Windows 7 - How to configure RAID 10

[snejsnej]

Hello,

I have configured a RAID 10 (4 x 3Tb) in the bios (and ctrl+I), and installed Windows 7 Ultimate on a separate 240Gb SSD.

I'm now in the Win7 Disk Management utility and have an unallocated volume of just under 6Tb (~5588Gb), as expected. I have initiallized the volume and converted it to a dynamic disk, but would like some help on how to proceed from here.

Where I'm getting confused is that the only choice I have when right-clicking on the volume is to create a New Simple Volume (the others, including New Striped Volume are greyed out), but the wizard doesn't clarify whether the volume will end up being RAID10 or not. I cancelled out before finishing - pretty sure this isn't what I want.

So: Configured the hardware RAID10, but how to complete the deed in the OS?

Thanks,
Jens

 

[derekullo]

Are you using the intel Matrix Storage manager or Intel Rapid Storage program?

Assuming you are using an intel based hardware raid in bios?

 

[snejsnej]

Are you using the intel Matrix Storage manager or Intel Rapid Storage program?

Assuming you are using an intel based hardware raid in bios?

This motherboard (Gigabyte X99-UD5) uses Intel Rapid Storage, although I just had to look through the user's manual to find that out. I set the SATA mode to RAID in the Chipset area of the bios and then created the RAID 10 volume using Ctrl+I after the reboot, i.e. I didn't do anything in the Peripherals area of the bios, which is where the RS stuff is.

Is there anything in particular that I need to do with the Rapid Storage?

** July 14 Update ** -- I looked into the Intel Rapid Storage and it looks like it's simply another way to set up the RAID volume (notwithstanding other possible advantages). I used the legacy method ctrl + I to do the same thing. At this point I could do with some pointers on what to do on the OS side of things (per my original post). Thx!

 

[snejsnej]

Another thought...

Since the RAID volume was created in the BIOS, and Win 7 can accurately see it in Disk Management (6Tb capacity), maybe all I have to do is to create a simple volume? The mirroring / striping is being done behind the scenes as far as Windows is concerned?

 

[Hawkeye22]

If you used the bios to configure the raid, windows should now see one large drive instead of 4 drives. If so, you can use disk management to create a simple volume on that disk, then partition and format as needed. (Yes, the mirroring & striping is done behind the scenes)

 

[snejsnej]

Excellent thanks