Raid 0 Issue

[adamsjn98]

Hello All,

I just installed a second 960 EVO and configured it to be raid zero with its pair in BIOS. I got windows to install after using a driver to see volume during initial setup. When my computer was working I tried to install ArmA 3 and it was not installing to my boot drive, steam kept saying it was corrupt. After continuing to try Windows blue screened and when I rebooted the Raid array failed and now when I try to install windows it gets past the copying files but fails at 1% on installing. I have tried flashing BIOS but to no success. Any input would be greatly appreciated, I just need this problem resolved ASAP, I am shipping of for the ARMY on oct 31 and I want to enjoy my last few days with friends.

*edit: Bluescreen error I always see is DPC_Watchdog_Violation*

Thanks in advance,

Justin

Build:

Case: CoolerMaster Pro 3
Motherboard: ASUS ROG STRIX Z270G
CPU: Intel i7-7700k @ 4.20 GHz w/Corsair Hydro H100i v2
RAM: 4 x 16GB (64GB) Corsair Dominator DDR4 @ 3000 Mhz
PSU: Seasonic Prime 850w 80+ Titanium
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Classified w/ Corsair Hydro H90
NIC: Intel EXPI9301CT Gigabit PCIe X1 Adapter
Boot Drive: 2 x 250 GB Samsung 960 EVO M.2 NVMe SSD drive (500 GB in RAID 0)
Additional Drives: 525GB Crucial MX300 SSD; 2 x 4TB X300 Toshiba HDD 4 TB in RAID 1)
Primary Monitor: Dell S2716DG 27” (2560x1440)
Secondary Monitor: Dell SE2417HGR 24" (1920x1080)
Peripherals: NZXT Sentry fan controller; Razer Deathadder Chroma; Corsair K95 RGB; Astro A50; Blue Snowball; Steam Controller
OS: Windows 10 Pro 64 bit

 

[USAFRet]

Stop beating your head against the wall with the RAID 0.
You gain zero performance. Sometimes it is worse than single drives.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/samsung-950-pro-256gb-raid-report,4449.html

Just run them as 2 individual drives.

 

[adamsjn98]

Stop beating your head against the wall with the RAID 0.
You gain zero performance. Sometimes it is worse than single drives.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/samsung-950-pro-256gb-raid-report,4449.html

Just run them as 2 individual drives.

I appreciate the quick response, I just do not understand how this can be so difficult. There is a prebuilt at my work that has a similar configuration. NVMe RAID 0 with a ASUS board... Honestly if I cannot fix this within a week I will revert.

 

[USAFRet]

I appreciate the quick response, I just do not understand how this can be so difficult. There is a prebuilt at my work that has a similar configuration. NVMe RAID 0 with a ASUS board... Honestly if I cannot fix this within a week I will revert.

You're gaining nothing by RAID 0 with those. Especially for the OS drive.
You're wasting your last 3 weeks of civilian life on trivialities...

 

[adamsjn98]

I appreciate the quick response, I just do not understand how this can be so difficult. There is a prebuilt at my work that has a similar configuration. NVMe RAID 0 with a ASUS board... Honestly if I cannot fix this within a week I will revert.

You're gaining nothing by RAID 0 with those. Especially for the OS drive.
You're wasting your last 3 weeks of civilian life on trivialities...

I do these kinds of things on my free time to learn, but if you insist I will revert. Is there atleast a way to combine the drives atleast (maybe within windows) Thank you for the quick reply

 

[Calvin7]

got windows to install after using a driver to see volume during initial setup
No mention of driver.

Guide to install M.2 NVMe PCIe drive:

The background here is NVME SSDs do not appear within the BIOS until Windows creates the system partition with the EFI Boot Sector. Your M.2 SSD contains UEFI driver information within the firmware. By disabling the CSM module Windows will read and utilize the M.2-specific UEFI driver.

1- The M.2 drive has to be the only drive installed. In your case the Raid Array with all partitions deleted.

2 - Go into the bios, under the boot tab there is an option for CSM, make sure it is disabled. (Compatibility Support Module)

3 - Click on secure boot option below and make sure it is set to other OS, not windows UEFI.

4 - Click on key management and clear secure boot keys.

5 - Insert a USB memory stick with a bootable UEFI USB drive with Windows 10 Setup on it, USB3 is quicker but USB2 works also. A Windows DVD won’t work unless you’ve created your own UEFI Bootable DVD.

6 - Press F10 to save, exit and reboot.

7 - Windows 10 will now start installing to your NVME drive as it has its own NVME driver built in.

8 - When the PC reboots hit F2 to go back into the BIOS, you will see under boot priority that windows boot manager now lists your NVME drive.

9 - Click on secure boot again but now set it to WIndows UEFI mode. (see #3 above)

10 - Click on key management and install default secure boot keys

11 - Press F10 to save and exit and windows will finish the install. Once you have Windows up and running, shutdown the PC and reconnect your other SATA drives.

I would also recommend installing the Samsung NVME driver at this point to replace the Windows one. (optional)

# How to create a bootable UEFI USB drive with Windows 10 Setup
https://winaero.com/blog/how-to-create-a-bootable-uefi-usb-drive-with-windows-10-setup

 

[USAFRet]

I appreciate the quick response, I just do not understand how this can be so difficult. There is a prebuilt at my work that has a similar configuration. NVMe RAID 0 with a ASUS board... Honestly if I cannot fix this within a week I will revert.

You're gaining nothing by RAID 0 with those. Especially for the OS drive.
You're wasting your last 3 weeks of civilian life on trivialities...

I do these kinds of things on my free time to learn, but if you insist I will revert. Is there atleast a way to combine the drives atleast (maybe within windows) Thank you for the quick reply

I do this type of stuff myself. But only if there is a benefit to be gained.

Combine them? Maybe StorageSpaces in Windows. Never bothered with it, though.
My main system has 5 x SSD. Nary a RAID in sight.

My NAS box is a RAID 5, but that's because the OS supports it natively.