Changing and install drive location

[jimjet 0]

I have an NT 4.0 fileserver with a Mylex SCSI RAID 5 problem and I need to re-initialize the array. The operating system is on the C: partition of the RAID and the data resides on the D: partition.

This server is the PDC of the domain and I will not be able to do a complete re-install without a bunch of problems.

I think I can solve the problem by doing the following:

1- Install an IDE drive partitioned like the SCSI.

2- copy the system files from the SCSI RAID to the IDE

3- edit the boot.ini on the IDE

4- reboot to the IDE

5- re-initialize the array.

6- copy the system files back to the SCSI RAID

7- edit the boot.ini on the SCSI

8- reboot to the SCSI RAID

 

My questions:

1- Can I accomplish the appropriate boot order by simply editing the boot.ini files or are there other considerations?

2- Will the xcopy32 program with the correct switches adequately copy the entire SCSI c: partition to the IDE?

 

 

Comments are greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks.

[clutch 1]

You don't have any BDCs that you can promote? That way you can do a fresh install and keep the data on D:.

 

As far as your idea goes, I don't know if it will work all that well. But I have not done it that way before, I have just used Drive Copy or something similar.

 

edit

Duh, I just sent an email to the originator of this post, but I thought I would post this anyway. The copied/imaged installation will still be looking for the SCSI driver and will try to load it at boot. If the machine that it is installed into does not have a hard disk subsystem that can use the same driver, then the boot will go to BSOD before you will ever see the logon screen. I can't believe I forgot that. And again, duh.

 

 

/edit

 

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Regards,

 

clutch

 

[This message has been edited by clutch (edited 06 April 2001).]