Setting up RAID 0 after Windows

[Polite Master]

Hello LTT Members,

I installed 2 SSDs with my initial build and am looking to put them in RAID 0. I've waited for TRIM to mature so it passes through the array. First, I want to confirm that TRIM works on a RAID 0 (my system specs are below). If so, I am looking for help with the setup. Is it best or even necessary to reinstall Windows? Do the SSDs need a format--whether it be quick format or overwriting (hopefully NOT overwriting)? I hear that you guys are very friendly, so I look forward to your support.

With regards,

Polite Master

Z77 Motherboard

Intel i7-3770K Processor

2x SSDs (one contains OS+programs, the other programs)

1x HDD ("data" drive)

AHCI mode set in BIOS

Windows 7 Home Premium

AnandTech saying TRIM and RAID 0 are compatible:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6161/intel-brings-trim-to-raid0-ssd-arrays-on-7series-motherboards-we-test-it

[Cillit_Bang]

You will loose all you data on the ssd when you set up the raid. -> so backup your data -> you have to reinstall windows (unless you use a migration tool which can fail due to driver issues (when you go from ahci to raid mode in the BIOS) - the all famous 0x0000007B - bluescreen on startup (or it does restart instantly after loading the bootloader))

After the reinstall you can use CrystalDiskInfo to look up the active functions (and check the smart status of your harddrives as well)

http://crystalmark.info/?lang=en

it will look something like this (as you can see in my case TRIM is active):

Im using the CrystalDiskInfo 5 Shizuku Edition but theres also a normal version available.

[Polite Master]

Hi Cillit_Bang,

Thanks for the info and the screenshot (I had this version of CrystalDisk at some point LOL)!

At any rate, I learned when I go into the BIOS and set up my array (I assume after setting the controller to RAID mode), it'll work like you said. Is that correct? Is there anything else I need to do to prep the drives--other than data backup?

To further comment, I do subscribe to the idea of doing a fresh install, as you warned me about. Also, here is a thread I made on EggXpert that should be read if following this thread (see products's post): http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/887180.aspx

Thanks again, friend,

Polite Master

[Cillit_Bang]

you can install windows on the fresh created raid array without worring about the drivers.

Its only if you are using some kind of migration tool (like acronis)

where you copy your existing OS in a file and restore it on the new configuration.

-> windows will load the same storage driver as usual.

But if your mainboard does require a different driver in RAID-mode than in AHCI-mode

you will see that windows still wants to load the old driver and fails to start with the above mentioned 0x0000007B error

Well you can try to set your bios to raid mode - that alone won't delete your data

If your system boots -> thats good -> you can use a migrationtool (on a bootable CD) to create an image of you system and restore it after you set up the raid.

If it won't start -> reinstall (well there are some enterprise-grade tools that can help here but A expensive and B much more complicated)

To setup the raid you have to enable it first and after the reboot you will see an extra dialog at startup (which you can enter by usually using ctrl + i )

In there you can create a raid volume and it will tell you that with that step you will loose all your data on your ssd.

After you finished you can reboot and reinstall (or if you tested your OS in raid mode and it worked and you created an image, you can restore your system from the image)

Oh and depending on the kind of raid-controller used CrystalDiskInfo detects the ssd's alone even if they are in raid configuration

(i had a RAID 5 with 3 HDDs and CDI could give me the smart-values of every single drive)

oh and one thing on the end:

In RAID 0 -> if only one of those drives fails you will loose ALL your data with no chance of recovering it.