Confused about the sata-raid

daninfamous

Member
Aug 3, 2007
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I just got a used Asus-P5WDG2-WS Mobo, it has 4 sata and 4 sata-raid connections

I booted it and install windows server no problems via one of the normal sata connectors.

Heres my question. WHS dosnt really support raid, and id rather not use a raid set up, is it possible to use the raid sata connections for single drives? Intel ICH7R is the southbridge / sata-raid controller.

Thanks
 

NotquiteanooB

Senior member
Apr 14, 2005
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I would think you could use all the Connectors as Sata. Make sure Raid is NOT selected in the BIOS. Also, if installing XP ; don't select F6 early in the install setup, when it asks about Raid drivers.
I choose to use Raid 1 in all my PC's, as I like the added security, even tho I do backups monthly.
I can't give you a definite answer. I would likely try to load the OS to a HDD that is connected to one of the assigned Sata-Raid connectors, and see if it boots. If it doesn't boot, you've only wasted about an hour at most.
 

WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
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All those connectors can either be used in a regular SATA or RAID mode. But like the above poster said, just make sure RAID is not selected in the BIOS.

You do NOT want to turn on RAID for WHS and use the native Drive Extender feature (RAID will work if you insist on using it). Chances are, you don't have RAID enabled. You would be required to load a driver or you would see a RAID selection screen before Windows loads.

When you plug in a second drive in the future, WHS will detect it and automatically add it to its own array.