Updated Instructions for Ubuntu RAID install needed

[divxclub]

Hi there for past 3 years I had my eye on Ubuntu for my main workstation. I tried several times before and I always had errors. Let me explain.

I have Asus P6T Deluxe v1 mobo and with single drive straight or dual boot with Windows 7 it works perfectly but that's not what I want. My setup is dual SSD drives on RAID0 array. After installation on first boot it'll say OS not found, I think this is have something to do with GRUB because os install just fine from Live CD but on very first boot everything gets messed up and once again on single drive on same system all good with dual boot or single boot. Now if possible can anyone point me to right direction I want to have Windows 8 and Ubuntu together on Dual SSD RAID0 array.

Thank you.

[darkod]

For install on raid you need to use the Alternate Install CD, not the standard desktop live cd.

You still end up with the same system, but the installer is text based (not GUI) and it has better raid support.

If you use the live cd on raid, usually the last step, the grub install, fails. Like it happened to you. You can still add only grub after that and use the system, but if you are starting new it's better to use the alternate cd directly.

You are aware that raid0 doesn't give you any redundancy, right? If one disk goes, you lose all data.

[divxclub]

Thank you for your reply. I am aware of difference between RAID0 and RAID5 when with SSD there is virtually no difference in access time I do see performance bump but it's debatable a lot of people think SSD in RAID0 is a waste but for me it just works. Now about installing Dual boot with Windows 8 and Ubuntu on RAID0 Setup. I do know about this non GUI version of Ubuntu called Alternative installation CD but I never used it before. Is there a instructions on how to install on RAID0 setup or (more importantly for me) will it do correct job on last step with it configuring GRUB to use with Windows and Ubuntu on RAID0 array.

Thank you VERY much for your answer I really appreciate them.

[darkod]

I don't have a link with any instructions ready, but it's very straight forward.

You will set up your fakeraid array using the bios built in controller, and then install win8 on it. Make sure you create the partition for win8 with the size you want to allocate to it, don't let it take the whole hdd (you plan to dual boot anyway).

When you boot with the alternate cd and start the install, when reaching the partitioning step it would usually ask you if you want to activate the detected raid. Just say yes and it should show the raid array with the existing win8 partition(s) on it. You simply use the remaining unallocated space on the array to install ubuntu.

I would use the manual partitioning, gives you more control of what goes where. If it looks strange to you, not showing the array or win8 on it, abort the install to investigate.

Towards the end, installing grub should work fine, that's the point of using the alternate cd. In any case it's better to be prepared and in the partitioning step note down the device name of your array, it will be something like /dev/mapper/blah-blah...

If the grub installer tells you it can't find the target to install and asks you where to install, just use the array device name (NOT any specific partition on it), the onw you noted down. It should install grub fine.

[divxclub]

Thank you for reply but I don't think you understand I DO have raid0 setup. I have 2 physical SSD drives together in RAID0 Array for boot. I also have 3 physical Raptors as my progrms RAID0 array and I also have stand alone 1 Caviar Black for downloads and another for backups. Total of 7 Hard drives in my system. Now fakeraid is term you use for a program or ? Because my hardware Marvell controller is pretty real. Anyhow I am under Virtual conditions trying to install Ubuntu. After installation it asking me "Install the GRUB boot loader to the master boot record" ?yes or no ...if I select yes it just complete install. Again this is single boot without (this time) fake raid.

Thanks !

[darkod]

I was speaking in general, if you already have the arrays running that's big part of the job done.

I don't think you can test hardware raid in VM, not sure if it sees the hardware controller. Software raid you could test because it works on OS level anyway.

Why don't you try doing the install and you will soon see if it recognizes the raid in the partitioning step, and continue the install. As already mentioned, grub usually installs OK on raid with the alternate cd. Now you only need to try.