p5k-e wifi ap + 2 SATA in RAID 0 - problems adding third sata

Hi,

Not sure where to post it, but since I want to make sure it's not a problem with the mobo, I'm posting here.

Here is my current system:

- Q6600
- 4GB DDR2 800MHz Kingston
- 2xSeagate 320GB SATA in RAID0
- Pioneer SATA DVD
- P5K-E Wifi-AP
- Running Vista 64

I want to add a third Sata disk, and use it 'outside' the Raid, with one partition to access from Vista and others to install Linux. So I bougth another Seagate 320 GB, identical to the other two.

Plugged it in on slot 0 (the other two are in slots 5 and 6, and I have a sata dvd on slot 4) and powered.
It took a long, long time on post screen, then on Intel Matrix Storage screen it shows the two RAID-members and one non-member. Seemed ok.

Entered on Vista, found the new disk, made a new partition and formated ok. All seemed ok then (except for the long, long post).

Then I realized I created the partition with 170 MB (instead of 170 GB). Removed it, created another with the correct size and bang -- Windows could not format it.

I removed the partition, restarted the computer, a new long, long post and boot it from a openSUSE live CD. Ordered it to install on HD, created the partitions on the new disk (hdc) and while formating - error.

Then I unplugged the old HDs on RAID, changed BIOS to use SATA as IDE and booted -- this time POST was really fast. Tried to install Ubuntu on HD this time - errors.

Unplugged the new HD, plugged again the old ones, set SATA to RAID on BIOS again, Vista booted fast and normal.

So, (apologizing for mine long, long post) I'm asking if (a) new HD has defect - because no OS can format it, (b) P5K-E / ICH9R has a problem adding a non-RAID disk in a system wich has/had RAID - because of the long delay on post if sata is set to raid on bios, even when raid disks are unplugged.

I checked these posts for problems that seemed related to mine:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] raid-issue

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?p=5746888

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum-32-204.html

I double checked the manuals (for mobo and Intel Matrix Storage) too.

Tonight I'm running Seagate tools to check disk for error, but has anyone seen anything like that or has any tips before sending HD back and waiting weeks to get a new one (and maybe face similar problems again)...