Convert from AHCI to RAID without reinstalling

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someone755

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Oct 27, 2013
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I just received my (first) SSD. As it's a small one, I thought I could use it with the Intel SRT (yes, my H87 mobo supports that).
All the guides for setting SRT up say that the SATA mode in the BIOS needs to be set to "RAID".
I've already tried installing and updating over 50MB worth of drivers and software (mostly Intel stuff), I've tried doing the Safe Boot trick (I just got a black screen and the thing jumped back to the mobo's welcome screen (where it got stuck)), I even tried tweaking the registry (which got me to the Windows boot animation, but then again got stuck at the mobo welcome screen).

I'd not like to reinstall Windows (8.1), but will, if I cannot find a solution (and I'm preparing to do so, since I can't find a solution).

Also to note, inside the BIOS settings, under the SATA controller settings, the only two SATA devices recognized are the main (C:) drive and my DVD drive, there's no sign of the SSD. Intel's RST program does see the SSD, but Windows does not.

Any help is, of course, appreciated.
 
Solution
chesteracorgi
I am afraid that you will have to do a complete re-install. The Intel support for RAID causes a firmware driver to be installed after the BIOS but before you can boot the system. You cannot set up a RAID array via Intel SRT unless you use the RAID firmware from Intel.

That being said, you can, as long as your ACHI system is still operable, create a system image of your current installation and restore the system from the backup system image. This calls for you to have a backup HDD or several CDs to create your system image.

Parenthetically, the info that I provide is from personal experience. I was running an Intel RAID configuration with two 256 GB Samsung 840 SSDs set as my boot. I took apart this configuration, as there is...
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chesteracorgi

chesteracorgi

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Apr 11, 2011
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I am afraid that you will have to do a complete re-install. The Intel support for RAID causes a firmware driver to be installed after the BIOS but before you can boot the system. You cannot set up a RAID array via Intel SRT unless you use the RAID firmware from Intel.

That being said, you can, as long as your ACHI system is still operable, create a system image of your current installation and restore the system from the backup system image. This calls for you to have a backup HDD or several CDs to create your system image.

Parenthetically, the info that I provide is from personal experience. I was running an Intel RAID configuration with two 256 GB Samsung 840 SSDs set as my boot. I took apart this configuration, as there is no practical gain in speed from a RAID array of SSDs because of limitations of the SATA III pipeline. I now run one of the SSDs as my boot and the second as my fast drive for programs. I have a JBOD array for media of of 4 X 2 TB Hdds & 1 X 3TB Hdd.
 
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someone755

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Oct 27, 2013
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Well I do have a (very old, but working) 160GB HDD with all my drivers and programs on (the installation files and ISOs).

My system is still working (for now), and I don't really have anything valuable to store besides what's on my old HDD, which is (for now) backed up.
Looking for my W7 disc now (I think Vista is a bit too old and 8/8.1 has been nothing but trouble).

Thank you.
Also yay, corgi :3
 
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