Splitting a RAID 1 array caused MASSIVE problems, pls help!

maxxell

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Jan 25, 2012
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Details of my custom-build:
Chip: Intel Core i7-3370K
MOBO: Intel DZ77BH-55K
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
WIndows is installed on an SSD

I have two 1TB disk drives as storage space. Originally, I set these up as a RAID 1 array, but am now using this PC for DVR purposes and not so much for actual work, so the disk space is more valuable than the redundancy. So I wanted to undo the RAID, but the RAID is not my boot disk, so I figure it would be a piece of cake. I backed everything important up onto an external USB drive and got to work.

I originally created the RAID array using the Intel Rapid Storage Storage Technology software, so I figured that was a good place to start. However, at this point the software wont open. I tried uninstalling it, but when I try to reinstall, I get an error about not working in this 'environment'. After a bit of unsuccessful troubleshooting, I decide to skip on the Intel software and work with the windows Computer Management / Disk Management bit.

In there I find both physical disks listed, but one is inactive indicating that there's a "device signature conflict". I used the command-line fixer thing to bring the disk back online, so now Windows sees two independent drives. So far, so good.

When I start moving things around, I get a BSOD within 5 minutes, and it keeps happening.
So I figure maybe the drive went bad, and I remove it from the system. Everything is fine for a bit, but then another BSOD with same error details. I google the details and see it commonly blamed on driver problems. So I go in and uninstall the Intel Sata AHCI controller, as recommended online. However, I often get a "windows update on next reboot" notice, and after a reboot I am back to the Intel AHCI controller.

That works for a bit, but another BSOD does show up later that night.

So now I have removed BOTH 1TB drives from the system and am running some stress tests (mainly watching TV through an OTA antenna) which, so far, have not led to a BSOD.

My next thought is to do a fresh install upgrade to Win 10 (not carrying over programs and settings). Hopefully that will use all new drivers and then I can put the two 1TB drives back in the system, working independently.

Would that work? Is a good idea? Any better ideas?
 


I went into BIOS when all the drives were still attached (that was actually my very first step) and I didn't see any options to "unRAID these two drives". Are you saying I should plug the two drives back into the computer, boot into BIOS, and poke around some more? Any specific instruction on where to look in the BIOS?
 
Yea it isn't the motherboard BIOS but the Intel Rom. Usually it is CTRL+I or something like that on bootup. You will first see your PC POST screen then a black screen with white writing about the RAID. Hit the button combo to enter that. Then once you are in there you can then removed the Vitrual Drive and break the RAID.