View Full Version : Building XP on RAID drives..
Machine in my sig.
Just rebuilding my machine again, going through some pretty big hoops to get it to build.
Here's what I've had to do.
-Trash my Stripe RAID array
-Setup a single disk array
-build XP onto that
-once in Windows, use the NVid util to make a 2 disk stripe
-use partition magic to extend the partition over the whole disk
Now, I dont think I should have to do that, I should be able to build straight onto the 2 disk array, correct? Well it wont let me.
If I go and create my 2 disk array, set it to "boot", Windows still sees 2 partitions/disks. If I try to put windows onto one of those partitions it fails on the reboot.
What a faff to get Windows on there!
Anyone seen this sort of behavour before?
For the minimal performance gain, is it really worth the hassle and increased risk of losing the installation if one of the disks goes tits up?
you have formatted/configured the raid array via its utility havent you
You may have to delete the original partitions too at windows install stage
set up the drives as a stripe in the raid bios
boot from the XP CD
press F6 while the first screen appears
put in a floppy with the raid drivers when asked
You must put the raid drivers in the root of the floppy NOT in a folder
Lomax - I ask myself that question every time I rebuild.
LSG501 - yes did all that.
Tami - doesnt work.
I have to trick my system to get it to work basically. So by the looks of it, this is wrong, and it should work properly but doesnt.
You say you are setting the array for BOOT.
set the CD for boot, not the array, you cant set up a raid from within windows you must put windows ON the array.
What happens when you put in the floppy with the drivers?
Sorry I'm not being 100% clear - Im setting the Array up as a bootable partition in the RAID manager. Not the boot order in the bios.
Let me try to go through the problem from the beginning, my first post was kind of a vent.
I delete and re-create the Array in the RAID config tool (F10 on this model).
Set it to BOOT in the RAID config util
RAID util says I have a 70GB bootable drive setup (2 x 35s)
So, I reboot, off the XP CD.
Press F6 to provide SATA controller drivers
Provide the floppy disk with the drivers on at the correct time.
XP sees 2 seperate 35GB partitions/disks to write to.
If I select the 1st partition/disk it allows me to put Windows on, however on the 1st reboot in the setup process it says "disk read error" so I tried the second partition/disk showing in XP Setup. When I try to create a partition XP SEtup says "non Windows partition".
So I cant continue with this setup.
However, if I break the array, only add one disk to the stripe, Windows builds and installs on the one disk. Then I can re-configure the Array within Windows using the Nvidia utility into a 2 disk stripe.
Make sense now? :P
At least you are maintaining a sense of humour. Seeing as I have absolutely no advice on this, I'll let you get on with it. Good luck old chap and all that!!
get into the raid bios
make stripe
set as bootable
shut down
get into raid bios again and check to see if settings stayed
If XP cd sees 2 drives the raid bios is NOT saving the data
check to see if you are leaving the raid bios saving the settings
Im trying to maintain my sense of humour at least :D I've been bitten that many times, I now know its best not to get heated up or you will blow a gasket.
Tami, the settings are saved...
I will probably try a bios update while I have the floppy drive installed, we'll see where that gets me.
Cheers for the replies! :)
Hi colweb,
when it comes to the press F6 stage to install the NVIDIA SATA driver, you have to install BOTH of the driver's, ie press the "S" key twice.
Steve
OOh thats interesting, I've only got 1 driver on my disk, I will check that out. Cheers.
Right, went and found NVidia drivers, with the 2 that Steve mentions. Runs through setup, gets to "Starting Windows" (which in reality is still setup, but with more drivers loaded) and reboots (rather than continuing with setup).
I've unwittingly wiped my Silicon drivers diskette I was using, so going through the process of finding the Silicon drivers again and trying those again (you only need to install 1 driver with the silicon).
I think that might be my problem, when I use Silicon the Raid is not seen properly by Windows, when I use NVid my machine reboots.
I've also upped the BIOS to 1011 as it was 1001.
Ok all fixed, was the BIOS update coupled with the new SATA controller disk. I never realised my BIOS was so out of date before.
Thanks for all help!
Hi colweb,
you might need these for future reference::::>>>>
http://nvidia.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nvidia.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=781&p_created=1140140066&p_sid=tUiXgogi&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9MyZwX3Byb2RzPTMmcF9jYXRzPTU4JnBfcHY9MS4 zOzIudTAmcF9jdj0xLjU4OzIudTAmcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hb nN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9mbmwmcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV 4dD1SQUlE&p_li=&p_topview=1
and
http://support.asus.com/technicaldocuments/technicaldocuments.aspx?SLanguage=en-us
Steve
when it comes to the press F6 stage to install the NVIDIA SATA driver, you have to install BOTH of the driver's, ie press the "S" key twice.
Its a bit of a pain that one, caught me out aswell when I initially set my machine up :D.
Damn manual didnt mention a thing about it (never buy first revision hardware ;)).
The main thing that hindered me fixing this was Asus's site being slower than dial up. Dont know what it is at the moment but I find it unusable! (Gigabyte's site isnt any better!).
Now running hunky dory, until I bang Vista on another drive of course lol
The main thing that hindered me fixing this was Asus's site being slower than dial up. Dont know what it is at the moment but I find it unusable! (Gigabyte's site isnt any better!).
Now running hunky dory, until I bang Vista on another drive of course lol
ASUS site has been like that for months now - I noticed it about 8 months ago... :mad:
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