RAID0 - I gave up !

Nittenti · 04-13-07, 01:48 AM

To sum it up, I have a Asus Commando (Bios 0902) and two 160GB Western Digital Raptor WD1600ADFD (HP OEM - partnr: EW222AA).

These discs are killing me - or at least trying to !

What happen is - when pc is turned on, suddenly the pc freezes and HDD light stays on. It can happen every second day or 2-3 times a day. It can happen while surfing, installing something or while gaming. Pc can stay turned on for 5-6 hours and suddenly freeze up or 5 mins after a boot. It happens when they run as single discs or as a RAID !

The Raptors are the only discs connected to SATA controller (I tried moving them around on all 6 SATA ports - no difference), I have two DVD drives connected to the JMicron IDE controller.

I am using Intel Matrix F6 drivers ver: 6.2.1.1002

I ran all possible tests on the discs - HD Tach, HD Tune, WD Data Lifeguard tools in Windows and from bootdisc - no errors found in any of them.

Yesterday I got them up and running in a RAID0 (45GB from each). Ran a HD Tach - 185MB/s transfer, so far so good. During Windows update it got stuck again !

Both Raptors have the 150MB/s limit transfer rate jumper on. Without the jumper they seem worse !

I have two older SATA discs, they work without problems !

DAMN i sometimes hate working with computers !

Rickster · 04-13-07, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nittenti

It happens when they run as single discs or as a RAID !

Have you tried using the diagnostic tools to see if one of the raptors are faulty? http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=127203

Nittenti · 04-13-07, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nittenti

I ran all possible tests on the discs - HD Tach, HD Tune, WD Data Lifeguard tools in Windows and from bootdisc - no errors found in any of them.

Yep - no erros found on any of the Raptors

dogbert_2001 · 04-13-07, 09:13 AM

I don't think it's the hard drives. At least, you gave no conclusive evidence that it is the hard drives.

TDubbs05 · 04-13-07, 02:08 PM

i agree. seems like most issues in this case are caused from the motherboard raid utility. i'd look into your mobo and see in anyone else has had the same issues. hdd's either work or done work.

tyler_bishop · 04-13-07, 04:07 PM

Yeah sometimes they just down work, I built my dad a server pc, it was an opteron with an asus a8n board, the drives were 2 250gb maxtors and they HATED the raid controller.. the raid1 never stayed synced the drives would randomly disapear, I bought him new drives and took the 250's for myself, they work great! lol

I'd google for problems with the raptors on that board and read up on that driver version to see if its been stable. Try using intels inf updater yet?

Rickster · 04-13-07, 04:31 PM

but nittenti said that this happens even when running a single raptor. and other SATA horddisks works. so its a weird one.

Airbornederekc · 04-13-07, 08:55 PM

Where did you get a 1600GB raptor?

GáTê©rÀ$Hë® · 04-13-07, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airbornederekc

Where did you get a 1600GB raptor?

That's not very helpful... maybe its just a typo :P

Anyway, have u tried using other Intel Matrix drivers?
Maybe that driver version doesnt like raptors

Nittenti · 04-14-07, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airbornederekc

Where did you get a 1600GB raptor?

I bought them from HP (don't tell my boss), and they are "only" 160GB

Quote:

Originally Posted by GáTê©rÀ$Hë®

Anyway, have u tried using other Intel Matrix drivers?
Maybe that driver version doesnt like raptors

I tried version 6.0.0.1022 from the motherboard dvd, same problem with those.

I also looked on Asus forums, no specific problems found with Asus Commando and RAID. I saw some in here (signatures) have a RAID going on their Commando.

Another thing came to my mind. The WD1600ADFD Raptors are HP & Dell OEM discs supposed to be sold to their workstations ! Could the issue be that the firmware on the discs don't like a raid controller like the Intel Matrix ?

Anyway, even though they are the biggest Raptors available - I need more space so I decided to go for two 320/400GB perps - will make a new thread asking for advice on which ones to buy

greenmaji · 04-14-07, 04:58 AM

Have you tested the ram for stabiltiy?

Have you considered that it might be a PSU issue as well?

btw. WD wacks off the slowest 10Gb in there firmware for higher min transfer rates.. OEM firmware does not (Dell's Raptors are the full 160Gb as well)

Nittenti · 04-14-07, 06:44 AM

I ran memtest86 for 5 hours - no problems

PSU issue - well I have no possibility to test my Hiper Type-R. Asus PC Probe did'nt report any voltage errors. I had that running for a couple of hours while gaming. I know it's powerfull enough, but I still considered bying the Corsair HX-620 - maybe overkill but better safe than sorry

Nittenti · 04-20-07, 01:48 AM

I might have solved the problem. My collegue suggested that the discs had a bad grounding, since they spin faster than normal discs, they might build up static electricity !

I have a Thermaltake Soprano case with "tool-free" disc mounting. My collegue has a external harddrive (NAS) and the manufacturer pointed out in the manual that the discs MUST be proper grounded. They even put in some "grounding strips" in the box. He tried without and it gave some strange behaviors from the NAS - with the strips mounted it works perfect. The "Grounding strips" is mounted between the mounting screws and the case itself.

I removed the Thermaltake mounting clips, mounted the Raptors with screws and attached a small wire from one of the mounting screws from each disc and connected it to one of the mounting screws on motherboard.

It may sound crazy, but for 3 days and 10+ power on/off - not a single disc freeze !

Maviryk · 04-20-07, 02:56 AM

Huh... learn something new every day...

Maybe I should ground my raptors now... they're suspended by bits of rubber and bungie cord...

I would have thought if they're attached to the PSU there should be no grounding issues though...

Nittenti · 04-20-07, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maviryk

Huh... learn something new every day...

Maybe I should ground my raptors now... they're suspended by bits of rubber and bungie cord...

I would have thought if they're attached to the PSU there should be no grounding issues though...

My thoughts were exactly the same, but as my collegue pointed out - the print/electronics is grounded through PSU - the disc "case" is not, and with those "tool-free" clips there might not be proper ground connection

RAA · 04-20-07, 07:37 AM

Hey, I've been havong some issues with driver errors too and my SATA2 drive is not mounted in the case at all. To ground it fully, do I simply attach a wire to a screw, put the screw in the drive and attach the other end of the wire to one of the screws that holds the mobo in place? Does it matter which mounting hole is used on the drive?

Maviryk · 04-20-07, 07:41 AM

It shouldn't. Probably doesn't have to be a screwhole on the mobo either, just ground it to your case.

RAA · 04-20-07, 08:39 AM

Yes I thought that too but then my case is looking a bit shabby so I attached a wire to the mobo screw holes to be sure. My regular IDE drive is mounted in a drive bay so that won't need grounding right?

It's funny, I've done both my SATA2 drive and my SATA1 drive and now the HD light is on all the time. HD Tune shows all drives are working normally. Why might that have happened?

RAA · 04-20-07, 09:02 AM

Now HD light is working normally again after loading SATA1 OS! Works on all OS now funny. Thanks for sharing this advice BTW, I've had similar problems except more severe where my OS wouldn't load and then when I loaded my IDE OS it would run chkdsk on my SATA2 drive and delete everything. Happened again on this new drive last week but perhaps this is the solution and if it is then great, I've got another drive to use as I replaced the original SATA2 with a new one.

bing · 04-20-07, 12:28 PM

Nittenti, thanks for sharing, glad you solved it !

Thread bookmarked !

04-13-07, 01:48 AM	Thread Starter #1
Nittenti Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Skovlunde, Denmark	RAID0 - I gave up ! To sum it up, I have a Asus Commando (Bios 0902) and two 160GB Western Digital Raptor WD1600ADFD (HP OEM - partnr: EW222AA). These discs are killing me - or at least trying to ! What happen is - when pc is turned on, suddenly the pc freezes and HDD light stays on. It can happen every second day or 2-3 times a day. It can happen while surfing, installing something or while gaming. Pc can stay turned on for 5-6 hours and suddenly freeze up or 5 mins after a boot. It happens when they run as single discs or as a RAID ! The Raptors are the only discs connected to SATA controller (I tried moving them around on all 6 SATA ports - no difference), I have two DVD drives connected to the JMicron IDE controller. I am using Intel Matrix F6 drivers ver: 6.2.1.1002 I ran all possible tests on the discs - HD Tach, HD Tune, WD Data Lifeguard tools in Windows and from bootdisc - no errors found in any of them. Yesterday I got them up and running in a RAID0 (45GB from each). Ran a HD Tach - 185MB/s transfer, so far so good. During Windows update it got stuck again ! Both Raptors have the 150MB/s limit transfer rate jumper on. Without the jumper they seem worse ! I have two older SATA discs, they work without problems ! DAMN i sometimes hate working with computers ! __________________ Asus P8P67 Deluxe B3, i7 2600k, Corsair H70, 2*4GB Kingston, GTX 570 Phantom, Intel 510 250GB, WD Caviar Black 1TB, Logitech G500, Logitech G19, BenQ V2420H, Iomega StorCenter IX2
	QUOTE Thanks

04-13-07, 09:13 AM	#4
dogbert_2001 Member Join Date: Dec 2005	I don't think it's the hard drives. At least, you gave no conclusive evidence that it is the hard drives. __________________ Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800, Tuniq Tower 120 Asus P5W-DH G.Skill 4x1GB DDR2 800 (HZ) Asus 4870 1GB 2xRaid0 Western Digital Raptor 150GB Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty Antec P180B, PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750W Dell Ultrasharp 30" Widescreen LCD Logitech G15+G7
	QUOTE Thanks

04-13-07, 02:08 PM	#5
TDubbs05 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Flagstaff, AZ	i agree. seems like most issues in this case are caused from the motherboard raid utility. i'd look into your mobo and see in anyone else has had the same issues. hdd's either work or done work. __________________ Tim __________________________________________ i7 2600K \| ASRock P67 Extreme6 \| Crucial C300 128GB \| HIS 4870 \| Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme \| Areca 1210 RAID 5 \| Lian-Li V1020B
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04-13-07, 04:07 PM	#6
tyler_bishop Disabled Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In a very hot womens pants...	Yeah sometimes they just down work, I built my dad a server pc, it was an opteron with an asus a8n board, the drives were 2 250gb maxtors and they HATED the raid controller.. the raid1 never stayed synced the drives would randomly disapear, I bought him new drives and took the 250's for myself, they work great! lol I'd google for problems with the raptors on that board and read up on that driver version to see if its been stable. Try using intels inf updater yet?
	QUOTE Thanks

04-13-07, 04:31 PM	#7
Rickster Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Malaysia	but nittenti said that this happens even when running a single raptor. and other SATA horddisks works. so its a weird one.
	QUOTE Thanks

RAID0 - I gave up !

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04-13-07, 08:55 PM	#8
Airbornederekc Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: massachusetts	Where did you get a 1600GB raptor? __________________ Intel Core I7 X980 6 Core CPU @ 4.27Ghz Corsair H50 CPU cooler with Intel server 120mm fan Intel DX58SO Smack Over motherboard 6GB OCZ DDR-III 1600Mhz (3x2GB) (OCZ3P1600LV6GK) 1x Intel X25-M 80GB SATA SSD Drive 2x Gigabyle Radeon HD 5870 1GB XFire (Vantage 31857) Enermax Galaxy Evo 1250w PSU Thermaltake Armor Chassis LG Blu-Ray + Sony DVD-RW
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04-14-07, 04:58 AM	#11
greenmaji Senior Spellcheck Join Date: Dec 2005	Have you tested the ram for stabiltiy? Have you considered that it might be a PSU issue as well? btw. WD wacks off the slowest 10Gb in there firmware for higher min transfer rates.. OEM firmware does not (Dell's Raptors are the full 160Gb as well) __________________ $300 for your CPU $500 for your GFX card $100 for your memory $200 for your motherboard $9.99 for your PSU Having a CHEAP power supply take out your computer PRICELESS. Last edited by greenmaji; 04-14-07 at 05:04 AM.
	QUOTE Thanks

04-14-07, 06:44 AM	Thread Starter #12
Nittenti Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Skovlunde, Denmark	I ran memtest86 for 5 hours - no problems PSU issue - well I have no possibility to test my Hiper Type-R. Asus PC Probe did'nt report any voltage errors. I had that running for a couple of hours while gaming. I know it's powerfull enough, but I still considered bying the Corsair HX-620 - maybe overkill but better safe than sorry __________________ Asus P8P67 Deluxe B3, i7 2600k, Corsair H70, 2*4GB Kingston, GTX 570 Phantom, Intel 510 250GB, WD Caviar Black 1TB, Logitech G500, Logitech G19, BenQ V2420H, Iomega StorCenter IX2
	QUOTE Thanks

04-20-07, 01:48 AM	Thread Starter #13
Nittenti Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Skovlunde, Denmark	I might have solved the problem. My collegue suggested that the discs had a bad grounding, since they spin faster than normal discs, they might build up static electricity ! I have a Thermaltake Soprano case with "tool-free" disc mounting. My collegue has a external harddrive (NAS) and the manufacturer pointed out in the manual that the discs MUST be proper grounded. They even put in some "grounding strips" in the box. He tried without and it gave some strange behaviors from the NAS - with the strips mounted it works perfect. The "Grounding strips" is mounted between the mounting screws and the case itself. I removed the Thermaltake mounting clips, mounted the Raptors with screws and attached a small wire from one of the mounting screws from each disc and connected it to one of the mounting screws on motherboard. It may sound crazy, but for 3 days and 10+ power on/off - not a single disc freeze ! __________________ Asus P8P67 Deluxe B3, i7 2600k, Corsair H70, 2*4GB Kingston, GTX 570 Phantom, Intel 510 250GB, WD Caviar Black 1TB, Logitech G500, Logitech G19, BenQ V2420H, Iomega StorCenter IX2
	QUOTE Thanks

04-20-07, 02:56 AM	#14
Maviryk Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA	Huh... learn something new every day... Maybe I should ground my raptors now... they're suspended by bits of rubber and bungie cord... I would have thought if they're attached to the PSU there should be no grounding issues though...
	QUOTE Thanks

04-20-07, 07:37 AM	#16
RAA Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Hey, I've been havong some issues with driver errors too and my SATA2 drive is not mounted in the case at all. To ground it fully, do I simply attach a wire to a screw, put the screw in the drive and attach the other end of the wire to one of the screws that holds the mobo in place? Does it matter which mounting hole is used on the drive? __________________ Asrock Dual SataII, Asrock bios 2.30, Vldt 1.24V, Vdd 2.06V, Vsb 1.86V, VID 4 mod San Diego 4000 KACAI SH-E4 250x12 166/200 @1.4V, LDTx4, 3GHz Prime stable Crazy ventilation system, 34'c full load Corsair XMS 2x1024 C2 2 3 3 6 1T CH-6 @DDR400 Sapphire HD3870 512Mb GDDR4 777/1125 Audigy X-Fi sound card Corsair 520W PSU 3DMark2005 14561
	QUOTE Thanks

04-20-07, 07:41 AM	#17
Maviryk Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA	It shouldn't. Probably doesn't have to be a screwhole on the mobo either, just ground it to your case. __________________ Toshiba Satellite E105 I'm packing Heat
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04-20-07, 08:39 AM	#18
RAA Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Yes I thought that too but then my case is looking a bit shabby so I attached a wire to the mobo screw holes to be sure. My regular IDE drive is mounted in a drive bay so that won't need grounding right? It's funny, I've done both my SATA2 drive and my SATA1 drive and now the HD light is on all the time. HD Tune shows all drives are working normally. Why might that have happened? __________________ Asrock Dual SataII, Asrock bios 2.30, Vldt 1.24V, Vdd 2.06V, Vsb 1.86V, VID 4 mod San Diego 4000 KACAI SH-E4 250x12 166/200 @1.4V, LDTx4, 3GHz Prime stable Crazy ventilation system, 34'c full load Corsair XMS 2x1024 C2 2 3 3 6 1T CH-6 @DDR400 Sapphire HD3870 512Mb GDDR4 777/1125 Audigy X-Fi sound card Corsair 520W PSU 3DMark2005 14561
	QUOTE Thanks

04-20-07, 09:02 AM	#19
RAA Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Now HD light is working normally again after loading SATA1 OS! Works on all OS now funny. Thanks for sharing this advice BTW, I've had similar problems except more severe where my OS wouldn't load and then when I loaded my IDE OS it would run chkdsk on my SATA2 drive and delete everything. Happened again on this new drive last week but perhaps this is the solution and if it is then great, I've got another drive to use as I replaced the original SATA2 with a new one. __________________ Asrock Dual SataII, Asrock bios 2.30, Vldt 1.24V, Vdd 2.06V, Vsb 1.86V, VID 4 mod San Diego 4000 KACAI SH-E4 250x12 166/200 @1.4V, LDTx4, 3GHz Prime stable Crazy ventilation system, 34'c full load Corsair XMS 2x1024 C2 2 3 3 6 1T CH-6 @DDR400 Sapphire HD3870 512Mb GDDR4 777/1125 Audigy X-Fi sound card Corsair 520W PSU 3DMark2005 14561
	QUOTE Thanks

04-20-07, 12:28 PM	#20
bing Low Profile Senior Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Indonesia	Nittenti, thanks for sharing, glad you solved it ! Thread bookmarked ! __________________ █ DIY Fan Controller for 4 Wires PWM Fan \| █ Inductors are hotter than mosfets \| █ Are you HHH ? █ DIY 90 Watt Fan Controller \| █ Vintage OC-ing Gears Anyone ?
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