How to Disable RAID

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Last Updated: March 29, 2019

Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) is a storage volume management technology that can be used to enhance a computer system's storage capabilities by incorporating multiple disk drives into a single drive. Certain situations may require temporarily turning off a system's RAID function. The most effective method for PC users is to disable the RAID utility in the system BIOS. Mac users can utilize Apple's RAID Admin feature. This article provides information on how to disable the RAID feature on both PC and Mac.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Disable Raid in the System BIOS (PC)

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Depending on the system and which BIOS version is installed, there will be variations in how to access and make changes to your system's BIOS. There are several different versions of BIOS, but the interface layouts generally follow a similar pattern and each will have a keyboard key assigned that is pressed prior to boot up in order to gain access to the utility.
2
Identify the assigned key for accessing the system BIOS. The most common keyboard keys assigned for opening the system BIOS are, the delete key, F1, F2, F11 and the Escape key. There is typically a prompt that appears at the bottom of the screen immediately following the Power-On Self Test (POST) informing the user which key has been assigned for accessing the BIOS configuration utility.
- Use the assigned key to access the BIOS screen. Once you have identified the key, restart your computer, if necessary. Begin tapping or hold down the key during POST, and the BIOS configuration utility screen will open.
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3
Locate the BIOS RAID configuration utility. The location of the RAID configuration utility will vary depending on the system's BIOS version. In some versions, the RAID utility will be found in the advanced BIOS features menu, while in other versions it may listed in the on-board device configuration menu or the SATA Configuration menu.
- Use the directional arrows on your computer keyboard to browse through the different menus within the BIOS configuration utility and locate the RAID configuration utility options.
4
Disable the RAID feature from the system BIOS. Once located, scroll down the list options using the directional arrows on the computer keyboard and highlight the RAID configuration menu option. Select "disable" and press the enter key on your keyboard. Then press the "esc" key to return to the main menu.
- Exit the BIOS. From the main menu, use the directional arrows to navigate to the "Save Settings and Exit" option and press enter. The system RAID has been disabled and the computer will boot up automatically.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Disable Raid with RAID Admin (Mac OS X)

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1
Disable RAID in Mac OS X. RAID Admin is a RAID management tool and disk utility application included with the Mac OS X Server operating system. RAID Admin also is available for free download from Apple.
- Locate the RAID Admin icon on the dock or desktop and click the icon to start the application. Locate and click on the "Delete Array" option from the RAID Admin tool bar. Enter the management password when prompted. Repeat this process for all entries in the list of arrays in the RAID Admin window to disable the system RAID function. RAID function has been disabled.

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Having backed up my data before removing RAID 5, will the back up work well with the non-RAID 5 disks?

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It depends on the computer, but it should work.

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My PC switches on but doesn't go beyond memory check, what can I do?

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Go and hold down Alt and Delete. And if that doesn't work, then take its battery out keep the charger in without the battery, then turn it on. If this doesn't help, have the computer seen to by a professional.

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Tips

Disabling the RAID function on any system can lead to serious data loss. Be sure to create a secure back up of all data on the drive before deleting an array or disabling the RAID feature in the system BIOS.

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