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]

No way! Sheesh, you're not having much luck! There is no chance you installed windows or the 100 MB partition to the USB pen drive or something like that?

Maybe try something from here.... http://windows7themes.net/missing-operating-system-windows-7.html

Also is the RAID array first up in BIOS in boot order now?

[soulja11c]

FINALLLYYYYY!!!!!! All is well. Just had to do startup repair and everything is good. Got all my new drivers and Antivirus installed and this ****er is runnin lickety split. Minor issue is Windows 7 doesn't see my 2x 2TB RAID 1. Shows up in the Bios and when you hit ctrl + i. Gonna reformat them and then put them back in RAID 1 and see if that don't work.

[Arne_Saknussemm]

Cool beans!:D

[Daakutenshi]

i just finish installing a system kinda similar to your.

Asus rampage 4 Extreme edition
Same core as you
32 gig of ram
2 SSD 240 gig (intel one)
2 HDD 2TB WD

the SSD are in Raid 1
the HDD are in Raid 1

1. i boot the computer. go in bios and change setting for the SATA mode (from AHCI to RAID)
2. reboot, CTRL+I when asked and manage the 2 RAID (one i name windows other named Donner)
3. reboot, boot on DVD of windows SP1 (if no sp1 = big trouble :S)
4. on the windows page. he wasen't able to find any drive. so i put the Asus CD on it. i go see on it and go under DRIVERS/RAID/RTSe/DRIVERS/DISK/64Bits and select the intel one
5. when he finish load, he see the 2 RAID i manage. i then switch CD to the one whit windows. make a refreash and install it on the 240 Gig (it will create a 100 meg partition, and install it on the other.
6. once it been installed, i reboot (make sure that when it boot and you see your RAID that the 2 raid you made are normal... and not like initialised)
7. once under windows. RIGHT click COMPUTER, select the 2 option (manage) and click on the Disk Management on the left side.
8. TADA your 2 TB in raid one is there in black. right click on it and select NEW VOLUME, push next a few time.... and you have your HDD 2 TB.


no need to reformat if you didn't see. it much more faster then reformating again !

[chrsplmr]

That 'foot wound' healed up very well I see .. you seem to be 'running' great now. congrats.c.
cudos arne..