing Parts Removing the Computer CoverCover latch release Computer cover System board Hard drive Removing and Installing Parts Inside View of Your ComputerSystem Board Components Serial ATA drive connectorsFront-panel connector PW12VA1Standby power indicator Memory Installation GuidelinesBattery socket BT1 MemoryAddressing Memory With 4-GB Configurations Channel a matched pair of memoryDIMM2 white securing clips DIMM4 black securing clips Crossbar Removing and Installing Parts Installing MemoryMemory connector farthest Securing clips From processor DIMM1Removing Memory Cards PCI CardsRelease tab Bracket caught outside of slot Alignment guide Alignment bar Card retention doorRemoving and Installing Parts Removing and Installing Parts PCI Express Cards PCI Express x16 card Securing tab Bracket caught outside of slot Card retention door Removing and Installing Parts Removing and Installing Parts Drive Panel Removing the Drive PanelSliding plate lever Side hingesReplacing the Drive-Panel Insert Drive-panel insert Removing and Installing PartsRemoving the Drive-Panel Insert Drive panel Drive-panel insert tabReplacing the Drive Panel Align the drive panel tabs with the side hingesDrive panel tabs Side hinges Drives Recommended Drive Cable ConnectionsCD/DVD drive FlexBay for optional floppy Connecting and Disconnecting Drive Cables Connecting Drive CablesDrive Interface Connectors Power Connector Power cableHard Drives Removing a Hard DriveInstalling a Hard Drive TabsDrive Hard-drive bracket Hard driveSerial ATA data cable Adding a Second Hard Drive Release tabs Second hard drive in lower bayFloppy Drive Removing a Floppy DriveDrive latch release Sliding plate Installing a Floppy Drive Power cable Media Card Reader Removing a Media Card ReaderNot present on all computers Media Card Reader Media Card Reader Installing a Media Card Reader Removing and Installing Parts CD/DVD Drive Removing a CD/DVD Drive100 101 Drive release latch Sliding plateInstalling a CD/DVD Drive CD/DVD drive103 Battery Replacing the BatteryBattery release lever Replacing the Computer Cover 105Computer cover Back of computer 106 Specifications 107Expansion Bus 108Audio DrivesConnectors 109Controls and Lights Wattage rating Power110 PhysicalOverview System SetupEntering System Setup 111System Setup Options 112Regardless of the No Boot setting 113Performance 114115 TimeStrip or surge protector Boot Sequence Setup & Boot MenuQuickboot feature Changing Boot Sequence for the Current Boot 117Clearing Forgotten Passwords Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor Clearing Cmos SettingsCleaning Your Computer 119Floppy Drive Dell Technical Support Policy U.S. OnlyMouse CDs and DVDsDefinition of Third-Party Software and Peripherals Definition of Dell-Installed Software and PeripheralsFCC Notice U.S. Only FCC Class BDell Dimension E521 Contacting Dell122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 Should be called from within Singapore orMalaysia only 140 141 142 143 144 145 Glossary146 147 148 149 150 NIC See network adapter151 152 153 154 155 Index156 Problems diagnostic lights, 49 drives 157USB 158
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