RAID: Something geeks often do because they can

HelpMeRick.com is not a geek website so I'm not even going to get into what RAID is other than it is something geeks do to their computers.

However, I will say that I have had a number of clients over the years who have had a friend, relative or computer salesman talk them into going with a RAID setup and it has turned out to be a giant problem.

Often RAID is installed as a "backup" system. Essentially this type of RAID setup uses two hard drives. Whatever happens on the first hard drive is automatically duplicated on the second hard drive.

This means if you experience a major Windows or program error, such as a deleted file, the mistake is automatically duplicated on the second hard drive. That's not a good backup system.

There are many more problems you can experience with a RAID setup. In fact, it takes a huge computer geek to setup, maintain and troubleshoot a RAID setup.

Please, if you are one of these geeks, do not setup a RAID configuration on your parent, grand parent or friend's computer unless you plan on being able to be physically present if problems occure.

I found this great article written by a real computer geek explaining why RAID is almost always a bad idea. 

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4. I am sensing a theme here
5. RAID – It’s not just for cockroaches anymore

One Response to “RAID: Something geeks often do because they can”

1. Anonymous says:

   March 8, 2007 at 10:38 pm

   I fully agree Adam. One of the big misconceptions even from people that think that they know what they are doing is that RAID will save their data. I say “garbage in, garbage out.” You just get a backup copy of junk!

   Walter
   Phoenix, AZ

   Reply