Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID | Dell DCDR01, PP521 guide

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 67. For information on how to install a hard drive, see "Installing a Hard Drive" in the Service Manual on the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.

You can use one of two methods to configure RAID hard drive volumes. The first method uses the Nvidia MediaShield ROM utility and is performed before you install the operating system onto the hard drive. The second method uses Nvidia MediaShield and is performed after you have installed the operating system and Nvidia RAID drivers.

Both methods require that you set your computer to RAID-enabled mode before you begin.

Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode

1Enter system setup (see "Entering System Setup" on page 77).

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

About RAID Configurations

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Dell DCDR01, PP521 owner manual Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID, Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m April PP521 Contents One Monitor With a DVI Connector Connecting Two Monitors WithChanging the Display Settings Uninterruptible Power Supplies Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor About RAID Configurations Changing Boot Sequence for Clearing Passwords 117 Automated Order-Status Service 137 Technical Support and Customer Service 136135 137 144 143 Contents Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It HereFinding Information Dell Product Information Guide What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Warranty information Computer when you use Use the Service Tag to identify yourYour call when contacting support Microsoft Windows License Label Community Online discussion with Site Other Dell customers Courses, frequently asked questionsDSS utility. DSS provides critical Select your product model and click Computer and its components How to connect to the InternetPeople Another computer Operating System Media Front View of the Computer About Your ComputerFront-panel LEDs Optical-drive panel Power light Power buttonPower-saving state Optional optical-drive Back View of the Computer Connectors Front-Panel ConnectorsPower connector Back I/O Back-Panel Connectors Connector IeeeLight To the main speakers in the surround sound setup Sound connectorLine Out/headphone About Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Installing Your Computer in an EnclosureSetting Up Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Connecting to the Internet If you have a CD, click Use the CD I got from an ISP Setting Up Your Internet Connection Click Next Transferring Information to a New Computer Microsoft Windows XP Setting Up Your Computer Setting Up Your Computer Windows Vista Setting Up a Printer Printer Cable Connecting a USB Printer Connecting Two Monitors Connecting Two Monitors With VGA ConnectorsRestart your system May not be present on your computer Optional DVI adapter TV-OUT connector Connecting a TV Power Protection DevicesChanging the Display Settings Surge Protectors Uninterruptible Power Supplies Power ManagementPower Management Options in Windows XP Line Conditioners Setting Up Your Computer Power Schemes Tab Advanced Tab Advanced tab allows you to Place the power options iconWindows taskbar for quick Hibernate Tab Power Management Options in Windows Vista Using Multimedia Using MultimediaPlaying CDs or DVDs DVD player includes the following basic buttons CD player includes the following basic buttons Copying CDs and DVDs How to Copy a CD or DVD Media Type Read Write Rewritable Using Blank CDs and DVDs Helpful Tips Adjusting the Picture Video TV-out connector Video connector Using Multimedia Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device Video TV-out connector Composite video adapter Audio connector Video and Standard AudioStandard S-video cable Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Pdif digital audio cable Composite Video and Standard Audio Audio input connector Standard audio cable Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Composite video adapter Component Video and Standard Audio Component video cable Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio Component video adapter Component video cable Setting Up the Cyberlink CL Headphones Enabling the Display Settings for a TV Using a Media Card Reader Optional MMC/RS-MMC Bluetooth pairing Bluetooth LED Using Multimedia About RAID Configurations RAID Level 0 ConfigurationAbout RAID Configurations RAID Level 1 Configuration Setting Your Computer to RAID-Enabled Mode Configuring Your Hard Drives for RAID Press Tab to navigate to the Free Disks field Using the Nvidia MediaShield ROM Utility Creating a RAID Array Using Nvidia MediaShield Deleting a RAID Array Click Next Rebuilding a RAID Configuration Cleaning Your Computer Cleaning Your ComputerComputer, Keyboard, and Monitor Mouse Non-Optical CDs and DVDs Floppy Drive Entering System Setup System SetupSystem Setup Screens System Setup Configuration of your System SetupOption is highlighted Settings. Press ESC Current and available Settings Main System Setup OptionsSingle Dual Security Advanced Boot PowerChanges, Load Setup Default, and Discard Changes Exit Boot Sequence Option SettingsChanging Boot Sequence for the Current Boot Changing Boot Sequence for Future Boots System Setup Clearing Passwords and Cmos Settings Clearing PasswordsClearing Passwords and Cmos Settings Clearing Passwords and Cmos Settings Clearing Cmos Settings Flashing the Bios Troubleshooting Tools Power LightsTroubleshooting Tools Beep Codes Code Description Suggested Remedy Repetitive Short beeps Exist see Memory in the Service If the problem persists, contact DellDell Support website at See Contacting Dell on Code Description System Messages Troubleshooting Tools Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsHardware Troubleshooter Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Insert the Drivers and Utilities media Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Troubleshooting Tools 100 Battery Problems TroubleshootingFollow these tips when troubleshooting your computer Troubleshooting Optical drive problems Drive Problems102 Windows XP Problems writing to an optical drive Error MessagesHard drive problems 103 Ieee 1394 Device Problems See the program documentation for installation instructions104 Keyboard Problems Systems on105 Lockups and Software Problems C K U P Y O U R F I L E S I M M E D I a T E L Y 107 Memory Problems Mouse Problems108 Adjust the settings as needed Windows Vista Network ProblemsAdjust the settings as needed 109 Power Problems Printer Problems110 Adjust the settings, as needed Scanner Problems111 If the printer is listed, right-click the printer icon No sound from speakers Sound and Speaker Problems112 If the scanner is listed, Windows recognizes the scanner No sound from headphones Video and Monitor ProblemsScreen is blank Screen is difficult to read 113 114 Power Lights Overclocking Problems3D image quality is poor Only part of the display is readable Troubleshooting What Is a Driver? Reinstalling SoftwareReinstalling Software Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities 119 Using the Drivers and Utilities Media Reinstalling Software 121 Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Restoring Your Operating System122 123 PC Restore or Factory Image Restore 124 Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore 125 Reinstalling Software 127 Using the Operating System Media Insert the Operating System disc 129 Specifications 130 131 132 133 An electrical outlet, power strip, orConvenience receptacle. The total Percent of the branch circuit rating 134 Getting Help Obtaining Assistance135 DellConnect Online Services Technical Support and Customer Service AutoTech Service Problems With Your OrderAutomated Order-Status Service 137 Getting Help 139 Before You Call 140 141 Contacting Dell 142 FCC Notice U.S. Only AppendixFCC Class B 143 Macrovision 145 Glossary Glossary 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 Module bay See media bay Glossary 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 Index 163Index Error messages beep codes, 90 problems 165 Power light, 115 conditions Power options properties Index 167 Wizards Files and Settings Transfer Wizard 168