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    After switching to UEFI, BSOD every single time when I am in RAID mode for Intel RST

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by dvcphung, Feb 8, 2013.

  1. dvcphung

    dvcphung Notebook Enthusiast

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    Okay, so I have been constantly trying to fix this problem for over a week now, and I am in serious need of help. I'll give some information, perhaps that somebody can help me with this problem. First of all, these are the specs:

    COMPUTER = M14XR2
    BIOS = A10
    CPU = i7-3610QM
    RAM = 16GB
    DISK 0 = 750GB HDD
    DISK 1 = 32GB Caching SSD
    GPU = Nvidia GT650m 2GB DDR5

    I decided a couple weeks ago to re-install Windows 8 in UEFI, since it is far more superior than LEGACY. However, during the Windows setup, it told me that it was not possible to install Windows in UEFI, because my HDD/SDD were both MBR partitions. For Windows to install in UEFI, the partitions have to be formatted to GPT, so that's what I did. So after I formatted both disks to GPT (that moment I had no OS installed) with the help of a GParted Boot Disk, I then tried to install Windows 7/8, however when my SATA operation was in RAID mode, at the "clean install" during the setup where it prompts you to select the disk to install Windows, no drive showed up! As clueless as I was (since I had no OS to access the internet for help) I went into my BIOS and changed the SATA operation to AHCI, and that is when I was able to detect the drives, thus installing Windows! However, when I wanted to use Intel's Rapid Storage Technology, it required me to put the SSD back to RAID mode. When I went back into my BIOS, and changed it to RAID, I got a guaranteed BSOD every time I booted up. So I decided to format everything again, and install Windows from start whilst SATA operation was in RAID mode. After days of trial and error, and looking up information online, I downloaded the RAID Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver from Intel's site, and remember whenever I was in RAID mode, during the Windows setup I saw no drives? This time, I told setup to load up the new drivers I installed, and my drives showed up! I was so glad to be able to install Windows in RAID for the first time since I switched to UEFI! However, after installation, when I installed Intel's RST, I went back to receiving BSOD every single time I boot, and the OS is useless. Also whenever I install Windows in RAID mode, I have to have those RAID RST drivers with me ALL THE TIME, since it doesn't detect the drives. That should not occur EVERY time I try to install Windows. Also whenever I tried to "Refresh" Windows 8, I would receive this: "The drive where windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again." and whenever I tried to "Reset" Windows 8, I would see: "Unable to reset your PC. A Required partition is missing".

    Does anybody know how to fix my laptop?
     
    dvcphung, Feb 8, 2013
    #1