New storage HDD, few questions on bios configuration and main HDD.

[Pikarya]

I recently purchased a new 500GB SATA WD HDD. So I hooked it up to SATA Port 1, (My Main HDD is installed on SATA Port 0, DVD-RW is installed via SATA Port 2).

I go into bios on this PC. Turn on all three ports just to make sure, then set up boot priority as "Main HDD ---> Storage HDD ---> DVD-RW Drive".

Now theres an option called "Raid/ATA" and "Raid SATA". By default, this PC came default from the factory with the "Raid SATA" on. Even when there was only one HDD. Don't know why really to be honest

When I boot the Raid BIOS utility always asks if I want to turn these drives raidable, which I dont since one is 150gb and the other is 500gb. Which is kinda pointless right? Plus it just wastes bootup time by having the Raid SATA thing on since it always checks for it in the BIOS utility.

If I try to turn it to "Auto", this is what happens.



Anyways, second question also when I look at my main WD 150GB Raptor in Computer Management, it shows three partitions for my main HDD. I was wondering, what are these and why do they take up so much space? I'm thinking of formatting today and just going to make one partition on this HDD for the OS. Is there something I'm missing here?


Thanks in advance, sorry for all the pics but I'm trying to make sure I'm doing everything right before I screw up.

[Hellfury]

someone is going to come in and correct me on this most likely, but did you try turning the RAID part completely off?

[Pikarya]

I don't think I can turn off RAID in my bios. Those are the only two options I have. And it seems like this Intel Matrix Storage ROM thing is actually integrated into my motherboard? I'm completely confused to be honest lol.

[levish]

raid on just lets the intel matrix controller handle it i believe (which is fine other than the extra boot delay) the 3gb partition is likely for diagnostics or restore.

[Pikarya]

After alot of work >.> (don't ask) I wiped the main drive and now have it setup this way.



I still encounter the Intel Matrix Controller at boot (which sucks since it slows down boot considerably and I don't think it can be turned off in any other way.) But other than that all looks good now.