IDE-RAID Problem

[Namslas90]

Good Day TPU, well it's another day and another build. Actually been working on this one for a few days now as I'm having some Issues.

OK, building a charity rig out of old spare parts. (for an old freind @ No Charge)

Asus P4C800Deluxe
P4-2.8Ghz
2 X 256 DDR 400 - Giel
1 X 512 DDR 400 - Generic
2 X Fujistu 133 ATA IDE 10Gb(ea) Model MPF2103AF
ATI AIW 8500
Sony DVD Rom R/W
Hitachi CD Rom R/W
Generic Case (unknown)
Generic 300 watt PSU (Unknown)

All hardware Identified in Bios, NP.
Bios Version 08.00.09 Dated 11/21/03

Got the Raid set up in Bios using the Promise/Fastrak 378 . Raid array set up/identified in Bios as IDE on Promise Controller/IDE Raid connector. Recognized in Bios as Raid 0 2X10Gb.

Problem is; Windows XP does not recognize the HDD"S during install.

Questions are;

Do I need a Win XP Raid Driver? If so, what driver?

Do I need to upgrade Bios? If so, what version?

Did I just totally do this all wrong?

Thanks for looking any help would be great. :toast:

[t_ski]

Win XP won't recognize most raid controllers without additional drivers. You need to go to the Promise website and download the latest XP drivers for that card. When installing XP, you need to press F6 when it asks if you need to install additional drivers. IIRC you will have to have these on floppy - I don't remember if anyone ever figured out how to get XP to find them on any other source.

[Namslas90]

Thanks T-Ski;

Yeah, tried a couple Asus XP drivers allready (forgot to add that). I'll try the Promise site for a driver now.

:toast:

[t_ski]

You're welcome. Is the promise controller built into the mobo? If so, the Asus drivers should have worked.

BTW, just in case, here's a tutorial for the raid setup:

http://www.angrygames.com/nf4raid-1.htm

It's for a DFI NF4 board, but it should give you an idea of most of the steps.

[Namslas90]

You're welcome. Is the promise controller built into the mobo? If so, the Asus drivers should have worked.

BTW, just in case, here's a tutorial for the raid setup:

http://www.angrygames.com/nf4raid-1.htm

It's for a DFI NF4 board, but it should give you an idea of most of the steps.

The Raid array is all set up and recognized in BIOS the problem is just XP recognizing the HDD's in Raid. Have now tried 3 different XP drivers (F-6 when prompted - etc). Still not working though. I think I'll look into a BIOS upgrade(again), not sure.

Any other Ideas? :toast:

[t_ski]

I don't know if this is the issue or not, but the board I had (DFI NF4 like in the link), I needed to add two drivers like it shows on page two. If I added only one of them, it wouldn't work.

[Namslas90]

Well, one problem down. Turns out the Floppy was not reading. Swaped it out and can get a little further now, but still no luck. XP consideres the Raid driver as a SCSI driver, Is that normal?

[t_ski]

Yes, it is.

[acousticlemur]

you need the viasys raid driver, it should be on the asus site. if you still have the mobo cd there is a program on the cd called make disk that will put all the needed drivers on the floppy for ya.

[Namslas90]

you need the viasys raid driver, it should be on the asus site. if you still have the mobo cd there is a program on the cd called make disk that will put all the needed drivers on the floppy for ya.

Tried that driver allready, XP doesn't like it either!?

:toast:

[Namslas90]

Just tried installing both Via Raid chipset and Promise Fastrack 378 driver and still XP cant fint the HDD's.

Guess I'll try updating the bios. :toast:

EDIT; Updating the BIOS, loading both the Fastrack and Via RAID drivers solved the problem. Thanks :toast:

[t_ski]

That was one more thing I totally forgot about: sometimes the controller BIOS is in with the PC's BIOS as well. Also, sometimes certain controller drivers require certain BIOS files.

But hey - at least you got it working now. :toast:

[acousticlemur]

sweet i am glad that you figured it out. i spent a few days trying to get it figured out on my rig a few years ago. but i didnt have internet access at the time so it really sucked. any way, good job! :rockout: