RAID0 trim and SRT seems possible on 6-series and 5-Series

[Fernando 1]

Originally Posted by davidm71

Did you say you know where the trim on off switch is?

Dufus found out, that the TRIM "on/off switches" of the Intel RAID ROM module v11.6.0.1702 are between the offset codes 0001BB20 and 0001BB60 and obviously only valid for a few Alternate IDs.

Then why not turn it on for everyone instead of putting in alternate ids?

You may try it, but I doubt, that it will work. It seems impossible for me to enable the TRIM in RAID0 support for all RAID capable Intel chipsets by just putting a DeviceID with the FLAG 7 into the hex code of the OROM module.

[davidm71]

Originally Posted by Fernando 1

Dufus found out, that the TRIM "on/off switches" of the Intel RAID ROM module v11.6.0.1702 are between the offset codes 0001BB2001 and 0001BB5004 and obviously only valid for a few Alternate IDs.
You may try it, but I doubt, that it will work. It seems impossible for me to enable the TRIM in RAID0 support for all RAID capable Intel chipsets by just putting a DeviceID with the FLAG 7 into the hex code of the OROM module.

Seems like that on off switch is by a device to device alternate id basis. I delved into the intel data sheet for the x58 and c200 chipsets and the registers that hold the device type and allow alternate Id broadcast have the identical offset address and default values. So there's something else going on as it seems we don't fully understand the functioning of the device selection. If there was a global on off switch that would be awesome. Obviously needs more research..

Thanks.

[Fernando 1]

Originally Posted by davidm71

If there was a global on off switch that would be awesome.

Enabling the TRIM in RAID0 feature is not as simple as you think. Intel's development staff has worked for it more than 1 year.
As long as you don't have a suitable and proper working bulb within a lamp you can switch on the power as often as you want - you will not get any light.

[davidm71]

Originally Posted by Fernando 1

Enabling the TRIM in RAID0 feature is not as simple as you think. Intel's development staff has worked for it more than 1 year.
As long as you don't have a suitable and proper working bulb within a lamp you can switch on the power as often as you want - you will not get any light.

That may be true but there are probably 3-4 reasons why it doesn't work on x58:

1. Not supported by the chipset due to missing features

Maybe but then why are there reports of other 5 series chipsets working?

2. Rom or driver level check for x58 and forced off

Maybe. Who knows..

3. Alt id discrepancy or peculiarity to x58 address space and register settings

Possibly. Wonder why we don't get an alt id detected in windows?

4. Intel just doesn't want to support old hardware

Most likely.

[Fernando 1]

Originally Posted by davidm71

That may be true but there are probably 3-4 reasons why it doesn't work on x58:
1. Not supported by the chipset due to missing features
2. Rom or driver level check for x58 and forced off
3. Alt id discrepancy or peculiarity to x58 address space and register settings
4. Intel just doesn't want to support old hardware.

5. The all-dominant point regarding the TRIM in RAID0 support obviously is not the chipset, but the Southbridge resp. the sort of the on-board Intel SATA RAID Controller. Only Intel 5-Series chipsets with a real 5-Series Intel SATA RAID Controller may be supported by the TRIM in RAID0 feature, but only a few or maybe even none of the X58 chipset systems have it (Intel ICH8R/9R/10R SATA RAID Controllers seem to be not supported).

[davidm71]

Originally Posted by Fernando 1

5. The all-dominant point regarding the TRIM in RAID0 support obviously is not the chipset, but the Southbridge resp. the sort of the on-board Intel SATA RAID Controller. Only Intel 5-Series chipsets with a real 5-Series Intel SATA RAID Controller may be supported by the TRIM in RAID0 feature, but only a few or maybe even none of the X58 chipsets have it (Intel ICH8R/9R/10R SATA RAID Controllers seem to be not supported).

I thought that the X58 was the flagship of the 5 series boards and so it has a lesser controller than some other 5 series board?

[Fernando 1]

Originally Posted by davidm71

I thought that the X58 was the flagship of the 5 series boards and so it has a lesser controller than some other 5 series board?

P55 chipset mainboards usually seem to have a real 5-series Intel SATA AHCI/RAID Controller on board, your X58 chipset system obviously not.

[pyr0*]

Originally Posted by Fernando 1

5. The all-dominant point regarding the TRIM in RAID0 support obviously is not the chipset, but the Southbridge resp. the sort of the on-board Intel SATA RAID Controller. Only Intel 5-Series chipsets with a real 5-Series Intel SATA RAID Controller may be supported by the TRIM in RAID0 feature, but only a few or maybe even none of the X58 chipset systems have it (Intel ICH8R/9R/10R SATA RAID Controllers seem to be not supported).

I posted before that I got TRIM working on my Series-5 Mobile (HM57) based notebook which has a RAID0 array with 4 member drives.

[Fernando 1]

Originally Posted by pyr0*

I posted before that I got TRIM working on my Series-5 Mobile (HM57) based notebook which has a RAID0 array with 4 member drives.

Thanks for your very interesting report.
Questions:

1. Where did you get the modified version of the Intel RAID ROM module?
2. If you have modded the ROM module yourself, which were the modifications?
3. Which is the alternate DeviceID of your Intel SATA RAID Controller?
4. Did you ever have set the Intel SATA Controller to AHCI mode? If yes, which was the name of the Intel SATA AHCI Controller?

[pyr0*]

Originally Posted by Fernando 1

Thanks for your very interesting report.
Questions:

1. Where did you get the modified version of the Intel RAID ROM module?
2. If you have modded the ROM module yourself, which were the modifications?
3. Which is the alternate DeviceID of your Intel SATA RAID Controller?
4. Did you ever have set the Intel SATA Controller to AHCI mode? If yes, which was the name of the Intel SATA AHCI Controller?

1. I downloaded the unmodified OROM from your OROM collection at winlite.
2. I modded the OROM by myself and replaced one of the IDs as per Dufus' post with my Alternate ID. I put "2c3b000007" at Offset 1bb22.
3. The alternate ID of my controller is 3b2c.
4. No, my controller is running in RAID mode since day-0. I did not ever touch the BIOS switch that changes the SATA mode (can choose IDE, RAID, AHCI). In device manager, the RAID controller's name is: "Intel(R) Mobile Express Chipset SATA RAID Controller", PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_282A&SUBSYS_905A104D&REV_05. Driver 11.6.2.1002 iaStorA.sys and iaStorF.sys.

More detailed information in my old post here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost...&postcount=159

[Fernando 1]

@ pyro:
Thanks for the quick and detailed answers.

Originally Posted by pyr0*

3. The alternate ID of my controller is 3b2c.

This verifies, that the Intel SATA Controller of your HM57 Express Chipset notebook has a real Intel 5-series SATA AHCI resp. SATA RAID Controller (Device ID starting with "3B").
Your report confirms what I have written before regarding the preconditions to get TRIM in RAID support for systems with an Intel 5-series chipset.

[spinejam]

Just wanted to say thanks again to Fernando 1 and all the contributors in this thread. TRIM-enabled R0 running fine on my P67 Sabertooth w/ IRST_11.6.2.1002_whql drivers. (Win8)

HxD of .jpg:



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HxD of C: (following delete of .jpg from recycle bin):



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[Makaveli]

Originally Posted by Fernando 1

@ pyro:
Thanks for the quick and detailed answers.
This verifies, that the Intel SATA Controller of your HM57 Express Chipset notebook has a real Intel 5-series SATA AHCI resp. SATA RAID Controller (Device ID starting with "3B").
Your report confirms what I have written before regarding the preconditions to get TRIM in RAID support for systems with an Intel 5-series chipset.

I already posted this on page 8 of this thread.



the screenshot shows my device ID

Pyro any chance of letting me know what software you used to modifiy the sony bios?

[Fernando 1]

@ users with an X79 chipset RAID0:

Although some of you were already able to get TRIM into the SSD RAID0 by an updated Gigabyte or ASRock BIOS containing an additional RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702, but many other X79 RAID0 users are still waiting for a TRIM support solution.
Now there is some light at the horizon for them: The ASUS Forum member Nosens found out, that an especially modified Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702 can be inserted into an X79 chipset mainboard BIOS without the necessity to switch the DeviceID of the Intel RAID Controller. Users with an ASUS Rampage IV (RIVE X79) reported, that the modified BIOS worked great inclusive TRIM support. For details you may look into >this< thread.
Since Nosens hasn't yet offered the especially modified Intel RAID ROM module, I have done it to give other X79 RAID users the chance to get the TRIM in RAID feature by modifying their BIOS themselves. Interested users can find a download link to this ROM file on >this< page.

Originally Posted by Makaveli

I already posted this on page 8 of this thread.
the screenshot shows my device ID

I am sorry about having missed this important detail.
So we now have at least 2 users with an H57 chipset system, who got TRIM into their RAID0 by flashing a BIOS with a modified Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702.

[Mike73]

I have two ssd ocz vertex 3 MI in raid 0 on Asus P8P67 Deluxe mainboard: I have NEVER had problems WITHOUT TRIM.

I updated the bios of the mainboard with Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702 + driver 11.6.2.1002 WHQL and now TRIM works (tested with the procedure of the hex file).

But now I have a problem: Sometimes the computer stops responding (freeze on the desktop) and I have to shut down and restart with physical key.

Solutions?

[Ao1]

Are any companies providing official RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702 support for Z77 mobo's? If so is there a list of mobo's that are supported?
Not that I have a problem with a modified BIOS, but if I'm buying a new mobo I want an official ROM v11.6.0.1702 BIOS.
Thanks in advance.

[Fernando 1]

Originally Posted by Mike73

I updated the bios of the mainboard with Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702 + driver 11.6.2.1002 WHQL and now TRIM works (tested with the procedure of the hex file).
But now I have a problem: Sometimes the computer stops responding (freeze on the desktop) and I have to shut down and restart with physical key.

I don't know the reason for your issue, but I am pretty sure, that it has nothing to do with the modified Intel RAID ROM module.
Reason: The 2 Bytes, which have been changed, have nothing to do with the function of your system.

Originally Posted by Ao1

Are any companies providing official RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702 support for Z77 mobo's?

AFAIK the big mainboard manufacturers ASUS and Gigabyte haven't yet put the Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702 into their recently released Z77 BIOS versions, although Intel recommends to use their newest RAID ROM version in combination with the actual RST(e) drivers v11.6/11.7.

[Ao1]

Thanks, I've just spent hours trying to find an answer. At least now I know not to buy ASUS or Gigabyte. Do you know if the ASRock Z77 Extreme11 supports the latest ROM?

[Mike73]

Originally Posted by Fernando 1

I don't know the reason for your issue, but I am pretty sure, that it has nothing to do with the modified Intel RAID ROM module.
Reason: The 2 Bytes, which have been changed, have nothing to do with the function of your system.

The trim also works with: Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702 + Driver Intel RST 11.7.0.1013 ???

Thanks!

[Fernando 1]

Originally Posted by Ao1

Do you know if the ASRock Z77 Extreme11 supports the latest ROM?

Yes, I just have checked it. The actual BIOS 1.20 for the ASRock Extreme11 contains the newest Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702.

Originally Posted by Mike73

The trim also works with: Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702 + Driver Intel RST 11.7.0.1013 ???

Yes!

[Ao1]

Originally Posted by Fernando 1

Yes, I just have checked it. The actual BIOS 1.20 for the ASRock Extreme11 contains the newest Intel RAID ROM v11.6.0.1702.

Yes!

Thanks for confirming. I've got one winging its way to me

[organshifter]

For some reason, my system is recognizing my Transcend SSD's as HDD's. This has to be the reason why TRIM isn't working on that array.



This is the way they are detected when creating the array through the BIOS or IRST 11.7.0.1013. How can I force the system to detect the array correctly?

[Fernando 1]

Originally Posted by organshifter

This is the way they are detected when creating the array through the BIOS or IRST 11.7.0.1013. How can I force the system to detect the array correctly?

How does the Intel RAID ROM Utility and the Intel RST Console GUI show the array?

[organshifter]

Originally Posted by Fernando 1

How does the Intel RAID ROM Utility and the Intel RST Console GUI show the array?

Would the Intel RAID ROM Utility be where I press Ctrl-I on reboot?

When I enter the IRST GUI, clicking on individual drives of the array lists each of them as Type: Solid-state drive. Is there anywhere in particular that I should go within the program?

[kbp]

Ctrl-I
This is where you create the array