some basic RAID0 questions

[flexy]

i never messed around with Raid.
I am planning to get a second, identical SATA HD. (I got a Hitachi 7k50)

Now, first question:

* Raid 0 would be definitly the better choice than, say, just having a second HD, why not use it ?
Any disadvantges in running Raid 0 (except the fault tolerance).....but read/write speed etc. are all better and i get the full capacity of two HDs, right ?

* CAN I SETUP a RAID 0 array on two HDs WITHOUT losing my data/system which i have now on the one HD ????

Can i build a Raid 0 array using the existing data - or do i need a XP reinstall ?

If yes i might have to pass on Raid 0 i guess.

[Ugly n Grey]

In order..
yeah it's faster, but the chances of losing data are multiplied by a factor of 2.2 (twice the chance of the HD's failing, .2 x for the RAID controller corrputing data). Having said that lots of people do it.

Yes you can, image your first HD off to a 3rd drive that won't be in the array and then restore it to the arrayed drives...

Same answer...

[flexy]

Might have to think about the option to get a 3rd CHEAP drive then just for the purpose of backups....hmmm....wait..i might calculate how many CDs i might need and/or consider a dvd-burner for backup...hmmm

thanks for input !