Proper advise, ssd and raid 1

[zaternine]

Ok, I love using google and reading all the forums and I couldn't find a solution to my problem. I just built a new pc and now installing windows 7 64. The os its going to be on one Intel 520 120gb ssd and other storage is going to be 2 western digital hdd's in a mirrored raid 1. With raid enabled windows sees the ssd and raid but can't install it on the ssd with a message saying "setup was unable to create a system partition". I went into the bios disabled the raid and left it in ahci mode, disconnected the 2 hdd's. I went and windows installed ok on the ssd. Before I go any further I need ask if my procedure was correct. I remembered on my last system I had to install drivers for the raid during the windows installation. Please advise because I feel like something it's wrong. Thank you for taking the time to help.

 

[J_E_D_70]

Should be able to install the raid drivers then re-enable the raid array in BIOS. Pretty sure that's how I did it on another PC... Windows shouldn't care since it's not installed on the array.

 

[zaternine]

Should be able to install the raid drivers then re-enable the raid array in BIOS. Pretty sure that's how I did it on another PC... Windows shouldn't care since it's not installed on the array.

Wait, I didn't install any drivers during setup because I was so concerned about installing windows. This means I have to go back reinstall windows install drivers for my raid, then after the install turn on raid in bios and all should be good correct?

 

[lxgoldsmith]

Wait, I didn't install any drivers during setup because I was so concerned about installing windows. This means I have to go back reinstall windows install drivers for my raid, then after the install turn on raid in bios and all should be good correct?

there are usually drivers that come on a dvd with the motherboard. install those from windows and then you can create your raid array in the BIOS, and it should work fine.

 

[J_E_D_70]

^ that - no need to reinstall windows. Just do it like you would any other driver.

Once you get this all squared away and configured, be sure to make a system image (C drive) so you can easily get back to a starting point.

 

[zaternine]

Well so I did what you suggested jed70 and after I enabled the raid in the bios windows fails to start kind of like when you have a bad driver and instead of bsod it reboots. With the raid disabled I can see the 2 drives and I checked them with wd diagnostic just in case and they are find. I'm at a loss any ideas

 

[J_E_D_70]

U did install the raid driver before changing the bios?

If that's not working, you could leave the bios set to RAID, disconnect the array (leaving the SSD only connected), then reinstall Windows on the SSD. When it asks if you want to install storage drivers, you'd then load the raid driver and complete installation. Once it's completely installed and stable, then power down, reconnect the array, and fire it back up. I know that's a pain but not sure what else to try.

 

[fun500]

Make sure that your BIOS is set-up to boot to the SSD first, because otherwise Windows will try to install the bootloader on the Hard drives.

 

[J_E_D_70]

^ argh - forgot to mention that too.

 

[zaternine]

ok i will give it a shot after i get off of work and let you all know. i think the thing that is confusing is that there are several different drivers to choose from for raid alone. one for an amd raid driver and one for a jmicron driver. the manual doesnt say which sata ports are for which driver the mobo is ECS 880gm microatx fyi
options are

JMicron JMB360/361/362/363 Controller Driver
AMD SB7xx SATA RAID Floppy Driver

 

[J_E_D_70]

Hrm. Think I'd figure out which SATA ports are which, put the SSD on the lowest-numbered AMD one. Install just the JMicron RAID driver, then use those JMicron ports for the HDDs. Might keep it cleaner for settings in the BIOS and boot time RAID setup.

 

[zaternine]

Update, so what a cluster. The jmicron is for a pcie to sata adapter. I took all three drivers out formatted them to make sure they are clean and did what you said jed70, I enabled raid in the bios but disconnected the hard drives installed windows with raid drivers (even that was difficult because of the driver options, to many to choose without any specifics to what exactly they are for.) But after windows installed with all other drivers installed I connected the devices and it recognized the raid 1. Thank all for your help

 

[zaternine]

Best answer selected by zaternine.

 

[J_E_D_70]

Sorry it wasn't straightforward but you are welcome!