Drew Wutka
DWUTKA at Marlow.com
Fri Jan 22 09:40:23 CST 2010
Actually there are utilities out there that let you rebuild a raid. >From about 2001 to 2007, I used to always run a server OS on my work desktop, so that I could mirror the OS drive and RAID 5 a data drive using Dynamic Disks. It was workable, though definitely slower than a real raid controller. One day I reinstalled my desktop, and didn't backup what was on my data drive. When I did the installation, I only formatted the C: drive, however, with Dynamic disks, the volume information is stored in the first volume, so when the OS was installed, my RAID 5 was gone! Found a little utility that let me rebuild the RAID. (It's not a click and go, you have to find and get some values so that it can sync the RAID right), but with a little help (for a fee) I was up and running in a few hours. But you are right, that a true RAID controller is going to be less hassle and better all around. Drew -----Original Message----- From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of jwcolby Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 7:46 AM To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: Windows 7 .. I'm VERY impressed > With drives getting so cheap, and SATA Raid Controllers becoming more standard on motherboards, One caution is that raid controllers created by motherboard hardware can cause a disaster if the motherboard dies. At best you will need to get the same raid chip set (intel, or AMD or ...), at worst your raid array can be unreadable. I use a hardware co-processor raid array and have never had that issue. I have moved the entire raid setup from one box to another with an entirely different motherboard, and in fact even a different OS and the raid array just turned on and ran (after driver installs of course). For critical data, a hardware controller is highly recommended. John W. Colby www.ColbyConsulting.com Drew Wutka wrote: > Preach on Brother John! ;) > > VMWare and VPC aren't like the great bound/unbound debate. There are > advantages to both. I started with VPC 2004, and that was ok. It > brought my 1 ghz pIII to it's knees trying to run a Windows XP box. Now > on my laptop, 2.2 ghz duo core, with 3 gigs of RAM, I can run several > machines (I've run three 2003 servers and a client XP machine at the > same time) and the performance wasn't bad at all. Virtual Server let's > you run each machine in it's own thread. And the two apps are both > completely free (though I think you have to pay for the absolute latest > Virtual Server) and interchangeable. VMWare performs better, (even now, > from what I've read about 6 months ago) and it is simple to run any OS, > even non-MS stuff. I have a ubuntu Linux VM in Virtual PC, but you kind > of have to jump through some hoops to do it. VPC will get closer and > closer to VMWare, as far as performance, but it will always be slanted > towards running Windows based OSes. I'd probably play around with > VMWare a bit when I have some time (LOL, who has that?), but I took the > time to create a base hard drive with every MS OS from DOS 6.22 to > Windows 7. (Though I've tossed the Vista and 7 one, cause they are > pretty big, and unnecessary right now, and I never touched ME, couldn't > pay me enough to have the .iso image of that install on any of my > machines! LOL) > > Couldn't agree more on RAID drives. It's one of my favorite preach > points when people ask me about machines. With drives getting so cheap, > and SATA Raid Controllers becoming more standard on motherboards, it's > almost a crime not to be using a RAID. (Though I use RAID 0+1's more > then anything else.) > > As for the ISO images, try this: > > http://www.magiciso.com/tutorials/miso-magicdisc-overview.htm > > Get the 106 version, behind the Windows 7 link (and one of the others I > think). I can install that version on anything (just put it on a > netbook running XP pro the other day, and it runs fine in Windows 7 64 > bit and Vista 32/64 bit). In vista and 7, you'll be prompted about an > unsigned driver, but it works great. You can add as many Virtual > CD/DVD-Roms as you want. (one of my favorite games is FreeSpace, and > old 'space' game I got with my first PIII. It needs the DVD to play, so > I usually have a drive specifically housing that iso image all the time > on my laptop. Fun to play when I'm bored). It runs in your system > tray, and is very user friendly. It'll even make ISO images for you > (and other formats if you want). I stick with ISO. Did you know > another feature of Windows 7 is that it will natively burn an ISO image > to a blank CD/DVD with no other software? > > With the 'working' VM machine on standby, I use it a lot, cause Access > 97 is a little finicky on a windows 7 box, if you use another version of > Access, Access 97 tries to right to the registry and fails, so you have > to restart it 'As Administrator', which is a pain. I use 97 > periodically, still have a lot of working .mdb's still in 97 format. > Easiest way is to use my XP box (which has Office 97 and 2003 installed > together). But another big reason I keep that, is that when I setup a > dev machine, I do a few extra things, which are just time consuming. > Like setting up file extension special commands (like when I right click > on an MDB, I make it so I have the option of what version of Access I > open it with, and if I open it with a secured mdw.). > > Drew -- AccessD mailing list AccessD at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com The information contained in this transmission is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain II-VI Proprietary and/or II-VI Business Sensitive material. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and destroy the material in its entirety, whether electronic or hard copy. You are notified that any review, retransmission, copying, disclosure, dissemination, or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.