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Question About Formatting my RAID0 Setup

463 Views 12 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Jay Scott, 
J
Hi Guys,

So I've ordered my copy of Windows 7 Ultimate and am going to be upgrading from the RC version, however I have a couple of questions regarding my RAID0 setup on my sig rig.

Basically, when I originally set up the RAID0, I used the built in windows drivers for it. However, I'd like to use latest Intel driver this time, just for added peice of mind that my drives are going to be safe and reliable for the forseeable future.

I understand this involves deleting the RAID volume and creating a new one, I just wanted to double check that I've got my plan of action in the correct order before I go ahead and do it.

1. Format 'Hard Drive' (RAID0 setup) - actually looking for alternative software to the windows disc, so suggestions are welcomed.
2. Delete RAID volume via Intel Matrix Storage Manager
3. Update Motherboard BIOS (yet to update to the latest version, figured this would be the best time to do so, as there are no storage settings to worry about).
4. Create new RAID0 Volume
5. Begin Windows setup, installing the Intel ICH10R RAID Driver along the way.

Any input is really appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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I
Quote:


Originally Posted by Jay Scott
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Hi Guys,

So I've ordered my copy of Windows 7 Ultimate and am going to be upgrading from the RC version, however I have a couple of questions regarding my RAID0 setup on my sig rig.

Basically, when I originally set up the RAID0, I used the built in windows drivers for it. However, I'd like to use latest Intel driver this time, just for added peice of mind that my drives are going to be safe and reliable for the forseeable future.

I understand this involves deleting the RAID volume and creating a new one, I just wanted to double check that I've got my plan of action in the correct order before I go ahead and do it.

1. Format 'Hard Drive' (RAID0 setup) - actually looking for alternative software to the windows disc, so suggestions are welcomed.
2. Delete RAID volume via Intel Matrix Storage Manager
3. Update Motherboard BIOS (yet to update to the latest version, figured this would be the best time to do so, as there are no storage settings to worry about).
4. Create new RAID0 Volume
5. Begin Windows setup, installing the Intel ICH10R RAID Driver along the way.

Any input is really appreciated. Thanks in advance!


There is no need to format or recreate the RAID 0.

When you re-install windows, windows 7 will, if you choose to quick format the partition.

Windows 7 has all the drivers you need for the RAID device

Once windows is installing, it will instal;l the correct driver for you. You don't need to change anything. You can if needed, install the Intel Matrix Software for monitoring but it is not needed for the running of windows.
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J
Quote:


Originally Posted by IdPlease
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There is no need to format or recreate the RAID 0.

When you re-install windows, windows 7 will, if you choose to quick format the partition.

Windows 7 has all the drivers you need for the RAID device

Once windows is installing, it will instal;l the correct driver for you. You don't need to change anything. You can if needed, install the Intel Matrix Software for monitoring but it is not needed for the running of windows.

Ah, I see, OK, thanks for your help.

I'll just install the Intel Matrix Software aswell as the Windows driver as you suggested.

When will the Intel software need to be installed? The motherboard manual says it is just before the Windows Setup, but I'm not sure how I'd do that if the RAID setup already has a driver.
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ComGuards
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Originally Posted by Jay Scott
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Ah, I see, OK, thanks for your help.

I'll just install the Intel Matrix Software aswell as the Windows driver as you suggested.

When will the Intel software need to be installed? The motherboard manual says it is just before the Windows Setup, but I'm not sure how I'd do that if the RAID setup already has a driver.

Assuming Windows 7 has the necessary ICHxR drivers, you technically don't have to do anything else.

The Intel Matrix Storage Manager (that's the full name) can be installed any time after you complete the initial Windows installation. Just treat it as any other program. Doesn't do anything except let you monitor your drives / array.
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The manual will be using an install of say Windows XP, as that does not have the ICHr10 driver (unless you slip stream one in). Hence the need to press F6 to install the needed driver.

Windows Vista and 7 have the drivers for all Intel IDE / ACHI / RAID drivers built into the install.
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J
Great, I'll just install Windows as normal then and install the Matrix Storage Manager afterwards as suggested.

Thanks for your help.
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You don't NEED to install the Intel Matrix software, it not enhance your speeds or anything. All it allows you todo really is monitor your drives etc.

It's not an essential part for windows, it's an option.
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J
Quote:


Originally Posted by IdPlease
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You don't NEED to install the Intel Matrix software, it not enhance your speeds or anything. All it allows you todo really is monitor your drives etc.

It's not an essential part for windows, it's an option.

I'm just curious as to what it does/tells me about my drives, so I'll probably install it to see what it is like lol
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Open1Your1Eyes0
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Originally Posted by Jay Scott
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I'm just curious as to what it does/tells me about my drives, so I'll probably install it to see what it is like lol


I personally find the Intel Matrix Storage Manager a very useful piece of software. It states the health and condition of your RAID array, it also allows you to expand and or recreate your RAID array as well as adding on more RAID configurations or converting your current RAID array to a RAID5 or RAID1 (depending on current configuration). It also allows you to use another hard drive as a hot spare, in the case that any of your current hard drives fail.

Also, as a sidenote, unlike some members have said, the Intel Matrix Storage Manager does in fact install genuine Intel drivers with the software. It allows better reliability and integrity among RAID configurations so you definitely will benefit from installing this software.
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as above .. lol
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Quote:


Originally Posted by Open1Your1Eyes0
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I personally find the Intel Matrix Storage Manager a very useful piece of software. It states the health and condition of your RAID array, it also allows you to expand and or recreate your RAID array as well as adding on more RAID configurations or converting your current RAID array to a RAID5 or RAID1 (depending on current configuration). It also allows you to use another hard drive as a hot spare, in the case that any of your current hard drives fail.

Also, as a sidenote, unlike some members have said, the Intel Matrix Storage Manager does in fact install genuine Intel drivers with the software. It allows better reliability and integrity among RAID configurations so you definitely will benefit from installing this software.

This is what I thought initially, I'm sure the Windows drivers would be fine as the other posters suggested, but I assumed the Intel drivers would just add that extra security and reliability.

How would you suggest I remove the current RAID configuration and re-create it using the genuine Intel Drivers?
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Open1Your1Eyes0
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Originally Posted by Jay Scott
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This is what I thought initially, I'm sure the Windows drivers would be fine as the other posters suggested, but I assumed the Intel drivers would just add that extra security and reliability.

How would you suggest I remove the current RAID configuration and re-create it using the genuine Intel Drivers?

There is no need to do this. Just format your current RAID configuration if that's what you want to do and install Windows on it then when you get into Windows just download and install the Intel Matrix Storage Manager software from here (select the appropriate Windows version). Then restart and after reboot you will already have everything installed, updated, and ready to go.
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Quote:


Originally Posted by Open1Your1Eyes0
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There is no need to do this. Just format your current RAID configuration if that's what you want to do and install Windows on it then when you get into Windows just download and install the Intel Matrix Storage Manager software from here (select the appropriate Windows version). Then restart and after reboot you will already have everything installed, updated, and ready to go.

Great, I'll do that when I get home from work. Thanks again.
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