I currently have a SATA Raid config on my computer (two Maxtor 160G HD's) known a C: drive. I am installing a full version of Vista Premium which keeps stumbling on the Raid Controller Driver and wont complete the installation. I am trying to do a clean install of Vista. I have decided that I want to format both drives and run them as two separate drives. I have tried to no end to get a raid controller driver but no luck on the install. Tried booting from DOS 6.22 but didn't work (to format the drives) So, How do I delete the raid setup and clean both drives for a fresh install of Vista. Any help would be appreciated.
Want to delete a SATA Raid Config
- Thread starter troikken
- Start date
jevery
Active Member
Not sure if yours is similar to mine, but if I was to delete my RAID, I’d first have to “Dismount” the volume that is C: by hitting ctrl+I during boot up to enter the RAID manager. After dismounting the volume I’d have to change the SATA setting in the BIOS from RAID to ATA. At that point I’d expect to see separate drives rather than a single RAID volume. 
What do you mean by dismount. I hit control+alt+S to enter the raid settings. The only option from memory is create or delete a raid config. Also does windows XP install onto only one drive or both in a raid config? If I retaurn to an ATA config will windows XP still boot up?
Geoff
VIP Member
You're living in the 90's, haha. If you remove the RAID configuration and change the setting in the BIOS, then yes when you boot up with the Vista DVD it will let you format and partition the hard drives. No need to use a DOS boot disk.
ok.....got rid of the raid config....although it still gives an option to enter the raid config from bootup for about 5 secs. Vista is installed....problem...I now only see one hard drive even though the bios shows both Maxtor HD's on SATA1 and SATA2 (not SATA Raid though) Vista wont recognise the other hard drive. I also have a couple of other things like, webcam, soundblaster card that vista wont install. Any ideas?
Geoff
VIP Member
Just to double check, in the BIOS you changed it from SATA RAID mode to ATA/IDE or AHCI right?
When in Vista, go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Disk Management. See if the second drive is listed, chances are it's there just not formatted so Windows doesn't see it as an active drive. If it's there, you can format it there.
For your other issues, you will need to go to the manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers and applications for your webcam, sound card, etc., Vista doesn't install them all automatically.
When in Vista, go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Disk Management. See if the second drive is listed, chances are it's there just not formatted so Windows doesn't see it as an active drive. If it's there, you can format it there.
For your other issues, you will need to go to the manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers and applications for your webcam, sound card, etc., Vista doesn't install them all automatically.