Attempted RAID Set-up on Asus Z97 mobo

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ejbragg

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Mar 13, 2012
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There are some good guides on-line here about how to do this. Thank you guys for posting that information - very informative stuff. Nevertheless, I am dealing with an issue that doesn't appear to be addressed in the guides [including "If You Installed a New Disk But the System Can't See It"].... some of the options shown just don't seem to show up for me.

My drives and what I'm trying to do is as simple as many of the posts I've read:

1 120 GB SSD drive -> Windows 7 O.S. + Applications
2 1-TB HDD drives -> Client Data in RAID 1 Array
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A,


I would like to do this right; i.e., get it set up through the hardware configuration, instead of going through the O.S., if possible. However, if it isn't possible, setting it up via the O.S. is fine.

Here is what I've already tried, using the BIOS settings available with this board...(next post)
 
Hi,

Have the ASUS Z97 Pro. I've read all of this thread just now. Before reading it, I had installed Win 8.1 Pro on my Samsung 850 Pro SSD. I then got 2 Seagate Baracuda 4 TB HDDs. I wanted to put them in RAID 1 (mirror) as a single 4TB drive, mirrored. When I saw the warning about losing the boot drive, I decided to set them up as RAID in the OS. I did so and had no problems at all. This was a simple solution with no glitch or confusion.

The chance of destroying my OS drive setup was not a option for me, way too much sw to reload. I had thought of removing the SSD with the OS on it, setting up the raid for the two new barracudas and then adding the OS back, however that could be fraught with problems. I too noticed on the ASUS site that there are 3 newer BIOS versions than mine. Perhaps this method would would work flawlessly once I update the bios. I wonder what performance I am losing by not having the RAID controlled on the mobo hardware? I wonder how important this is since I only plan to point my libraries to this RAID pair and all the OS, drivers and programs on the SSD. I didn't see that issue as part of the discussion. :pt1cable:
 
Hi, I spoke directly with ASUS top tier support. If you already have an OS disk and wish to add 2 (or 3) new drives as RAID later, you must disconnect all drives EXCEPT the new ones targeted as RAID first, set them up as RAID. Once finished add back the DVD and Boot drive. I thought this would be helpful to those with this issue who want UEFI-BIOS supported raid and don't want to corrupt the OS disk.
 
Exactly the same situation here... New build. Asus Z97-PRO. 1 SSD. 3 HDDs. No luck with setting up the system as OS on SSD and the HDDs are in RAID chain.. I installed the OS (Win 8.1) before I started to config the RAID system. Tomorrow I will give it a try. Firstly I reflash my BIOS, the set up the RAID system inthe way as mentioned above.
 


Hi
same problem with Z97 Deluxe mobo, crucial ssd for OS and 2 WD black 1T for data
trying to set up raid with same problems described here

what do you mean by "I decided to set them up as RAID in the OS" ?
I don't know this feature.
 


Hey i just came across your post and i see you had problems setting up your RAID. I want to set up RAID 0. Could you please tell me the steps on how to set up RAID. I understand you need 2 SSD's and HHD. Please give me the steps on how you set up RAID. Thanks
 
New build for me as well with the same issues with RAID. I did a search and found this forum and great ideas all around.

Bottom line I tried them all but still cannot get Win 7 to work with the BIOS settings. I've unplugged, plugged, repaired and reinstalled several times. It reminds me of the old days of building 8088 machines.

So the last time I reinstalled the OS, I unplugged the 2 drives to be used for RAID, set BIOS to default and reinstalled Win 7 again. Then powered down and plugged in the 2 drives. Booted 7 and all went well but now windows didn't recognize the 2 drives. Drive Management saw them but gave an error. Sooooo....installed updated Intel Rapid Drive whatever and booted. Win 7 Drive Management now would let me do something with the drives so I made a Win 7 RAID volume. I give up trying to get this stuff to work. It's either the ASUS BIOS (latest version) or Win 7 (x64 Ultimate) or a combo of both. Makes me wonder if it would work with Win 10, but I ain't going there for awhile.

This is a great thread and a big KUDOS to the guy who posted all the photos. Thanks a bunch.
 


Yes, I setup RAID in BIIOS. I have no idea what drivers are installed during Win 7 install.