How to install Win7 to an SSD Raid array?

[Logun]

Yah but that costs more money. When I did the purchase I did not know there was even a debate on the subject of Raid0. But I don't have too much worry for the data on the SSDs as I save all important stuff on other HDDs

 

[DeaconFrost]

If you already have the drives, then go for it. Just don't expect any real performance gains. When SSDs first came out, they were often striped together (RAID0) just to make up for their smaller size. Now that prices have fallen and capacities have grown, you just don't see it being done anymore. RAID0 was great in theory, but in the end it provided to be all hype. About 5-7 years ago, when the first 36 GB Raptors came out, several big performance computing forums all ran various tests and compared the results. I was one who tested with the [H]ardForums, and the results, as made definitive by Anandtech's site, was that RAID0 was all hype and offered no tangible benefit. Once SSDs came out, the debate was re-opened briefly, but the same results held true.

 

[ooremy]

I too was able to setup my raid0 config from the raid builder screen (ctrl-F for me). However, when I went for the fresh install of Windows7 to this array, I get a missing CD/DVD driver error upon Windows setup. Since I was able to set my BD drive as first boot device and it fired up the install process from the DVD, I am at a loss.

Any tips out there? I copied both my MoBo & BD drive cds to a USB thumb drive, but the Windows installer won't qualify any of the drivers. Has anyone tried adding drivers to a copy of their Windows installation ISO?

 

[Logun]

Is your CD drive visible in your BIOS?

 

[ooremy]

success

Yes, the BD-Rom is visible in BIOS. ( I suppose I wouldn't have been able to assign it as my 1st boot device if it wasn't)

I went to my MoBo mfg website, downloaded the raid controller drivers and stuck them on my USB stick. (tip from TomsHardware forums..of all places)

Got to the same spot in the re-install of Win7 to the Raid 0 array. When prompted for the missing CD/DVD drivers, I pointed to the raid driver on my USB stick.

I now have Windows 7 installed on the array in under 4 minutes! Re-boot takes about 16 seconds from Restart click to login prompt. (was ~30sec for single ssd).

I keep all my important data on a NAS device, so I'm ok if I have a drive fail for the OS. As I have a clean install and no programs, I can't comment about app. launch times yet, but if it is anything like the boot time decrease i just experienced, it will be well worth it IMO.

 

[profdlp]

...I keep all my important data on a NAS device, so I'm ok if I have a drive fail for the OS...

I'd recommend that you use an imaging program to keep a quick backup of the boot array, too. I use Macrium Reflect FREE Edition (there is a free 64-bit edition, too) and can have a drive restored in about twenty minutes. It will save you from having to reinstall all your programs, patches, etc.