Windows won’t start after changing SATA controller mode to RAID in BIOS (Intel X79 GA-X79-UD3)

biosraidwindows 7

This seems like a question asked a dozen times, so I've already read and tried many solutions. None of them have worked until now.

I installed a fresh Windows 7 x64 on my new computer, on a Gigabyte GA-X79-UD3 with the Intel X79 SATA controller on AHCI mode. I had 3 HDDs there: one for the system (1.5TB) and two old HDDs (500GB) that I want to put in RAID1 for backup (moving all my personal folders on it).

When I change the Intel SATA controller to RAID mode in the BIOS, two things happen:

  • First, I can't enter the BIOS menu after reboot (the keyboard becomes unresponsive, I've read an article (http://www.technomicon.com/ProductReviews/ProductReview-3-1-12Pt1.html) saying that it could be related to the fact that my keyboard is connected through USB and not PS2. So the only way to revert is to clear the CMOS.

  • Second, Windows won't start. No BSOD or anything, just plain black screen and nothing. I haven't waited for hours but I assume it should show me BSOD or at least frozen Windows startup screen. I read that I should enable RAID driver in Windows (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976) since the system was installed using AHCI mode, but that didn't changed a thing. The only thing left is that I have an optical drive connected to the controller, and I read that sometime it can misbehave on RAID mode (due to AHCI incompatibilities when in RAID mode, but it worked fine during the Windows installation being in that mode).

Does anyone have any idea about what I could have overlooked? Thank you!

Best Answer

How to enable RAID AFTER having installed Win OS (This works in Win 7 and 8)

  1. Use run command (Winkey+r) and type "msconfig", hit enter.
  2. Under the second tab "Boot", check "Safe boot" under boot options, use "Minimal" sub-option.
  3. Click OK and reboot.
  4. At reboot enter bios and change controller to RAID, save bios and reboot.
  5. Windows will now boot up in "Safe mode" and automatically install RAID drivers.
  6. While you are still in "Safe mode" reverse the option to boot into "Safe mode".
  7. Use run command (Winkey+r) and type "msconfig", hit enter.
  8. Under the second tab "Boot", uncheck "Safe boot" under boot options.
  9. Click OK and reboot.

Windows will now load as normal with RAID enabled

I hope this is helpful :-)

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