Converting from RAID 0 to non-RAID SATA

adbsgicom · 09 Feb 2011

I've searched around and found many threads on converting from non-Raid to RAID however, little on the process of going the other way. If you know a thread, please pass it along.

I have a system image from the Raid 0 system on a single disk. However, it appears if I set the SATA configuration in BIOS as AHCI or IDE the system will not boot. It appears that leaving the SATA configuration in RAID mode allows the system to boot, even if the main drives are not configured as RAID.

Is there any down-side to leaving the SATA controller configured as RAID? The Intel RAID manager comes up during boot and reports the two disks as non-RAID.

Am I stuck having to leave that mode set (other than doing a full rebuild of the system and all applications)?

This is all on Windows 7 Ultimate x64

Thank you,

-a

pxsalmers · 10 Feb 2011

Generally speaking, switching from non-RAID to RAID 0 involves a complete data wipe on the drives you want to set up in RAID to allow the RAID controller to construct a RAID array with whatever drives. I am not sure if that would be the case for the reverse process, but I have a feeling it probably has the same effect. Especially if you decided to delete the array.

In either case, I would make sure you have a complete backup of any and all files you want to save before attempting anything.

adbsgicom · 10 Feb 2011

As I noted, that isn't the case. If I leave the SATA controller in RAID mode but don't configure the disks as RAID, it seems content.

What I am noticing, however, is a marked decrease in performance, which may be just my getting used to a little delay from not being in RAID 0.

What prompted the move away from RAID 0 is that twice now when the power has been interupted unexpectedly (this last time was through a UPS but the battery was very low, and a second wave of blackouts came along and I didn't get the system all the way down in time), the boot sector has been corrupted necessitating a re-imaging. My sense was that running non-RAID would be more robust. Anything that might change that decision is also helpful.

Golden · 10 Feb 2011

Hi,

I think the problem is that in addition to changing from RAID to AHCI or IDE in the BIOS, you also have to make a change to the registry.

Here are the steps required to go from AHCI/IDE ---> RAID in the registry, so I suspect you can reverse this to go from RAID ---> AHCI/IDE:

Enable RAID Mode after Installation

Instruction:

Exit all Windows-based programs.
Press [Win] + R or take the RUN option from the start menu.
Now type regedit there and press Enter Key to open up the Registry Editor Window.
If you receive the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\iaStorV
vel

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\iaStor
In the right pane, right-click Start in the Name column, and then click Modify.
In the Value data box, type 0 [3 is default], and then click OK.
On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor.
Restart your computer
Go to BIOS and enable RAID, Save & Reboot
Another restart will be required to finish the driver installation.

The source of this information is here:

Guide * Windows 7 Ultimate Tweaks & Utilities *

Please be aware that I have never used this, so exercise caution.

Let us know if you get it to work.

Regards,
Golden

pbcopter · 10 Feb 2011

There is really no downside to leaving it set to RAID, as all non-RAID members act as ACHI anyway.

society misfit · 10 Feb 2011

Just to comment on your power fails, I too have a RAID set up and have also lost power a few times. Not once has it affected the MBR

Golden · 11 Feb 2011

pbcopter said:

There is really no downside to leaving it set to RAID, as all non-RAID members act as ACHI anyway.

+1. 100% correct. Often the BIOS will report that the RAID controller is active, but it is actually the ACHI controller doing the work.