SSD + 2 HDDs in RAID0 = Failure

hyrule571

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Dec 7, 2010
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***SOLUTION***
I installed the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Desktop RAID driver from Intel's website. When installing Windows 7, I selected "Load Driver". I went ahead and installed the Desktop RAID version, and it worked! Throughout all of this, I had set my SATA mode to RAID in my BIOS. I kept my two HDDs unplugged, and my SSD was the only storage device plugged in (exception of my optical drive). Finally, both of my HDDs are running in RAID0 now, and my SSD is working properly as the host for my OS and other programs. I set up RAID0 after all was said and done with installing Windows 7 and making sure I can boot into it. I hooked up my HDDs and set them up for RAID0, and they were recognized in Windows 7 as one whole drive. Both HDDs and the SSD are plugged into SATA2 ports (Intel controller) because I chose not to use the inferior Marvell controlled X58 "SATA3" ports. I hope this helped someone!
***SOLUTION***

Guys please help me out! I've read the other threads regarding this issue, and I've tried the following.

-Keep both HDDs plugged into SATA2 ports, as well as the SSD. Install Windows 7 on the SSD, while the BIOS is set to RAID (configured for RAID0). Windows setup recognizes both the SSD, and the RAID0 configuration. I select the SSD for Windows 7 installation, and after it completes and restarts my PC it gives me an error saying "Windows setup could not configure Windows to run on this computer's hardware." Dead end, failure.

-Unplug the HDDs, but keep the SSD to obviously install Windows 7 on it. I go through the process like a normal human being. I try to proactively install the RAID drivers during the Windows setup, but it can't find the driver. It comes in .exe format. Anyways, I went on to try and install it with the HDDs unplugged, while the SSD is still plugged in obviously. Throughout all of this, the BIOS is still set to RAID like the other threads have said. Same thing happened, and it failed complete installation the exact way as before. It threw the same hardware-related error to me.

I'm done trying this out on my own, and I need solid help from someone! I've already induced unnecessary write-wear on my SSD. Please and thank you!

Motherboard: EVGA X58 SLI3
CPU: i7-950
RAM: 6GB 1600MHz
Storage: 1x SSD, 2x HDDs

PS: I'm not using the inferior Marvell SATA3 ports that were "supposed" to give SATA3 speeds. They seem to have issues as well. So, I'm sticking to the SATA2 ports that are controlled by Intel natively.
 
Solution
Also if your going to install the RAID driver during the install what you need is the "floppy f6" install driver. Don't worry you can extract the files and load them to a usb drive which you can use to install. Make sure the BIOS is set to RAID, and any fast boot options DISABLED. During POST it should give you the option to setup Intel RAID by pushing buttons. (I think Ctrl+I) Setup the RAID 0 and Continue.

The other option is to install in ACHI mode. Then after windows is installed make sure you install the Intel RST driver and software. Use that to configure the RAID.
I have a Samsung SSD (830 Pro) with two Samsung F1 HDDs configured in a striped RAID on a Gigabyte Z77 motherboard with Intel RAID.

I installed Windows as follows:

Configured BIOS as RAID and disabled both SATA ports that the HDDs are connected to.
Samsung SSD should still be recognised by the RAID controller but shown as 'Not a Member/Non Member'
Booted from the Windows 7 DVD and installed to the SSD (this is the only storage device shown) without specifying any additional drivers.
Reboot and ensure Windows starts OK, install drivers for other hardware etc, but NOT the Intel Rapid Storage drivers
Reboot and renable the SATA ports that the HDDs are connected to (RAID array should be recognised by the RAID chipset during POST)
Ensure SSD is set to first boot device and wait for Windows to boot and recognise the additional storage, reboot again.

Although it is nice to be able to see detailed information about the RAID such as SMART info about each disk that is a member by installing the Intel Rapid Storage drivers, I still don't as I have had compatibility issues with my Blu-Ray writer

Hope this helps
 
Also if your going to install the RAID driver during the install what you need is the "floppy f6" install driver. Don't worry you can extract the files and load them to a usb drive which you can use to install. Make sure the BIOS is set to RAID, and any fast boot options DISABLED. During POST it should give you the option to setup Intel RAID by pushing buttons. (I think Ctrl+I) Setup the RAID 0 and Continue.

The other option is to install in ACHI mode. Then after windows is installed make sure you install the Intel RST driver and software. Use that to configure the RAID.
 
Solution
I had figured it out the same night, but I stayed up configuring my SSD and setting up Windows fully (installing programs, changing settings, etc.) until 10AM. So, I got little sleep! All is working is fine now, and thank you for the help. I've edited my original post for the solution.