Many thanks for your recent posting. That was very helpful.
I had been under the impression that Intel "Rapid Storage Technology" was merely a name change from "Intel Matrix Storage Technology" which tool effect from version 9.5 and that Intel RST remained compatible with ICH7R controllers - the following Intel link seems to indicate this is the case Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) — Supported chipsets and controller hubs
Is the information in this link wrong - or have I misinterpreted in it in some way?
At present, the XP Pro 32 bit partition has the iastor.sys driver and is on version 11.2.0.1006 and the Win 7 Pro 64 bit partition has the iastorv.sys driver and is on version 8.6.2.1014 - which I gather will be the default Windows driver installed when I installed Win 7.
From what you say, the latest driver that I could use would be Intel MST 8.9.0.1023 and it sounds as if I ought to try re-installing that driver to replace the current driver on the XP partition (if it will accept an older driver as a replacement); and, then, install the same driver on the Win 7 partition, which should then also have the additional benefit of installing the Windows user interface for the RAID system on the Win 7 partition to match that on the XP partition.
That way, both OS have the same driver and all the drivers support both the relevant operating system and the ICH7R chipset.
I would be interested in any comments.