Crosshair V + Raid 0 + Win 7 = Stuff of Nightmares

[IvanLV]

I was unable to do that last step when formating my USB (up one post). I thought I'd try anyway. The drive is formatted and seems to be working fine.

To transfer over win7 from my dvd I simply copied the files over to the usb (is that wrong? win website says to DL win7 as an ISO file).

After changing bios to boot from usb I did get win7 to load for install. I loaded drivers from x64 file (previously saved most updated drivers from asus). Win saw my raid. I set up partition and installed....

Win7 hanging up (if that's the term = stopping) at 13%. It won't load any further with my USB.

I thought maybe I should also provide the x106 and raid controller driver (included in mobo and online) so i put those in the same x64 file.

Win7 now hanging up at 7% and won't finish install.

Did I miss a step? I simply copied the files and put them all in one folder (x64) with the ACHI drivers. Should I not have done that? Should I be 'unpacking' anything?

I did have my BRD optical drive plugged in. I guess I'll try again with the minimal devices plugged in.

[IvanLV]

Tried again, this time unplugging my optical drive, got to 87%!!! and it didn't go any further than that.

Tried again, no changes, got to 13% and gave error code 0x80070037

Thought maybe my razor keyboard and mouse were giving it trouble.

Swapped out to much older microsoft and keyboard, tried again, error 0x80070015


I cried myself to sleep last week banging my head against a wall trying to install. Gonna stop here and wait for a few responses. I'm still unsure if I should 'unpack' any of the files you guys listed in previous posts, or exactly which drivers I should be loading (ACHI, Raid controller, x106...)

/quote "where "xxxxx" is the subdir of your need (chipset), copy folder on USB device or any other media.....
on windows install hit "F6" to set Raid driver and point to choosen media.....
"ahcix64.sys" (win7 64bit)
Win7 install Process should run fine......"
/quote

I copied all three 'xxxxxx' folders and pasted into my x64 driver folder. Should I have only copied one? How do I find out what my chipset is?

My mobo is a Crosshair V

[Mummy]

Though I do not know much of setting up RAID, from what I have read in the Forums and elsewhere you should follow some steps like these. If I have missed anything, i'm sure someone will correct me.

1. Secure erase your SSD's - make sure the 100MB partition is wiped too.
2. Go into BIOS and double check your SATA Ports are set to RAID.
3. Run Win7 install from either your DVD or USB drive. There is a tool on Microsoft's site that puts all the files from your DVD onto a USB stick. An 8Gb one should be big enough.
4. Watch the screen as it copies the basic files, you need to make sure you hit the right key to install your RAID drivers(F6, F5 I am not sure...I do not pay attention at this part as I don't use RAID). Make sure you have the latest RAID drivers from your SSD manufacturer.
5. Install RAID Drivers and set up RAID 0
6. Install Win7


Though can I ask for a list of the hardware you are using, that will make things a little easier to help troubleshoot

1. If you do real secure eraser its all in zeros there for there is no need to look for anyfiles they are cone.
3. That tool is for makeing ISO file to USB or DVD -bootable device! It wount work other way(DVD to ISO).
4. That step works in Windows XP. After Vista we have button to press, when we try to select drivers. So no need to look screen hole time.
5. You need to set up RAID0 array, after step 2 and before step3.

@IvanLV;
1. shut down your pc.
2. take power cable out.
3. ground your self.
4. take one memory stick out of your pc. (left one in fartest away from CPU on "red slot")
4b. take out all other HDD's and SSD's you may have on your system. So you only have those where you install your W7.
5. go to BIOS and make sure your memory is runing on safe settings or atleast as they are told to run on selling box.
6. secure eraser your SSD's
7. go to BIOS make your sata to RAID
8. make your RAID 0 array ,there is no mutter where your drivers are in those 6 port!!! (after you have setup that array, you can change those drivers ports and your RAID should pick them up with out problem).
9. make your DVD bootable in BIOS, insert your w7 installation DVD, save settings and boot up.
10. when you get on window where it asks where to install w7. take out your w7 dvd and insert your MB cd/dvd.
11. press the upload driver button and find the correct RAID driver folder. (it only looks on folder you chose!)
12. after it loads up driver and it see your RAIDed SSD's take out your MB DVD and put back your w7 install dvd after it has loaded some time press continue(Do not format!).