How to build Intel RAID and keep M.2 available !

[js2015]

Found some people M.2 disappeared when set RAID , just tried out a way can work , share the step of BIOS setting as below:
1. Boot\CSM (Compatibility Support Module) ==> Launch CSM [set as "Disable"]
2. Advanced\PCH Storage Configuration ==> SATA Mode Selection [set as "RAID"]
3. Advanced\PCH Storage Configuration ==> M.2 PCIE Storage RAID Support [set as "Enable"]

F10 save, restart to BIOS agin

4. Advanced \ Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology ==> Creat RAID Valume (RAID0 or RAID1)
5. Build RAID ok and keep M.2 available

[ondersma80]

Thank you for taking the time to write this up. I had read the similar posts saying m.2 and IRST couldn't be used together and couldn't figure it out because I have a Samsung 950 Pro and have had 2 drives in R0 for over a month with no issues. I figured some of the users had been trying to use SATA 1 and 2 which disable on some boards when M.2 is in use.

[Chino]

Thank you js2015 for writing this guide. 🙂

[SYROB]

Hi,


Does NOT work, if one of the NON OS RAID drives becomes degraded; you can not boot into windows any more.

M.2 Samsung 950 has Win 10 on it, other drive is remaining drive of a simulated failed (non OS) RAID drive volume, the other a proposed replacement.

The setup does NOT see any drives under Boot Option Priorities.

All those with working NON OS RAID try pulling one of your drives, can you boot into windows?
See images attached

[js2015]

ok, SYROB.
will try and borrow 850 PRO from my friend as well the same as you configuration, hope I can have result to share later.

[ondersma80]

SYROB wrote:

All those with working NON OS RAID try pulling one of your drives, can you boot into windows?
See images attached

I made a backup of my 950 and R0 anticipating a failure. However, after yanking one of my R0 drives the raid obviously failed but it still booted into Windows fine. Sometimes R1 behaves differently than R0 so I might try testing that if I get time today. When you installed on the 950 did you have the RAID already setup? If so, it is possible Windows put system files on the RAID so degrading actually breaks the install.

I think the point here is RST and M.2 still work together - using M.2 does not prevent RAID usage. I already tested error handling with R0 and it works fine. Worst case here is R1 and M.2 work fine together but may bug out if one of the R1 drives fails. Still shouldn't do that though. If I get time to test R1 I will post back today.

[SYROB]

Using a NVMe SAMSUNG 950 PRO M.2 512GB PCI-Express 3.0 x4 Internal Solid State Drive AND RAID in a Maximus VIII Hero Bios 1202

The suggested sequence at “”How to build Intel RAID and keep M.2 available !”” did NOT work for me and the system would not see the M.2 drive.

However, this sequence suggested by a senior ASUS engineer did !!!

First; all drives should use the GUID globally unique identifier (GUID) Partition Table (GPT) partitioning scheme that is part of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI).
1. BIOS->Boot->CSM (Compatibility Support Module)->Disable
2. BIOS->Boot->Secure Boot->OS Type->Other OS
3. Advanced -> PCH Storage Configuration -> SATA Mode Selection -> RAID
4. Advanced -> PCH Storage Configuration -> M.2 PCIE Storage RAID Support -> Disable (Enable if not work)
5. F10 saved, reboot and go into BIOS again
6. Advanced-> IRST -> Create RAID Volume
7. Build RAID 1 and keep M.2 as a non RAID member
8. BIOS -> BOOT -> Secure Boot -> OS Type -> Windows UEFI
9. F10 save, and boot to Windows OS

Observation:
The manual is confusing in this one point, here is my understanding.

Using a NVMe device in the M.2 socket DOES NOT disable SATA III port 1 or port 2.
Using a SATA III drive in the M.2 socket DOES DISABLE SATA III port 1 and port 2.

Observation:
Rebooting the UEFI BIOS “mini OS” is required after making select changes in the UEFI BIOS settings before making additional UEFI BIOS setting changes. Unless this is done programming UEFI BIOS is unpredictable.


Observation:
System did not accept return to UEFI BIOS commands at times with F2 or Del commands initiated on a PS2 keyboard to go into UEFI BIOS, but would go straight to the OS.
Only if first shutdown and power off the system, then power on, did the MB accept F2 or Del commands.

Suggestion:
That you provide an additional setting in Exit like: Save Changes, Reboot UEFI BACK into UEFI BIOS settings.
(This saves the trouble of going in the Win10 OS, and shutting down if F2 or Del not accepted, or if your fingers are tired mashing the F2 or Del keys...

[Chino]

Fill this template.

1. Motherboard model
2. BIOS version
3. IRST version
4. Chipset driver version
5. OS version
6. Firmware version of your M.2 SSD
7. Which devices are in RAID
8. Which devices are not in RAID
9. Explain in detail how you setup your RAID