Windows 7 - WIndows 7 RAID install issue

ok, i can't seem to find an answer for this anywhere so i'm crossing my fingers:
my setup:

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO
2 x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 500GB
1 x WD Cavier 250GB
SAMSUNG DVD Burner/Reader Black SATA

my goal is to install the OS on the WD 250gig drive and have the 2 500gig Samsungs in RAID0 for games, files, etc. i change the boot order in BIOS to enable CDROM first, i also enable RAID in bios and save changes. the windows 7 professional (OEM System Builders copy) DVD starts installing and gets to the beginning of the install where you choose language, etc. at this point, it stops and a pop-up appears stating: "missing cd/dvd device drivers." my only option is to click, "browse," and when doing so, my DVD/CD drive is not an option...like it's not even there. i searched on forums and found related issues to bad burns of Windows 7 install disc but in my case, it's a brand new legit copy. this only happens when RAID is enabled in BIOS. when IDE or ACHI is enable in BIOS, it installs fine, BUT, there are no RAID options, it just asks which HDD to install Windows too and it has all 3 of my drives...so the 2 Samsung's are not in RAID and there is no option at this point to change this. i tried installing RAID drivers from my ASUS MoBo disk with ACHI enable in BIOS, and it lets me navigate the drivers on the MoBo disk, but when i installed, did not change a thing, i still CANNOT enable RAID during Windows 7 install.

Sorry for the long post, what is the issue here please? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

THANKS!

Use AHCI or SATA settings. Windows 7 is allergic to dated RAID technology.

tried tha AHCI settings in BIOS but where do i get the proper drivers to run RAID? i installed the ones on my ASUS disc and it didn't do anything, still shows up as 3 seperate drives.

any other tips/advice?

Windows 7 installer should have the AHCI driver. OTherwise they are on your mobo Support Downloads webpage for your model.

OK, then i'm doing something wrong because like i said, they are not showing up in RAID. can someone give me a step-by-step of how to get the drives in RAID using Windows 7 Pro with only 1 DVD drive and no floppy?

use a USB flash drive and put all of your unzipped drivers on the flash drive and load them from there

here is a step by step for your board it's for Vista but works the same for 7

How To Install Windows Vista Ultimate With RAID - Setting Up Vista Ultimate on a RAID Array - Legit Reviews

I'll try the USB option. That step by step is ok but is for intel system, I'm running amd so MUCH diff.

it's the same steps to install raid

fair enough. do i need to install any type of USB drivers first to do the USB method? will the board recognize the USB device without installing drivers? i know i know...noob question...SORRY!