JMicron SATA / RAID on ASUS P5K Premium WiFi

Hi,

I need some help with RAID configuration. I am a total newbee to RAID and am not aware much on practical aspects of it apart from the theory I have learnt.

I have a machine with following configuration.

Motherboard - ASUS P5K PREMIUM/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel
HDD - 500 GB x 1 IDE, 250 GB x 1 IDE, 250 GB x 1 SATA
DVD Drive - Samsung Internal SATA DVD Writer
Memory - 8 GB (Two kits of Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G6400LLK)
OS - Windows 7 64 bit RC

The two IDE disks are connected with an "IDE splitter" (I am not aware if this type of cable has a specific name). That is one side is connected to the IDE interface available on the motherboard and the other side has two similar connectors, one connected to each of the IDE HDD mentioned.

The SATA HDD is connected to one of the six SATA connectors available on the motherboard. The Internal DVD Writer is also connected to another SATA connector (of the six available). I presume these belong to the Intel controller.

I wanted to create a RAID 0 array to install the OS and applications on it. I am planning to keep all personal data files including "My Documents" on the 500 GB IDE HDD.

For the RAID 0 array for OS, I am planning to purchase additional SATA 250 GB HDD to pair with the existing 250 GB SATA HDD.

However, I am facing these practical problems and will appreciate resolution / clarifications for the same.

a) If I intend to create Intel controller based RAID on the motherboard, I will need to configure the SATA as RAID in BIOS. However, if I do this, I am not sure as to what happens to the Internal SATA DVD Writer which is also connected to one of the six SATA connectors.

b) The currently connected two IDE HDD show up under JMicron controller in POST. But when I press Ctrl-J during POST, it says there are "No enough disk for RAID array" message although it shows both the IDE HDD in the disks section. I presume that this is because JMicron may not be allowing to connect two IDE using a single interface on motherboard with splitter cable to two HDD in RAID array. It might also be that JMicron may not allow IDE RAID at all. An explanation will be appreciated.

If I plan to shift my two SATA 250 GB HDD to JMicron controller to create RAID 0 array (so as not to disturb the Internal SATA DVD Writer connected to Intel SATA), I am lost as I CANNOT find any on board SATA connectors for JMicron. The only SATA connectors that I can see for JMicron are external SATA connectors to connect external eSATA HDD to the motherboard).

I will appreciate if I can be pointed in right direction or my understanding clarified to resolve the above practical problems.

Thanking in advance,

Ethu