Setting up RAID0 on Gigabyte UEFI DualBIOS

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 27, 2017

Hi everyone,

I am trying to set up raid0 on my Gigabyte motherboard. I have 2 x 240GB SSDs which should be set to raid and contain the OS.. and a 1TB hard drive for data.

Currently my partitions are a mess and 2 of them won't initialise due to a 'data error (cyclical redundancy check)'.

I can't seem to reset the raid volumes to non-raid, or delete them as none of the CTRL+I boot options seem to respond. I am very confused indeed!

I'm not an expert with RAID setups, in fact my friend originally built this PC with the setup I am aiming to establish here. I took a few pictures of my boot menus and can post them if it helps.

Please could someone help guide me through this process.
Many, many thanks in advance.

ss202sl · Jun 27, 2017

you won't gain anything with raid. You will actually put your data at risk for no real world increase in speed.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-raid-benchmark,3485.html

USAFRet · Jun 27, 2017

GR3YL0TU5 :

No performance increase, and increased fail potential.

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 27, 2017

OK, what about my partition problem and the data error? At the moment I am totally confused and my rig is a mess.
I appreciate the tip but I'm really looking for solutions here.

I don't mind setting up without raid if that's the best idea but I still need to get my drives straightened out.
What do you suggest?

Thanks again.

ss202sl · Jun 27, 2017

is there anything on the partitions? if not, delete them and recreate them

USAFRet · Jun 27, 2017

Currently my partitions are a mess and 2 of them won't initialise due to a 'data error (cyclical redundancy check)'.

Sometimes, you just have to step back and punt. Some things can't be 'fixed'.
CRC (cyclical redundancy check) indicates a physically failing drive.

You need to determine which drive this may be.
And then do a full reinstall of everything, minus the RAID0, on one of the drives that is not failing.

Wipe that entire drive and start over.
If the failing one is still under warranty...send it back.

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 27, 2017

I've already lost all my data so all my drives are clear. I literally have nothing to lose.
How might I determine which drive is faulty?

USAFRet · Jun 27, 2017

GR3YL0TU5 :

One way would be with a Linux LiveCD.
Assuming you have another system to create that with.

Connect 1 of the SSD's
Boot up from the Linux CD or USB
See how the drive works
Then, do the same with the other SSD
Then, do the same with the HDD.

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 27, 2017

Alright, things just got super weird. I seem to have 2 OS's installed...
One with raid settings and one with UEFI.
My data loss occured after trying to set to raid and reinstall, but I still seem to be able to access my old windows setup if I revert to UEFI boot.
In UEFI, my partitions look totally different, and nothing needs initialising.
What the hell is going on?

USAFRet · Jun 27, 2017

GR3YL0TU5 :

Completely unknown.

I really suggest you start over. This current config is all messed up. Bad drives or not.

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 27, 2017

Absolutely agreed. If I'm honest, I don't really know how to start over.
Thanks for your help so far.
This has by far been my most challenging IT problem I've ever come up against.

USAFRet · Jun 27, 2017

GR3YL0TU5 :

Well...lets go to the very beginning:
What OS is this?
Do you have the install media for it?
If pre Win 10, do you have the license key written down?

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 27, 2017

It's Win10.
I have install media on a flash drive.

USAFRet · Jun 27, 2017

GR3YL0TU5 :

Good. Multiple hurdles jumped.

So...
Disconnect ALL drives except one of the SSD's
Boot up from that Win 10 USB
Start the install process.
When it asks for the license key, skip. There is a link at the bottom of that wind - "I don't have a product key". Select that and continue.
When it asks 'where to instal to, select Custom
You'll be presented with a list of all existing partitinos.
Select each, DELETE
Leaving one large space.
Let Windows install to that, creating what it needs.
Once the install is done, then you install the drivers for your hardware, and also let Windows do whatever updates it needs to do.

Later, we reconnect the other drives and wipe as needed.

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 27, 2017

OK, sounds like a plan.

Before I do this, I have one query. On my disk management window in UEFI as things stand now, one of my SSDs is only showing 112GB.
I'm almost 100% sure it should be displaying around 224GB like the other one, as they are the same size!

It could be that this missing disk space has something to do with the raid setup.
In theory, would it matter if I start this process of a clean reinstall on the SSD which is acting funny?

USAFRet · Jun 27, 2017

GR3YL0TU5 :

Weird partitionings left over from the previous installs.

This is why I recommended deleting ALL existing partitions.
In the unlikely event it has actually failed, the OS install will fail to complete.
Then you'll know that this is the problematic drive, and a potential warranty subject.

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 27, 2017

Screwdriver to the ready, I'm going in...

Better unplug it first though.

USAFRet · Jun 27, 2017

GR3YL0TU5 :

No screwdriver needed (unless you need it for the case screws). Just disconnect the cables. You can leave the drives in place if desired.
And yes...unplug it...

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 27, 2017

USAFRet :

Just got into more trouble, now stuck in a boot loop before bios screen. Trying to reset CMOS using jumper.
Very frustrating business.

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 27, 2017

Right.
I've managed to break the boot loop and get onto Win10 install but it can't detect any hard drives. Maybe when I reset the BIOS to break the loop it wiped the drivers.
So I need to get them back. Can I put those drivers onto the same flash drive that contains the Win10 install media?

USAFRet · Jun 27, 2017

GR3YL0TU5 :

There shouldn't be any 'drivers' needed.
How many hard drives do you have installed/connected right now?

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 28, 2017

Just one of the SSDs is connected, but it won't detect it and is asking for drivers.

GR3YL0TU5 · Jun 28, 2017

Just had a closer look and one of the cables was slightly loose. Installing OS now.
It got really late last night so probably missed it due to tiredness.

...success! Win10 running.
Other drives all sorted and ready to go.

Thanks USAFRet for all the help.

Setting up RAID0 on Gigabyte UEFI DualBIOS

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