I've used Fedora in every iteration since core 4 on multiple systems. I'm currently trying (unsuccessfully) to install Fedora 7 on a system with an existing nvidia (mobo) RAID5 SATA array. The system has Windows installed on one partition and has a substantial quantity of unused space reserved for a linux install. I must not touch the existing install of Windows, which hasn't been a problem on any of the dual boot systems I've configured in the past.

The install process asks if I'd like to erase the contents of sda-sdd (to which I answered NO as I must keep the existing windows partition intact) and displays an error "error opening /dev/mapper/nvidia_feafccfd: no such device or address"... Installation finds no drives on which to install and thus cannot continue.

I can think of three possible solutions, but am not sure of how viable each is:

1) I'm assuming that Fedora 7 doesn't support nvidia RAID arrays, but maybe it's just RAID5 that's problematic. I believe the nvidia software will let me convert the array (e.g. from 5 to 0) under windows if Fedora does indeed support other nvidia RAID options. Does anyone know if Fedora 7 supports any nvidia RAID configuration on SATA disks?

2) I'm also aware that I could disable the onboard nvidia RAID and use a dedicated controller; however I don't know whether or not this will disrupt the existing Windows install (and suspect that it will). I've never installed a controller in a system with an existing OS; so I don't know how viable this is... Any input would be appreciated.

3) Perhaps I could install an additional SATA drive (sde) and install Fedora 7 on it. It might then be possible to access the data stored on the nvidia RAID5 array. I've never used Fedora on a system with an nvidia RAID, so I have no idea how to go about doing this or if the option is viable. Again, any input would be appreciated.

I'm willing to try a different distribution if it supports nvidia RAID5 arrays and am also willing to spend money to solve this, but the best solution would be one that allows Fedora 7 and Windows to exist on the same RAID5 array without disrupting the existing install of Windows and without necessitating the purchase of additional hardware.

Does anyone have any suggestions/insights?