Windows refuses to detect raid array

[Juice Box]

Im just wondering, when you build a new comp that has a raid controller on the mobo, and you array 2 hard drives, or simply use the raid controller, Windows XP setup will never recognize the hard drives as being plugged in. And most mobos dont come with the floppy disc to install the RAID controller that windows XP asks for durring installation. I was wondering if Im missing something or if this is a normal problem?

 

[boomerang]

First, make sure the RAID chip is enabled in the BIOS. You should see a separate BIOS for the array at boot-up where you can actually set up the array. If you don't see this, the XP install won't either.

Yes, your motherboard may not have come with a floppy, but the drivers should be on the CD that came with the board. You will have to copy them to a floppy and install them when prompted. Some motherboard makers bury these drivers so deep in folders that it can be difficult to figure out the correct files to copy. Make sure they are for your OS (XP) and if you don't see a file with the .oem file extension you most likely have the wrong ones. Sorry if this is confusing, but I don't make motherboards.

Also, many newer boards have provisions for two separate arrays. Running off of two different chips. You need to make sure you are installing the drivers for the chip that the array is actually on.

Hope this helps.

 

[alembic5]

This is a pretty normal thing. For some reason, mobo manufacturers do not include floppies. You can either download the drivers from the manufacturer's site or extract the drivers from the included CD. Either way, you will need another computer that works to make it. Just make sure you hit F6 in the very beginning of XP setup to specify new drivers!

 

[Juice Box]

Ok, next tiem i need to do this, Ill just make a floppy then, thanks! and yes, RAID is enables in BIOS and an array has been made, it was just that XP didnt detect the RAID but NOW it WORKS, thanks lol

 

[Fuchs]

If it is onboard raid, and you have loaded the drivers from your vendor, the drives should show up in the Drive Management. You should be able to selct the drive you want, go to properties. On the voume(s) tab you should be able to choose what youwant to do with it. Create an array etc. When creating an array you should then also have the option to choose additional drives.

This should work without a disk.

EDIT: Ok, its not volumes tabv, but I just did this on my machine. You can do it all in the Disc Management area.

 

[Juice Box]

Thats what i did, I set up an array and the RAID stuff was onboard, but when i went to setup windows, it said that no disk drives were present, meaning it could not detect it i guess.

 

[boomerang]

He's talking about setting up an array within WIndows. You would use this for storage, not your OS.

 

[Juice Box]

ohhh, ok, i got it now... thanks

 

[Fuchs]

Originally posted by: boomerang
He's talking about setting up an array within WIndows. You would use this for storage, not your OS.

correct. my bad

 

[Juice Box]

yeah!