Windows 7 Windows 7 install - RAID 0 - AMDSB700 - Failed to format partition

[nny76]

I am running out of hair to pull out here.

Installing Windows 7 RC on my box (MSI K9A2VM-FD mobo)
with a raid 0 setup. Using onboard "fakeraid" AMD sb700 chipset.

I have setup the two drives in the raid manager (1 seagate 250 and 1 seagate 160) to be a part of the array. I end up with a usable 320 GB due to the size differences.

Both drives are tested and work fine.

When installing windows 7, if I use "advanced" mode, or let it try itself, it fails with the generic Failed to format partition, error code 0x80070057.

I can see the partitions with or without the amd driver.

Things I have tried from searching here and elsewhere:

I have tried it with one stick of memory

I have the "recognized" (when loading drivers in the setup screen) amd drivers for the sb700 on a thumbdrive.

I have tried deleting the 100MB recovery partition.

I am at wit's end. I only am reinstalling the OS to have a RAID0 drive. Already had a working install prior to today. :\

No amount of effort will get past this error so far.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are encountering difficulties while trying to install Windows 7 RC on a RAID 0 setup using the AMD SB700 chipset. The error you are facing, 0x80070057, usually indicates a problem during the partition creation/formatting process. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve this issue: 1. Verification of RAID Configuration: - Ensure that your RAID configuration is correctly set up in the BIOS and that both drives are recognized in the RAID manager. 2. Driver Installation: - Make sure you have the correct and up-to-date RAID drivers for the AMD SB700 chipset. During the Windows 7 installation process, when prompted to load drivers, provide the RAID drivers from your thumb drive. 3. RAID Controller Settings: - Check if there are any specific settings related to the RAID controller in the BIOS that need to be configured for Windows 7 installation. 4. Partitioning: - Try creating the RAID 0 array and partitioning the drives before starting the Windows 7 installation process. You can use tools like GParted or DiskPart for partitioning. 5. BIOS Updates: - Ensure that your motherboard BIOS is up-to-date. Sometimes, BIOS updates can address compatibility issues with RAID configurations. 6. Memory Testing: - Although you mentioned trying with one stick of memory, it might be beneficial to run a thorough memory test using tools like Memtest86 to rule out any memory-related issues. 7. Check Drive Health: - Verify the health of your hard drives using diagnostic tools provided by the manufacturer to ensure there are no underlying issues with the drives. 8. Alternative Installation Method: - If the issue persists, consider a different installation method. You can try installing Windows 7 on a single drive first and then creating the RAID array from within the operating system. Let's prioritize ensuring that the RAID drivers are correctly installed during the installation process. If you've already attempted these steps, it might be helpful to provide additional details or logs from the installation process to further diagnose the problem.