upgrading z77n to h97n->will i lose my raid array?

[jurij]

Hello,
I'm a happy owner of a GA-z77n-wifi running 1 ssd for windows7 os + a raid5 array with 3 6TB disks for datas.
I'm just about to upgrade to a GA-H97N-WiFi and i'm worried to lose all my data stored in the 12GB volume of my raid5 array.
Are there any chances to lose my data?

Thanx.

Jurij

[dmdilks]

PM shadowsports he can help you with it

http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php?action=profile;u=132428

[shadowsports]

Thanks dmdilks.

Jurij, I received your PM

This should be a fairly easy swap Z77 > Z97 RAID 5.  All of the ports on the Z97 are 6Gbs. If your disks are 6Gbs, you could see a significant performance  increase since your last RAID set was built across a 3Gbs/6Gbs interface.  Won't apply if any of the disks are 3Gbs of course.  ***Usual disclaimer.  RAID is not a back up solution, and you should have a back up of your data before attempting the SWAP.  RAID 5 is basically RAID 0 with a parity drive, while generally robust, things can happen.

I personally recommend a fresh install of windows on a new MB, but you might be able to swap as the chipsets are similar.

What is your plan? We know you have W7 now 

Why this matters.  The Z77 board supports Win7-10, CSM support is available for 8-10 if you used/wanted Secure Boot.  However, it only supportS Legacy Option ROM for RAID

The Z97 board supports both Legacy (W7) and UEFI in BIOS RAID Configuration (W8-10).  Please refer to the manual (page 58).  You may want to hold off connecting the RAID set to the new system until you have the boot drive situation working.  Either by swapping or performing a fresh install.  Regardless, ensure your Controller Operate Mode is set to RAID.  If swapping, the existing RAID driver should work with the Z97 chipset.  If you are staying with windows 7, and plan to swap, ensure you have .Net v4.5 installed.  If going new 8 or 10, its already included.

Things to have on hand (if swapping):

Thumb drive with latest iRST driver F6 pre OS install (in case your are prompted)
Latest Intel Chipset .inf installer.  I'd run this now on the existing 7 install.  This will ease the shock to the OS when it boots on the new chipset the fist time.

USB and sound chips are identical. 

System booting, happy  (sticking with 7)

Shutdown

Add your RAID 5 set.  Power on (Do not enter Windows)  Press Delete to Enter BIOS, ensure the operate mode is RAID again.  F10 to save and exit.  On restart, again (do not enter windows)  press and hold CTRL+I (may use tap, pause, tap, pause method) to enter the Legacy Option ROM.  The RAID 5 should be there, same name, disk members, etc.  Do not change the name, do not create or write metadata.  Save exit and the system should come back up, detect some new hardware with the array available again.         

[jurij]

Thanx Shadowsports, you are really nice to explain these things so in depth.
I'm going to stick with Windows7 btw for now.
I've just come across the GA-Z170N-WIFI + 6700k +16GB DDR4 that compared to the GA-H97N-WiFi + 4790k +16GB DDR3 is just about 60€ more expensive (563€ vs 506€). Now since I'm about to move from a GA-Z77N-Wifi + 3770k (I've already sold cpu+motherboard+ram) I would like to do an upgrade that will last for a while, but my priority is not to lose my data on my Raid5 Array.
Do you think I will be able to have my data on the Raid5 Array recognized also by the new Z170 chipset or I might get in trouble with that?
Thanx again

[shadowsports]

Z170 is a completely different architecture.  I strongly recommend a fresh install of windows.  Please back up your data before moving the RAID set to the new platform.  The extra 60 lbs is money well spent as this will be a dramatic performance improvement for you.  Still an intel based controller, but a 50-50 chance at this point.  Back up your data 

[jurij]

I no longer have the old motherboard plus there is nowhere I could backup 10TB of data lol.
Do you think there's somewhere I could find precise informations regarding if I might recover my Raid5 array moving from z77 to z170? What does it all technically depend from to be more precise?
Fresh install of windows is something not related to my Raid5 Array since my OS is on my SSD

[shadowsports]

The truth of the matter is this.  There are no guarantees when you migrate RAID to a different controller.  You're probability of success is greatly improved if you move to the same controller, or to a similar one. Z77>Z97 (example).  The probability for success diminishes when other variables are introduced.  Like going from Z77 > Z170 because the chipsets/architecture are so different.  The more similarities and commonalities the higher your probability for success is.  All you have at this point is a controller that is made by the same manufacturer.

The documented, published procedure for migrating RAID is to back up, create new array and restore your data.  There is no shortcut if you want to ensure data integrity.  You won't get anyone to promise your migration will work unless the steps above are followed.  Sorry sir.  Will it work, maybe, probably.  Can't give you a guarantee.  Selling your old platform before backing up your data was not a wise decision.  That's a lot of data to risk.  You've backed yourself into a corner.  The only thing you can do now short of reconnecting to a Z77 controller is move forward.   I recommended from the start that you back up your data.  Not much more to say.  You are gambling with your data.  No parachute, etc.  I'm trying to be positive, but would be remiss if I said go ahead no problems. and it didn't work. This is the reality of it.  I hope you understand and can appreciate this.   

***From a technology perspective...  this...  The RAID BIOS built into the MB can/might have a minimum drivers version/requirement.  I haven't looked and don't know off the top of my head if there are major differences between the RAID drivers for Z77 and Z170.  The RAID BIOS must be able to correctly identify the partition structure and formatting on the disks.  Partition offset and partition start and end points.  If the controller and RAID BIOS interpret the same, it will likely work, if not, I can't promise successful migration.  Sorry. 

Will look forward to hearing your results. 

[jurij]

i moved to GA-Z170N-WIFI and have good news:

regarding the OS it didnt boot at first, in safe mode i was unable of installing the drivers of the new chipset because windows installer service was arrested, so i managed to boot in VGA mode and from there i could update all the drivers (chipset, lan, audio vga wifi bluetooth...)

regarding the RAID array i set RAID mode in BIOS then everything went ok, windows recognized the datas while it did the rebuilding that lasted a day or two

cool

[shadowsports]

Thanks for the follow up, glad it was successful... Don't forget...  back up your data  (LoL)