Solved Restoring windows 7 onto a new RAID0 array

[Derek262]

Hi,

I'm attempting my first RAID0 setup. I have an OEM version of windows on one of my SSDs, and I just bought another identical SSD (vertex 4 256GB) to try and put them in a RAID0 array.

I have created the RAID0 array in my ASUS motherboard's BIOS settings. I then boot Windows 7 from the disk and go to the repair section. I ask it to restore my system image, and I'm told that in order to do so, I will have to exactly copy the partition that was on my old SSD (which was only 256GB compared to my new 512GB RAID array). I go ahead with that, and the result is that I have my Windows 7 loaded, but it only has 256GB in it's partition. Not only that, but I can't even tell if my RAID configuration has worked for that 256GB that I can see.

What I have tried:
When I go to My Computer > Computer Management > Disk Management, I can see my 500GB drive, but it appears to be partitioned into 100MB of "System Reserved" (like my old windows 7), 250GB of my restored C drive, and 250GB of unallocated space. I managed to get the unallocated space to be a new drive (called F), but I was hoping that my C drive could simply have 500GB.

So how can I tell if my drive is in a RAID0 configuration from within Windows 7 (64 bit) and if so can I join these 2 drives back together?

Thanks very much for your time.

 

[Golden]

Hi,

A few questions:

1. When you boot, does the BIOS POST show the controller in use is a RAID controller, as opposed to AHCI or IDE?
2. Please post a screen capture image of your disk management window.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

Regards,
Golden

 

[Derek262]

Hi,

1) Yes, I can see them as a RAID setup when I post. Does that mean that Windows also knows to treat it as a RAID array?

2) I solved this problem. I turns out I had to format and extend the drive and that would be fine. It's just that you initially have to copy the system image exactly as it was created, then remove any partitions that were in the image. Windows can now see my drive as a 500GB drive rather than 2 separate 250GB drives, does that mean it's definitely in RAID configuration?


Thanks for your help,
Derek

 

[Golden]

Hi,

Yes, it is because only a single drive of 500GB (2 x 256GB) is shown in Disk Management. Looks like you solved it.

Regards,
Golden