Setting up SATA Raid for first time

[1bawolf]

I have a GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard. Two WD 640 sata hard drives. I just got the machine running and was trying to pu XP Pro on the machine. When it got to the setting partitions I could not re format the drive C:. Read the setting up the raid in the GIGABYTE manual and went to the bios and changed the setting where it says SATA RAID AHCI Mode to (RAID) and saved my changes. After all this I keep reading and then it has press CTL-I and enter the configuration utility. I keep reading all that trying to understand it and I get to the next chapter and it says Configuring GIGABYTE SATA@ SATA Controller and it shows going to the Onboard SATA/IDE Device. I have Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb hard drives. I feel sure I should keep going the way I am in setting it up to raid in the SATA RAID AHCI Mode to (RAID).

I think I am going in the correct direction and now I should do the Ctl-I and proceed to the Create Volume Menu. I only have 2 hard drives and it says it will automatically assign the array. It talks about the stripe black size being set from 4KB to 128KB. What should I set that to? After all this should it boot and reconize the hard drives or do I need to add some drivers before putting the OS system on?

Thanks for all the help, for a beginner all the people on this aite are very helpful.
Budde

 

[Emulex]

install the o/s and install the matrix raid manager. it should clone your primary drive to the 2ndary drive online. stripe size depends on application and # of disks and raid type.

very difficult to guess the correct stripe size unless you know what you will be doing most. which is why decent raid controllers do online resize of stripe so you can run your sql or whatever and find the sweet spot.

 

[1bawolf]

I have worked for the last 4 hours trying to get all the settings correct. I am missing something. I have listed everything that comes up when it is posting. See if this can help describe my problem. Thanks for any help I can get.

I have a GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard. Two WD 640 sata hard drives.

It showes the hard drives in post and then it says none dected at the end of post.

Below is what comes up at post.


Controller Bus#00, Device#F, Function#02: 06 Ports, 04 Devices
Port-00: Hard Disk, WDC WDAALS-L3B2
(Drive is controlled by the RAID BIOS)
Port-01: Hard Disk, WDC 6400AACS-00M3B0
(Drive is controlled by the RAID BIOS)
Port-02: CDROM, TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223L
Port-03: CDROM, TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223L
Port-04: No device detected
Port-05: No device detected

AHCI BIOS installed
Intel ® Matrix Storage Manager option ROM v8.0.0.1039 ICH19R wRAID5
Copyright © 2003-08 Intel Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

RAID Volumes:
None defined

Physical Disks:
Port Drive Model Serial # Size Type/Status (Vol ID)
0 WDC WD6401AALS=0 WD-WCASY6627744 596.1GB Non-RAID Disk
1 WDC WD6400AACS-0 WD-WCAV50153030 596.1GB Non-RAID Disk

Press<CTRL-I> to enter Configuration Utility

GIGABYTE Technology Corp. PCIE-to-SATAII/RAID Controller Bios v1.06.78

Detecting drives; Done; No drives found.

Now it goes through {CI Devices Listing

At End it says Verifying DMI Pool Data and stops.

 

[Madwand1]

I generally recommend keeping the OS and RAID arrays separate in order to make the configuration and maintenance easier, and as RAID 0 has the greatest risk of data loss, not using it at all unless you can afford to lose everything on it (e.g. by having a full regularly-maintained backup of all the important data). That said, it's up to you, and I'm going to continue assuming you know the risks, etc.

You need to create the RAID array in the BIOS if you're going to be installing the OS on it. That's via CTRL-I. I suggest 32k stripe size. You could also just pick the default, 64k.

You might also consider moving the optical drives off the Intel controller to keep it simpler (default IDE/SATA configuration on that controller, no RAID).

Once you have the RAID array defined, you should reboot and set the boot drive ordering -- optical/floppy/etc. first, and RAID array after that.

You'll need to obtain and save the "floppy" RAID drivers for your Intel controller onto some simple media (e.g. floppy, USB, or maybe a CD). Press F6 during OS installation when prompted for additional storage controller drivers, then point it to the folder in the floppy/USB/etc., and go from there.

Once the OS is installed, you should install the full driver/controller package under Windows -- this will let you see your configuration options, and let you define new arrays with additional drives.

 

[1bawolf]

I finally got to Ctl-I by hitting the Pause Break key to stop the screen. I think by the time I hit Ctl-I it was gone. Now I have set the raid up by the GIGABYTE Manual.

Just to make sure I am correct In Integrated Peripherals I have these setting.

SATA RAID/AHCI Mode --- [RAID]
Onboard SATA/IDE Ctl Mode --- [RAID/IDE]

Under Advanced BIOS Features

HardDisk Boot Priority
1. SCSI-O : Intel Main
2. Bootable Add-in Cards
First Boot Device [CDROM]
Second Boot Device [Hard Disk}
Third Boot Device [CDROM]

It now recognizes the Raid on post and when I put the XP disc in it goes to where it says if you have a disc for the driver other than windows push S or push enter to continue. I pushed S and it said to insert disc but the drive letter is A:. I made a copy of the drivers from WD site on CD but cannot run because it will not recongnize A:. What driver is it hunting and how do I create an A:? I got in this mess when I ordered SATA drives instead of IDE. Is there anyway to set it up with the SATA drives like the IDE where I have C: and D:? As you were saying about 0 not being good to use on raid how do I change that? Do I just move the cables up to 2 and 3 on hard drives and the CD?s to 4 and 5. I know I am in the woods but if you can help I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks, Budde

 

[Madwand1]

All this would be much easier if you didn't use RAID at all. Are you sure you want to use RAID?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_RAID_levels

 

[1bawolf]

I would be happy not to use raid.

Where do I start now.

Thanks

 

[Paperlantern]

If your RAID controller is onboard, you shouldnt need to install any drivers. Once the system creates the volume (I'm assuming your using RAID 1 since you have two disks), the controller then presents that volume as one disk to the OS. Your install of windows should only see one drive. Ive done this many times and have never needed to load 3rd party drivers, the install just sees the volume as if its one drive.

Your hard drives can really be on any SATA controller, though typically they are on 2, 3 or 4 and avoid using the primary for a RAID array.

If you still do not want to use RAID, go back into the RAID setup, remove all arrays that are configured and reboot. Plug one of your drives into the primary SATA port and install your OS. Keep the other 640GB as a spare or hook it up on one of the other ports for a data drive.

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: 1bawolf
I would be happy not to use raid.

Where do I start now.

Go back to the BIOS, set SATA RAID/AHCI Mode to Disabled.
Also set SATA Port0-3 Native Mode to Enabled.

You can also set Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl Mode to IDE.

Reboot, set/check your boot drive ordering.
The OS installation should then see the two drives. Pick one for the OS installation, and plan the usage of the other drive as you wish -- you might want to install all the large data and programs on that one for example.

 

[1bawolf]

Thanks for all the help on this build. I did hook up 1 hard drive and then got a XP Pro SP3 OS and it loaded fine. I loaded the SP1 disk 3 times and tried to put the SP2 on and it would lock up and never boot again. I tried to copy the SP2 to a cd and then tried to load it frim MS site. I validated the OS every time. WHo knows but I am up and running and now have one problem. You never know when but you will be opening any type of program or any icon and it will freeze. A blue screen comes up that is full of writing so quick I cannot hit pause breal key to stop it quick enough. It might do it once or twice a day. I so not know if you can look for a history to say what happened. Everything else on the system is working fine other than that so I am still sticking with my laptop for now with data til I figure this out. Thanks again for everyones help.
Budde

Another question. I have a WD Passport 120gb I have been using to move and copy back and forth while doing this build. Now all of a sudden it will not boot. It is recognized in anything I put it in and will blink once. When you go to device manager it is under the USB as a mass storage unit. Under that is says the driver is Microsoft. I am going to hook it up now and copy what it says.
Universal serial bus controllers
USB Mass storage device
Details
General: Device is working properly. Below it is enabled
Device instance ld / with an arrow beside it with bunches of choices
Driver File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\USBSTOR.SYS

I have tried to get it to work on 3 different systems. I have had it for 2 years with not problem. WD does not seem to have any new driver that I have found.
Budde

USB\VID_1058&PID_0702\575845363037473337353435 USBSTOR.SYS

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: 1bawolf
I did hook up 1 hard drive and then got a XP Pro SP3 OS and it loaded fine. I loaded the SP1 disk 3 times and tried to put the SP2 on and it would lock up and never boot again. I tried to copy the SP2 to a cd and then tried to load it frim MS site.

This seems backwards -- if you installed the OS with SP3, you don't need SP1 or SP2.

Originally posted by: 1bawolf
You never know when but you will be opening any type of program or any icon and it will freeze. A blue screen comes up that is full of writing so quick I cannot hit pause breal key to stop it quick enough. It might do it once or twice a day.

This could be a hardware problem or an OS/driver problem. I'd probably run Memtest, and other diagnostic tools on the hardware to see if a problem appears there, and possibly restart with a clean OS installation.

Originally posted by: 1bawolf
Another question. I have a WD Passport 120gb I have been using to move and copy back and forth while doing this build. Now all of a sudden it will not boot. It is recognized in anything I put it in and will blink once. When you go to device manager it is under the USB as a mass storage unit. Under that is says the driver is Microsoft.

See if it shows up under Disk Management under a different drive letter, and if not, see if it shows up when you first insert it after a reboot.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Paperlantern
If your RAID controller is onboard, you shouldnt need to install any drivers. Once the system creates the volume (I'm assuming your using RAID 1 since you have two disks), the controller then presents that volume as one disk to the OS.

Whether you need to supply Disk Controller drivers depends on whether XP (ca. 2002) has built-in drivers for your Disk Controller. Just because the RAID BIOS sees the disks and makes a RAID array out of them doesn't mean that Windows will be able to see the array.

If you are creating a BOOT array, then XP wants the Controller drivers from a floppy disk. If you are adding a non-boot data array, then you can add the drivers for the Disk Controller from inside of Windows.

 

[Paperlantern]

Thanks for all the help on this build. I did hook up 1 hard drive and then got a XP Pro SP3 OS and it loaded fine. I loaded the SP1 disk 3 times and tried to put the SP2 on and it would lock up and never boot again. I tried to copy the SP2 to a cd and then tried to load it frim MS site. I validated the OS every time. WHo knows but I am up and running and now have one problem. You never know when but you will be opening any type of program or any icon and it will freeze. A blue screen comes up that is full of writing so quick I cannot hit pause breal key to stop it quick enough. It might do it once or twice a day. I so not know if you can look for a history to say what happened. Everything else on the system is working fine other than that so I am still sticking with my laptop for now with data til I figure this out. Thanks again for everyones help.
Budde

Another question. I have a WD Passport 120gb I have been using to move and copy back and forth while doing this build. Now all of a sudden it will not boot. It is recognized in anything I put it in and will blink once. When you go to device manager it is under the USB as a mass storage unit. Under that is says the driver is Microsoft. I am going to hook it up now and copy what it says.
Universal serial bus controllers
USB Mass storage device
Details
General: Device is working properly. Below it is enabled
Device instance ld / with an arrow beside it with bunches of choices
Driver File: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\USBSTOR.SYS

I have tried to get it to work on 3 different systems. I have had it for 2 years with not problem. WD does not seem to have any new driver that I have found.
Budde

USB\VID_1058&PID_0702\575845363037473337353435 USBSTOR.SYS

I think he is saying he got it working with an OS disk with SP3 on it, but that he did try prior to that and failed with SP1 and SP2.

If you right click my computer, click properties, then go to the advanced tab and click settings under "startup and recovery" a smidge more than halfway down youll see a selection called "automatically restart". it's in the "System Failure" section. Remove the check from there and the blue screen will then remain on the screen for you to read. Most often the errors are of no help at all, but sometimes they have capital lettered errors with the words separated by underscores that can be cryptic but semi useful. Such as IRQ_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, or UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME for example.

Additionally, you asked if there was a place to check for problems and there is, if you right click my computer and hit manage there will be a section called Event Viewer under the System tools category. Expand that and you can peruse those, looking for an error, or group of errors that may have occurred around the time of your blue screen.

Whether you need to supply Disk Controller drivers depends on whether XP (ca. 2002) has built-in drivers for your Disk Controller. Just because the RAID BIOS sees the disks and makes a RAID array out of them doesn't mean that Windows will be able to see the array.

If you are creating a BOOT array, then XP wants the Controller drivers from a floppy disk. If you are adding a non-boot data array, then you can add the drivers for the Disk Controller from inside of Windows.

I've NEVER had to provide additional drivers to ANY XP or server install I have ever performed to a RAID array... just lucky then I guess. Weird. However he isn't even using RAID now, so this is all moot.