Vista - RAID for an Existing VISTA Install

First, I have searched A LOT and not found a good answer/solution for this issue.

I built this system and installed VISTA 64 and all my other software before I decided to build a RAID. A few weeks after start-up, I bought a couple new drives and wanted to build a RAID. No luck. I could set the BIOS up for RAID, type Ctrl+I, assign the RAID drives, but then I would get a BSOD before the Windows Boot GUI. This happened no matter what ports the RAID was in as opposed to the port positions of C: and/or my DvD drive.

Then someone told me that I had to install the Intel Storage Matrix Manager... no luck there either. When I double click IATA88ENU.exe it tries to run, but returns "Computer does not meet the minimum system requirements. Set up will exit."

Facts:

MoBo Gigabyte EP45-UD3P running BIOS F9
-- BIOS has options in Integrated Peripherals for RAID
-- Intel ICH10R
CPU Intel E8400
2 x WD Green 500GB
8 GB PC2-8500



I meet the requirements. In fact, when I run the Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility, it tells me that I have a newer version already than what is available for download from Intel.

Sooo, I start googling the problem. Turns out, I should have installed the Matrix during VISTA install... great googily moogilies.... that's stupid, seems like something that should have come plug-n-play with the almighty VISTA. Anyway, I found several work-arounds, but they didn't work. I eventually found my own work-around. I put the two new drives in the G(Sata) ports provided by Gigabyte, set the BIOS to IDE the ICH10R ports and RAID the GSATA , moved my primary drive and DvD to the ICH10R ports, and then rebooted. VIOLA!!!! I now have a RAID 1 back-up on the GSATA ports using the energy efficient Caviar Green drives and a faster smaller drive running my stuff on the ICH10R port. Without re-installing VISTA.

But that isn't satisfactory for me. I want to be able to use the ICH10R ports, its what they're for, and there are 6 of them, only two Gports. I had read somewhere that I could use Acronis to Image my C: externally, remove it, plug in my new drives, do a clean VISTA install with the Matrix, then use Acronis to restore that new, RAIDed boot drive. But I had a thought about that... if I restore, won't it restore to a condition that doesn't include the Matrix Manager?

Alternative Question: If I install the new drives, install VISTA + Matrix Manager, and set up RAID could I then power down, plug the old C: in and then Clone it to the new RAID (that would contain a working copy of the SAME VISTA)...

In Sum, I don't want to manually re-install all my software. I want to get my RAID up on the Intel ports. I have looked for a workable solution and have found none.

I am totally torqued over this... there has got to be a way to do this. Please, if there is any help to be had it surely must be here....

Seriously, no one has any suggestions for me here?

Add on Question:

If I bought a RAID card would I be able to set up my RAID without reinstalling VISTA?

I think you're going to have to re-install Vista on your RAID array, as you're using a totally different array to what you have at the moment.

You'd most likely be able to create a backup of your current files and then restore that once you have Vista re-installed.

1. I Backup my drive.
2. I install the new drives.
3. I configure BIOS to accept RAID on ICH10R
4. I start the VISTA installation.
5. I load RAID drivers (IATA88ENU)
6. I finish VISTA installation.

I now have a working VISTA installation with on a RAID on the ICH10R.

7. I Restore using the Backup Image from step one, which does not include the IATA88ENU drivers.

See my confusion. And I don't want to try it till I have a good answer for it. Which is why I asked about RAID card... if that would work then I wouldn't have to gamble the time required to go through the 7 steps listed above.

What Everlong probobly meant is that you can do a backup of your critical files, not just the whole drive image (I know, it's easier that way, but you can't have everything), and you can then easily restore them after fresh installation. The folder paths will be the same across diffrent Vista installations, but you'll have to reinstall all the software again, even if you back it up and restore them.

Ok, so no easy way to do it that way then.

What about the other part of the question? What if I bought a RAID Controller card? I wouldn't need to install the Intel Matrix Driver then, so I should be able to just install the card, install its drivers, then set up my RAID right?

Prior to buying an add-on RAID controller card you should i.e. ask your friends if they have such a card and test it yourself, 'cause I suspect that even if you install it, set up the drivers, and then create RAID array, vista during boot up can come up with a BSOD... I'm not a master of it, not using RAID arrays myself for a very looooong time... But when I buy another disk to my system I have plans to play a bit again with RAID That would probobly be somewhere around new year though...

Some RAID cards generally come with the drivers installed on the card, so when you put it in your computer and boot up, the card's ready to use and set RAID up with. I use an XFX Revo64 (not for RAID, just to add more SATA ports), and I put it in and when I boot my computer, it's the same as using the motherboard RAID stuff as it comes up displaying the RAID status, and you can set the arrays up here like normal.

I just did exactly this this week. You need to follow the instructions here :-
How to Enable Intel ICH RAID After Installing Windows Vista | The Dr's Office

with an updated reg file found here: -
Follow-Up: How to Enable Intel ICH RAID After Installing Windows Vista | The Dr's Office

This should resolve your issue - it resolved mine.

Cameron.

I have tried this. Problem is, when I run the IATA88ENU.exe, it doesn't create a iastor.sys file, there is no C:\Windows\Temp\IIF2 folder, nor is there a WinAll folder anywhere on my HDD.... I will try that again, but I don't have high hopes....