IDE RAID id _unsupported_ in ML 8.1. The reasons are multiple:
1. RAID Controllers aren't really hardware. They are a PROM that extends a
few BIOS calls and destroke your drives (Yes, you get less capacity, didn't
you know?)
2. The software controlling the IDE RAID is secret and proprietary. With
the DMCA in effect, it might well be illegal to reverse-engineer it. Even of
ot isn't, Linux has a software RAID you can set up at install time which has
many advantages:
a. Identical drives are not required
b. You can have several physical RAID extents instead of only one.
c. RAID4 and RAID5 are also supported
d. No apparent difference in performance
e. drivers do not have to be changed betwen single processor and multiple
processor systems.
3. There is a project for compatibility with these terrible swindles that
will allow one to read WinRAID partitions. Hunt around the site
linux-ide.org, and pay particular attention to
http://www.linux-ide.org/chipsets.html
and you will find the link. Using it and the software you find there is not
for the faint of heart.
4. Please remember that the computer industry is a very very cost-sensitive
market and that all manufacturers, regardless of reputation, have been forced
to vend junk and to cut costs by cheapening products. If something seems to
good to be true, it probably is. It is the buyer's responsibility to be wary
and as aware as possible. When has it been different? Anyway, check before
you buy. If you have already bought, then consiider any losses a
self-contribution to your own education.
5. IDE RAID makes some sort of sense for Windows which doesn't have a robust
and efficient software RAID. If you want to use the sae computer for linux,
put in another controller and install on disks attached to it (or to the
plain controllers already on board). If you must have RAID, then install in
expert mode and select RAID partitions.
Civileme
QA Team
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