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Rev

I don't think this is entirely correct. An easily visible difference is switching from AHCI to RAID loads the Intel RST Option ROM - which is entirely contained in firmware and has nothing to do with the operating system (if any). Also, while it's been a while since I did such an install, I'm fairly sure creating a RAID array via this option exposes the volume correctly to the OS installer, before any special drivers are available.
– Bob
Commented Aug 17, 2020 at 15:02
The Intel RST Option ROM is a software component, or in other words, just another driver (though not a windows driver, agreed). Also, I have yet to see a single-disk-slot laptop with the Intel RST option ROM enabled (and this is the platform this question is about). So overall, I think my answer is still correct.
– Remember Monica
Commented Aug 18, 2020 at 0:20
Agreed that it's software/firmware, and not specialised hardware, that handles Intel RAID. But the significance is that the option in firmware config does more than just swap a couple PCI IDs around; it also enables other pre-boot functionality beyond just allowing a Windows driver to work. It's something that you need a firmware toggle for and can't achieve by simply changing how operating system functions (well, you could skip the pre-boot parts entirely, but at that point you're using pure OS-level software RAID e.g. mdadm or dynamic disks).
– Bob
Commented Aug 18, 2020 at 0:41
Changing PCI IDs is all that is needed to influence option ROM behaviour (PCI option ROMs, just like other software drivers, react to PCI IDs. The option ROM might be invisible or visible depending on the mode, too, but it is still just a driver reacting to the PCI ID), and furthermore, laptops as described in the question don't have such an option ROM, as I already pointed out. What you describe is a made-up theory that conflicts with the evidence.
– Remember Monica
Commented Aug 18, 2020 at 2:37

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