RAID drives for media - where to store the OS?

I have a new HTPC with two HD bays. I want to use a RAID 1 (mirrored) configuration on two identical 1TB drives to store all my media but I'm not sure where my OS should reside? I'm planning on using Windows 7...

If I create 2 partitions i.e. C: 80GB for Windows, all remaining for D: data will this work with RAID 1?
I don't currently have the second drive. If I buy this after setting up the first, can the drive be mirrored successfully?

As a third option should I use an old 100GB drive for the OS then use the 2 data drives purely for media and buy an external chassis to hold them in?

Jonny

Posted 2009-08-29T02:44:06.263

Reputation: 125

Answers

Your plan makes no sense because RAID is not backup and there will be no performance improvement. Put one of the drives in an external enclosure and use some synchronization or backup software.

Bender

Posted 2009-08-29T02:44:06.263

Reputation: 906

What?

RAID 1 specifically protects you against a single drive failure. Also, RAID 1 can increase your disk read speed by splitting the reads between the two disks. – Fake Name – 2010-02-27T09:09:50.253