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bopgun23
Just got here...
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject: nForce4 + XP reinstall = unrecognized array |
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Howdy, all. I needs some help.
---Computer Info---
Motherboard GA K8n Pro-SLI F9
Award Bios 6.00PG
nForce 4.84
WinXP Pro Corp 2002 SP2
XP nVidia RAID drivers v5.10.2600.699
---Old Setup---
1st Array (boot/os): 2-250gb HD, striped
2nd Array (storage): 2-varied-gb HD, spanned (JBOD)
---Problem---
The slave drive of my 1st array had total failure. I removed it from the array, reset the master drive as solitary spanning (JBOD), and reinstalled XP Pro Corp.
Now, XP seems unable to detect the 2nd array, which has not been touched and is still setup the same way in the nVidia RAID utility.
The XP nVidia MediaShield utility doesn't recognize them at all.
The XP Disk Management shows:
Disk 0: Dynamic // Unreadable (2nd Array master)
Disk 1: Unknown // Not Initialized (2nd Array slave)
Disk 2: Basic // Online (1st array Master, functioning w/ OS)
Disk Management allows for the possibility to "Initialize Disk" for Disk 1, but I'm assuming this will probably screw up my 2nd array and destroy my data.
---Current Setup (BIOS)---
NV Serial ATA 1 - Enabled
NV SATA 1 class code - Auto
NV SATA 1 Primary - Enabled (primary OS HD)
NV SATA 1 Secondary - Disabled (failed HD)
NV Serial ATA 2 - Enabled
NV SATA 2 class code - Auto
NV SATA 2 Primary - Enabled (2nd array master)
NV SATA 2 Secondary - Enabled (2nd array slave)
---Current Setup (RAID utility)---
Array 1: NVIDIA JBOD (actually 2nd array, became "Array 1" after original boot array was deleted)
Adapter: 0 -- Channel: 1 -- M/S: Master -- Index: 0
Adapter: 0 -- Channel: 1 -- M/S: Slave -- Index: 1
Array 2: NVIDIA JBOD (1st array bootable OS)
Adapter: 2 -- Channel: 0 -- M/S: Master -- Index: 0
======================
I realize this is a lot of info. I just wanted to be articulate and complete. Does anyone know how to make XP recognize my 2nd array???
Thanks,
Rob |
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JTKWalesUK1981
nForce Aware
Joined: 09 May 2007
Posts: 301
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| Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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| reinstall the drivers? |
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losmeme
nFHQ Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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Hello all, hope someone can help.
I have had an MSI K8N Neo2-F (nForce 3) setup for a couple of years now. 2X 250GB WD sata drives are raided, and split into 4 partitions, attached to ports 1 & 2. I also had a single SATA data disk on port 3 (no raid) and a PATA data drive on channel 0.
The other day my Windows XP installation borked. I loaded the install CD, and at the blue windows install screen all the drives were rearranged. The C: drive was listed as G:. I hadn't used the F6 floppy, so shut down, disconnected the 2 data drives and then:
I tried to reinstall Windows onto the C: drive partition, using the 2004 driver package to load drivers at the F6 prompt. (The same driver set I used 2 years ago) All 4 partitions show up in the blue windows install right where they should be (C:, D:, E:, and F: (G: and H: having been the original data disks) I reformatted the C partition at windows setup, and things continued OK until I got to the installation screen, which hung. I rebooted, Windows said is was restarting the installation process, and then it hung again at the same point.
For the entire time I have had this board functioning, the raid array never showed up in the boot order list. The only thing there for HDDs was the add-in card item, which was set to boot. This worked for 2 years no problem. The raid array at F10 shows healthy, and still does today, even though I can't get XP onto the C drive.
After the install w/ the 2004 drivers failed, I tried again using the newer 2005 drivers at the F6 prompt. Same result, windows hangs at the installation screen. But now, I have not only the add-in card item in the boot order list, I also now have the array listed as an item. Having the add-in card item as 1st boot throws the error "can't find bootable media". Changing the boot to the newly listed array will boot, but install hangs as per before.
I then installed a blank sata HDD onto port 4 (no raid) and tried an install on that drive (with the drivers at F6) which went fine. Windows loads, finishes installation, and I get to the desktop. The raid doesn't show up at this point. Windows searches for new hardware, finds the raid controller, then throws the error "The installation source for this product is not available" Trying to manually load the drivers in device manager gives the same error.
What I doing something wrong here? I have data on the other 3 partitions that I would like to save if possible. (The array still shows as healthy at boot)
If I delete the array at F10, will rebuilding it preserve the data on the partitions? Do I need to clear the CMOS to get rid of this board confusion, and if I do, will I still be able to save the other three partitions?
Four nights of researching this has lead to no conclusive steps to take. At a total loss at this point. (I realize the OP has an nForce 4, but this post was the closest to what I had experienced.)
Last edited by losmeme on Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:39 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Fernando 1
=|| Easy RAIDer ||=
Guru
Joined: 05 Sep 2004
Posts: 1747
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 5:14 pm Post subject: |
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| losmeme wrote: |
Hello all, hope someone can help.
I have had an MSI K8N Neo2-F (nForce 3) setup for a couple of years now. 2X 250GB WD sata drives are raided, and split into 4 partitions, attached to ports 1 & 2. I also had a single SATA data disk on port 3 (no raid) and a PATA data drive on channel 0.
The other day my Windows XP installation borked. I loaded the install CD, and at the blue windows install screen all the drives were rearranged. The C: drive was listed as G:. I hadn't used the F6 floppy, so shut down, disconnected the 2 data drives and then:
I tried to reinstall Windows onto the C: drive partition, using the 2004 driver package to load drivers at the F6 prompt. (The same driver set I used 2 years ago) All 4 partitions show up in the blue windows install right where they should be (C:, D:, E:, and F: (G: and H: having been the original data disks) I reformatted the C partition at windows setup, and things continued OK until I got to the installation screen, which hung. I rebooted, Windows said is was restarting the installation process, and then it hung again at the same point.
For the entire time I have had this board functioning, the raid array never showed up in the boot order list. The only thing there for HDDs was the add-in card item, which was set to boot. This worked for 2 years no problem. The raid array at F10 shows healthy, and still does today, even though I can't get XP onto the C drive.
After the install w/ the 2004 drivers failed, I tried again using the newer 2005 drivers at the F6 prompt. Same result, windows hangs at the installation screen. But now, I have not only the add-in card item in the boot order list, I also now have the array listed as an item. Having the add-in card item as 1st boot throws the error "can't find bootable media". Changing the boot to the newly listed array will boot, but install hangs as per before.
I then installed a blank sata HDD onto port 4 (no raid) and tried an install on that drive (with the drivers at F6) which went fine. Windows loads, finishes installation, and I get to the desktop. The raid doesn't show up at this point. Windows searches for new hardware, finds the raid controller, then throws the error "The installation source for this product is not available" Trying to manually load the drivers in device manager gives the same error.
What I doing something wrong here? I have data on the other 3 partitions that I would like to save if possible. (The array still shows as healthy at boot)
If I delete the array at F10, will rebuilding it preserve the data on the partitions? Do I need to clear the CMOS to get rid of this board confusion, and if I do, will I still be able to save the other three partitions?
Four nights of researching this has lead to no conclusive steps to take. At a total loss at this point. (I realize the OP has an nForce 4, but this post was the closest to what I had experienced.) |
My suggestions:
1. Before you start with a clean install of Windows XP, you should verify, that your RAID array is set
a) at first place within the mainboard BIOS option "HARD DISK BOOT PRIORITY" and
b) as "bootable" within the RAID BIOS utility.
2. Disconnect both non-RAID hdd's while installing Windows XP. Once XP is up, you can reconnect both hdd's.
If you want to create a bootable XP CD with integrated actual nForce SataRaid drivers (that's always better than the old F6/floppy method), you may look here for detailed instructions. |
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losmeme
nFHQ Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Yes, the array is set at top in boot priority, the array is listed as bootable at F10. Both non-raid disks have been disconnected. I verified all this before I started. The problems on the install occur with all these things having been done. |
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Fernando 1
=|| Easy RAIDer ||=
Guru
Joined: 05 Sep 2004
Posts: 1747
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject: |
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| losmeme wrote: |
| Yes, the array is set at top in boot priority, the array is listed as bootable at F10. Both non-raid disks have been disconnected. I verified all this before I started. The problems on the install occur with all these things having been done. |
Which folder of which nForce IDE driver version of which nForce chipset driver package did you load? |
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losmeme
nFHQ Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject: |
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I used the 2 SATA Raid driver packages available for my board located at MSI.com. I did not tweak either package, I copied the files directly to the floppy. (K8N Neo2-F)
I am in the process of trying the nLite slipstream now, but am confused by .sif files. I have a Vol License Windows XP disk, without any service packs. (Original Windows XP) I understand you to say that I need to slip stream ONLY SP2 onto this disk, correct?
After all this reading, I have to wonder how I got the darned thing set up in the first place! It has been 2 years, and my memory isn't that good anymore! I'll let you know how it turns out. |
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losmeme
nFHQ Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:45 am Post subject: |
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TOR!
Fernando you are the man! Followed your instructions over on MSFN.
I used your modded 6.99 legacy raid drivers, and all the others from the nVidia 5.11 package. Slipstreamed them into a Win disk along with SP2 and it worked like a charm. The ethernet didn't work at first, but I remembered that on nVidia chipset boards you have to manually enter the MAC address in the properties panel for it to establish connections.
I am going to make another disk now and get rid of all the junk in XP I don't use via nLite. Thanks so very much for your invaluable guide. nVidia should take your page and post it on their site, but then they would have to admit that they've totally bunged up the drivers for their chipsets.
The best part about it all is that the data on the other three partitions was all there, safe and sound, after the install. Thanks again!
Last edited by losmeme on Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:47 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Fernando 1
=|| Easy RAIDer ||=
Guru
Joined: 05 Sep 2004
Posts: 1747
Location: Germany
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:57 am Post subject: |
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| losmeme wrote: |
TOR!
Fernando you are the man! Followed your instructions over on MSFN.
I used your modded 6.99 legacy raid drivers, and all the others from the nVidia 5.11 package. Slipstreamed them into a Win disk along with SP2 and it worked like a charm. |
Fine, that you succeeded this way.
| Quote: |
| The ethernet didn't work at first, but I remembered that on nVidia chipset boards you have to manually enter the MAC address in the properties panel for it to establish connections. |
The nForce Ethernet drivers of the 5.11 package are broken.
That is why you can find this warning within my guide:
| Quote: |
- Users with an nForce3 chipset will find here the latest official 32bit nForce chipset driver package 5.11 (usable for Windows XP and Windows 2000)
Warning: Don't use the Ethernet drivers of this package, they are broken!).
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losmeme
nFHQ Member
Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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Your right, they are broken. I forgot to mention I took the ethernet drivers from the disk supplied with the motherboard. They are version 4.4. Seem to work OK.
I think previously I had been using the nVidia 5.10 package for all the drivers, I will extract the ethernet drivers from there when I make my second nLite disk. |
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