How to Download and Install RAID Drivers (AMD & Intel)

Setting up and optimizing RAID configurations requires precise driver installations to ensure proper functionality. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of downloading and installing RAID drivers for both AMD and Intel systems. By following these steps, you’ll be able to seamlessly enhance your system’s performance and storage capabilities.

Identifying the Right RAID Drivers

Before diving into the installation process, it’s crucial to identify the correct RAID drivers that match your system’s specifications. Keep the following points in mind:

• RAID drivers are tailored to specific CPUs. You can find the relevant .inf files on the official support pages of both Intel and AMD.
• When selecting drivers, ensure they are compatible with your chipset, processor generation and operating system. Using drivers meant for different chipsets can lead to compatibility issues.
• Confirm that the drivers you’re downloading support the RAID level you’ve configured.
• Manufacturers often package drivers for different RAID types(SATA or NVMe) into a single package, making them applicable to both.

Downloading and Installing RAID Drivers for AMD Motherboards

For AMD systems, specifically those using the RAIDXpert2 technology, the process involves manual installation of drivers. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth installation:

Download the Appropriate Drivers:

• Visit the official AMD Drivers and Support webpage.
• Select “Chipsets” under “Select your product from the list”.
• Choose the socket, chipset and processor generation relevant to your system.
• Look for “AMD RAID Driver(SATA, NVMe RAID)” under the list of drivers.
• Download the driver and unzip it to a designated folder.

Copy Drivers to USB Drive:

• Depending on your RAID set(NVMe or SATA), select the appropriate folder: NVMe_CC, NVMe_DID, or RAID_SATA.
• Transfer the selected folder to a USB flash drive.

Load Drivers During Windows Installation:

• Insert the bootable USB drive into your system.
• During Windows installation, click on “Load driver” in the “Where do you want to install Windows?” section.
• Browse and select the folder containing the RAID drivers.
• Load the necessary files in succession: rcbottom, rccfg and rcraid.
• If needed, repeat the process until your RAID disk appears in the installation window.
• Consider unchecking “Hide drivers that aren’t compatible with this computer’s hardware” if no drivers are listed.

Installing RAID Drivers on Intel Motherboards

Installing RAID drivers on Intel systems, configured using the Intel Rapid Storage Technology, follows a similar process with some variations:

Download the Appropriate Drivers:

Visit the official Support for Intel Rapid Storage Technology(Intel RST) page.

Select “Drivers & Software” and click on “View Details” under “User Interface and Driver”.

Ensure compatibility with your configured RAID level, OS and processor generation.

Download the “SetupRST.exe” file.

Copy Drivers to USB Drive:

If you haven’t started the Windows installation process, download the drivers and copy them to a USB drive.

If Windows installation is underway, follow provided PowerShell commands to extract the drivers and copy them to the flash drive.

Load Drivers During Windows Installation:

Insert the USB drive during Windows installation.

Click “Load driver” in the drive selection window.

Browse and select the folder containing the drivers.

Load drivers sequentially, such as iaStorAC.inf, iaStorSW.inf and iaStorExt.inf.

Uncheck “Hide drivers that aren’t compatible with this computer’s hardware” if needed.

Proceed with Windows installation.

Troubleshooting RAID Driver Installations

If you encounter issues during installation or updates, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

Verify the compatibility of downloaded drivers with your chipset, processor and RAID level.

Check that your BIOS settings have RAID configuration enabled and CSM disabled.

If you have a motherboard’s DVD, copy dedicated drivers to a USB drive.

For non-OS RAID configurations, update drivers via Device Manager under Storage Controllers or Disk Drives.

Disable RAID mode for NVMe if you encounter the INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE BSOD error.

By following this guide, you’ll successfully download and install RAID drivers for both AMD and Intel systems, ensuring your RAID configurations operate smoothly and efficiently.

Further Insights and Considerations

In addition to the step-by-step instructions provided above, there are further insights and considerations to keep in mind when working with RAID drivers.

RAID Controller Drivers vs. Software RAID Drivers:

• Differentiate between hardware RAID controller drivers and software RAID drivers. Hardware RAID controllers often have their dedicated drivers, while software RAID configurations use OS-based drivers.

Keep Drivers Updated:

• Manufacturers release driver updates to improve compatibility and performance. Periodically check for updates on the respective support pages to ensure your RAID setup remains optimized.

RAID Backup and Recovery:

• Before any major driver or configuration changes, ensure you have a backup of your RAID setup. This precaution helps you restore data in case of unexpected issues during the driver installation process.

Compatibility Testing:

• If possible, test driver installations on a non-production system to ensure everything works as expected before applying changes to your main system.

RAID Array Monitoring Tools:

• Many motherboard manufacturers offer RAID management tools that allow you to monitor the health and performance of your RAID arrays. Familiarize yourself with these tools to ensure proactive management.

Conclusion

In conclusion, downloading and installing RAID drivers is a crucial step to maximize the efficiency and stability of your RAID configuration. By understanding the nuances of different RAID types and following manufacturer-specific guidelines, you can confidently enhance your system’s storage capabilities. Remember that proper driver management and periodic updates contribute to the longevity of your RAID setup.

Experiencing difficulties with your Device, check out our “How To” page on how to resolve some of these issues.