Hello everyone...
I am attempting a fresh install of Windows XP OEM. I have three disks - two WD Raptors 34gig and one Seagate 1TB SATA drive. I want to install XP onto the RAID array, but have been unable to do so.
Having done EXTENSIVE RESEARCH on this issue, I have discovered that there are many others out there having the same problems. I have performed nearly EVERY possible solution with no results. I have also checked and double checked my hardware. All drives pass every diagnostic I run. My memory passes every test thrown at it. So I feel safe in ruling out hardware issues.
Here are the steps I have been following:
1. I created a slipstream CD of Windows XP Home, using nLite and the RAID drivers from my mobo CD(mobo is an XFX 8200).
2. Before installation, I go into the BIOS and change the onboard controller from SATA to RAID mode. Reboot.
3. The Mediashield RAID BIOS appears after reboot and post. I designate the two Raptors as a RAID 0 array, accepting all default settings except block size, which I change to 32. The RAID setup appears to work properly, as the system now sees the RAID array as healthy.
4. This is where it gets a lil' funky. I use the slipstream disk to begin my XP installation. After all drivers are loaded(including the RAID drivers I added), I get a blue screen of death.
5. I then have to go back into the BIOS and change the HDC back to SATA in order to get rid of the blue screen. However, after doing this, the computer no longer sees the RAID array and I am forced to install onto just one of the disks. In this case, I installed to the 1TB HDD and continued.
The Windows install goes off without a hitch now - but I'm still left with a non-RAID setup and a pounding headache(I have spent upwards of 10 hrs on this today alone).
I have tried to add the disks after the XP install by using the computer management console. Windows recognizes the Raptors, but I cannot convert them into a dynamic volume.
I have read what feels like EVERY post on the internet regarding this. I also feel it prudent to note that I am not a beginner - I have built and serviced computers for 10+ years now but ironically, I have never run across a RAIDed XP install - lucky me. I have RAIDed Vista and 7 many times, and we all know how much easier that is.
What....if anything....can I do to get XP installed in either one of two configs:
1. XP resides on RAID array with 1TB drive as storage
2. XP resides on 1TB drive, using the RAID array for storage
PLEASE HELP!
I am attempting a fresh install of Windows XP OEM. I have three disks - two WD Raptors 34gig and one Seagate 1TB SATA drive. I want to install XP onto the RAID array, but have been unable to do so.
Having done EXTENSIVE RESEARCH on this issue, I have discovered that there are many others out there having the same problems. I have performed nearly EVERY possible solution with no results. I have also checked and double checked my hardware. All drives pass every diagnostic I run. My memory passes every test thrown at it. So I feel safe in ruling out hardware issues.
Here are the steps I have been following:
1. I created a slipstream CD of Windows XP Home, using nLite and the RAID drivers from my mobo CD(mobo is an XFX 8200).
2. Before installation, I go into the BIOS and change the onboard controller from SATA to RAID mode. Reboot.
3. The Mediashield RAID BIOS appears after reboot and post. I designate the two Raptors as a RAID 0 array, accepting all default settings except block size, which I change to 32. The RAID setup appears to work properly, as the system now sees the RAID array as healthy.
4. This is where it gets a lil' funky. I use the slipstream disk to begin my XP installation. After all drivers are loaded(including the RAID drivers I added), I get a blue screen of death.
5. I then have to go back into the BIOS and change the HDC back to SATA in order to get rid of the blue screen. However, after doing this, the computer no longer sees the RAID array and I am forced to install onto just one of the disks. In this case, I installed to the 1TB HDD and continued.
The Windows install goes off without a hitch now - but I'm still left with a non-RAID setup and a pounding headache(I have spent upwards of 10 hrs on this today alone).
I have tried to add the disks after the XP install by using the computer management console. Windows recognizes the Raptors, but I cannot convert them into a dynamic volume.
I have read what feels like EVERY post on the internet regarding this. I also feel it prudent to note that I am not a beginner - I have built and serviced computers for 10+ years now but ironically, I have never run across a RAIDed XP install - lucky me. I have RAIDed Vista and 7 many times, and we all know how much easier that is.
What....if anything....can I do to get XP installed in either one of two configs:
1. XP resides on RAID array with 1TB drive as storage
2. XP resides on 1TB drive, using the RAID array for storage
PLEASE HELP!