Asus Maximus Formula Raid Setup

Hello,

I just purchased 2 Samsung SSD drives and are trying to Raid 0 them. I've connected them to SATA port 1 & 2 on the motherboard but and set IDE setting to Raid in BIOS. However, when I try and boot the system it hangs after the memory check/USB controller check. Can't even get into the BIOS.

If I unplug the drives and set SATA back to IDE it boots fine and shows both drives as 1 & 2 in the IDE drive list.

Any ideas?

Thanks all,
-Ed

Welcome to Tom's Forum!

There's a little more, after you set the 'SATA' -> RAID and save, then you need to boot into the Intel RAID setup screen {Ctrl + I}. Refer to pages 5-36~5-38 for RAID 0 setup. If you have Window 7 then you shouldn't need a 'RAID Driver Disk'; see 5-43.

Manual -> http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/m [...] ormula.pdf

Beep...hold the Ctrl and press I . I . I . I ... repeatedly. Use SATA 1 & 2 ports, top/closet to the CPU, you can also verify in the BIOS in the 'Main' screen; verify Configure SATA as -> RAID is selected. I also assume the SSD have both the SATA cable and power.

Hmm...I assume SATA Configuration -> Enhanced

Just for testing to get into the RAID Configuration:
1. SATA Configuration -> Compatible ; test
2. SMART -> Disabled ; test

Okay, just 'speaking out loud' throwing ideas on the 'wall.'

First, it concerns me that the SSD aren't being 'seen' by the BIOS in RAID mode, I assume it's the same in AHCI mode. Some SSD's have jumpers on them -- what exact SSD so I can research? {I know they're Samsung -- need a model}

Also, some 'USB' Keyboards get 'funky' aka don't work in all aspects of the BIOS. Reason I still have a PS/2 Keyboard.

I know if the BIOS 'sees' nothing on the RAID ports the Ctrl + (X), RAID access will not work.

Leaving me to the SSD and if it has a 'Jumper'.

There's no reason other than: BIOS and Firmware updates. I assume no data is on the SSD.

1. Clear CMOS - use Jumper Method; generic how to do it correctly - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdHH9KrceR0

2. Failure - Update MOBO BIOS - Maximus Formula 1403 BIOS; Use ASUS EZ Flash 2:
EZ Flash 2 is a built-in App to allow the BIOS to be upgraded and USB Flash Drive is the storage for the BIOS ROM file to be stored/accessed from with BIOS EZ Flash 2. The USB Flash drive must be formatted in FAT-32.

Link -> http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.asp [...] P5B+Deluxe
Video -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQKQj_aASCQ

3. Flash SSD, you'll need a Donor PC i.e. the one you are using. IF your PC you're using to 'post' here has SATA then I'd test the SSD in AHCI mode to determine a MOBO or SSD issue. None the less, it's a good idea to use the latest Firmware.
Use Magician Software (ver.2.0) and the May 5, 2011 Firmware File (ver.AXM09B1Q)

REF:
ASUS Maximus Formula http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/I [...] /#download
MZ7PA256HMDR-010 http://www.samsung.com/us/support/ [...] 5PA256/US#