If I delete a RAID array, is all the data on BOTH disks erased??

Here's the problem. I tried in vain a while ago to create a mirrored array with 2 identical Maxtor drives. The array was "created" and showed as "healthy" in BIOS but I could never get the data on the main drive (OS and all) to copy over to the 2nd drive as the array was created. I unplugged the 2nd drive and ignored it.

Now I want to use the second SATA drive for a Retrospect backup. I went into Disk Management & it showed the second drive as "Offline" & unallocated. I right-clicked the second drive and selected "Partition/format". It warned me everything on the drive would be erased, etc. I hit OK but nothing ever happened. Now it shows the drive as "Online" but still unallocated. Could it not format because it's seen as part of an array?? I know just enough to be scared that I could lose everything if I'm not careful. Thanks for any help.

Hello Drmull,

Before you do anything drastic, my obvious advice is to back your important data up to CD/DVD/External Drive.

When you have your second drive plugged in, does it still show as a mirrored RAID array in your RAID setup tool? I don't have much experience with mirroring, but you should be able to end the array with no adverse effects since it was set up as mirroring. It should just leave the two drives intact, but stop the whole back up process on the secondary drive. If it were a striped array and you ended it, you would have to format the drives and start over. I would suggest ending the array if somehow it is still active. But again back all your important data up first....always.

I believe the best way to end a mirrored array is to shut down the computer, unplug the second drive, boot the computer up with one drive, then delete the array.

In disk management, did you right click on the unallocated space and quick format it as NTFS? I can see it not formatting if you still have a mirrored array set up, but unallocated space means the array obviously isn't set up correctly. If RAID was set up ok, then each drive would be exactly the same. It is possible the drive may be having problems. If you can't get it to format, even after ending the array, I would suggest using Darik's Boot and Nuke to do a complete and thorough format of that hard drive. Be careful with that tool and read all the instructions carefully, because that thing will completely wipe any drive totally.

Hopefully that info helps you!

Thanks for the reply. There was obviously a problem when I set up the mirrored array, because no data ever migrated from the main drive to the other. RAID setup showed the array as active and healthy - it's been extremely frustrating and the MB manufacturer was no help. When I right-click the unallocated space the only choice I have is "New Partition". I never saw a "quick format" option when I tried to reformat it.

I can't seem to do anything with the unallocated drive. I guess there's no way to start from scratch with it until I delete the array as you suggest (if it still exists).

BTW - my main drive is formatted FAT32, not NTFS.

BTW2 - I don't think there's a problem with the 2nd drive, as the PC sees it and says it's online. I can't believe reformatting a blank drive could be so complicated!