HELP PLEASE!
I have the system running on Windows 7 right now but am updating both the Power Supply & I’m waiting for my NEW Windows 8.1 Disc to arrive. According to the manual I have to do the following to Create the RAID Disc & I gotta be honest, I’M LOST on this one!
I’m sure based of the articles I’ve read thus far you would know! Please Reply
@ GUNNY1966:
Welcome at Win-RAID Forum!
There is nothing to worry about.
According to my experience with my Z77 RAID0 system you will not need to load any Intel RAID driver from an USB flash drive. The final edition of Windows 8.1 has the needed appropriate RAID drivers "on board". So the Win8.1 Setup will detect your RAID0 array automaticly.
Questions:
1. How did you create the RAID0 array? Have you done it from within the BIOS or did you hit CRTL+I to enter the RAID Utility?
2. Which Intel RAID ROM/SataDriver version did you use?
Regards
Fernando
Zitat von GUNNY1966 im Beitrag #3
I would have to check that, the question is how do I check it?
Zitat von Fernando im Beitrag #4Zitat von GUNNY1966 im Beitrag #3Enter the BIOS > "Enhanced Options" > hit the right arrow navigation key sometimes until you see the tab "Intel(R) Rapid Storage" > hit the tab > look at the version, which is shown on top.
I would have to check that, the question is how do I check it?
IDEAS Zitat von Fernando im Beitrag #4Zitat von GUNNY1966 im Beitrag #3Enter the BIOS > "Enhanced Options" > hit the right arrow navigation key sometimes until you see the tab "Intel(R) Rapid Storage" > hit the tab > look at the version, which is shown on top.
I would have to check that, the question is how do I check it?
IDEAS 
Yes, it was a good idea to flash the newest BIOS for your mainboard, because this way you can be sure, that Windows 8.1 will be fully supported by the BIOS.
Yes, this is what I asked for. The latest Intel RST(e) RAID ROM module is v12.7.0.1936.
Since it doesn’t make much sense to update BIOS modules, which will not be used at all by the system, I would like to know the content of the "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" and "Storage Controllers" sections of the Device Manager. Can you post a screenshot?
After going into the Device manager I was able to come up with the following information, I hope I got this right if not let me know!
I previewed it & thought maybe it was to small to see so I did it over:
I also took a screen shot of the drivers:
I forgot to mention when I go to install the new OS, I will be completely erasing the previous off of the SSD’s via the OCZ Toolbox ( Secure Erase ) meaning the ATA/ATAPI drivers. I figured you would have a better idea as to how to set this up for maximum performance. I have some experience with this but in NO WAY am I half as intelligent as you are about this let alone some of the aspects as to getting the performance level out of the SSD’s. I have succeeded in getting the OCZ Toolbox loaded onto a PIN drive & was actually getting ready to flash it but decided to wait just in case you needed more information off of the system prior to flashing it & installing the new Power Supply as well as starting the installation of the New OS. If there is any more information needed, I will wait to flash the SSD’s until your reply! While this system is down I will still be able to communicate with you via my Z68 system sitting right next to this one, that will help with the process a considerable amount!
This screenshot verifies, that your mainboard has an in-use ASMedia and no Intel SATA AHCI Controller.
Please open the "Storage Controllers" section of the Device Manager and take a screeshot of the content and the in-use drivers.
Okay, as before I hope I got this right if not let me know & I’ll do it again!
@ GUNNY1966:
Thanks for posting the requested details.
Conclusion: Some of your drives (inclusive the system drive with the OS) are connected with the Intel SATA Controller running in RAID mode, others are connected with the on-board ASMedia AHCI Controller.
As far as I can see there is nothing to worry about, when you are going to set up your new system.
Tip: I do not recommend to replace the MS AHCI driver by the ASMedia AHCI driver. Reason: The generic MS AHCI driver probably will perform better than the special ASMedia driver.
Regarding the special settings to get the best performance with your SSD RAID0 array I recommend to read the start post of >this< thread.
Good luck!
# 1: Is this why in the past in the BIOS I have NOT been unable to set it to RAID vs. AHCI or even IDE mode possibly I know this is going to sound strange but I recall when I first built the RAID0 & the Win 7 Home Prem. OS was installed I was unable to set it into RAID0 mode strictly in the BIOS but I was able to see it in the OS. <— not really concerned about this right now BUT! # 2: Is there anything I need to place onto the PIN drive from this system PRIOR to performing the SECURE ERASE via the OCZ Toolbox # 3: I have two other drives attached to this system currently:
( D ): 500GB Velciraptor- CURRENTLY EMPTY & formatted it in NTSF mode,
( E ): 1TB 7200 RPM
(a) - Do I leave them hooked up during the entire process (b) - Will I loose the information off of drive ( E ) ( PICTURES ONLY, NOTHING ELSE ) during or after I install the NEW OS (c) 3 - Will installing the NEW OS alter anything on drive ( E ) or will it remain the same as it is now & react normally after
The Intel SATA Controller of your system is definitively running in RAID mode.
I don’t think so, but you should delete the RAID array, before you are going to do the secure erase procedure.
Answer to the last questions:
Before you are going to install the OS, you should unplug all drives of your system except[ul]
EXCELLENT as you have NO IDEA of how much this helps me! I have read that prior to running the Secure Erase, it is best to set the BIOS into the AHCI mode so it will break the RAID0 as well as perform the task of removing the software safely from both the SSD’s. I just want you to know that I EXTREMELY APPRECIATE your help & opinion on this as it isn’t everyone that would step up & help a total stranger out as well as give excellent educated advise, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
UPDATE: I have ran the OCZ ToolBox Secure Erase & everything went well with NO PROBLEMS! 
There is options of which I wasn’t certain yet needed answers rather quickly so here is what I have done thus far:
( A ) I Named the RAID: OCZ VERTEX 4 256
( B ) Set the RAID Level: RAID0(Stripe)
( C ) It would allow me to select the Disc, is this because I have to delete the previous RAID or is it like a auto detect kind of issue
( D ) Stripe Size According to what I have read, Intel suggests a 128 strip size What should it be set to
* Capacity Shows 476.9GB
* Sync: N/A
What should those settings be in your opinion
A short name like "VERTEX" or "OCZ" will be enough. The name has no influence on the function.
This option lets you select the drives, which shall be members of the RAID0 array. You should select both OCZ Vertex SSDs (one after the other).
For a RAID0 array I recommend to choose a stripe size of 128KB or 64KB. I would prefer 64 KB unless you are working with very big sized data.
Detection of SSDs by Win8/8.1 and the use of the Optimizer (former Defrag Tool)
I placed the link above so I could go back & reference it at any point! I also I will be making the changes to the RAID as you suggested when I get the Power Supply & the Win 8.1 Disk tomorrow evening. I tore it down last night, cleaned all the fans & removed the power supply & am reconfiguring the fan controller for optimal use vs using the on-board fan link software. My Z68 is set up to allow the user to run the fans vs the motherboard to control them & it seems the fans have a better speed when not regulated to what the on-board controller can support. I also am going to set the sound card. Video cards & make sure they are seated in the PCIe slots correctly so there is NO mistakes made when I go to start the system up. I read thru the link & the Win 8.1 you provided from above & fully intend to follow each of your suggestion.
So here is what I have planned thus far:
NOTE: To enter the RAID set-up screen press (tap) contol+I
( a ) Re-Configure the settings to the RAID
* Re-name to OCZ 256
* Check to see both SSD’s are selected as the drives
* Re-set the stripe size to 64 KB Setting this to 64 KB ← Is gaming considered big sized data
* Take some pictures to share
After the OS has been installed:
( a ) Do I update the drivers PRIOR to updating the Windows
( b ) install the drivers after
( c ) In what order should I install the drivers
My answers:
a) No, you probably will get some newer drivers offered by Windows Update.
b) Yes.
c) According to my experience the order is not really important. Usually I update the drivers in the following order:
Intel INF Update Utility INF files (only the suitable ones) > Intel RST(e) Drivers & Software Set > Ethernet driver > Graphics driver > other drivers.
Suggestions noted, Thank You!
Not being familiar with Windows 8.1 this is going to be rather a slow process via utilizing references to learn the New OS. I’m now going to go & re-configure the Fan controller therefore if you have further suggestions, I will check back in a bit later! THANK YOU AGAIN
Does it matter if I use the top three slots for the ( X 3 ) GTX 670 4GB & the last slot for a Sound Card I need to know if it matters at all which slot I place the Sound Card into, I’m not sure if I have a SLI Bridge to set it up any differently!
I’m stuck in a rut per say as I am unable to completly remove the previous RAID stripe & install the new one simply to get away for the ASMedia controller. I have tried almost every avenue to completly remove the strip but so far no go. If I were to re-set the c-mos after deleting the RAID is the only step thus far left & I’m not sure even that will remove any traces. I even went as far as contacting ASUS support, that was a joke to say the least! I’m not the smartest cookie but the tech support guy I spoke to didn’t know $hit about RAID removal & re-installation! ARRRRR
What exactly have you done?
If you run the same RAID Utility, with which you have create the RAID array, you should be able to delete the array (all data will be lost) and then to recreate it.
Another way to delete all RAID traces inclusive the MBR is to do a secure erase with all RAID members.
