Getting RAID to work on the ASUS Maximus SE

I will be trying to get RAID 0 to work on the Maximus SE under Vista Ultimate.

This is a collection of post's made discussing getting RAID to work on the Maximus SE.

I thought it might be better to have all our RAID info in one thread.

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Originally Posted by TheSamurai

okay, i got xp64 installed with raid 0 and used the whole 300gb to try and see what i got for speeds... well, it wasn't anything good. i don't think that it even split the two drives. when i went back in to try it without raid, one of the drives wasn't even partitioned. maybe my head is just too jumbled and i'm not thinking clearly right now, but this is getting annoying. what are you guys getting for speeds with your raptors in raid 0???

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Originally Posted by thelawns

How would we test the speeds? I have 2x 36gb raptors set up now in RAID0. Tell me what to do and i'll test it now??

Edit: Just found a prog called DiskBench. To copy a Copy an avi file:

Size: 727961600
Time: 13797 ms
Transfer Rate: 50.318 MB/s
Hows that?

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Originally Posted by Sgt. Slaughter

I have my raid setup with 2 74 gb raptors and all is well. But I have a 500gb seagate that I can see in the bios and it was shown in the Intel matrix storage manager, but I cannot see it in explorer. Also is anyone having any problems with utilities that came on the Asus CD and Vista 64. I loaded the utilities and started to experience look-ups when I went on the internet and had to delete them. I have updated my bios to 802. Thanks for the help.

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Originally Posted by thelawns

For your Seagate drive, have you been to the following:

Right Click 'My Computer' and click 'Manage'
Under the Storage tree you should see 'Disk management'
You should see a list of drives. You may need to Enable the Seagate drive or Activate it.

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Originally Posted by Sgt. Slaughter

Thanks thelawns. You were right. I initialized the drive and it can be seen now in explorer. Thanks again.

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Originally Posted by safan80

So you want to bench your array.

hdtach is better than hdtune.

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Originally Posted by nuclearjock

I'm trying to install the matrix storage manager from windows on my X38 board and I get an error message saying my system doesn't meet the minimum requirements..

Upon further investigation, the current chipset identification utility doesn't work.

Any ideas??

Has anyone tried to use the chipset identification utility on X38??

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by binormalkilla

I think I saw this message when I was on my P5K. What OS are you running? I was on Vista x64. Anyhow, I would make sure that your chipset drivers are up to date, and that you have the correct software. Try clicking on the setup.exe instead of ASUSsetup.exe. I can't remember what I did TBH....
BTW what's up from OCN :D

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Originally Posted by devilhood

You might want to try enabling AHCI in the BIOS first. Be warned though, that in doing so, you may be required to re-install your operating system.

The Intel Matrix Storage drivers aren't designed for a controller acting in Standard IDE mode :p:

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nuckin_Futs

You must enable RAID in SATA Configuratino. And yes you should have installed w/ f6 floppy from new install, but it can be fixed in existing OS, but needs some tricks. Yo will need "2" extra SATA HDD's asside from the OS SATA, a sepperate 3rd party SATA controller to boot from, or a 2nd PC to with the 2 sepperate SATA controllers, one using an Intel ICH8R/9R.

Let me know if you need further help as other mate above.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by ninogui

Hi guys

well for raid i really couldnt tell but heres my 2 cent contrib for anyone using just 1 disk and plans to switch to AHCP mode (which you should!) without reinstalling win, i did it myself:

- DL the intell drivers to make diskette, for your op.system, copy then to a temp folder or wherever u wish

files:

iaahci.cat
iaahci.inf
iastor.cat
iastor.inf
iastor.sys
txtsetup.oem

- do a first reboot to make sure the IDE part of the bios is in SATA mode compatible, to avoid probls

- go to the device manager, ide sata controllers, right click on the main sata controller and choose update driver, direction it to wherever u copied the files, choose the ICH9R (were talking maximus right, although cant really remember anymore the shown description)

- reboot, controllers will update and voi la....

here´s my hd_tach for the great seagate 7200.11 non raid, of course its NCQ 2nd generation and 32MB cache will be finally used

greets

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by devilhood

Intel Matrix Storage drivers are designed for AHCI AND RAID specifications, not just RAID alone.
The only exception to this rule are a few ICH controllers that were missing RAID, but had AHCI support, however, you could still trick it into using the driver by adding the Device ID manually into the inf.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheSamurai

using hd tach i got 6.1 ms :D
You're trying to install the console. you need to switch it over to raid in bios, setup the raid config, load the drivers before you start windows, install windows, then install that console. read the manual and you should get an idea of what you need to do. there are newer drivers out at intel. use those.

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Originally Posted by dMITIj

I don't quite get it? what do i need to downloade to make a Raid0 on my 2 x Raptor 36.6Gb.
it would be nice if you could post a link ore two :)

Best Regards.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheSamurai

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...ProductID=2101

that will bring you to the page to get the correct drivers. from there, there should be two files. one, will be a console (i think the top file). the second will be the drivers that will help you make a floppy disk that you use during boot. when you install windows, you press F6 when it tells you. you then choose "s" and it looks in your floppy disk for the files. you should choose the ICH8R/ICH9R (desk/work/server) one. then it continues on with install.

if you nee step by step, shoot me a pm and i'll help you out. i don't know your level of knowledge. hope it helps!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by dMITIj

# TheSamurai Thx a lot :up:

But if is okay ill like to ask a nother question, how do i fit a Asus maximus BIOS file to a flobby-disk? do anyone have a link for a newbie like me? ore can tell me how to step by step :)

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Originally Posted by TheSamurai

just put the file onto the floppy/thumb drive and when you start the bios flash utility (located in bios) it should show up.

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Originally Posted by thelawns

It should, provided you have Legacy USB Enabled in the Bios... Is that right?

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Originally Posted by safan80

you should always have it enabled for OS installations.

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Originally Posted by Renegade5399

You don't. Use a USB thumb drive.

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Originally Posted by djt

I’ve been trying for two days now to install Vista Ultimate 64 Bit and RAID 0 with this board. I’ve tried the floppy install drivers off of Intel’s site and the drivers on the Asus CD, without any luck. I keep getting a message after loading the drivers that say’s
“This computer’s hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure that the disk’s controller is enabled in the computer’s BIOS menu.” Clicking the next button I get
“ Windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria for installation.”

I have no problems installing RAID 0 on Windows XP 32 bit with this setup. Any ideas? my specs are below.

Asus Maximus Formula SE / BIOS 802
Core 2 X6800
Corsair XMS2 Dominator 4GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400/C-4)
Evga 8800 Ultra “Superclocked”
Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty
2x WD 10,000 RPM Raptors (74GB) (RAID 0) -Windows Vista Ultimate/64 Bit
2x WD 10,000 RPM Raptors (150GB) (RAID 0) -Windows XP Pro/SP2
PC Power and Cooling 1000Watt SR
SilverStone TJ-09 (Black)

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Originally Posted by Nuckin_Futs

I can't speak for this mobo, but Vista Ult x64 had the required drivers alread for ICH7R> So I should think since ICH8R was our already by Jan this year, they should be there as well. If making the floppy from ASUS, make sure it's the x64 version.

Do a test, with just 1 or 2 of the Raptors on SATA 1 & 2, boot to Vista x64 DVD (or CD) w/o hiting f6 to see if it sees the drives and loads Vista set up, in AHCI/RAID ready mode, no array yet.

Remember, if it is allready loaded on one HDD in RAID/AHCI mode, you should be able to easily migrate to RAID "0" via the Matrix Mannager in Vista. It works this way for XP x64

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by djt

I’m not sure what you mean when you say “RAID/AHCI mode”. In the BIOS I can only choice RAID or AHCI, not both.

What I can’t figure out is that when I load Windows XP/32 Bit, I have no problems at all with the RAID drivers so it can’t be a BIOS setting.

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Originally Posted by Darkstormz

Try to change Harddrive priority so your raid array is in priority one.
I had trouble with my USB mem ending up Prio 1 so it tried to install on that one.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by djt

I gave that a try but it does not help.

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Originally Posted by Nuckin_Futs

Enable RAID, w/ boot rom enabled and 32sec delay, write protection off for now (on later if you need).

AHCI (Advance Host Controller Interface) uses all the performances of the RAID controller but as single or multiple disc in non RAID fashion. (NCQ, speed boost etc.)

Since RAID is AHCI plus more, it is perfectly fine to just always use (Enable) RAID weather running an array or not. This is known as an Intel RAID ready install mode. Where later in Windows, one can continue the RAID install
by migrating it form a single disc to the 2nd and so on as desired.

I'm just used of doing it this way since new on ICH5R, but I'm sure many here do it from initial fresh install and can help get it going this way too.

Just remember that if doing fresh install and using RAID ready, to use f6 floppy during install, after 1st loading to desktop, run chipset INF, followed directly by Matrix Storage Manager Utility if migrating to RAID array in Windows, followed by set up as usual from there. I'd make sure system is fully set up in terms of drivers, updates and such before migration (no yellow makrs in Device Mannager).

Good luck!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by djt

In the “SATA Configuration” I have “Configure SATA as” “RAID”. “Hard Disk Write Protect” is set to disable and “SATA Detect Time Out” is 35. That’s it for the RAID options in BIOS.

I have my drives also configured in RAID 0 (Ctrl-I function) in the Intel Matrix Storage Manager Option ROM Utility.

The “Onboard Serial-ATA BOOTROM” that is mentioned in the motherboard manual is not even present anywhere in my BIOS.

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Originally Posted by Sgt. Slaughter

Darkstormz, did you go into intel matrix manager (ctrl l) during post to identify the 2 drives making your raid array? Double check your settings in the bios to be on "raid". I updated my bios and the settings do change from raid to ide. Hope this helps.

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Originally Posted by Darkstormz

My problem is solved by myself yesterday. I just tried to explain to user djt how I solved it :)

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Originally Posted by djt

This just gets better and better.

I changed the “Suspend Mode” option in BIOS from “Auto” to “S3 Only” and what do you know it loads the RAID drivers in Vista 64 and I’m able to load Windows no problems.

To make sure that was definitely the problem I tried it again, and it now it won’t load the RAID drivers again.

This has got to be one of the flakiest boards I’ve come across in a long time.

I think this POS is getting yanked and my Evga 680i SLI is going back in.

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Originally Posted by Nuckin_Futs

@ Djt "The “Onboard Serial-ATA BOOTROM” that is mentioned in the motherboard manual is not even present anywhere in my BIOS." If you do not have the iostar driver (Intel SATA RAID Controller 82801IR), BIOS & ROM won't see anything connected to it yet.

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Originally Posted by Nurn

I ran into this issue when I tried to install Vista onto two "right out of the box" SATA drives that had not yet been initialized or partitioned. I had to "initialize" the drives before installing Vista. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925481/en-us

You can also read up about another (different) type of problem and solution at:

http://www.intel.com/support/chipset.../CS-025783.htm

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by djt

Nurn,

I think you’re on to something.

How exactly did you initialize the drives?

I’m trying to load Vista 64 on only two of my four drives (RAID 0 on the two 74 GB Raptors) for an eventual Vista 64/XP dual boot setup.

I had this very same setup when I had the Evga 680i SLI motherboard installed and it ran fine and did not give me any problems loading Vista 64.

By the way, thanks for the link to the Microsoft info. I’m pretty certain that this is the problem; the symptoms that are mentioned in the link are exactly what I’m experiencing.

I also noticed that with the Maximus Formula setup I have all four drives showing up when I go to install the RAID drivers in Windows setup. With the Evga 680i board only the two drives that were configured in the Nvidia RAID utility are present during Windows Vista setup. I’m wondering if the two drives in RAID and the other two spare drives are causing the confusion with the X38 chipset. It almost sounds like the two spares will have to be disconnected during Windows Vista setup.

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Originally Posted by safan80

you guys should just get an add raid controller. it's faster and you can take it with you to your next motherboard. There are cards that can fit in the 1x pci-e slots you don't use.

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Originally Posted by Mayk-Freak

I have the following question:

I´ve got the board "ASUS Maximus" and two of the 160 GB SAT2 WD1600YS fixed disks. I want to create a RAID0. When I set the RAID in BIOS and reboot the computer, it freezes at the begining of the start monitor. Only when I pull the SATA cables it will reboot. Where is the mistake? Who can help me? I spoke with the ASUS support and they told me that my power supply unit with 500 Watt is not enough. I should buy me a 800 Watt power supply unit. Is this possible?

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Originally Posted by TheSamurai

lol, i highly doubt that it's your PSU. use the clear cmos button and start again.

were you able to boot with it on stock settings?

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i'll add some in here... HD tach 6.1, HD Tune 5.5, with 25 GB slice on dual raptors and xp64 (i think that's the number people look for, i'm a noob with harddrive performance). personally, i don't think it's really worth it for me. i'm thinking of going back to just the single drives. with it that way, atleast i won't have any problems if i want to switch motherboards or something. the thought of having to rebuild makes me sick... haha.

i'm thinking that i'll put xp64 on 1 raptor, and linux on the other one. maybe i'll buy another when i get vista 64. blah.

Thanks buddy!! Your input is always welcome. :up:

what are your thoughts on the raid vs. single drives? i'm hesitant to just scrap this OS install, but atleast there isn't anything important on it.

I am kind of missing what we are saying on that.

I will be doing a fresh OS install on blank drives, so as long as I can do BIOS updates withought loosing my RAID config, and having to re-install the OS I think I'm fine with it?

I feel like I am missing something. ;)

Just so things might go smother for me, I baught a program called Wipedrive that was recomended in the ABIT IP35 Pro thread. I made the bootable CD, booted using my Pavilion, and wrote 0's on all 4 of my drives that I will be using on the new system. Then I formated all 4 of the drives again with my Pavilion running Vista 32 Home Premium. This may help the RAID install go better?

When I do the OS install, I should probably just leave the 2 Raptors SATA cables in, until Vista is totally installed correctly.

the thing is, if something happens (like the drive starting to go bad, losing the MB, etc.) you'll most likely have to re-install everything on the raid again. the reason i think i'm going back to the old way is for security and peace of mind. i'd be able to take my drive out and go over to a friends and boot right up with it (minus driver issues like gfx card, etc.). there is no way you could do that with a raid. when one goes, you lose everything without a possiblity of getting back into it.

the performance gain just doesn't seem worth it to me. maybe if i was running a large server or doing video rendering (way beyond the levels of gaming) i'd notice a difference. i've tried a clean install on just one drive and it was rather fast... not too noticible a difference from the raid. the more and more i research, it seems pointless to have one... more of bragging rights it seems or for benchmarking (which i guess would be for bragging rights too lol). this, of course, is just my $.02

I think im going to just back up my 2 RAID drives on one of my normal storage drives. Probably will fit on my Samsung 250GB. Might take some of the sting out of a total recovery?

I just hope the initial install goes well, and I get everything set up correctly.

I think I still am going to try it. I actually baught the 2 Raptors just to play around with RAID.

Acronis TI 10 can back up and restore Raid 0 in Vista 64. Unfortunately you have to reinsert the install disk to repair the boot sector. Other than that it works fine. They botched TI Home 11. It sees the raid 0 drive on backup but not in restore. :down: I'm waiting for the next version update hoping they correct that. :rolleyes:

Despite using the latest Intel drivers on 4 attempts to install XP x64 on my Maximus, I only got to the select which disk to install on screen once. I had to cancel that because it wanted to make my storage drive C. I gave up and installed Vista 64 in Raid 0 on 2 Seagate 320GB drives with no issues. I used the Vista drivers and upgraded the drive after the install. :)

Thanks for the tip. I will give Acronis TI 10 a hard look! :)

You forgot to include the post about which order the drivers should be installed in, because most people tend to make this mistake.

During Vista's initial install, you need to make sure you use 'Load Driver' for the Floppy/USB install of Intel® Matrix Storage Manager 7.8.0.1013.
Once the OS is up and running, you should then install the Intel® INF 8.4.0.1016.
Restart and let everything load normally, then install the full package of Intel® Matrix Storage Manager 7.8.0.1013 (iata78_enu.exe).
Restart again and everything should be fine.
This eliminated the iaStor problems I was experiencing. I even tried a second re-install just to be sure, and everything was fine.

Thanks for the info... and for helping to keep us out of trouble... ;)

I have an issue with the support dvd, i need to make a floppy with the 3rd party raid drivers. so i set my bios to boot from the dvd drive and it wont boot from the asus support dvd and it works fine with other bootable dvds??? the even weirder thing is, on a hunch i tried to boot the support dvd on my laptop and still nothing.... :shrug:

Am i missing something? because ive been at this all night and its really starting to get to me!!!

I went into bios and enabled RAID under sata configuration:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/laserskys/bios.jpg

Hit (Ctrl + I) after post and entered the Intel Matreix Manager and set my Raptors as a RAID set:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9...kys/matrix.jpg

Booted from the Win XP setup CD and hit (F6) for 3rd party RAID/SCSI drivers. and selected the ICH9R driver.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9...ys/drivers.jpg

it loaded the driver off of my flopy with no errors. so i get to this setup screen and hit enter:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9...skys/setup.jpg

and this is the error i get :mad: :

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9...skys/error.jpg

what am i doing wrong?????????? :shrug:

ahhh, so i read my own post and i think i answered my own question. LOL, i need to select ICH9R SATA RAID Controller and not the ICH9R SATA AHCI Controller. LOL, Well im glad i took pictures! and i feel really stupid now.

Ill try again and hope it works!

yep that was it!!!

Check it out!
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9...kys/HDTach.jpg

wow dude.,.. haha jk. I've done the same. It gets annoying going through the setup so many times.

Hi, i have an Maximus ofc, and 2x Raptor 36GB SATA and trying to install Vista 64bit, i have enabled RAID in bios, and made both the disks to a RAID thingy, both are working Member Disks, it sais "RAID: INTEL RAPTOR" in bios, since i named it Raptor, but Vista dosnt find any hard drive to install windows on, do i need to download any files to my USB and try to load them so windows can find my raid?

Please Help //wreckage

Edit: What did you guys do for it to work with Vista? I see in alot of signatures that you have Raid 0 with Vista 64bit for example, but why am i having problems? My raid worked fine on ASUS P5W DH Deluxe X975

So here's my situation, I think a number of solutions to a number of situations can be found in this exchange. I'll update this post as to how it works when I get home this evening. It al started because I was having trouble setting up a storage RAID 0 and a single boot disk with the OS on it.

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Originally Posted by Nuckin_Futs

The intel RAID/AHCI needs to be enable to be seen by BIOS and Windows. However, the iostar driver is not there so it can't load, and yet you can't add it to the OS if you can't get it to boot. This is why stil to this day, us S2K3 and XP users need the f6 install, because it needs to be enabled and directed to the floppy during initial install.

Now it can be added but you need to have/or borrow "2" other SATA HDD's (nothing will be written to them). And a 3rd party legasy SATA controller.

Connnect the 2 extra HDD's to the Intel ICH9R port 1&2 with RAID Enabled and delay to 35sec. Connect your existing OS to the SATA drop in card (MAXIMUS has no J-Micron SATA like P5E). If this card needs drivers, make sure they were installed when OS was on Intel IDE as before so they are ready. You will need to have the "2" HDD's cause Intel ICH9 is not active if NO or only 1 HDD is connected, so Windows will not see it and of corse you wont be ably to run Matrix app. This is why we trick the BIOS and the Intel RAID booot ROM to think it has a set of RAID disc ready to set up.

You will now be able to boot into Windows and run Intel RAID app to install the iostar driver and the rest of the Matrix Storage Manager as would have bean done in the first place.

You can now boot to XP and go to Device manager to confirm you see Intel SATA RAID Controller in SCSI and RAID Controllers. Now you can shut down, rearrange your HDD's as before or with the RAID Ready 2nd HDD to port 2 of ICH9R next to your existing OS you're done w/ SATA drop in card and other HDD's if borrowed).

Congrats, you ae now Intel RAID Ready and can follow the set up in Matrix app to migrate RAID in a Windows inviorment. It will even run in background if you still wanna' work.

Good Luck!

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Originally Posted by Nuckin_Futs

The intel RAID/AHCI needs to be enable to be seen by BIOS and Windows. However, the iostar driver is not there so it can't load, and yet you can't add it to the OS if you can't get it to boot. This is why stil to this day, us S2K3 and XP users need the f6 install, because it needs to be enabled and directed to the floppy during initial install.

Now it can be added but you need to have/or borrow "2" other SATA HDD's (nothing will be written to them). And a 3rd party legasy SATA controller.

Connnect the 2 extra HDD's to the Intel ICH9R port 1&2 with RAID Enabled and delay to 35sec. Connect your existing OS to the SATA drop in card (MAXIMUS has no J-Micron SATA like P5E). If this card needs drivers, make sure they were installed when OS was on Intel IDE as before so they are ready. You will need to have the "2" HDD's cause Intel ICH9 is not active if NO or only 1 HDD is connected, so Windows will not see it and of corse you wont be ably to run Matrix app. This is why we trick the BIOS and the Intel RAID booot ROM to think it has a set of RAID disc ready to set up.

You will now be able to boot into Windows and run Intel RAID app to install the iostar driver and the rest of the Matrix Storage Manager as would have bean done in the first place.

You can now boot to XP and go to Device manager to confirm you see Intel SATA RAID Controller in SCSI and RAID Controllers. Now you can shut down, rearrange your HDD's as before or with the RAID Ready 2nd HDD to port 2 of ICH9R next to your existing OS you're done w/ SATA drop in card and other HDD's if borrowed).

Congrats, you ae now Intel RAID Ready and can follow the set up in Matrix app to migrate RAID in a Windows inviorment. It will even run in background if you still wanna' work.

Good Luck!

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Originally Posted by iadstudio

So, if I have the Vista 64 upgrade from xp and I have to install xp first, this should work fine, right? (please say yes)

I knew about this and thought Vista had RAID drivers imbedded. I tought I'd try to install normally in xp, not having to deal with the f6 "add 3rd parts driver" thing in xp and once I got to vista I tried to create my array. Only thing is the matrix storage utility software that I remember from xp wasn't available for vista. I found a knowledge base somewhere that said if you edit the msahci registry to 0 before you switch from IDE to RAID in the bios, you should be fine, but I didn't know that until after I had a problem.

Long story short, from what I understand of your post, I should be able to install my RAID driver in xp, install OS on a single drive and create a storage array and then upgrade to Vista and be fine. Right?

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SOLUTION:

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Originally Posted by Clump

I didn't try this as I installed Vista from an OEM DVD. This article http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...rade_clean.asp
shows how to do a clean install with an upgrade key. I didn't load any F6 drivers at all for Vista, so if this works it should save you a bunch of pain.:up:

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Thanks! I already installed but it'll help for future installs.

Edit: If you buy a Vista upgrade edition this method does not work Vista Upgrade keys will not work on a clean install.

great info here... still alittle confuse but i hope it gets to my senses.

great info, thank you. Is there a way to convert over from AHCI to RAID. When I try to replace my AHCI driver the list of drivers from iastor.inf and iaahci.inf show only AHCI and nothing for RAID. I've even tried to point it right at those files and uncheck the show only compatible drivers.. still nothign for RAID shows.

thanks :up:

hello guys,
im a new user of Maximus Formula motherboard, and i'm from Italy ;)
I really like this forum.
So i decided to try to get help here.
Searching on google about my problem didnt help.
So, here's my problem:
i've two maxtor sata (old sata, not SATAII) 120gb hard drives, that i configured in bios in RAID mode, i created raid with ctrl-i option in "0" mode (striping).
But everytime I start the system, after ram test, it freeze for 20-30sec on DET IDE status (this is what i read on lcd poster).
When it freeze my hdd activity led its turned on for about 10sec, then turn off and finally it comes turned on for further 10 sec...
After that my system goes out from "freezing" status and boot normally.
I had this problem with 902 and 903 bios.
What's wrong?
Thanks in advance ;)

nobody wants to help me?
its very frustrating this problem...

try clearing the cmos, don't forget to set it back to raid boot.

This thread needs pics!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...cetobeback.jpg

That's a pair of Raptor 74GB 8MB's w/ 70GB slices. Last week, I had a mini LAN and the array loaded COD4 MP maps 2x faster than my buddies single.

I also ran into the issue of Vista x86 not liking my drives on install, but creating a new part and rebooting took care of that. It installed just fine wo/ drivers and I threw on the latest Intel Matrix Storage Manager driver/software after the chipset. I've cut the power from Vista a couple times and have lost no data...not even a rebuild on the mirror, hehe.

For onboard RAID, it's def a step up over the 590/570 on Nv's boards.

raid work fine on this board no need for loading drivers under install.

vista have a bug that do ypu cant install it if you have more than 1 hdd in your system that not have a partittion.

here is my 2 wd raptor 74gb drives in raid 0

Jodiuh
are your drives on speed or somting damn yours i fast.

They are ADFD, 16MB cache. Also, I've sliced off 70GB for 2 "drives" in the ROM and enabled write back cache in the IMSM.

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Originally Posted by Jodiuh

They are ADFD, 16MB cache. Also, I've sliced off 70GB for 2 "drives" in the ROM and enabled write back cache in the IMSM.

---

WHAT :shrug:

i think i get that you in the setup bios of raid set it to use max 70 gb insted og 140 gb right.

IMSM what is that

sorry if this is stupid ? i am not that good at raid set up i under stand bacis use of it :)

Yup, 70GB for the first striped array w/ 128kb stripe size. This thread goes into detail about how to get the most out of an Intel RAID chipset.

IMSM = Intel Matrix Storage Manager

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jodiuh

IMSM = Intel Matrix Storage Manager

---

DOOOH me :shakes:

this relly good info thanks :cool:

Since you guys helped me with the courage to mess with “The Formula”, I’m going to give a little back here...

Slipstreaming a Windows XP install disc to include RAID drivers for Maximus Formula: Dual boot Vista/XP


For people like me who have a new rig without.... a floppy drive. Why did I not?

THIS IS WHAT WORKED, after a few failed attempts with wrong info...

First we need the Intel Matrix Storage Manager SATA RAID Controller drivers. Open your Formula Maximus Motherboard DVD > Drivers > Chipset > DOS. Copy this DOS file. There are 32 and 64bit folders relative to the XP OS you will install. One of the files in them is iastor.sys but we need them all.

So you threw the disc... go here and grab the one from the top, change extension to .rar and extract with winrar, the Winall folder has the DOS drivers.
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filt...bmit=Go%21#DRV

Copy all the files from your XP disc, to a folder named Newxpdisc.

Add your RAID/SATA Drivers
Open the folder to which you copied your Windows XP CD (Newxpdisc) and create a subfolder called $OEM$ (same level as i386). Then, create a subfolder of $OEM$ called $1 and a subfolder of $1 called drivers, then a subfolder called RAID The resulting path should be Newxpdisc\$OEM$\$1\drivers\raid
Now, copy all the single driver files inside the 64bit or 32bit folder you found above, directly inside the raid folder we just made.

Locate the .SYS file for your RAID/SATA controller from among the files you just copied it should be named after your specific controller, in this case iastor.sys and copy this file to the i386 folder of your Windows CD (Newxpdisc\i386).

Open your RAID iastor.inf file in Notepad and copy the PCI identifier strings, which is a series of characters beginning with PCI\VEN in this case there are 5, up to and not including the period. Eg PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27C3&CC_0104

Next, open TXTSETUP.SIF (situated in Newxpdisc\i386) and paste your PCI identifier strings under the [HardwareIdsDatabase] section of that file (Edit tab > Find). At the end of the string, add an equal-sign followed by the driver name IN QUOTES “”. In this case it should read like this..

PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27C3&CC_0104 = "iastor"
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2682&CC_0104 = "iastor"
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_27C6&CC_0104 = "iastor"
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2822&CC_0104 = "iastor"
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_282A&CC_0104 = "iastor"

Now scroll down to the [SourceDisksFiles] section of TXTSETUP.SIF and add the following text:
iastor.sys = 1,,,,,,_x,4,1
eg.

[SourceDisksFiles]
iastor.sys = 1,,,,,,_x,4,1


also add iastor.sys= 1 under :

[SourceDisksFiles.x86]

[SourceDisksFiles]
iastor.sys= 1

This last entry may not be necessary, but mine worked for XP 32bit.

Then, under the [SCSI.Load] section, enter:
iastor = iastor.sys,4

Finally, in the [SCSI] section of the file, add the following:
driver_filename = "RAID/SATA Device Name” in this case:

[SCSI]
iastor = "Intel(R) 82801GR/GH SATA RAID Controller"
iastor = "Intel(R) 631xESB/632xESB SATA RAID Controller"
iastor = "Intel(R) 82801GHM SATA RAID Controller"
iastor = "Intel(R) ICH8R/ICH9R SATA RAID Controller"
iastor = "Intel(R) 82801HEM SATA RAID Controller"

Oops, almost there. In this step, open Notepad and make a file called WINNT.SIF in the i386 folder of our Windows setup files (Newxpdisc\i386). This file can be used to create an unattended installation routine. But for here we need to customize the OemPnPDriversPath line by entering the path to the .INF file for your RAID/SATA driver . That is the path after the $1 folder... eg "drivers\raid" include the quotes! so in this case we copy this to our WINNT.SIF file...

[Data]
AutoPartition=0
MsDosInitiated="0"
UnattendedInstall="Yes"

[Unattended]
UnattendMode=ProvideDefault
OemPreinstall=Yes
OemSkipEula=Yes
NoWaitAfterTextMode=1
NoWaitAfterGUIMode=1

WaitForReboot="No"
TargetPath=E:WINDOWS
DriverSigningPolicy=Ignore
OemPnPDriversPath="drivers\raid"

[GuiUnattended]
OEMSkipWelcome = 1

[UserData]
ProductKey=
FullName=""
OrgName=""

Prepare your bootable CD and burn it. For this I used Power ISO.
Straightforward and it has a simple Help.

Extract the small boot image from our original Windows XP disc so we can use it to make our slipstreamed CD bootable as well. With power ISO it’s called a .bif file. Action" --> "Boot" --> "Save Boot information
Next make the boot CD. Action" --> "Boot" --> "Add Boot information.. find the .bif boot image you just saved. Now drag in all files from inside the Newxpdisc folder to the main window in Power ISO... jam the Burn button and you got it!

IMPORTANT. When installing XP on this type of system. Unfortunately, XP doesn't always recognize a computer BIOS is ACPI capable and doesn't install the support for ACPI.
Once you drop the CD in the tray and fire up the computer to install XP, the first thing you'll see at the bottom of the screen is the option to press F6 if you need to install a SCSI or RAID controller. Don't press F6. Press F5 instead. This will take you to a separate menu of Hardware Abstraction Layer's where you can choose an appropriate HAL that supports ACPI. Scroll Upwards to choose ACPI Multiprocessor PC from the list below.

ACPI Multiprocessor PC
ACPI Uniprocessor PC
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC
Compaq SystemPro Multiprocessor or 100% Compatible PC
MPS Uniprocessor PC
MPS Multiprocessor PC
Standard PC
Standard PC with C-Step i486
Other

Dual Boot issue: If you already have Vista installed, you wont have a Dual Boot choice as XP boots as a default, go here to solve this issue...
http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jodiuh

This thread needs pics!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...cetobeback.jpg

That's a pair of Raptor 74GB 8MB's w/ 70GB slices. Last week, I had a mini LAN and the array loaded COD4 MP maps 2x faster than my buddies single.

I also ran into the issue of Vista x86 not liking my drives on install, but creating a new part and rebooting took care of that. It installed just fine wo/ drivers and I threw on the latest Intel Matrix Storage Manager driver/software after the chipset. I've cut the power from Vista a couple times and have lost no data...not even a rebuild on the mirror, hehe.

For onboard RAID, it's def a step up over the 590/570 on Nv's boards.

---

Whow how are you gettin a burst speed of 2570.8 Mb/s while DK DEVIL and I are only in the 250s?????? Is that number real??

OK I started reading this http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=467848

Before I get confused about needing to use the matrix or something and go off into left field Ill ask a question.

I have 2 wd Raid edition 250gb drives I have been running in raid 0 on my old setup. I want to build a raid o again on the new maximus formula.

Can I go just by the book and this thred we are in now or would it be benificial to me to use some new matrix set up. I really just want to get a painless and stable raid 0 setup as soon asa my new parts show up. Im only going to use these 2 drives too.

thanks

Enabling write back cache shows burst rates that bench fast. But it also has benefits as far as making the drive feel snappier overall and giving better transfer rates.

And cutting out 50GB of those 2 250GB's will give you some very nice random access...snappiness. Then use the remaining in another 0 or a 1.

been trying to setup raid 0 for my raptor x, but i m getting an weird issue, i have already set the RAID mode in the bios, but i cant seems to get into the IMSM by pressing ctrl + i, what have i done wrong??? is there something that i need to set in bios in order to get the IMSM to be functioned??? 1 more thing, if i set RAID mode, i wont be able to see any hdd anymore in the bios after i save settings and exit from the bios.... someone plz help

currently i m using 0907 bios, tried 0903 no go as well >.<

To contribute my experiences:

No problem getting it to work under Vista. I didn't run any benchmark tests, but it seemed snappy. Installed SP1 RC1 with same results.

Under XP, had to slipstream the ICH9R drivers, no other problem. Install time around 10 minutes with a Raptor RAID, so I don't think there are any major problems here either. (The Vista sound stuttering issue was worse than ever on this board, and I didn't feel like fighting with it all over again with class starting back up tomorrow! SP1 doesn't fix this...)

With a Highpoint RocketRAID 1820A card installed, the RAID on the ICH9R is not an available option in the BIOS boot menu. There may be a way to change this, no idea. With two other hard drives attached to the ICH9R while it is in RAID mode, they do not show up as boot options either (with or without Highpoint card). The optical drive attached to the ICH9R appears as an option in both cases.

This board is very finicky about what's attached to it, for example with my USB hub attached the pre-OS boot process takes about 5 minutes. Also my generic SI SATA card doesn't function properly on this board, boot stalls on it while detecting drives - but if you power up the drives after boot, it works fine, and it works fine on another mobo. The version of the Asus software package that comes on the CD also caused major issues in Vista. Good hardware, substandard software? :/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ashmedai

This board is very finicky about what's attached to it, for example with my USB hub attached the pre-OS boot process takes about 5 minutes. Also my generic SI SATA card doesn't function properly on this board, boot stalls on it while detecting drives - but if you power up the drives after boot, it works fine, and it works fine on another mobo. The version of the Asus software package that comes on the CD also caused major issues in Vista. Good hardware, substandard software? :/

---

I am now all set up with RAID and E-SATA, and just dig this mobo. Had my probs working thro it tho. Slipstreamed the RAID drivers in the XP instal, all good, i mentioned how here earlier.

But crap, tried earlier using my Promise SATA300 TX4302 PCI Card to connect external E-SATA.. all went pearshaped... as it turns out, there is a conflict with the mobo sata controler... Intel finally emailed me and said...'Keep in mind that, it is a Marvell* Controller that handles the e-SATA ports on X38 and X48 boards, not the Intel(R) ICH9R.'

Well now i got it, there was a conflict with which sata controler had the first say, so looks like the PCI sata cards are not a choice here, yet. Anyways, i decided that 4 internal HD's is enough, i want air flow thro the 2 front HD case fans, spesh to the area of the Northbridge and GPU cards. So all good, with 2 E-SATA adaptor/connectors direct from the 2 remaining mobo sata ports, we got less crowding in the PCI area and HD bays. hope that helps ya all. :D

Now one more thing to iron out, Crysis still flickers with Catalyst 8.1 in Crossfire with Vista... looks like DX10 don't like Xfire yet... craps!

I set up me raid 0 and then installed that matrix software, doesnt really do anything for me at least i couldnt find anything to do with it. Running nice at about 310 mbs. No problem with this new forumula MB so far either!!!

My Maximus Formula came in a few days ago, but I'm still waiting on my case and watercooling stuff.
At this point it's all lying on a piece of protective foam fully operational and mildly overclocked to 2.8ghz 9x311Mhz for first OC probing :)
At load with 3 primes on it's at 72&#176;C so I got a bit suspicious. I left vcore control to the bios at first. Seems the voltage was set at 1.3v automatically. Manual voltage settings seems to result in lower actual voltages. I'll read up on all of this in all the threads I found around here. Now the monitoring software reports a vcore of 1.14 - 1.15v, while it is set at 1.23v in the bios. I'm running 4 instances of SPPrime at that voltage and everything has been stable for 2 hours.
This just as a side note, a little OT but hey :)

I set the OS up on a RAID-0 array with default 128kb stripe size. Everything went smoothely until I got the OS up and running and played around with it. Suddenly I experience some slowness and a few seconds later a BSOD with memory paging error. Likely storage as my software that came with the CD told me afterwards of a write error on disk 2. The RAID BIOS also keeps telling me that disk 2 is in an error state. This all started when everything was still at stock speeds.
I've been benching everything after the reboot and overclock, nothing else has happened except for the RAID tool telling me that there is some fishyness attached to my RAID array. It comes back after every reboot, probably reading out the info on the rom chip.
The RAID bios also reports the error but it might just be a flag that got raised. There doesn't seem any way to reset it.

Here are my specs:

Asus Maximus Formula
Geforce 8800 GT 512Mb at stock
Intel Q6600 SLACR at 311x9
2 GB OCZ memory running below stock, it can't handle much of a punch ..
OCZ Modstream 550 W
Stock Intel heatsink and everything running caseless so far
2x WD 160 gb disks.

Well you spent all that money on this stuff so far, I suggest if you wana raid o you do it right with a matched couple of WD RAID EDITION hard drives. Mine have been sweet. In about the year & 1/2 owning these raid edition drives my data has been solid.I wont fly with anything less again.

I see your running some wd drives maybe the ks series. I was running 2 250 gb drives in raid o for a while the ks wd drives.
One failed in about 2 months. These drives simply cant take raid o requirements anymore I guess. Thats why ill never use them again in a raid o.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by magica

Well you spent all that money on this stuff so far, I suggest if you wana raid o you do it right with a matched couple of WD RAID EDITION hard drives. Mine have been sweet. In about the year & 1/2 owning these raid edition drives my data has been solid.I wont fly with anything less again.

I see your running some wd drives maybe the ks series. I was running 2 250 gb drives in raid o for a while the ks wd drives.
One failed in about 2 months. These drives simply cant take raid o requirements anymore I guess. Thats why ill never use them again in a raid o.

---

These are two identical drives which have been running a RAID 0 setup in my old rig.

I would be very worried. Please let us know if you can get these errors to go away with your old drives. Good luck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wolf2000me

These are two identical drives which have been running a RAID 0 setup in my old rig.

---

Hey Wolfy, make sure you got the latest Driver updates from ASUS for this board.. like Intel ICH9 RAID Driver, Intel(R) Chipset Software Installation Utility and of course intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager Driver.

Also, do the drives have to be both formatted for a fresh RAID setup in a new system..?

Noticed you got the 8800GT, ha, so did i, underwent 2 weeks of hell after i booted my first game up.. frozen hell. Turns out there is a power problem with comunications between the 8800GT and PSU firmwares, all over the net. I took it back and ditched it for twin ATI 3870, was cheaper anyways so what the hell, big bonus with the new ATI driver this week, can run with dual montors in Crossfire now, previously one shut off.

Anyway, try the ASUS driver updates.

And if anyone else is interested in the ATI Crysis Hotfix Vista...
http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/848/mirrors.php

So far I haven't had a problem anymore. But the raid bios keeps reporting the one disk as being in the error state.
Does anyone know how to reset the diagnostic states of the drives in the bios?
I think a memory problem might have caused the file system error. Otherwise, what's the chance of getting a raid controller tripping up once in the first few moments of operation and then never to see a problem again. My initial bios settings, rather defaultish, seemed a bit off and this cheap OCZ memory I got doesn't oc for one bit.

But I'll keep you guys posted. I am going to attach a whole lot more drives to the SATA/RAID controller in the near future. If there are intermittent problems they'll surface for sure.

Hmm I seem to have missed your post Zeussy ;)
What exactly do you mean with asus driver updates? I can only update my bios through some kind of update program.
My 8800GT is running great. I just can't seem to find its temp readings in this monitoring software from asus and rivatuner.

Also... What also bothers me... The RAID controller has audio feedback whenever there's activity. Much like the notorious 'whining sound' brought about by video cards or coils.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wolf2000me

What exactly do you mean with asus driver updates? I can only update my bios through some kind of update program.
.

---

Thats right, but it's not a bios update, these drivers are applied once in the OS. Get em here and put am all in as they're meant....

http://support.asus.com/download/dow...Language=en-us

Interestingly, there is also an AI Suite new update there too, sorts the prob of it not opening when i updated to BIOS 907, and temp reads. Also a new PC ProbeII.

But i did read somewhere that one needs NEW, untouched Hardrives when configing RAID for the first time, so maybe this applies when taking already RAID configed HD to a new system, if they don't sync up in RAID 0 for some reason, there will always be a failure on any one disc, it just wont match up. Also, the system prolly wants to put it's own RAID disc management info on the discs, via Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager Driver. Check out the Wikipedia about RAID info. Hope that helps.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zeussa

Thats right, but it's not a bios update, these drivers are applied once in the OS. Get em here and put am all in as they're meant....

http://support.asus.com/download/dow...Language=en-us

Interestingly, there is also an AI Suite new update there too, sorts the prob of it not opening when i updated to BIOS 907, and temp reads. Also a new PC ProbeII.

But i did read somewhere that one needs NEW, untouched Hardrives when configing RAID for the first time, so maybe this applies when taking already RAID configed HD to a new system, if they don't sync up in RAID 0 for some reason, there will always be a failure on any one disc, it just wont match up. Also, the system prolly wants to put it's own RAID disc management info on the discs, via Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager Driver. Check out the Wikipedia about RAID info. Hope that helps.

---

I never attempted to use the same RAID-0 config from my old board to my new one. That certainly wouldn't work and would cause all kinds of problems. No, both disks were formatted before I attached them. I then created a new RAID-0 config in the raid bios and installed the OS on it, using the F6 + driver disk combo. That whole process ran flawlessly. I also reformatted the RAID volume in the OS install interface.

But I do have a new related problem which I've been able to recreate three times. I'll specify it as best as I can and I'll also get back to you with additional info once I'm back home. I'm at work now so I don't have access to the test environment.

Here's what happens:
During a stress test with SPPrime on 4 cores using 256mb memory I got system stalls. This happened at 3400 Mhz and after the prime test had been going on flawlessly for 2 hours.
The event viewer told me this:
"The device, \Device\Ide\iaStor0, did not respond within the timeout period."
I restarted the system and tried again, recreating the problem, which succeeded and a new event was written to the log.
After that I updated my drivers to the newest version and tried again. I didn't get that exact error log after a while but I got a warningl: disk log event. But the symptoms are the same and also a BSOD came about. I'll post its error codes once I'm back home, but that'll be at least 5 hours after this post.

Both disks were on SATA channel 5 and 6 (counting from the first channel as 1).
I have now changed them to channel 1 and two where I previously had my SATA DVDRW drive attached. I put that one in slot 5 and it's currently being tested as we speak, figuratively :)
I hope there's not a BSOD waiting for me when I get back home though I suspect there will.
Something tells me that this is either a power interface issue or ACPI problem. Both are of course related.

Does anyone else hear a sound when the RAID controller is doing I/O commands?

Whenever, I've used onboard RAID, OC has been more difficult. Upping the SB volts usually helps w/ this. Not sure what to tell ya if it's not OC related.

This one might be oc related and I did increase the SB voltage. I hadn't experienced this kind of behaviour until I was beyond 3400Mhz. However at stock I've had the above mentioned problem. I still suspect IRQ or ACPI conflicts.

When I got back home the system was restarted shortly after I left for work, as indicated by the logfile of spprime. It obviously wasn't a BSOD as I checked automatic reboot off.
After the reboot there didn't seem a problem and my event logs has entries up until just after the reboot. No warnings and no errors.
I now upped the voltage a bit and I'll test it the same way as before. I just hope I won't get instability due to temps as I'm still at stock intel cooling.
I've been waiting on my wc stuff since before christmas. This was the last time I ordered from that webshop :)

I switched both drives to SATA 1 and 2, the DVDRW drive to SATA 5. No changes in the BIOS or drivers and all seems to be working great.
IRQ list is somewhat shuffled and the raid controller is now sharing one with the audio device while it used to be with the usb controller. Apic is enabled though. Don't know if it's a coincidence.

Brilliant, another dillema solved, and you did it all by yourself... :up: :rofl: SATA 1 & 2 may have been the secret for raid, but yeah, you may want to back down your OC if there's more probs. And if your still waiting on a Case, i would recomend the Antec 900, but that's full of air, you want to go water.

Don't forget, you can run External E-SATA straight off the SATA on board, if you want to keep some airflow thro from the front fans, 4 HD is enough there, i got the E-Sata connected to 5 & 6 Ports, working very stable.

Guess i'm being carefull at only 3GHz CPU, temps at load 55 C -NB and 45 C -CPU, so there's room for temps, i will push it up this later as i get organised and things prove to be alright.

Also Wolfy, Wouldn't mind to know your final OC changes when you get things set up with suitable RAM and yo water slushing thro.... cool.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zeussa

Brilliant, another dillema solved, and you did it all by yourself... :up: :rofl: SATA 1 & 2 may have been the secret for raid, but yeah, you may want to back down your OC if there's more probs. And if your still waiting on a Case, i would recomend the Antec 900, but that's full of air, you want to go water.

Don't forget, you can run External E-SATA straight off the SATA on board, if you want to keep some airflow thro from the front fans, 4 HD is enough there, i got the E-Sata connected to 5 & 6 Ports, working very stable.

Guess i'm being carefull at only 3GHz CPU, temps at load 55 C -NB and 45 C -CPU, so there's room for temps, i will push it up this later as i get organised and things prove to be alright.

Also Wolfy, Wouldn't mind to know your final OC changes when you get things set up with suitable RAM and yo water slushing thro.... cool.

---

Not so brilliant after all... :)
It did happen again when I ran a standard 30 min OCCT test. This time the RAID BIOS reported an error on one of the drives, again the same drive. So maybe that drive is about to go to the eternal disk lands. I just ordered 2 raptors which I'm going to pick up after work. I'll know at least of one variable out of the equasion.
The case I ordered was lost in transit so that's why I still don't have it, along with my watercooling gear. It's going to arrive today, or someone is going to get a very annoyed me on the line.
I ordered a Thermalright Mozart case. Plenty of room to store the dual rad along with all the rest.

Cheers

edit: Of course I will post my oc results. At this point I'm at 388x9. I set 1.33v vcore in the bios but my monitoring tools report 1.24v. I'm also still at bios version 0505.

Alot of drives cant handle raid O and soon fail. Talking from experience. Thats why i dont use anything else but RAID EDITION WD drives in Raid O anymore. Very stable ,built better with a 5 year warranty. Raid o needs defraged more too.

I got rid of my RAID problems, and as a nice bonus this also cured the audio feedback I got from the board during I/O.
I got 2 74Gb Raptors, set them up with XP Pro2 with updated RAID controller drivers. The old ones are going to be up for testing individually.
I did a quick bench with HD-Tach, which looks good enough to me. I also ran OCCT for 2 hours without a problem. I will of course play with it a bit more. I'm at the bios settings I was when I experienced most of my previous problems.
I guess I'm up for level 2 now :D

http://users.telenet.be/denthomas/As...kmeHDT1Cut.jpg

I need help, and have never messed with a BIOS, or built a system from scratch before so I know there are large holes in my game.

I am installing fresh Vista64 Ultimate on 2 raptors that have only been initialized on another system, but never used.

I successfully flashed to BIOS 907.

When my system boots I hit the F8 key to enter the BIOS setup.

It displayes:
SATA1 :[WDC WD1500ADFD-00N]
SATA2 :[WDC WD1500ADFD-00N]
SATA3 :[WDC WD7500AAKS-00R]
SATA4 :[SAMSUNG SP2504C]
SATA5 :[HL-DT-STDVDRRW GSA]
SATA6 :[Not Detected]

I have my SATA Configuration set to RAID

I want SATA1 and SATA2 in RAID0 for OS and games.
SATA3 and 4 are general storage, not to be RAIDed up.
SATA 5 is my CD ROM, and 6 is open.

If I boot with my Vista in the CD ROM, it tells me that no drives are available on the system to install Vista....

How can I get the drives available to the system from the BIOS?

When will it askme how I want my RAID configured?

Another odd thing that is going on....

I have to re-boot many times to get the system to post.
Sometimes the LCD poster sits at CPU INIT, or DET DRAM. I usually have turn the system off for 5 minutes to get passed that.

When my system does post, and I hit the 'delete' key to enter the BIOS, if I let it set too long, the BOIS freezes and becomes non responsive. When it does lock up, the LCD POST just reads 'EN SETUP'.

Under SATA Configuration, should I select RAID or AHCI?

I never have seen this screen yet:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Exahertz

Hit (Ctrl + I) after post and entered the Intel Matreix Manager and set my Raptors as a RAID set:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9...kys/matrix.jpg

---

Select RAID for the SATA..... I also disabled the Micron RAID controller.

It took several reboots after getting everything right before I could choose my RAID0 drive as something that is bootable.

Thanks!!! RAID it is...

I still dont know how to select my RAID drives that I want.

I will hunt for the Micron RAID controller to disable it too.

In the BIOS, under Advanced, I found J-Micron PATA/SATA Controller.
It was set to enabled by default.
I manually changed it to Disabled, then f10 to save and exit.
Should I be hitting the button next to reset, or the button on the back of the PC when I make changes to the BIOS?

Talonman plug only the drives you want your OS to be on for now, i'll make things easier.

Make sure you get the drivers from the Intel website
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...ProductID=2101
There are 2 downloads you need.
1. RAID/AHCI Software - Intel&#174; Matrix Storage Manager (5615KB) 7.8.0.1012 11/9/2007
2. 64-bit Floppy Configuration Utility for Intel&#174; Matrix Storage Manager (322KB)

Create a floppy with the #2 driver, you will need this when installing Vista64, you will see an option for this on the bottom at the point when it asks you on what drive you want to install Vista.

Set RAID in the BIOS save settings, reboot, make sure also you are not overclocked as this can add to install issues.

When the system is rebooting you should then see the Intel RAID setup screen, enter it by hitting CTRL-I, setup your RAID partitions.

I'll be back in a couple of hours, I'll help you if youre still stuck.
I saw you call for help in the overclocking part2 thread :)

Thanks buddy!! I made the floppy.

I wish windows would start to install withought telling me I have no drives attached to the system.

I will unplug the other 2 general storage drives...

@Talonman:

Firstly, I think you need to resolve your system stability issues before trying to load the OS. I've been following your thread on water cooling this board, so know where you're up to with the build (congrats on finally receiving the EK bits :p:).

Have you checked your temps in BIOS yet? I'd suggest going into the hardware monitor as soon as you get into BIOS and let it sit there for a few mins to see how hot your CPU gets. Are you running stock at this time or have you already tried to overclock? If not stock, I suggest setting at stock for the OS load.

If your CPU temps are ok, I'd then run memtest86+ to check the memory is stable.

If the system is still not stable (BIOS should not freeze), then I'd look to disconnect all unnecessary components in an attempt to isolate the problem.

Once everything is stable, then you need to set your SATA to RAID as already suggested. Then you need to go into the matrix RAID configuration (the screen you haven't managed to get into yet). Once there, the 2 disks that you said were previously set up as RAID will most likely show as RAID disks, and this RAID will need to be deleted before creating the new RAID (I've had this problem myself when switching RAID disks to another system).

Once the RAID is set up, then Vista should have all the drivers available on the installation CD to recognise your RAID. At least, that was the case with my Vista Ultimate 64 edition.

Hope this helps.

The system hangs the most consistantly trying to post at DET DRAM, on the LCD poster.

I am only runing stock speed on the CPU, Idont know how to OC yet. The drives were only initialized using Vista32 as a regular old format drive. No RAID. I then used a program called Wipedrive I baught, to make my install go smoother... :)

I had heard Raptors do better on a fresh install if they were pre-initialized, and 0's written on them using Wipedrive.

I have not seen the hardware monitor section in the BIOS yet. The next lucky boot when my system allowes me access to the BIOS, I will look.

I will run memtest as soon as I figure out how to get it over to the system, and be able to see it in a directory.

Mabey I should take some ram back out? This waiting 10 of 15 minutes with the system off, to get the BIOS to work is driving me batty.

The memtest86+ site provides a number of downloads to create bootable CD/USB key/floppy. I personally use a CD. You then just need to put in the CD and boot up. I'd check the temps first though to eliminate that as a problem.

From your symptoms (BIOS freezing and then working again after left for 15mins) it sounds like temp problems - although this is just a guess. I'd recheck the mounting on the CPU and NB (also suggested by Jedda in your other thread).

Edit: removing some of the RAM wouldn't be a bad idea. Will help to isolate/eliminate that as a problem.

OK..
My ram is rated at 1.8 volts. Will the Maximus'es overvolt .1 hurt it? I dont know how to change that yet

I did take some ram back out.
Just the 2 Raptors are hooked up now as far as Drives go.
system posted.
Found hardware monitor:
CPU - 11C
MB - 22C
NB - 19.5C
SB - 23C

System reads CD ROM and tries to install Vista64.
I get the bar - Windows is loading files.
It is starting to install!!
I hope I figure out when RAID comes in! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Raver

Talonman plug only the drives you want your OS to be on for now, i'll make things easier.

Make sure you get the drivers from the Intel website
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...ProductID=2101
There are 2 downloads you need.
1. RAID/AHCI Software - Intel&#174; Matrix Storage Manager (5615KB) 7.8.0.1012 11/9/2007
2. 64-bit Floppy Configuration Utility for Intel&#174; Matrix Storage Manager (322KB)

Create a floppy with the #2 driver, you will need this when installing Vista64, you will see an option for this on the bottom at the point when it asks you on what drive you want to install Vista.

Set RAID in the BIOS save settings, reboot, make sure also you are not overclocked as this can add to install issues.

When the system is rebooting you should then see the Intel RAID setup screen, enter it by hitting CTRL-I, setup your RAID partitions.

I'll be back in a couple of hours, I'll help you if youre still stuck.
I saw you call for help in the overclocking part2 thread :)

---

You should attach all the drives you're going to be running before you do your OS install. Adding drive after the fact can cause the RAID array to not boot. One should ALWAYS have ALL drives connected before running your OS install.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Talonman

The system hangs the most consistantly trying to post at DET DRAM, on the LCD poster.

I am only runing stock speed on the CPU, Idont know how to OC yet. The drives were only initialized using Vista32 as a regular old format drive. No RAID. I then used a program called Wipedrive I baught, to make my install go smoother... :)

I had heard Raptors do better on a fresh install if they were pre-initialized, and 0's written on them using Wipedrive.

I have not seen the hardware monitor section in the BIOS yet. The next lucky boot when my system allowes me access to the BIOS, I will look.

I will run memtest as soon as I figure out how to get it over to the system, and be able to see it in a directory.

Mabey I should take some ram back out? This waiting 10 of 15 minutes with the system off, to get the BIOS to work is driving me batty.

---

I was also having this booting issue. I had to bump my RAM volts to 2.0-2.1 and bump the NB volts up a little. The issue went away after that.

If anything, I wanted to lower my memory down to 1.7V in the bios, so they will get the required 1.8v they were designed to use. I hadent even considered raising the voltage. I guess the .1 overvolt isn't putting me too much at risk

I am at the 'Where do you want to install windows screen'.

It shows the only 2 drives I intend to RAID. (Both Raptors)

It has a load Driver option. This is where the Matrix floppy comes in correct?

I selected load driver, and pointed it to the floppy.
Intel(r) ICH8R/ICH9R SATA RAID Controller (A:\iastor.inf) was the only option.
I selected Next.
It came back to the 'Where do you want to install windows screen' it has:
Disk 0 Partition 1 RaptorA150GB total size-139.7 Free space - 139.6 type-Primary
Disk 1 Partition 1 RaptorB150GB total size-139.7 Free space - 139.6 type-Primary
is this correct?

I want to use both of the intire disks for OS and games.

My options are Next, Load driver, and Drive options (advanced)

I just selected Next, and files are copying...

Should I have my cable modem plugged into my new system now?
Will it try to update Windows during the install?

Currently 0&#37; complete on the copy. :)
CD is spinning though....
Copy completed... Expanding files now.

Sounds like the drives haven't been set up as RAID. When you define RAID, the Vista installation should only see 1 drive (the RAID).

You need to configure the RAID first. A previous poster said that you need to press <CTRL> + I to enter the RAID configuration. There should be a message for this just after POST. If not, just keep hitting <CTRL> + I and hope for the best.

Note: this option is probably only available if you have correctly defined the SATA drive option in BIOS to RAID.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Talonman

I selected load driver, and pointed it to the floppy.
Intel(r) ICH8R/ICH9R SATA RAID Controller (A:\iastor.inf) was the only option.
I selected Next.
It came back to the 'Where do you want to install windows screen' it has:
Disk 0 Partition 1 RaptorA150GB total size-139.7 Free space - 139.6 type-Primary
Disk 1 Partition 1 RaptorB150GB total size-139.7 Free space - 139.6 type-Primary
is this correct?



My options are Next, Load driver, and Drive options (advanced)

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Hi Talonman:

Based on the above you never went into the raid bios to setup the raid array. With all the frustration, you were probably happy to get that far. You will have to set up the array and reinstall. As 2 others have pointed out, after post, you need to hit Ctrl+I after post to go into the raid bios. It is there you will see the screen shots you posted. While loading Windows both disks should be listed as one. and labeled disk 0. Step by step instructions start on page 5-35 of the manual. :) Good luck!!!

QUOTED : You should attach all the drives you're going to be running before you do your OS install. Adding drive after the fact can cause the RAID array to not boot. One should ALWAYS have ALL drives connected before running your OS install. QUOTED~

not true. The cause of not rebooting is simply because the boot order did not get adjusted. One should absolutley load, format and partition raid drives with out others hanging off system causing confusion. Once raid is setup , shut down add drives and windows will find them and load drivers for them then you reboot, double check boot order. Its that simple.

The bottom line is if you dont know how to go into the bios and resetup your boot order then you shouldnt be putting a computer together.

OK, Thanks guys...

Memtest is rinning on my 2GB.

I have to go off the grid for a while, but will return shortly and try the Control I and see if it comes up this time...

Another odd thing is my new system wont access the internet even after windows installed. Do I need a 64bit SB4200 driver for road runner to kick in?

Be back soon. :up:

Thanks for all the help too.

FWIW, I just installed Vista 64 on a 2-disk RAID-0 array on my Maximus Extreme, and it recognized the array just fine without having to load drivers at install.

1.5 TB C: drive, FTW!

No, you don't need a disk for this raid system on vista (you do on xp). Just turn on RAID in bios rather than ACPI or whatever the other one is. Then at boot it'll say 'press ctrl+I to enter raid set' for a second and press it then which takes you to the setup menu. Hit create new RAID volume, set it to RAID0(Stripe), set the strip size (I personally use 64KB... they say lower is for server and higher is for general computer usage.) Select the two drives that you want in the RAID and leave out the ones you don't want. Hit create volume and it's done. Windows now sees those two drives as one.

If you are not seeing the CTRL-I Intel RAID setup screen you need to check in you BIOS if you did in fact select RAID.

Boot into BIOS
MAIN TAB, Sata Configuration.
Sata Configuration [Enhanced]
Configure SATA as [RAID] <-----
Save and exit.

Go back into BIOS and recheck this setting, maybe your BIOS is buggy and doesnt keep the setting, CLR CMOS will fix this if needed.

If setting stayed at Configure SATA as [RAID] then you should see the Intel RAID setup screen.

You then configure your RAID array...

Upon rebooting go back into BIOS and make sure that in the BOOT TAB you select your RAID array as the 2nd drive, your first drive should be your DVD or CDROM containing your Vista disk.

"I wish windows would start to install withought telling me I have no drives attached to the system."

This message will appear usually if your RAID array is not 1st or 2nd drive in the BOOT order in BIOS BOOT TAB.

Also if you install an OS with other drives already containing an OS, Windows might change your NTLoader file and then you will see a message when booting asking what OS you want to boot in, I avoid this situation by unplugging other drives that have an OS installed on them before I install another OS on a diffrent drive.

The reason for this is if one OS gets corrupted and you need to reinstall you will loose the NTLoader file and you wont be able to boot into your other OS's you had running on the other drives, forcing you to reinstall all of the OS's.

By installing 1 OS on a RAID array or single drive while other drives are disconnected prevents the NTLoader file situation.

I then select in the BIOS what drive I want to boot off of, this keeps all of my OS's independant of each other.

You can add your drives later but your BOOT order will change you then need to check what drive you want to boot off of first in the bios.

When you add your other drives later Windows will initialise the drive by asking you how to configure it.

If it doesnt just go into Administartion Tools, Computer Management, Disk Management and add it there.

Wow, thanks for all the info guys! I'm back after it! I did get into the Control-I screen. The option was there to create new Raid, but when selected, nothing happened. I hit enter quite a few times but nothing. The Esc key did let me confirm my exit, but when the Y was selected, nothing happened. I was expecting a re-boot? Had to use the power button.

I am re checking my BIOS settings one more time before going after the Control-I screen again to see if it responds any differently.

My SATA Configuration is still remembering my RAID selection.

One thing that bothers me. Section 5.4.3 in the book, step 5 reads:
Select the item Onboard Serial-ATA BOOTROM, press enter, then select Enabled from the options.
I currently don't see what I am supossed to select here, nor understand it's meaning. :)

My boot device priority is currently set to:
1st Floppy drive (I have one just in the the install)
2nd RAID:WDC WD1500ADF
3rd CDROM.

Under Hard Disk Drives:
1st RAID:WDC WD1500ADF
2nd RAID:WDC WD1500ADF
3rd USB

Feeling good... Going for another Control-I, to see what's, what. ;)

It's working!!

Raid Vol
ID --
0 --Speedy Raid0(Stripe) Strip-128K Size279.5GB status-Normal Bootable-YES

Physical Disks:
Port -------- Drive model ---------- Serial# --------- Size ----Type/status(vol ID)
0 ----- WDC WD1500ADFD-0 WD-WMAP41799594 -- 139.7GB -- Member Disk(0)
1 ------WDC WD1500ADFD-0 WD-WMAP41796208 -- 139.7GB -- Member Disk(0)

Installing Windows again! :)

So should I manually load the latest drivers I downloaded to my floppy, or just let Vista load one for me?

First thought is because you got crap on your raid drives. This is where a 98 or other boot disk would come in handy or a WD harddrive utily to format the drives clean......then build an array. Not sure though. But its what I did and it worked.

Bump in the road. Window can not determine if this is a valid system volume.

I think it is bacause the first install locked up on me, but wrote some files on the disk.

Now Windows think's somthing is on them? Not sure.

I deleted my raid setup, then re-created it the same way, but still a no go..

Considering booting from floopy and initializing the Raptors. My wipedrive dosen't want to boot from CD?

I messed around with the BIOS, setting the drives to other options, then back to RAID. Deleted the Raid array again, then re created it and Window is loading the files fine now.

I even used my floppy for the RAID driver, just to make sure I was going to be loading the latest version.

I think I have everything correct so far, and am copying files now.. :) Run baby run.

It worked, I am on the new system! Road runner is working fine all by itself this time.:up:

Windows installed on my RAID setup just fine. It is currently reporting 13.8GB used, and 279GB free on my C drive.

Now, do I need to install that other program still?

You need to instal the Intel chipset driver.
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...?ProductID=816

Then instal the 2nd link I gave you before, the Intel Storage manager softwear.
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...ProductID=2101
RAID/AHCI Software - Intel&#174; Matrix Storage Manager (5615KB)

Thanks... I will do that. I have another set back. :confused:

I was just looking at windows, the screen flashed, I saw a blue screen with what looked to be a core dump for 1 breef second, before returning my desktop unfuntional. I had to power the system down manually. I now cant get passed the DET DRAM on the LCD Poster. Odd.

I let it set powered off for 30 minutes, and had me some pizza. ;)
Fired it up, made it all the way into Windows, for about 2 minutes then froze.

DET DRAM lit on the LCD Poster. Time to play some musical slots I guess, with the ram.
Update:
Same stick in the other white slot, DET DRAM on the LCD Poster during boot, won,t pass that spot in the boot sequence. I tried twice.
The other stick, in the first white slot, Windows booted, the very first attempt. There now... :)

I think you should consider moving your setup problems out of this RAID thread. Your raid is set up now?

Thanks for your input.

The new ram is holding out fine so far. I successfully was able to installed the Intel chipset driver. After you chose restart, you need to ride it out for quite some time before the system restarts itself. There was allot of HD activity still going on for quite a while.

The RAID/AHCI Software - Intel&#174; Matrix Storage Manager was also successfully installed too.

Thanks for everybody's help. I was thinking of getting into some speed testing, but it seems I have used up my post limit in this thread. ;)

Go into your BIOS as soon as you can and manually set your RAM voltage to the lowest possible in the 'extreme tweaker' or whatever it's called. This board over volts RAM significantly (my 1.8v ram ran stock 2.2v until I set it back to 1.8). Many people have burned out ram with Maximus.

RAM is good now. Just successfully tested with Memtest to 447&#37; with 0 errors.
I just took a peek in 'extreme tweaker', and I found DRAM Frequency, command rate, timing control, static read control, everything but voltage... :)
I will keep hunting, thnks for the over volt advice too dude! .
System has not crashed again ever since I took that 1 stick out.
FYI - My Samsung 250GB drive showed up in the Storage Manager just fine. Formatting done.
Caviar750GB also showed up in Storage Manager, Formatting that big dog now.... :)
All 4 HD will be up and functional.

I have 2 more questions.. :)

1) Just to confirm, there is no "Write Back Cache" to select when using RAID 0 correct?

2) I downloaded and installed The HD Tach program v3.0.1.0 showen earlier in this thread, but when I go to start it, it tells me Windows200 or Windows XP is required. It look like others were running it on Vista 64 Ultimate.

Update: I just got the word that it needs to run in XP compatiable mode. Is there a better RAID performance program to test with, that would just run in native 64bit Vista mode?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Talonman

I have 2 more questions.. :)

1) Just to confirm, there is no "Write Back Cache" to select when using RAID 0 correct?

2) I downloaded and installed The HD Tach program v3.0.1.0 showen earlier in this thread, but when I go to start it, it tells me Windows200 or Windows XP is required. It look like others were running it on Vista 64 Ultimate.

Update: I just got the word that it needs to run in XP compatiable mode. Is there a better RAID performance program to test with, that would just run in native 64bit Vista mode?

---

Open the Intel Matrix Storage Console.
Click view select Advanced Mode.
Right click Array_0000, or just right click every icon and you will see that you can indeed enable write back cache.

I did on mine and it works.

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/6...bledvw1.th.jpg

Thanks Raver, I will have to look into that again some time. My presious second Raptor died. I received the system message that one of my RAID drives had gone off line. I clicked on my computer to look at the C drive, and the system crashed.

I figured mabey a SATA cable came loose. No such luck. My Raptor-B drive would no longer register in the BIOS using different SATA cables, and power connections. Raptor-A would show up in the BIOS no matter wich SATA port you plugged it into. Raptor-B is just MIA!

I had to start from scratch again with no RAID. I did learn allot, and will be back using RAID again soon. ;)

I have a POST stalling issue with one of my SATA hard disks. Since I put in my 300gb Maxtor drive the POST procedure pauses for about half a minute on "DET IDE". No settings seem to resolve the issue. I hear a HD-noise when it's happening. The drive works perfectly but is rather fullish.
The system post procedure has always gotten past it but it is rather annoying. Does anyone have some thoughts on this?

It's possible that the drive may not be working as perfectly as you imagine. It could be starting to fail. I'd suggest running some diagnostics on the drive.

Also, have you tried POSTing with that drive connected to different SATA ports? Same behaviour?

Edit: Another possibility to check is the cable.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ~aoe~

It's possible that the drive may not be working as perfectly as you imagine. It could be starting to fail. I'd suggest running some diagnostics on the drive.

Also, have you tried POSTing with that drive connected to different SATA ports? Same behaviour?

Edit: Another possibility to check is the cable.

---

I replaced the cable with another fresh one and used a different sata port, still the same thing.
The drive does not make odd grinding noises and performs as it always has. I will take vital data off of it and see what happens. Thanks for your suggestions anyway ;)

hello , I have 2 raptors that I want to set up raid.
my question is do I have to load diver during installing windows vista. Before I set up raid on the P5W DH Deluxe I did not have to install driver.

If yes , I don't have a floopy disk to make the disk
I did tried to load the driver from the Maximus cd to the thumbdrive with no success, it says "unable to get disk information" any suggestion guys ? thanks

I think I have it down now...
Correct me if I am wrong.

On initial power up and loading Vista for the first time do this:

1) Turn the computer on and hit the delete key to let the BIOS go through it's setup and sniff the drives you have connected to the PC.

option: I also have to recommend that you just plug the 2 raptors in initially, until after the OS is installed. The computer then automaticially decides that both drives are being included in your array by default.

2) In the BIOS you must set the drives as RAID. Disable Jimmie Crumb controller too! ;) F10 to save and exit.

** Get ready to act fast **
You need to catch the Control-I screen here **

If you miss it you will need to re-boot and try again.

3) At the secret Conrtol-I screen, you define what RAID drives your are adding into your array. If you just have your 2 raptors plugged in, it will default to both being included. Confirm you like the setup and exit the program.

4) System boots and windows asks a few questions and begins to install.

5) During the install you will arrive at the 'Where do you want to install windows screen'. It shows your drives and will default to your RAID array if that is all that is currently plugged in. It has a load Driver option at the bottom of the screen. This is where the Matrix floppy comes if you created it. If not just let Vista continue it's install, as a version of Matrix is located on the CD. I don't know if it is the same as what you get off the web or not.

6) Finish Vista install, and then install 2 additional programs:

A) The Intel chipset driver. Note: After you chose restart, you need to ride it out for quite some time before the system restarts itself. There was allot of HD activity still going on for quite a while. Don't be fooled into think your system hung, and power it off.

B) The RAID/AHCI Software - Intel&#174; Matrix Storage Manager.

I think you also need to change a setting to 'enable write back cash' too? grey area for me. I am out if the RAID club for now.
The setting would be within the Storage Manager program, but never found how to start the program after I had installed it successfully.

I actually went through a few 7b's trying to install the driver first!!

And if the drive has been wiped, it may need to be formatted first, then reboot, then Vista will let you install. Also, everything installs fine without the driver. My HDD performance is damn near the same as XP.

whats the best strip size to use when setting up raid on this board?

Highly debatable subject with no clear cutt best answer. I just took the default settings.

128KB for Intel.

i have issues with drives also. i tried raid0 with 2 raptors everything brand new and 1 drive failed. i re installed everything and it did it again. i then aborted that drive with a new one and re installed everything and it failed again. i got 2 more new ones and re installed everything again and it did the same thing. then i used all in raid5. every once in a while a random drive will drop out and i mark it as normal in the storage manager and it rebuilds itself. if i try to do anything like update hd3870 drivers it fails and i lose a file and have to re install windows over. it did it with 8.1 and also with 8.2. if i update windows it does it too. i think maybe the old 401 bios or voltages messing things up or somthing. i don't know..

i always get an iastor.sys bsod when instaling XP 32.raid0 is ok,f6 drivers are ok....
any ideas?

i don't have any clue how to make this work, everything installs and works my system is on auto everything except memory voltage is locked 2.0. on maximus se with bios 907, e6850, 4x1 crucial pc8500, 1000 watt psu. 2x hd3870. i can do all the installation of everything, i just lose a random disk it doesn't matter it just loses one every few days, sometimes it takes a week. i have tried to up the voltage a little on the chipset also. it acts like maybe it is a controller issue or somthing? i have 5 raptor 74adfd's now and i started with 2 to begin with a couple months ago. i have tried cables, every disk, in pairs and even all of them at once. with different arrays..all the disks work on a different computer..i have been thinking of sending this board back but for some reason i don't think it is the board. it's up to date with all the latest drivers for everything and is on server 2003 xp64.. anyone have this same problem or a clue what is causing it?.

i've got vista 64 raided on 2 WD raptors on my maximus. i didn't have any problems installing windows or anything. im also using a sata dvd burner and i am having problems. the drive will read cd/dvd's just fine but will not burn to a disk with any program other than nero. windows' cd/dvd burning doesn't work, dvdfab, dvdxcopy, clonedvd, etc, wont work at all. when i launch the program, they all say "scanning disk" and then the system stops responding. i can move the mouse but when i try to click on anything, nothing happens. i have to do a hard reset to get the computer working again.
any suggestions?

SP1 fixed my burning issues, but you might try changing cable/drive.