Intel 520 RAID 0 TRIM ? IRST ? RSTe ? UEFI ?

[Juzam]

Hello. I have an 240 GB Intel 520 Series SSD and I just bought the second one to create a RAID0 array but I don't want to lose TRIM functionality. I've looked around but it seems that the only solution is the overly complicated custom BIOS UEFI method. Seriously, haven't Intel come up with a solution yet? Can't I just select RAID and go?

[HiVizMan]

There is a bios that you can download and flash that bolts4breakfast posted that is very popular. However I am not sure what motherboard you have.

[Juzam]

Sorry I forgot to write. I have a Rampage IV Extreme that I bought last December

[HiVizMan]

http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?48001-R4E-BIOS-4804-MODDED-EFI-Intel-13.1.0.2126-Download&c...

This is the thread. Can recommend it.

[Juzam]

OK. So I installed the custom BIOS. Selected RAID and IRST. Created my array. Downloaded RST F6 drivers from Intel and Windows 7 setup sees it. But when I click install I get this error : Windows is unable to install to the selected location. Error: 0x80300024

[HiVizMan]

I have never needed to install any driver when doing a OS install in RAID on that board.

Are you using a USB stick as your OS install medium?

[Juzam]

No I'm using a CD

[HiVizMan]

Ah right. I strongly suggest that you download from the Mircosoft site, the USB tool. Create a bootable OS install USB disk. Only have the SSD drives that you wish to use as your RAID O fitted to the intel SATA ports. Nothing else in the sata ports, then make sure in BIOS you have only set up your Mode of SATA to RAID all else just leave as is.

Pop the USB stick with your OS in the machine and power on. The OS will do the rest.


http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool

[BondJamesBond]

Hi all,
I got the same error as Juzam when installing windows 7 ultimate x64 on 2 Samsung SSD 840 pro, 256 GB each, in RAID0, after the RAID0 creation in BIOS 4206.
I tried to install Windows using the DVD, and this after a secure erase. It didn't let me whatever F6 driver I threw at it.
Well, I finally succeeded after using Acronis True Image 2014 Premium to initialize the RAID volume with the Acronis tool "create new disk". After it was done, it showed the correct size: 476 GB. (for info, using Parted Magic to initialize the RAID volume didn't work, it did initialize them only one after the other, and the size shown was 256 GB minus the volume used to create the disk, so no RAID and no joy during Windows Install)
I know it is not supposed to be done that way, but it allowed me to install Windows 7 without any hickup, using the F6 driver.
Also, to use True Image, I throttled down the CPU to default speed, ie 3.2 GHz and the RAM to default 1600 MHz, it helped to avoid any freeze up.

[Howie]

Just my 2 cents: The UEFI install at first might appear daunting, but it's really not that difficult. I was in the same position a year ago when I first installed Windows 7 with RAID 0 on my RIVE. There are a number of advantages to UEFI and it has been a solid install without any issues for the last 13 months. I followed Nodens UEFI Installation guide - http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?30520-RAMPAGE-Windows-8-7-UEFI-Installation-Guide&country=&... (I had the odd issue that using the Windows 7 DVD install would not complete for some issue with my DVD drive or driver, but the USB stick install did work. (my original post about that issue: http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?30520-RAMPAGE-Windows-8-7-UEFI-Installation-Guide&p=270293#... )

As for Acronis True Image: I have used Acronis products for years and continue to use it for imaging and backups, but I would not want to rely on any of its functionality for initializing my RAID etc. prior to a clean Windows install, especially if Windows installation itself is having some issue. I would want to resolve the problem and allow Windows to install as cleanly as possible with standard installation procedure.

Again, personally I think the UEFI install is worth pursuing, since you're already spending much time and effort attempting to install via 'traditional' BIOS installation. I also suggest the Intel RST drivers (version 13.x) rather than RSTe enterprise (version 3.x or 4.x number scheme) even though at first glance the RSTe drivers would appear optimized for RIVE. Both work, but common opinion is that the RST drivers offer better performance. Also, from my research I've seen anecdotal suggestions that it's better not to first install RSTe and then change the driver later to RST (or vice versa,) after Windows is installed.

Lastly, on the driver question, I chose to install the full IRST package within Windows that installs the RST console software. The full package also installs (or updates) the RST driver. It's a matter of personal preference, but for me it has been comforting to see Intel RST running in the taskbar which has option to alert for errors, and to be able to open up the console to review RAID status or modify settings for performance (i.e. cache mode, etc.)