"Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks" abbreviated as RAID is a method of increasing speed and/or consistency of hard drives installed in PC by having at least two drives working concurrently. Organize a RAID card in PC to make game levels and data load rapidly, or to have an immediate backup ready if hard drives must fail.

Instructions

Installing the RAID Hardware

1. Step 1

Shut down PC, and detach it from power outlet. Open the case as said by
company's instructions.

2. Step 2

Find two open hard drive bays in front of case. The open bays will probably be next to hard drive that is installed in PC. Slide the two SATA hard drives to open bays, and protected them with four screws each.

3. Step 3

Find an open extension slot on motherboard. These will be placed in rear of PC case, near processor. An L-shaped bracket presents covering back of extension slot. Unscrew and take out bracket, then push RAID card erect into extension slot. Protect it with screw that was utilized for L-shaped bracket.

4. Step 4

Attach two hard drives using RAID data cables. RAID card has two ports, and every hard drive will have a port in back. Ports for SATA data cables are keyed, thus put in by one way. If cable does not slide simply into port, turn it around and put in other direction.

5. Step 5

Attach a power cable to back of every hard drive. The power supply, placed in back of PC case, will have some cables coming out of it. Locate two cables with black plastic caps. They also labeled "SATA." Attach one cable to back of every hard drive. If all cables coming out of power supply have white caps and four pins, attach SATA power adapters to cables before attaching them to hard drives.

6. Step 6

Verify that all hardware is installed appropriately. RAID card must be in an extension
slot and protected to PC frame with a screw. Two data cables must be attached to card, and one cable must be attached to every hard drive. Both hard drives must have power cables coming from power supply in back of case.

7. Step 7

Connect power cable to PC and turn on PC.
Configuring the RAID Array

8. Step 1

Press "Ctrl" and "F" keys all together to show configuration software for RAID card as PC is booting. A screen shows with words "No array is defined" when it is time to go in configuration mode.

9. Step 2

Press "2" key to choose "Define LD" on the menu.

10. Step 3

Arrow keys used to highlight "LD 1" and press "Enter."

11. Step 4

Press spacebar to succession throughout various RAID configuration options that are offered. Each RAID card offers RAID 0 and RAID 1, but several cards present extra RAID levels also. Push "Ctrl" and "Y" keys all together to you’re your option.

12. Step 5

Press "Esc" key to leave utility, and "Y" to restart PC. RAID array is now organized. Ensure that you have driver CD or floppy disk for RAID card ready as Windows is booting. Based on version of Windows that is installed on PC, you want to install drivers for Windows to see RAID array. Also, RAID array, which will be seen in Windows as a single hard drive, should be divided and formatted before you start using it.