Windows 7: BSOD - HTPC - Can WMC be the culprit?

Yes the ASUS P8Z77-V PRO board would work fine. Either of these would be fine too since you have a Sandy Bridge CPU.
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Arc,

I posted this in the forum, but just in case you can help.

I just swapped out my motherboard and did a reinstall on windows 7 and updated drivers with no problem. I have a P8Z68 asus motherboard so I was going to use the Rapid Storage Technology. Went into bios and set sata to RAID. However, when I tried to get into the configuration (Cntrl+I) on POST the system would not bring on the config. screen. After some research I realize I had originally installed the drives associated drives on the Marvell Sata ports instead of the Intel ports. I shut down the system, unplugged the power and reseat the cables appropriately. (something tells me that was where I screwed the pooch). I was then able to the get into Intel's Rapid Storage utility and setup the RAID0 with my 2TB WD and 64G Crucial SSD (which the utility selected automatically since they were the only HD hooked). When setting it up it noticed the SSD as being setup as a Cache (which it was previously on old mobo) so I deleted and reset the volume. Everything setup OK - volume recognized - Striped - 128k.

When I exited the utility and went to reboot, the system is now giving me a message 'Reboot and Select proper Boot device'. Nothing seems to help. I tried unplugging again and resetting boot priority but it was no help. I even tried deleting the RAID and resetting back AHCI thinking I could at least get back to where I was, but no joy.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I would suggest you not use RAID, and use neither marvell not intel sata controllers. The default microsoft thing is the best IMO. .

Disable Raid. Do a perfect clean install.
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

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Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Are you booting from the SSD or the RAID array?

Thanks for the reply. I'm good to go now. My main two problems were 1. switching the cables after setting RAID in BIOS, and 2. setting up RAID0. Because I had not installed the cables correctly in the first place, I did not see the Accelerate button and my SSD in the Smart Response Technology program. I mistakenly thought it was because I had not setup RAID0 (which is covered right before SRT in the Asus mobo manual, which indicates a RAID0 is necessary). Well, you do not have to setup the RAID... if the drives are connected to the INTEL connectors (as opposed to Marvell) the SRT program will recognize automatically and all you need to do is Accelerate and the program handles setting up RAID0 automatically. Simple right? NOT. It took a 10hr adventure to get there... I determined I wipe out windows on my HDD trying to setup the raid (original post). This time I would be smart and create the raid before setting up windows. My setup was a 2td WD HD and 64gb SSD for caching. Setup the raid and was able to boot with no problems and re-installed windows. However, now I noticed my 2tb drive only shows 119 gb available... stop laughing. I now know why. Re-installed thinking now my cables are connected appropriately and I will be able to set the SRT using my SSD. Wrong, I still can't setup SRT. DUNCE moment... Smart Response Technology and Rapid Storage Technology is not one in the same exact thing. SRT is actually a component of Rapid Storage Technology. Hence, I had to do another re-install, this time JUST setting up RAID in Bios-Sata controllers, NOT setting up RAID0. After re-installing windows this time, all I had to to do was to go into the program, now the ACCELERATE button was visible and the system setup RAID0 in a snap!!!!!

I posted the resolution on the outside chance another noob like myself is stupified on the above scenario. I'm totally feeling the 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing' metaphor. But as long as I'm learning... I'm cool.

Now it's onto... WTH - I had no idea sending 5.1 and video to WMC via HDMI was such an ordeal... on a HTPC build with a P8Z68 mobo and Intel HD chip, Realtek onboard chips, X Fi Soundblaster sound card, AND latest drivers, best I get is 2 Channels to WMC.... HA... further down the rabbit hole. Frustrating, but I love this stuff... learning!

Sounds like your cabling was more of a macramé'? glad you have it sorted.

I'm confused about sending video and audio via HDMI to WMC (Windows Media Center?)...on another PC?

I'm was sending both via hdmi from my htpc, to my Denon avr, then to my Samsung. Setup sound properties in the control panel for 5.1 but Windows Media Center fails speaker test. Best I could get was 2 ch. multichannel.

I thought I solved the problems by sending video directly to the sammy via DVI, and sound to my avr via SPDIF optical. What interesting is that this option did not work at first. I decided to unplug the hdmi > hdmi connections (pc to avr AND from avr to sammy), since I was now sending video via DVI. Attempted to 'reset' the sound profile by going into bios and disabled on-board sound. Rebooted. Confirmed and connected optical cable from pc to avr. Enabled on-board, setup sound parameters in control panel (24-96 now available as default format in Advanced tab). WMC speaker test for 5.1, success. But too good to be true. Got a BSOD. When the system was back up I noticed I was now receiving the 2 ch mix (PLIIx). Went into control panel and sure enough 2 ch is the only formats available. WTH.

I have a separate sound card (SB X-fi titanium) and tried optical from it, but WMC does not seem to like it as it does not pass the 5.1 speaker test. I had it working on the old mobo with the card so I'm assuming it's a drive issue.

A little research and I've found this is a problem for a lot of folks. I was hoping my mobo swap took care of the issue also. Apparently not. I find WMC having problems with true Dolby hilarious.

Have you updated/installed the audio card drivers?