Setting Up the PERC with the DISKPART Tool for Windows Install

This type of RAID array requires a partition using a GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) Partition Table (GPT) to work properly for Windows in UEFI BIOS mode. Windows Setup, however, does not support making a GPT partition in the standard setup dialogue. Diskpart from the Command Prompt must be used to create a GPT partition to allow setup to see the RAID partition and continue setup.

Figure 1

1. Start the install, and load the PERC H310 drivers via the OS “Load Diver” function. After the driver is loaded the RAID volume will appear in the install to device list (Figure 1).
2. Press Shift+F10 to bring up a Command Prompt window.
3. Type DISKPART and press Enter to enter the DISKPART tool. Enter the commands in the following steps as shown in bold and press enter.
4. DETAIL DISK – This shows a list of volumes seen by the system. Make note of the Volume number for the RAID array.
5. SELECT DISK=X – X will be the Volume number of the RAID shown in the detail disk report.
6. CLEAN – Clears the partition information.
7. CONVERT GPT – Sets the partition to GPT.
8. EXIT – Exits DISKPART.
9. Exit the Command Prompt window.
10. The full RAID volume should show in the device list.
11. Complete the remainder of the installation process normally. The RAID volume should show as “Windows Boot Manager” in UEFI.

If this was completed correctly, the system should boot normally in UEFI BIOS mode, and allow Windows to install.