If a drive failure occurs, subsequent read and write operations are directed to the other surviving drives. A replacement drive can then be rebuilt using the

data from the surviving drives. Also, because data is duplicated on the primary and additional drives, four 120-GB RAID level 1 drives collectively have a

maximum of 360-GB on which to store data.

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 Your RAID

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

1. Enter system setup (see

Entering System

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

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

4. Press the left- and right-arrow keys to highlight RAID On, and then press <Enter>. Repeat the process, as needed, for each SATA hard drive.

NOTE:

For more information about RAID options, see

5. Press <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.

NOTE:

Do not use the following procedure to migrate an existing RAID configuration (see

Configuration.

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

Hard

Drive.

1. Enable RAID for each applicable hard drive on your computer (see

2. Restart the computer.

3. Press <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.

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

To create a RAID 0 configuration, use the arrow keys to select Striping.