And the issues keep coming!!
The setup is 2 x 2tb in raid0 in the intel controller. bios defaults except intel in raid.
4tb volume created on intel raid
Install win7 x64, install chipset drivers, install EM drivers.
At this point, the boot time is about 20 secs - splash to desktop.
After installing usb3 driver, which is painfully slooowww to complete, the boot time is now blown out to 1 min 45 secs!!
Also noticed is that the boot starts normally at the 'starting windows' splash with normal hdd activity, but then the hdd goes into a slow flashing of the led at a rate of about 1 flash per second, which slowly increases in speed over the next 60 or so secs to a rate of about 15 flashes per sec at wich point normal boot activity resumes.....what the hell is that all about!
Have tried other drivers and this version 3.5.46.0 here
https://www.box.com/s/08400d343cb7e80eff67install faster and while the odd boot-up hdd activity is still there, the boot time is still trashed but much faster at about 40 secs
Tried even later drivers but they were no better than the original.
