Why the XPS Gen3/4/5 and Dimension 8400 RAID BIOS will not open using CNTL+I at boot.

Problem:
While trying to configure RAID in an Dell Dimension XPS Gen 3/4/5 or 8400 system, the RAID BIOS cannot be accessed with the Keystroke CNTL+I and the RAID BIOS status page is not displayed during the boot process.

Discussion:
This issue occurs when the system BIOS SATA OPERATION option is configured to the RAID Auto/AHCI is selected (Default) and no RAID metadata exists on the hard drives that will be selected to create the RAID array. This can occur if the hard drives are replaced along with the motherboard or if the RAID Array is BROKEN, then an attempt to re-create the array is performed. In the RAID Auto/AHCI mode, the RAID BIOS is only accessible if there is RAID Metadata existing on the hard drives of the array.

Resolution:
Once I had identified the issue, the solution is decidedly simple.

1. Boot to the system setup by pressing the F2 key at Dell splash screen during boot.
2. Arrow down to SATA OPERATION, press
3. Arrow right to RAID ON, press
4. Press then arrow to save and exit press
5. Press to reboot.
6. After the Dell Splash Screen, the Intel RAID BIOS Status Screen is now visible, press to enter RAID BIOS.
7. Create a new RAID Array (Striped RAID 0 or Mirrored RAID 1) under option 1, then save settings and exit the RAID BIOS option 4.
8. Press to reboot.
9. Boot to the system setup by pressing the F2 key at Dell splash screen during boot.
10. Arrow down to SATA OPERATION, press
11. Arrow left to RAID Auto/AHCI, press
12. Press then arrow to save and exit press
13. Boot to the Windows XP media using the iaStor drivers on a Floppy diskette if needed.