Shot my self in the foot (figuratively), please help.

[soulja11c]

Noobie here, I know just enough to be dangerous and realize I screwed myself by trying to wing it, please be gentle. Bought a rig from Xtreme Gear here are the specs:

Intel(R) Core™ i7-3820 Quad-Core 3.60 GHz 10MB Intel Smart Cache LGA2011
ASUS Rampage IV Extreme Intel X79 Chipset
16GB (2GBx8) DDR3/2000MHz Quad Channel Memory
2x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 4GB 16X PCIe 3.0 Video Card [+128] (EVGA Superclocked)
1,200 Watts - Thermaltake TP-1200M ToughPower Modular
4x 120GB Corsair Force GT Series RAID 0+1
2x 2TB Raid 1
27" ASUS VG Series VG278H Black
Microsoft(R) Windows 7 Ultimate x64



As you can see I bought this system with the 4 SSD's in a RAID 0+1 and the 2 spinners in a RAID 1. After I hooked it up I was doing a clean install of Windows 7 ( clean slate and all, hate any bloat), at the point where it showed my partitions and asked where I wanted to install windows I picked the SSD RAID array as my OS drive. Windows says it can't find any partition to install the OS to and that I need to create one. I tried to do that but it says I'm missing drivers and I don't know where to find them. Then my lovely 2 year old scares the bejeezzus out of me as I'm typing and I accidentally deleted one of the partions. So I start surfing forums to try and learn about different kinds of RAID arrays (0, 1, 0+1, 5, 10) and partitions. I have the very tentative grasp on what I have been reading. I have been reading about different BIOS versions and AHCI and RAID and most of it doesn't make sense to me. So I have decided to start all the way over from square one and hope that you fine people are in a patient and generous mood.

I believe that my SSD's are still in a RAID 0 because it shows 2 drives at a little less than 240GB. The 2 spinners are showing as 2 separate drives both a little under 2TB. I need to get the 4 SSDs back into RAID 0+1 with OS installed and the spinners back to RAID 1. I have basic knowledge and have jumped into the deep end of the pool, need some help to keep my head above water. I appreciate any help forthcoming.

[Arne_Saknussemm]

Hi there! 🙂 Here are a couple of good links that might help you get back up and running...

http://rog.asus.com/77402012/rampage-iv-motherboards/what-is-raid-setup-guide/

http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds#post_155...

[soulja11c]

Thanks brotha, checkin it out now.

[Dark]

Hiya soulja11c
Just stopping by to welcome you to our forum i really enjoyed reading your 1st post xxx

Lots of love Kaitlin Rog Princess.

[soulja11c]

OK, got both of the RAID arrays reconfigured, those guides were perfect, thank you. Now I have another problem. Using the guide I downloaded all the drivers from the ASUS Support site. When I tried to install Win 7 my neither of my arrays are showing up. I chose LOAD DRIVERS and pointed it to the drivers I got from ASUS. Then I get an error saying that says that my drivers aren't signed. Where do I get signed drivers?

Also, appreciate the welcome DARK.

[Arne_Saknussemm]

One thing...when you install windows, disconnect everything except the array to which you are installing otherwise Windows will install a small partition to the other array. How are you installing windows... from a CD or do you have SP1 version on pen-drive? (latter probably better)

This is a good resource for the latest drivers... http://www.overclock.net/t/1193055/asus-x79-series-information-thread-drivers-bioses-overclocking-up...

[soulja11c]

Yeah, I'm using the disc. Tried to make a bootable USB with Win 7 usb/dvd tool, but kept getting a bootsect error. Tried to fix it with a few tutorials but no matter how I added it still wouldn't work. As far as disconnecting the two spinners, little nervous about that. Just spent $4600 on this rig and I'm not knowledgeable or confident enough to start messing around in it's guts. Been trying to work up the courage to try and build one but would rather start small like a Home Server for my first DIY. Gonna try your link and see if those drivers work. Thanks brotha.

[soulja11c]

I extracted the drivers from the link you gave me but when I try and point the installation at them it says there are no compatible drivers.

[NickH]

soulja11c wrote:
I extracted the drivers from the link you gave me but when I try and point the installation at them it says there are no compatible drivers.

I was having the same problem getting Windows 7 to recognize my RAID array. I was using a Windows 7 disc without service pack 1. Once I switched to my Windows 7 disc that included SP1, my array showed up using the drivers from Intel's website.

[soulja11c]

NickH wrote:
I was having the same problem getting Windows 7 to recognize my RAID array. I was using a Windows 7 disc without service pack 1. Once I switched to my Windows 7 disc that included SP1, my array showed up using the drivers from Intel's website.

The disc that I am using has SP1 included. Still no joy.