Vista Ultimate 64b and RAID 0 driver -- help!

[ravaneli]

First time going for RAID, but I thought I read everything necessary. I hit a wall with a little but unpenetrable for me problem -- cannot upload the RAID driver when installing Vista Ult. 64b.

My mobo is Gigabyte GA- EP45T UD3LR rev 1.0. I have never had any problems with it for 6 months.
I got 2 WD Black edition 500GB 7200rpm drives, brand new, no other drives on the machine.

The BIOS set up was EXACTLY like in the sticky in this forum (thank you!!). I set up 1 volume of 935 Gb.

Vista started loading with no problems, it recognized 1 volume of 935 GBs, formatted it and then I got to the screen where I have to load the RAID driver.

Then I went here
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/Driver_Model.aspx?ProductID=2955&ost=windows+vista+x64+(64-bit)#anchor_os
and downloaded the SATA Driver for a 64b Vista on a flash key.

But when I plugged the flash in the PC I didn't see a driver. I saw the folders of the other stuff I had on the flash, but not the driver.

I deleted everything else and left the file I downloaded alone, but I just couldn't see it on the Vista installation screen.

Then I RAN the file from GB and it extracted a MSNB folder and another file. I put those on the flash and tried again. It saw the MSNB folder, but no driver file. I got really frustrated after 2 hrs fruitless efforts. I need help with this.

I think the Vista screen is looking for some particular extension of the driver file, and it doesn't show anything else. The extension I have is .exe. What is it supposed to be?

Any ideas why Vista won't see the driver? I feel like paying for advice like this. All help appreciated!

[gearhead1972]

try integrating the driver into the dvd by slipstreaming it with vlite (http://www.vlite.net/)
I believe the extension for the raid drivers is inf the file may be iastor.inf

[SuperMiguel]

so u downloaded this: http://download.gigabyte.ru/driver/motherboard_driver_sataraid_intel_bootdisk_64.exe, and extracted it?? then put the extracted files in your flash drive..

[ravaneli]

Gearhead, I am afraid I won't be able to do that; I also think this should not be necessary. I've seen a few videos on youtube, people just apload the driver from a flash.

Miguel, yes, I extracted it, the extract had a folder and an .exe file. Inside the folder there was another .exe file. I put everything extracted on the flash, but Vista just saw the folder and no driver. Nothing to upload.

What is the proper extension for a RAID driver? I think Vista is only allowing certain extension and my driver is something else..

[gearhead1972]

try intel generic raid driver http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/CS-028823.htm

[ravaneli]

Hey, Miguel, this is not what I downloaded!! My DL was the 25MB file..

Where did u get this? Is it for my particular mobo? Your link was directly for the file and I see it is only 300k, while mine was 25mb.

[SuperMiguel]

i found that on the website that u sent me :), try that driver

[gearhead1972]

the one SuperMiguel linked, the second one down in your link is the one you need for preinstall, the first link is for post install.

[SuperMiguel]

u downloaded the Intel ICH9R/ICH10R SATA RAID Driver 25MB, when u actually need the Intel ICH9R/ICH10R Driver (Preinstall driver) 0.30MB :) hope it works.. let me know

[rainless]

Don't understand the problem.

I just installed Vista Ultimate 64... like LAST WEEK... and it didn't even ask me for RAID drivers.

It just went through the install as normal and I installed the Matrix Storage Manager later.

[SuperMiguel]

Don't understand the problem.

I just installed Vista Ultimate 64... like LAST WEEK... and it didn't even ask me for RAID drivers.

It just went through the install as normal and I installed the Matrix Storage Manager later.

some Raid drivers wont load by them self.. but in this case is a regular intel driver it should work

[ravaneli]

O ****! I never tried just going forward!!

On the videos they always put the driver..

I will try the .3 mb driver, and if that doesn't work I will try just going without it.

Ok, to set something clear, I need just ONE of these, right? The preinstall one? Do I need anything else after I install windows?

[SuperMiguel]

I mean with this intel raid card, u dont need any pre install drivers if u have vista. Just go forward and when it loads vista just install the 25mb file that u found..

[ravaneli]

Great. I can't wait to get home and try that. Will post again tonigt, hopefully from the raid machine : )

Chicago here! : )

[Nebulous]

Hmm, I manually installed the raid drivers for my setup. I d/led them to the floppy drive (yea I keep a floppy drive, lol) instead of the flash drive.

Then when vista was installing, it shows the raid array. I clicked on "load driver" and directed it to the floppy drive. Raid drivers installed and vista continued as normal.

[redduc900]

The latest Intel Matrix Storage Manager "v8.8.0.1009 64-bit Floppy Configuration Utility" for Vista x64 is available directly from Intel here...

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=2101&OSFullName=Windows+Vista*+64&lang=eng&strOSs=150&submit=Go%21 (http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=2101&OSFullName=Windows+Vista*+64&lang=eng&strOSs=150&submit=Go%21)

... which aren't required during Vista Setup (like the other folks already mentioned), as the ICH10R controller is natively supported by the OS. I should also note that it really isn't a "Floppy" Config. Utility anymore, as the file is now in a *.zip format, which can be extracted to a thumb drive or floppy for example; no actual Setup utility. If you're not interested in installing the Storage Manager Utility in Windows, which contains the same drivers as the Floppy Config. Utility, then preload the drivers during the Setup stage... otherwise like I mentioned they're not necessary. And when it comes to downloading MB specific drivers, it's always better to download them directly from the manufacturer of the device (RAID controller; Intel, onboard LAN; Marvell, etc.)

[ravaneli]

Ok, great help guys!

So I think I will go straight through and istall without uploading a driver.

Then, once I boot in the newly installed Vista, do I have to do it right away: does it matter when it will be installed, and for the sake of the argument- does it matter if it is installed at all?

[SuperMiguel]

Hmm, I manually installed the raid drivers for my setup. I d/led them to the floppy drive (yea I keep a floppy drive, lol) instead of the flash drive.

Then when vista was installing, it shows the raid array. I clicked on "load driver" and directed it to the floppy drive. Raid drivers installed and vista continued as normal.

OMG!!! a floppy drive

[ravaneli]

You were right, I was trying to upload the after install driver instead of the pre install. I was right too, because the drive had a .INF extension and not .EXE, that's why I wasn't able to see it before.

So I see the right driver and upload it and go forward,

and just 2 mins later I get a blue scree. WTFnow!?

I restart and this time I skip uploading drivers and just install. No problems this time. And no problems ever since. All updates, all other drivers, all programs I use are now installed.

Everest ultimate shows between 50 and 85% improvement in HD speeds, but I feel NOTHING! Booting is now slower, because there is a new screen about the raid, that cannot be skipped. It takes about 10 secs to load that screen.

Opening any other program or installing drivers seemed no faster at all.

Yes, I installed the storage manager right away.

I guess I am a little disapointed, but at least everything is working now.

Thanks again for all the help guys! Now if you can throw a tip or two how to improve performance, that would be nice too : )

[SuperMiguel]

Well lets see... u are on a overclocking forum and ask what u should do to improve performance? what u think the answer is?

[ravaneli]

My CPU and GPU and RAM are nicely overclocked..

I was asking for something about the RAID0 performance, some custom driver or formatting or I don't know what... I really wish I could FEEL some difference.

[redduc900]

The drivers contained in the Floppy Configuration Utility *.zip are the same as those in the Matrix Storage Manager Utility. So if you plan on installing the Storage Manager in Windows, then there's no need to install the drivers via floppy, thumb drive, HDD partition, etc. When during Setup you're asked to load RAID drivers, then Browse to the drive that contans the iastor.inf, Setup loads the driver into memory for installation at the beginning of the file copy process. So I'm not sure why you were receiving a STOP error during Setup, as Vista won't even load the drivers if they're incompatible or incorrect.

In as far as RAID performance, make sure that Volume Write-Back Cache is enabled on the array (normally Volume0, unless you changed the default name during setup of the array) via the Matrix Storage Console. And during setup of the array, selecting a 64k stripe size is normally preferred over the default 128k stripe for the Intel ICH10R controller.

[Neuromancer]

The drivers contained in the Floppy Configuration Utility *.zip are the same as those in the Matrix Storage Manager Utility. So if you plan on installing the Storage Manager in Windows, then there's no need to install the drivers via floppy, thumb drive, HDD partition, etc. When during Setup you're asked to load RAID drivers, then Browse to the drive that contans the iastor.inf, Setup loads the driver into memory for installation at the beginning of the file copy process. So I'm not sure why you were receiving a STOP error during Setup, as Vista won't even load the drivers if they're incompatible or incorrect.

In as far as RAID performance, make sure that Volume Write-Back Cache is enabled on the array (normally Volume0, unless you changed te default name during setup of the array) via the Matrix Storage Console. And during setup of the array, selecting a 64k stripe size is normally preferred over the default 128k stripe for the Intel ICH10R controller.

You can actually set both levels of write back caching in Vista (and maybe XP) as well, so you do not need to run the MATRIX software unless you decide to actually setup a MATRIX array (mixed raid types on same hard drives)

[redduc900]

... under the "Policies" tab of the Volume0 Properties window. Thanks for pointing that out Neur0mancer, I had forgotten about that.

[ravaneli]

Damn, mine is 128k. So I can change this now? Where is the Volume0 Properties window( sorry for stupid question, but I am unfamiliar with RAID menus)?

I never received a STOP error when installing windows. It's just that on all videos I watched when people got to that screen they uploaded a driver so I tried to do so as well. But it worked fine without it.

I installed the Storage Matrix. Do I need to make any settings in it? I don't even know how to access it..

Doh, I thought i know something about computers, but I feel like a total noob now : )

[RollingThunder]

Hmm, I manually installed the raid drivers for my setup. I d/led them to the floppy drive (yea I keep a floppy drive, lol) instead of the flash drive.

It's OK Neb, I use one too. Us old warhorses still use floppy drives on occasion! :)

[MongGrel]

Ick, floppy drives :)

Turn on the advanced stuff in the Matrix storage for the arrays the hard drive data cache and write back. Least I do have a pretty nice UPS on here, so I don't worry about a fast shut down too bad.

Other than that should be good to go I guess. :beer:

Oops, I guess redduc and Neuro mentioned that.

I was actually using a 16k stripe for a bit on em and changed it, seemed to work really well for for a few things, have been pondering messing around again, hehe.

[redduc900]

Damn, mine is 128k. So I can change this now? Where is the Volume0 Properties window( sorry for stupid question, but I am unfamiliar with RAID menus)?
The array would have to be deleted and then recreated in order to change the stripe size. The array's properties are under Device Manager | Expand 'Disk drives' | Right click Volume0 and select Properties | 'Policies' tab. Selecting 'Enable write caching on the disk' is the equivalent of enabling 'Volume Write-Back Cache' in the Matrix Storage Console...

[SuperMiguel]

Damn, mine is 128k. So I can change this now? Where is the Volume0 Properties window( sorry for stupid question, but I am unfamiliar with RAID menus)?

I never received a STOP error when installing windows. It's just that on all videos I watched when people got to that screen they uploaded a driver so I tried to do so as well. But it worked fine without it.

I installed the Storage Matrix. Do I need to make any settings in it? I don't even know how to access it..

Doh, I thought i know something about computers, but I feel like a total noob now : )

i dont think u can change it... but usually just after the bios there is a litle pop up that says to access raid menu press "XXX"

[ravaneli]

Wow, great stuff, thanks alot guys. If u ever pass by Chicago I am buying a beer. Getting to think about beer, have you noticed that your computer seems faster after u've had a few beers? Prolly just me..

I feel like getting 2 more now and reinstalling. I have the space, the power and sata connectors and everything. And those 7200rpm drives are so cheap now. With 4 drives on RAID0 the difference will prolly be easier to notice.

By the way, is there a way to skip that RAID scren during boot before the POST? The one with the CTR+I for accessing the raid menu? It takes like 10 secs every time... I didn't see such option in BIOS. Did I miss anything?

[SuperMiguel]

Wow, great stuff, thanks alot guys. If u ever pass by Chicago I am buying a beer. Getting to think about beer, have you noticed that your computer seems faster after u've had a few beers? Prolly just me..

I feel like getting 2 more now and reinstalling. I have the space, the power and sata connectors and everything. And those 7200rpm drives are so cheap now. With 4 drives on RAID0 the difference will prolly be easier to notice.

By the way, is there a way to skip that RAID scren during boot before the POST? The one with the CTR+I for accessing the raid menu? It takes like 10 secs every time... I didn't see such option in BIOS. Did I miss anything?

so now that u have a fast computer.. u gona do some folding? :)

[ravaneli]

One more question.

Because of the way my case is set up, it is very easy and neat to add another hard drive, but hard to add 2 more.

Are the increases in performance of raid 0 linear? Do u have to have an even number of drives? Can I add just one drive and get same improvement I got when adding the first one?

[rainless]

Wow, great stuff, thanks alot guys. If u ever pass by Chicago I am buying a beer.

Umm... I live in Chicago...

I think you owe me a beer!

[redduc900]

By the way, is there a way to skip that RAID scren during boot before the POST? The one with the CTR+I for accessing the raid menu? It takes like 10 secs every time... I didn't see such option in BIOS. Did I miss anything?
Your MB's BIOS doesn't offer an option of disabling the Intel RAID BIOS screen during POST.

[fritzman]

By the way, is there a way to skip that RAID scren during boot before the POST? The one with the CTR+I for accessing the raid menu? It takes like 10 secs every time... I didn't see such option in BIOS. Did I miss anything?

Been trying to figure that one out myself... On the Asus boards (or it might simply be that I was using ICH9R) it used to fly through that process.

On the UD5 I'm using now (must update sig!), it takes forever, as you say, so hopefully someone will have found a way.

[ravaneli]

How about performance gains per added drive? Are they linear? I mean, if 1 drive has a read speed of 100MB/s (just say), when I add a second I roughly get +80% = +80MBs. At least this is what EVEREST shows in my case. If I add a third drive am I gona get another 80MB/s??
In other words, each of my drives reads about 100MB/s alone. Two of them read with 180MB/s. Will 3 of them read with 260MB/s?

[fritzman]

How about performance gains per added drive? Are they linear? I mean, if 1 drive has a read speed of 100MB/s (just say), when I add a second I roughly get +80% = +80MBs. At least this is what EVEREST shows in my case. If I add a third drive am I gona get another 80MB/s??
In other words, each of my drives reads about 100MB/s alone. Two of them read with 180MB/s. Will 3 of them read with 260MB/s?

Adding extra drives won't give you an exactly linear result, and there seems to be a point where more drives (with smaller drives anyway) actually don't seem to improve performance (my jump from 4 to 6 drives didn't really show any benefits), but the jump from 2 to 3 to 4 are all very beneficial, esp 2 to 3.

If you have a look at the main matrix thread, I've just posted some 3 x drive benches using a 120Gb Raid0 slice.

[ravaneli]

I ordered a 3rd drive today. We'll see. : )

[ravaneli]

Wow, the speeds with 3 drive RAID0 for me a over 3 x the speed of a single drive! Crazy!

I can't see each of my drives separately though. Is that easy to do? I found some sticky but that was a nasty job..

[fritzman]

Wow, the speeds with 3 drive RAID0 for me a over 3 x the speed of a single drive! Crazy!

I can't see each of my drives separately though. Is that easy to do? I found some sticky but that was a nasty job..

Can you explain what you mean by ' see each drive separately ' ?

Once they are in an array, you will see the drives as whatever you created them to be when you set them up. The only way to see them individually now, is using Intel Matrix Manager.

[ravaneli]

Well everywhere in windows I see one whole drive.

Also, I lost the ability to monitor the temperatures in EVEREST. This is what bugs me the most.. I don't see the drives in EVEREST any more..

[fritzman]

That's correct...

Windows will only see the (matrix) drives you have created, not individual drives.

The only way to do that from within windows, is through the Intel Matrix Manager.

[ravaneli]

But how can I see the temps of my drives??

[Joeteck]

But how can I see the temps of my drives??


You can't. Once you set them up to be part of a RAID array, windows can't read the individual information of each drive, since all three drives are acting as one. If you have good cooling in your case, no need to worry.. However, if you bought one of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817119403), it will make an audible sound when it over heats... Look at my avatar.. I have a 4 drive back plane (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817119404)...