Newby problem - Windows 7 and RAID 5

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  1. Quelle
    Posts : 12
    Window 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       New #1

    Newby problem - Windows 7 and RAID 5


    I am aware that this subject has received attention before, but as a first time PC builder, I am still puzzled.

    The system I have built has a Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD7 motherboard, an Intel i7 860 processor and four 1TB seamaster SATA HDDs

    Following Gigabyte user manaual instructions, I configured the four HDDs in RAID 5 in the RAID BIOS, then proceeded to install Windws 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

    When appropriate to do so, I installed the SATA RAID Driver that I had copied from the Gigabyte DVD.

    At this point the Windows installer informed me that it couldn't install Windows on my hard drive (which was showing 2.7TB unallocated space) and suggested that I check that the driver was enabled in BIOS - I'm not sure how to do that.

    I have tried Gigabyte's Technical help line and they suggested downloading the
    Intel RAID driver version 9.6.0.1014. When I tried this, and let it self-extract, Windows installer said it could find no 'signed drivers' - and Gigabyte have stopped responding to me!

    I'd be really grateful for any help.
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  3. Bare Foot Kid
    Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       New #2

    Hello Quelle, welcome to Seven Forums!


    Look in the BIOS for something called "Storage Configuration" or something similar, there should be options like "AHCI" "RAID" "IDE" you will have to configure it to RAID for it to move ahead.

    We're seeing a lot of issues with people trying to install Windows 7 to such large partitions, and invariably when the space is reduced the installation goes ahead seamlessly.

    I wouldn't try to install to a space/partition any larger than 100GB, that should be plenty for all your needs and after the install is complete and booting good then the partition can be enlarged if needed.

       Note

    I have just created a tutortial for this at this link below.

    DISKPART : At PC Startup

    Have a look at Method One in this tutorial at the link below to see how to use the Windows installer to use diskpart to partition the HDD before the install actually starts; the snip below has the commands needed, in the correct order to do the job the correct way.

    The size formula = 1024MB = 1GB - 1024x100 = 102400, you can use/create any size you like.

    Be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
    click to enlarge
    Newby problem - Windows 7 and RAID 5-diskpart_commands.jpg
    Last edited by Bare Foot Kid; 22 Oct 2010 at 14:27. Reason: Added Link to new tutorial!
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  4. Lemur
    Posts : 3,139
    Systems 1 and 2: Windows 7 Enterprise x64, Win 8 Developer
       New #3

    One spec on your mobo/controller:

    SATA 3Gb/s: Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10
    SATA 6Gb/s: Support for SATA RAID 0 and RAID 1

    Will get back...
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  6. Lemur
    Posts : 3,139
    Systems 1 and 2: Windows 7 Enterprise x64, Win 8 Developer
       New #4

    When you installed Windows, did it ask for third party drivers? If so, you would install your raid drivers at that point. Or did you not get to that point?
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  7. Bare Foot Kid
    Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       New #5

    Lemur said:
    One spec on your mobo/controller:

    SATA 3Gb/s: Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10
    SATA 6Gb/s: Support for SATA RAID 0 and RAID 1

    Will get back...



    You have a good point here, is he using "SATE II/3Gb/s" or "SATA III/6Gb/s" HDDs.
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  8. Quelle
    Posts : 12
    Window 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    BFK and Lemur - many thanks for your replies - good not to feel alone in this! The HDDs are billed as SATA 3Gb/s, and I have plugged them into SATA2_0 through to SATA2_3 connectors on the motherboard, which are Intel P55 Chipset 3 Gb/s.

    I am now reviewing BFK's tutorial advice and will then report back!

    Many thanks again

    Quelle
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  10. Quelle
    Posts : 12
    Window 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    Oh - and I should say, when attempting the Windows 7 install, I reached a screen where it asked me to Load Drivers. This I did - the driver came from the Gigabyte disk that came with the mobo. I copied it to a USB stick on my current office ciomputer. That all seemed to go ok - except that after I had confirmed the driver and it had loaded, it then came up with the message that it was unable to load Windows 7 on Drive 0 (the RAID 5 configuration)
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  11. Lemur
    Posts : 3,139
    Systems 1 and 2: Windows 7 Enterprise x64, Win 8 Developer
       New #8

    The latest Intel SATA RAID Drivers is 9.6.0.10149.43, with a data of September 3, 2010. I recommend grabbing that one of the net.

    GA-P55A-UD7 (rev. 1.0) - GIGABYTE

    The GIGABYTE SATA2 Preinstall driver (For AHCI / RAID Mode)
    Note: Press F6 during Windows setup to read from floppy.
    OS:Windows XP 64bit,Windows Vista 64bit,Windows 7 64bit - 1.17.54.1 0.19 MB 2010/04/29
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  12. Quelle
    Posts : 12
    Window 7 Home Premium 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    Thanks Lemur

    This was recommended to me by the Gigabyte technical team also - I duly downloaded it, let it self extract and then loaded it on to a USB stick. When I tried to download it when the Windows 7 install suggested, it came back with a message that there were no 'signed drivers'. Not sure what that means. Should this be preinstalled perhaps?

    Meanwhile I am currently cleaning my RAID5 HDD as per BFK suggestion. Given that I have 4 TB in total, this is going to take some time! It should be ready by breakfast time in the UK!

    Quelle
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  13. madtownidiot
    Posts : 1,741
       New #10

    That is a very annoying thing about windows 7.. by default, drivers have to have be digitally signed. Doesn't matter whether they will work or not, so long as they are signed. There is a way around it.. sign your own driver
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