RAID tail of woe :(

[Dave S]

Hi all,

I have posted before with RAID issues & thought I had it under control but I 
need advice from you guys.

I have software RAID configured on hda and hdc - It is a joy :) I have a 
DVDROM on hdb and a DVDRW on hdd.

All works well until I try and use the DVD drives. The system bombs - as 
expected.

I originally bought a VIA VT6421L 2 x SATA 1 x PATA raid controller hopeing to 
string my 2 x DVD drives off the PATA port. Apparently lots of Linux issues 
with this controller.

So I bought a ITE 8212F 2 x PATA card. Plugged my 2 x DVD drives in - did not 
detect them. Plugged an old HDD in, detected it no problem but would not boot 
from it. Reading the install notes and it says no ATAPI drives supported - 
doh :(

What to do ?

(a) I could plug my 2 x hdds into the raid card. Software raid would not work 
because I could not boot from hdd when i tried it. I assume hardware raid 
will allow me to boot from the array. Plus I am moving my system from its 
installed hda to hde. Would this be a re-install or just tweeking GRUB ?

(b) Buy yet another PATA raid controller (They are not much) but I am unsure 
which one to go for.

(c) Pull hair out :)

Please help

Dave