Dual boot with Raid + non-Raid

Thank you for the response, but that info doesn't really address my question. I've set up dual boot machines on single, partitioned drives as well as 2 separate drives, and that works fine.

My question is regarding the problem of one drive being a RAID-0 and the other being a standard SATA drive. In this case, I'm not sure how the RAID controller will know that there is another bootable drive attached.

On my computer (an Abit MB) there is a separate "BIOS" menu where the RAID array is configured. The standard BIOS doesn't even see the RAID drives at all - in there, it looks like I have no drives installed.

I was just hoping I could find someone who has attempted this and see if they were able to make it work.

hines57 said:

I'm really hoping there are some hardware gurus here that can help me with this. I've searched to the ends of the "www" (well, it feels that way anyhow) and have found no conclusive answer to this question:

If I have a machine with XP installed on RAID-0, can I add a 3rd, non-Raid drive to an available SATA port, install Win7 on this single drive and then be able to boot from either the XP-RAID or Win7-SATA?

Did you find an answer to this question? I am in the exactly same position as you, except that I have already tried to install twice unsuccessfully (with Raid 0 still connected), resulting in a boot up screen to choose between two W7 installations and the previous XP install. I did this before seeing this post. The XP installation is the only selection that works. Both Windows 7 installs failed before completion. I am considering disconnecting the XP Raid, but am worried that once I reinstall 7 again, the boot loader may not recognize the XP Raid any longer and I will lose that install.

Please post back a screenshot of your full maximized Disk Management drive map with listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu. Tell us what is located on each drive.

To remove the unnecessary multi-boot menu, install EasyBCD 2.0 to XP after installing Net Framework 2.0 for it to run. Remove both Win7 entries, Save, Shut Down. Now unplug both Win7 HD's to restart and test XP. http://neosmart.net/blog/2010/welcome-to-easybcd-2/

Next plug back in the last-installed Win7 HD, use the one-time BIOS boot menu key to see if you can boot it separately from XP. If it won't start unplug the XP array, set WIn7 HD first to boot in BIOS setup, mark Win7 active and run Startup Repair up to 3 separate times with reboots until it starts. Partition - Mark as Active

Once Win7 starts, power down to plug XP array back in to see if they will coexist booting preferred OS first in BIOS setup, or using the one-time BIOS Boot Menu key to boot the other.

There are three drives.

1. Raid 0 set is a pair of 500gb drives with the original XP Pro install.
2. The other 500 gig is a single mode Windows 7 install that never finished. I get a quick flash of a message and then a forced reboot before it finishes the installation.
3. The last drive is a 320GB backup drive.

When I tried to run the W7 repair option, it tells me it is the wrong version.

Were you successful in the step to first install EasyBCD 2.0 to remove Win7 from the Dual Boot menu?

Did you unplug the RAID array before attempting to repair Win7?

Previously you stated that you had two Win7 installs, but now you say neither completed. If that's the case, try installing now to the single target HD, set first HD to boot, with XP array unplugged.

After install replug the XP array and see if you can boot it using one-time BIOS Boot Screen or by setting as first HD to boot in BIOS setup. Then try booting the other HD using BBS.

If Win7 will not install and boot in this manner then it is likely not possible. Your RAID controller stays in control in BIOS SATA settings and won't yield to another OS install to single HD not RAID'ed.

I apologize for not being more clear. My last post was just a clarification. The machine is in use and I won't be able to start trying your steps until probably wed or thurs. As soon as I get a chance to follow your advice, I will post back here. Thanks.