Dual booting Linux on RAID-0

[bhefty]

Ok, let me start by saying I've read here and there about installing Linux on a RAID-0 machine. But I can never find anything easy enough for me to understand or pertaining specifically to my problem.

I currently have Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit loaded in my RAID-0 configuration. I've tried to dual boot into Linux like I have on previous machines, but it takes sooooooo long to do anything and seems to freeze in random places. I heard someone say it is because I'm using RAID-0 so I need to do specific things to be able to dual boot.

My question is how do I do this? I'd like to dual boot my Windows 7 with Mint (or something else of my choosing). Any reference I've found seems to be way above my head in terminology and such. I've dabbled in Linux, but my experience is severely limited.

If any further information is required please let me know. And If anyone has any sources or explanations that are easy to understand for a newbie like me, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

 

[Knightsman]

I think if you don't have experience with raids this will be difficult.

Do you have important files on that machine? If so, I would drop raid 0 like a bad habit.

 

[bhefty]

Thanks for the concern, but I understand the risks involved in RAID-0, but I'm taking the necessary actions to keep my data backed up and am willing to risk it.

I did have someone mention to me once that Linux will only dual boot with RAID if it's using a hardware RAID, not a software RAID like what's built into my motherboard. So I'm guessing I need to get a RAID controller.

 

[Knightsman]

Thanks for the concern, but I understand the risks involved in RAID-0, but I'm taking the necessary actions to keep my data backed up and am willing to risk it.

I did have someone mention to me once that Linux will only dual boot with RAID if it's using a hardware RAID, not a software RAID like what's built into my motherboard. So I'm guessing I need to get a RAID controller.

I do believe that is true. however, couldnt you just format the drives, and do it that way?

 

[punzada]

I do believe that is true. however, couldnt you just format the drives, and do it that way?

My guess would be he doesn't have or doesn't want to spend the extra money on a dedicated hardware RAID controller.

@bhefty: Have you looked into the linux support for the raid controller of your motherboard? There may simply be a driver issue, patch or kernel version that works best. If you post the exact model someone may be able to provide some more help for you.

 

[bhefty]

My guess would be he doesn't have or doesn't want to spend the extra money on a dedicated hardware RAID controller.

@bhefty: Have you looked into the linux support for the raid controller of your motherboard? There may simply be a driver issue, patch or kernel version that works best. If you post the exact model someone may be able to provide some more help for you.

I'd prefer not to have to buy something to get Linux on my machine, I'm not THAT interested in Linux at the moment to where it's a major importance. Also I didn't wanted to have to deal with reformatting my drives. It's not that I can't, I do it at least 3 times a day with computers, but I'd like to avoid it if possible.

Also, I have a MSI 790XT-G45 motherboard. MSI didn't list any Linux drivers (no surprise), so if anyone can point me in the right direction that would be great!