GA-EX58-UD5 - Convert Raid0 to non raid

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

I have two 1TB hard drives configured as RAID 0. I want to convert the drives to non raid disks. I'd like to test the drives, format them and put Windows 7. How would I go about doing this. I have Win 7 64 bit.

[Vinster]

On Boot-up, after the post screen you'll see a RAID display window showing the raid as active and showing your Member Disk. at that window press CTRL+I or possibly CTRL+R... in there you will see an option to disable/delete your raid configuration. there are only 4 options, and once in there its pretty clear.

then on Re-boot you will see the RAID option load up but you will see no RAID configured and two non-member disks. now you have 2 individual disks.

Let us know if you have any other questions.

Vin

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Since I have to use chkdsk often about 2x a week... I believe I have lots of bad sectors. Should I use Seagates SeaTools long test? it failed the short test, but Im not sure if thats because its still in raid 0...


I just want to make sure i do things in the right order... :) Any help is much appreciated.

[Vinster]

if you have another system, I'd take both drives out and test them individually again with Seatools. start with the short test, if it fails then no need to do the long.

only perform the long if the short passed and you still suspect something is wrong, but a 1TB drive could take 4-8hrs to complete.

if you don't have a second System, something you can try is download this ISO and burn it to a CD. Ultimate Boot CD - Overview there is a HDD test and Seatools for Dos is on this.

Go in to your Bios (Del key on boot up), go to "Integrated Peripherals" and change "ICH SATA Control Mode" from RAID to IDE then save and re-boot.

On bootup press F12 to select the boot options window and boot from the CD and go to the HDD tools and re-run Seatools on each drive as described above.

if everything is good, then go back to "Integrated Peripherals" in the bios and change "ICH SATA Control Mode" from IDE to RAID and then your system should be good to run. if you still want to run single disks then follow my instructions in Post 2.

if you have any other questions feel free to ask

Vin

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Both drives passed seatools short test. however now I've got another couple of problems. Now one drive, the master recognizes, the slave isnt recognized. thing is I installed win 7 on both drives but cant figure how to get the slave to show up. it does show up in the bios but it says it has 0mb. The master seems like its flying and going great.

My other problem is the Seatools dos cd now doesnt boot, it freezes right as its about to pop up on the screen... so I cant test either drive further...

[Vinster]

you had issues before, i believe you may have found it. if you are set as RAID, then the Raid controller has the drives and they will not appear in the Bios. they should appear in the RAID config CTRL+I... if you are set as IDE, then you should see the drives in the Bios.

at that point what I would do if possible is to test it in a second PC. if you have a second PC but don't have the means to connect the HDD to it, this is the best option; Vantec 2.5"/3.5"/5.25" SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter - Model CB-ISATAU2 - Newegg.com

I'd go from there.

Vin

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Baby steps :) switched to ide and now the bios sees both drives, yet in windows its still just the 1 master drive...

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Ok found the fix.

Needed to download the the driver from micron sata controller driver from ftp://driver.jmicron.com.tw/SATA_Controller/Windows/

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Thank you very very much for helping me with the last 2 problems, would have never figured it out otherwise!

[Vinster]

Glad you got it sorted out.

Vin