Happy Holidays everyone.I have an ASUS A8N32-SLI deluxe mainboard.This is my first time to set up a RAID0 array, so despite lots of reading maybe I am missing something.I set up RAID in BIOS, selecting the SATA drives to be in the array, in "IDE Configuration" as I recall on the main menu of BIOS. I also set up the array to be a boot option in that BIOS menu too (It replaces the HDD option that was there before automatically).I then press F10 and build the array, selecting both HD's (both are exactly the same, WD 300GB). I then enter stripe size for the RAID0 array. However before pressing CTRL-X to exit this screen, I note that under "Boot" I see "N/A", and the option of pressing "B" to make this a bootable array is grayed out.I then start loading WinXP, and press F6 at the correct time, and later load the drivers from my floppy that I have pre-made before.WinXP the tells me that it can't see and hard drives, and aborts the OS install.I went around and around, deleting the array and starting over, but still no joy. Does anyone have an idea of where I am going wrong?I have since loaded XP onto a 100GB partition (C:) on one of the drives (non-RAID), just to prove to myself that the drives are working- or at least one of them is, although I got the "Healthy" comment on the array on boot-up. I would like to get the RAID0 going. If I do manage to do this, given that one 300GB drive is now partitioned with a 100GB NTFS partition, will this cause any issues when I go to create the RAID? Or is all partitioning erased on creation of the array?.Thanks- Bruce.

Hey Bruce...Merry Christmas!!I ran into the same issue also...I resolved it by integrating my Raid drivers into my WindowsXP instillation disk using nlite...Referance the following link:http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=51140It may be a little confusing at first...You may want to read through it a couple of times...Have patience.. ;) I think you'll like using nlite...It's a very Kewl Tool...Your about to enter a Whole New XP World Here...The more you explore..The more you'll enjoy...Have Fun!!Related Links:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NLitehttp://www.nliteos.com/http://www.nliteos.com/guide/http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=89http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htmMerry Christmas...

That raid array has to be enabled as bootable by pressing B in the raid setup menu first. You might also need to set an option in your bios in the boot section and change it from sata or ide to RAID. I had to do that on my board to enable the raid controller.

Awesome Chuck, just reading this... sounds like a solution alright.I wonder why installing RAID is so difficult in XP- maybe Vista will be different....?Bruce.

Thanks AstroDave,I am finding that the "B" option in RAID setup is not available (grayed out), and does nothing. Maybe there's an answer in the boot section of BIOS that I haven't seen yet.Thanks, Bruce.

It's a problem with our particular mb's bios... (note: I have a Rig with a A8N32-SLI Deluxe mb also)...As Astrodave mentioned..It *Should* be as easy as setting the array to "Bootable" via a check mark in a box...However...As you have noticed the approporiate box is greyed out...I went through this a few months back...Now...There was another possiable solution that crossed my mind at that time...I never tried it...I opted to follow the nlite procedure as I'm pretty familiar with nlite and have used it for a while prior to this issue....I'll put it on the table so you can consider it:I *Think* if you'll flash the bios from the ver 13.03 *back* to the ver 12.05...You'll be able to use the "Set Array to Bootable" option...For some reason...the Bios rev 13.03 lost that capability...If I remember correctly(98% sure) I was able to use the "Set Bootable Array" checkbox with rev 12.05 bios prior to the release of the rev 13.05 bios...Like I mentioned...I personally elected to do the nlite procedure as I was already use to it...I think you'll enjoy exploring nlite if you elect to go that route...The Bios flash may be an easier resolution though?? Some thoughts on the nlite procedure:By reading through that link above..You will have noticed the issues some folks have had with WindowsXP and non-certified WHQL certified Raid Drivers the author mentions...I've been running Raid Array's on about the whole line of A8N series mb's without the first BSOD or corruption issue...I'd never had a Raid Installation issue until flashing the A8N32's bois to the rev 13.05...However...After reading the problems others have expierenced...I've decided to use the integrated driver via nlite technique from now on...Although I have not had any problems to date...I personally think it's a superior method...Especially for a nForce chipset mb...I also take the opportunity to update my WindowsXP with the latest service packs via RyanVM's website...Then I'm as secure as I can be on a clean install of XP...I don't have to spend the first hour or so vulneurable online waiting on Window's Update to patch my OS...Here is another link I should have posted along with the "Related Links" above:http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/Just some Food for Thought...Have Fun...

Thanks again!This is some excellent information. When I get a moment I will try this nlite method. I posted on several forums concurrently (including the ASUS one), but your posts are by far the most informative. Then again many people are busy doing other things today too :)Thanks, Bruce.

I went and visited your Asus thread...Seems like your still having some issues?? or is it up and running??I was getting confused by that thread..It shouldn't be that difficult.. :+ Ck Pm's also if youi like...I'll walk youi through it...Have Fun...

Hi Chuck,Thanks for your followup. I haven't had a chance to retry it since yesterday when I last made an attempt, about the same time as you replied here at AVSIM. Various people have diferent solutions, so I'm sure that it looks somewhat confusing over there. :) It may be this coming weekend before I get another chance at it.... I was at work today through much of the back and forth posting today.....Thanks again, Bruce.

I've been doing some reserch also...(For my own knowledge)...I'll be re-doing my Raid Array in the near future on my A8N32-SLI Rig also...So it was good for me to read through that stuff as well...I think I see/and agree with what allot of those guys are saying...I think you've got some good info thusfar...I don't think you need to mess with nLite or flash the bois back to 12.05...It appears the "Grayed Out Boot Option" is a new thing...Apparently the Raid Manuel hasn't been updated to reflect this change...The Raid Manuel supplied with the A8N32-SLI's mb CD still reflects the "Old Method" of setting the Raid array "Bootable" in the Raid Controller...It appears you just set your Raid Array with higher priority than any other HD's in the bios Boot Order...Kewl...Here's my Game Plan the next go Round:1) I'll be useing the Raid nVidia controller...(Don't like the Silicone Imgage Controller)...2) Remove all HD's except the Drives you are setting up as your bootable Raid0 Drives...3) Follow the instructions in section 5.4.2 of the Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe manuel...4) When you install the OS and you get to the F6 thingy...You will need to install *Both* of the SATA Raid drivers...(ie: You'll be pressing "S" twice)...Then after the second Raid driver is installed you'll press enter to continue the XP installation...5) Once the OS is installed ect...Re-install any other HD's you have...Making sure they are a lower priority than the Raid Array in the Boot Order...This is basically my Normal Raid0 set-up procedure...With the addition of double checking the "Boot Priority" in the bios...That I learned...I guess I've always been able to "Set the Bootable Array" in the past so I don't remember ever paying attention to that detail??If that doesn't work...I'll do my nLite thing...But from what I've read it should work just fine... :(Have Fun...

Hi Chuck,Thanks again, you've been a big help with all this :) I hope to be able to test your planned routine this coming weekend, if I can keep out of visiting family members' way......Just out of curiosity- when you read the ASUS forum posts- there was a reference from "billb" to somehow re-boot the system after the F10 stage- at least that's what I got from his post, but my reply to him no doubt showed that I was quite confused- and if that is correct, then that's a huge departure from the ASUS manual procedure (unless I missed something).Thanks again,Bruce.PS. Also thanks for the PM. BK.

After having a RAID0 for a while, I think in my next build I am going to ditch the RAID thing. It may be Ok in a server environment, where your Os is stable, but when you are doing hardware and OS configuration changes, RAID seems like just something else to go wrong. It may be better in Vista RTM, but in the betas and RC versions, there was a lot of trouble with the nvraid controller and vista installer. I had to do a dual boot from XP so that I could run the vista installer from within XP, I couldn't get it to run from the DVD. Actually, what I would really like to do is rebuild my Xp system and then run vista in a VM instead of installing it.scott s..