Vista & nVRaid - installation guide and troubleshooting

[Fernando 1]

@ all users with an nForce SataRaid system:

Preliminary notes for users, who are here for the first time:

This thread has got a big volume with a lot of sites and hundreds of replies. There is no reason to waste time and to read them. All you need to know is layed down in this first post. If I get any new information, which might be important or useful, I will edit it into this post!
So this first post usually will always be up-to-date (unless I am not at home for a while).

When I started this thread in May 2006 (MS had just released the public Beta version of Vista), I could not imagine, that my guide "How to get Vista installed onto nForce SataRaid systems" would be that pupular for such a long time even after the official release of Vista's final version. My primary intention for writing this guide was to help other owners of a LEGACY mode nForce4 SataRaid system to get Vista installed at all and to avoid similar frustrations as I had during the whole Vista Beta test period. The current guide version refers to all users with any kind of nForce SataRaid system, who have problems with the Vista installation or just want this OS with the newest/best nForce IDE drivers from scratch.

Some general infos regarding the support of the various nForce Raid systems by nForce IDE drivers:

• Both Vista versions (x86 and x64) have in-box nForce S-ATA and Raid drivers, but the Vista RTM drivers v.8.22 (dated 10/03/2006) and the Vista SP1 drivers v8.33 (dated 11/02/2006 and shown as v8.30 within the Device Manager) have only poor performance and do not support all nForce Raid systems.
• Many nForce4xx/5xx/6xx/7xx SataRaid systems are fully supported by Vista's in-box nForce IDE drivers. Users with such compatible nForce S-ATA and RAID Controllers don't need to load any separate nForce IDE driver or patch to get Vista installed onto their system by booting off DVD, but they should, if they want a perfectly running Vista from scratch.
• nForce2 Raid, nForce3 Raid and nForce4 PataRaid systems are not supported at all by the currently available Vista nForce IDE drivers. Nevertheless there is a (painful) way to get Vista installed onto nForce2-3 Pata/SataRaid and nForce4 PataRaid systems (for details see below).
• nForce SataRaid systems on mainboards with the option to create S-ATA and P-ATA RAID arrays simultaneously (=LEGACY mode nForce SataRaid systems) are not fully supported by Vista's in-box nForce IDE drivers. Affected users will realise that, when Vista's Setup routine will not detect their RAID devices/partitions automaticly. This doesn't happen until these users have loaded special nForce IDE drivers or a patch (for details see below).
• Both Vista x86/x64 versions need Vista nForce IDE drivers during the installation. NForce IDE drivers, which are designed for Windows XP/XPx64, do not work from scratch unless the Vista installation is started from within a running XP/XPx64 partition. Nevertheless it is possible to get XP/XPx64 Pata/SataRAID drivers installed from within a running Vista x86/x64.
• If you are going to install Vista SP1 (32/64bit) by booting off DVD, you will only be able to load WHQL certified textmode drivers.
  Notice: If you want to get unsigned Vista nForce SataRaid drivers installed, you should either boot off the Vista RTM version (without integrated SP1) or update the drivers from within a running Vista SP1.

Guide for a perfect install of Vista
onto NF4-7 SataRaid systems
(works with "old" Legacy type nForce4 SataRaid systems too)
Last update: 03/30/2009


A. Clean installation

Preparations:

As none of the Vista versions (not even the Vista SP1 slipstreamed one) has nForce SataRaid drivers "in the box", which are suitable for all nForce chipsets, users with an old (= Legacy type) nForce Raid array have to download special nForce SataRaid drivers and to store them somewhere for loading them during the Vista installation - without these additional drivers Vista won't detect the RAID and their partitions. Users with other nForce chipsets may need to download better nForce IDE drivers too, if they want an error free OS with acceptable performance from scratch.
Important for newbies: Before you continue reading this guide, you should verify, if you really have an nForce RAID system. There are a lot of nForce chipset mainboards with different RAID controllers (mostly from NVIDIA and Silicon Image). Assure yourself, that your S-ATA hdd's are connected to the nForce RAID ports and not to other RAID connectors as Sil3114, otherwise your RAID won't be detected by loading any nForce SataRaid driver mentioned within this guide.

Get the newest/currently best nForce S-ATA and Raid drivers from scratch

The installation of a proper running Vista onto nForce4, nForce4xx, nForce5xx and nForce6xx SataRaid systems has been enormously improved by NVIDIA's official Vista x86/x64 nForce chipset driver packages v9.46 (release date: 12/17/2007) and v9.64 (release date: 03/18/2008) and facilitated by NVIDIA's actual nForce driversets v15.25/15.26 (release date: 03/16/2009), which are supporting all NF5-9 chipsets (according to the announcements of NVIDIA).
Tip: If you are searching for optimized actual nForce driver combinations, which will give your system a better performance, you may look here. There you will find "NF4-7 Performance Packs" and special nForce driverpacks for NF4 RAID users, who ran into problems with NVIDIA's official ones.
Warning: Although NVIDIA is still offering their 15.23/15.24 driver sets for some nForce chipsets, it is highly recommended not to use them with any RAID system. Many nForce RAID users reported, that the installation of the included nForce IDE drivers v10.3.0.42 induced BSOD's or even degraded the RAID.


This is what you need:

a) For the installation of Vista x86:

• Preparation of the actual 32bit nForce IDE drivers
  If you want to get Vista or Vista SP1 installed with the actual nForce S-ATA and RAID drivers from scratch, you only need the SATARAID and maybe the SATA_IDE folder of the 32bit nForce chipset driver package, which contains the IDE driver version of your choice. All the other nForce drivers and the RAIDTOOL can be installed once Vista is up.
  
  For the purpose of an easy and safe driver loading process I have prepared and uploaded 2 small packages with different nForce IDE driver versions:
  • Actual nForce S-ATA and RAID drivers v10.3.0.46:
    Since NVIDIA is offering their new nForce driverpacks 15.25/15.26 for all nForce chipsets from NF5 up, the users with any actual system should be able to get Vista installed by loading the same actual S-ATA and RAID drivers. That is why I recommend to download this package containing the newest WHQL signed 32bit nForce IDE drivers v10.3.0.46.
  • Older nForce S-ATA and RAID drivers v9.98 (for users with a LEGACY mode nForce RAID system as measure of safety):
    The brandnew nForce IDE drivers 10.3.0.46 do not work with nForce4 RAID systems. That is why I recommend to additionally download this package, which contains the well approved 32bit nForce IDE drivers v9.98 dated 08/09/2007.
  
  Both packages contain just the needed SATARAID and SATA_IDE driver folders.
  
  Unzip the downloaded package and copy the entire SATA_IDE and SATARAID subfolder (as separate folders, don't mix the files) onto an empty USB stick, onto your customised Vista DVD (by using a tool like vLite) or copy the content (all files) of the SATA_IDE and the SATARAID folder onto different floppy disks named "SATA_IDE" and "SATARAID" driver disks.

b) For the installation of Vista x64:

• Preparation of the actual 64bit nForce IDE drivers
  If you want to get Vista x64 or Vista x64 SP1 installed with the actual nForce S-ATA and RAID drivers from scratch, you only need the SATARAID and maybe the SATA_IDE folder of the 64bit nForce chipset driver package, which contains the IDE driver version of your choice. All the other nForce drivers of the pack and the RAIDTOOL can be installed once Vista is up.
  
  For the purpose of an easy and safe driver loading process I have prepared and uploaded 2 small packages with different nForce IDE driver versions:
  ]
  • Actual nForce S-ATA and RAID drivers v10.3.0.46:
    Since NVIDIA's newest nForce IDE drivers officially are supporting all nForce chipsets from NF5 up, the users with any of these actual chipsets should be able to get Vista x64 installed by loading the same actual 64bit S-ATA and RAID drivers. That is why I recommend to download this package containing the newest WHQL signed 64bit nForce IDE drivers v10.3.0.46.
  • Older nForce S-ATA and RAID drivers v9.98 (for users with a LEGACY mode nForce RAID system as measure of safety):
    The brandnew nForce IDE drivers 10.3.0.46 do not work with NF4 RAID systems. That is why I recommend to additionally download this package, which contains the well approved 64bit nForce IDE drivers v9.98 dated 08/09/2007.
  
  Both packages contain just the needed SATARAID and SATA_IDE driver folders.
  
  Unzip the downloaded package and copy the entire SATA_IDE and SATARAID subfolder (as separate folders, don't mix the files) onto an empty USB stick, onto your customised Vista DVD (by using a tool like vLite) or copy the content (all files) of the SATA_IDE and the SATARAID folder onto different floppy disks named "SATA_IDE" and "SATARAID" driver disks.

Additional preparation tips:

• It is a good idea to prepare an empty partition of your Raid array for the later Vista installation before beginning with the Vista Setup by booting off the DVD. This preparation is not really needed, but it makes it easier for you. (You can create, delete and format any RAID partition during the Vista installation too. You will get these options when the Vista Setup shows the correct list of your existing partitions and you have hit the "Advanced" button).
  Run any OS of your Raid and create a new partition (minimal space requirement: 25 GB, better are 30 - 50 GB) or do a quick format of an equivalent and not needed existing partition. Be aware to format the designed Vista installation place with NTFS file system.
• If you have an nForce4 SataRaid system and are going to install Vista for the first time, I recommend to download a small image file, which may be needed as emergency reserve while installing Vista (if the worst comes to the worst and your RAID will not be detected at all). Download it from here, unzip it and burn the ISO file as bootable CD. There are abviously still a few LEGACY mode nForce4 SataRaid systems, which are not supported by the actual nForce IDE drivers. In this case you will need this bootable Emergency CD. The method has been developed and published by nForcerHQ member hwti in November 2006.
• Very important: If your computer should have a permanent internet connection, I recommend to unplug it during the Vista installation. Only this way you will be able to avoid the installation of broken nForce SataRAID drivers by Windows Update directly after having completed the Vista installation. Many nForce RAID users were already suffering from this annoying WU procedure. You can reconnect to the internet after having disabled the "Automatic Update" option of Windows Update.

After you have completed the preparations, you can begin with the installation.


Preconditions (very important!):

• Vista can be installed onto each available spacious partition, but the active boot partition (normally on drive C) has to be within the nForce RAID array and should have the NTFS file system.
  Suggestion: Before you begin with the Vista install you should check, if both preconditions are fulfilled. If drive C is not within your nForce RAID array, you have set the wrong boot order of the HARD DISK BOOT PRIORITY settings of your BIOS. The RAID has to be set as bootable (within the RAID configuration tool) and as first bootable HDD (within BIOS).
• As the nVRaid BIOS (newer name: MediaShield IDE ROM) is part of the mainboard BIOS, you should check, if you have flashed the latest available mainboard BIOS version.
• Vista needs a rock stable system during the installation. If you have an overclocked system or critical RAM sticks, you will get BSOD's, missing files or sudden reboots during the Vista installation.
  Suggestion: Set the default BIOS timings before you begin with the Vista Setup.
• Users with a S-ATA connected DVD device reported about problems during the Vista installation onto an nForce SataRaid array.
  Suggestion: If you get troubles during the install, borrow an IDE-connected DVD device just for the Vista installation.
• Users reported about problems during the Vista installation, when the Setup routine detected other storage devices (RAIDed or non-RAIDed hdd's, USB devices, card readers etc.) outside the RAID array.
  Suggestion: Unplug all storage devices outside the active RAID array and disable all unneeded controllers within BIOS before you begin with the installation of Vista.

Installation procedure:

If you have a LEGACY mode nForce4 S-ATA RAID system (P-ATA=IDE RAID systems are not supported by this method), you will be able to get Vista installed by booting off the Vista DVD even when your RAID is not automaticly detected. It probably will be detected after having loaded the prepared SATA_IDE drivers.

• Important: If you are using an USB stick for driver loading purpose, you have to remove it after finishing the driver loading, otherwise Vista will try to get installed onto your USB stick!

Here is the way how to start:

• Boot off the Vista DVD.
• When you are asked where you want to get Vista installed, you may either see already your RAID device(s) and RAID partitions or not.
• The next steps depend on the ability of Vista Setup to correctly recognize the nForce RAID partitions by its own or not.

Here is the way how to continue:

Alternative A:
Vista Setup shows all your RAID devices and partitions correctly

In this case you obviously don't have a LEGACY mode nForce chipset and don't need to load any nForce IDE driver to get Vista installed. If you want the newest and best nForce IDE drivers from scratch, you should do the following:

• Hit the "load driver" button.
• Point to the SATARAID driver folder content of your prepared USB stick or floppy disk. You will get a popup window with all compatible nForce devices.
  Attention: Be aware of loading the correct driver package (Vista x86 needs x86 drivers, Vista x64 needs x64 drivers!).
• Select one after the other or at once (via Strg+A) all shown compatible devices and let Vista Setup load all related drivers.
• After having loaded the drivers (maybe you have to hit the "Refresh" button), you should verify, if Vista Setup still shows all hard disk devices and RAID partitions of your computer.
• Highlight the partition where you want Vista to get installed.
  Notice:
  At this point of the Vista installation you have the opportunity to load all other new nForce chipset drivers (contrary to the F6 option of former operating systems), for example the Ethernet and SMBus drivers of the suitable Vista 32/64bit nForce chipset driver package.
• Hit the "Continue" button.
• The rest will do Vista Setup by its own.

Alternative B:
Vista Setup doesn't show your RAID devices and partitions correctly

You obviously have a LEGACY mode nForce RAID system, which is not supported by the Vista built-in nForce IDE drivers. Users with such nForce SataRaid system need to load the content of a special nForce SATA_IDE driver folder to let Vista Setup detect the RAID devices and partitions.
Here is the way to proceed for users with a LEGACY mode nForce SataRAID system (nForce PataRAID or mixed Sata/PataRAID systems are not supported by the available Vista nForce IDE drivers):

• Hit the "load driver" button.
  Attention: Be aware of loading the correct driver package (Vista x86 needs x86 drivers, Vista x64 needs x64 drivers!).
• Point to the SATARAID driver folder content of your prepared USB stick or floppy disk. You will get a popup window with all compatible drivers.
• Select one after the other or at once (via Strg+A) all shown compatible devices and let Vista Setup load all related drivers.
• After having loaded the drivers (maybe you have to hit the "Refresh" button), you should verify, if Vista Setup still shows all hard disk devices and RAID partitions of your computer.
• If your RAID devices and RAID partitions are not recognized after having loaded the compatible SATARAID drivers, you have to additionally load the content of the prepared SATA_IDE driver folder.
• Hit the "Load Driver" button again. Point to the SATA_IDE folder and select "NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller" and load it.
• After having loaded the drivers (maybe you have to hit the "Refresh" button), you probably will see all hard disk devices and RAID partitions of your computer.
  If this is not the case (very uncommon), you have to restart the Vista installation and do the following:
  • Boot off the Emergency CD you hopefully have prepared (see above),
  • When prompted, remove the CD, insert the Vista DVD and press a key.
  • The computer will now boot Vista Setup from DVD with legacy SATA Controller support. The RAID and its partitions will be detected (you don't need to load any special drivers). Choose the partition where you want to get Vista installed.
  • Attention: When Vista Setup is going to reboot the first time, you need to use the same trick again (otherwise you will get a BSOD): Remove the Vista DVD, insert the Emergency CD, then boot. When prompted, remove the CD, reinsert the Vista DVD and press a key.
  • The Vista installation will finalize without any problem.
• Highlight the partition where you want Vista to get installed.
  Notice:
  At this point of the Vista installation you have the opportunity to additionally load other nForce chipset drivers (contrary to the F6 option of former operating systems), for example the Ethernet, and SMBus drivers of the suitable Vista nForce chipset driver package.
• Hit the "Continue" button.
• The rest will do Vista by it's own.

Things to do and to pay attention to after the successful Vista installation:

• Vista will grab drive letter C: wherever you try to install it. This is not a big problem, because the content of your "normal" C: drive will not be touched. You still will be able to boot into the OS which was installed on drive C: prior to the Vista installation.
• Don't be astonished or afraid, if you see a new systray icon named "Safely Remove Hardware". This is not an issue, but a feature! Some of the new Vista nForce S-ATA drivers are supporting the hot-plugging ability and this is shown by the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon. If you don't want to see the icon all the time, you can hide it by using the hide icon option within the "Properties" of the Task Bar. I do not recommend to remove the icon permanently (you will find some how-to-remove guides, if you google for "Safely Remove Hardware" and "remove icon").
• It is a good idea to install the actual and suitable Vista nForce chipset driver package after having completed the Vista (32/64bit) installation.
  Recommendation:
  • For all Vista users with an NF4-7 chipset mainboard, which are not satisfied with NVIDIA's official driverpacks, I recommend to install one of my actual NF4-7 driverpacks for Vista 32/64bit (look here).
    If you want to get the nForce IDE drivers installed (and the RAIDTOOL where appropriate), you may have to check the "MediaShield" or "Storage Drivers" option (depending on the installer version).
    
  • Warning:
    • If you have an nForce4 RAID system, you should check, if the nForce IDE drivers of the package do fully support your LEGACY mode SataRaid system BEFORE YOU ARE GOING TO UPDATE/INSTALL THEM.
    • Disable the "Automatic Update" option of Windows Update. Do not accept any update of the nForce SataRaid drivers offered by the Windows Update Service unless you have got the information, that this will be safe! Many users reported about severe problems after having updated their nForce SataRaid drivers this way.

Important:
How to safely update the nForce SataRaid drivers of a running Vista x86/x64:

Warning: The update of the nForce IDE (S-ATA/RAID) drivers is dangerous, because this is a severe modification of the system with a lot of changes within the registry. There is always the risk, that the reboot into Vista will fail after the update. Exactly this is the main reason why I suggest to load the newest/best available nForce IDE drivers during Vista Setup.
Advice: Before you are going to update any mass storage controller driver, you should do a backup of your running Vista partition by using a tool like Acronis True Image.
If you are going to update the nForce SataRaid drivers and just follow the advices of Vista's driver update pop-up windows, you probably will get a BSOD.
Warning: DON'T REBOOT UNLESS YOU HAVE UPDATED ALL NVIDIA SATA AND RAID DEVICE DRIVERS (even the usually hidden ones)!

Here is the exact procedure (detected by TheMaxx32000) for an update of the nForce S-ATA and RAID drivers:

• Open the "Device Manager", select "View" and check the "Show hidden devices" option.
• Search for devices named "NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller" (within the "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers" or "Storage Controllers" section) and update ALL listed devices with the said name by loading the SATA_IDE driver folder of your prepared new nForce driver package. DO NOT REBOOT!
• Open the "Storage Controllers" section and update ALL listed the "NVIDIA RAID Controller" devices and ALL listed devices named "NVIDIA RAID DEVICE" by loading the SATARAID driver folder of your prepared new nForce driver package. DO NOT REBOOT!
• Check the driver version of all previous mentioned devices to verify, that all of them have properly updated drivers.
• NOW YOU CAN REBOOT.
• Have fun with the updated nForce S-ATA and RAID drivers.

Notice:
1. If you are trying to load any modded or not yet WHQL certified driver, you have to force the driver update by choosing the "Browse my computer ...." > "Let me pick ...." > "Have Disk" options. Otherwise Vista will give a message, that it has already installed the best driver software.
2. If you want to update just the RAID driver, you have to do all steps shown above except the second one.[/list]



B. Upgrade from Windows XP to Vista x86

The upgrade from XP to one of the available Vista versions is very easy, if you have been running XP from scratch with WHQL certified nForce SataRAID drivers:

Run Windows XP SP2, insert the Vista DVD, enter the special Vista CD Key and choose the option "Upgrade".
You don't need to prepare any nForce IDE drivers (and you won't have no chance to load them). Vista will automaticly take the nForce SataRaid drivers from your XP installation. This exactly may be the problem for you, if you shouldn't have installed XP by using WHQL signed nForce SataRAID drivers from scratch.


Good luck!
Fernando

Personal statement:
On January 31st, just after the official presentation of Vista by Microsoft, I have sold my good, but LEGACY mode NF4 SataRaid system. Now I write from a new computer system with Intel chipset, Intel Core2Duo processor and Intel ICH8 SataRaid array. As a consequence I am not able anymore to test everything myself before I give special advices to forum members or modify my guide because of actually released new drivers or new findings of other users.
That is why I asked nForcersHQ forum member Cythrawl if he would like to continue my work within this topic and he agreed. Cythrawl is a well known expert of nForce SataRaid systems and owner of exactly the same motherboard I had.
Nevertheless I will continue taking care for this topic and will try to help where I can.


Annex I
Guide for NF2/NF3 RAID and NF4 PataRAID users:

As I mentioned above, it is not possible to get Vista x86/x64 installed onto an nForce2/3 Sata/PataRAID or nForce4 PataRAID system by booting off the Vista DVD, because
a) none of the currently available Vista nForce IDE drivers is supporting the S-ATA or P-ATA Controllers of these NF chipsets and
b) Vista Setup doesn't accept any Windows XP (32/64bit) drivers, when booting off DVD.
Nevertheless it is possible to get Vista (x86 and x64 except NF2) installed onto an NF2 or NF3 Sata/PataRAID and onto an NF4 PataRAID array, but the way is complicated and needs some preconditions.

There are at least 2 different methods:

A. Image transfer method for NF2-4 PataRAID and SataRAID arrays
(detected by nForcers HQ Forum member vanden)

• Preconditions:
  • You will need an extra hdd outside the RAID array. This hdd has to be connected to an nForce P-ATA or S-ATA Controller.
  • The first partitions (physically drive C, if set as bootable) of the RAID array and the non-RAID hdd have to be available for a Vista installation.
  • Additionally you should prepare (=download and unzip) a driverpack with Windows XP (32/64bit) LEGACY mode nForce IDE drivers, which do fully support your nForce Sata/PataRAID devices.
    For NF2-4 users, who want to install Vista x86, I recommend to download this special 32bit XP nForce IDE driverpack, which is usable for all NF2-4 SataRAID and PataRAID systems.
    NF3/4 users, who are going to install Vista x64, may download this 64bit XP nForce driverpack.
    Both packages just contain the needed LEGACY mode IDE drivers and an installer.
  • Furthermore you will need a backup tool like Acronis TrueImage or Symantec Ghost.
• Procedure:
  1. Set the non-RAID hdd as first bootable hdd within the mainboard BIOS (option "HARD DISK BOOT PRIORITY").
  2. Boot off the Vista DVD and install the OS onto the first partition (physically drive C) of the non-RAID extra hdd.
  3. Once Vista is up, run the installer of the suitable 32/64bit driverpack you have prepared. You have to execute the SETUP.EXE in XP compatibility mode (right click > "Properties" > "Compatibility") and to force the installation.
     Notice: Users with an nForce ParaRAID array should hit the "Yes" button, when the installer will ask, if they want to get the "IDE s/w" driver installed (IDE s/w = nForce PATA driver).
     Important: Before you are going to reboot, you should check the Device Manager, if all NVIDIA nForce SATA/PATA and RAID devices have been properly installed (no yellow marks and no "Unknown Device") and using the same nForce IDE driver version. If needed, load the suitable XP driver manually from within the Device Manager by using the "Have Disk" method. After a reboot the fresh installed Vista partition is ready for a transfer onto the RAID array.
  4. Run the backup tool like Acronis TrueImage or Symantec Ghost and let it
     a) create an image of your Vista partition (from the current drive C) and
     b) "restore" the backuped Vista partition on the first drive of the RAID array (should be previously formatted with the NTFS file system).
  5. Reboot the computer, enter the mainboard BIOS and set the RAID array onto the first position of the "HARD DISK BOOT PRIORITY" settings (the RAID array should been set as bootable within the nVRAID utility too!).
  6. After the reboot you will have Vista x86/x64 running on your Pata/SataRAID array.
  Since you now have 2 MBR's within your system, it is recommended either to unplug the non-RAID hdd (if you don't need it) or to do a low level format of it.

B. XP > Vista installation method for NF2-3 SataRAID users
(at first layed down by nForcersHQ member stu222)

• Preconditions:
  • In each case you will need a running Windows XP (for the later install of Vista x86) or Windows XP x64 (for the later install of Vista x64) within your nForce SataRaid array.
  • Additionally you will need a free partition (minimal size=25 GB) within the RAID array.
  • For the later Vista installation you have to prepare the same version of the XP (32/64bit) nForce IDE drivers, which you have used to get XP (32/64bit) installed.
    For NF2-4 users, who want to install Vista x86, I recommend to download these 32bit XP nForce LEGACY drivers v6.99, which are usable for all NF2-4 RAID systems.
    NF3/4 users, who are going to install Vista x64, may download this 64bit XP nForce LEGACY driverpack v6.99.
• Procedure:
  1. Create a bootable Windows XP CD (if you want to get at least Vista x86 installed) or a Windows XP x64 CD (necessary for a later Vista x64 installation) with integrated LEGACY mode nForce IDE drivers v.6.99 by using a tool like nLite. Use the suitable (32/64bit) unzipped LEGACY driver package you have previously downloaded.
  2. Install the just prepared OS (XP 32/64bit) onto an empty, NTFS formattet partition within your nForce RAID array. When XP 32/64bit is up, it's not necessary to install any software or additional driver.
  3. From within the running XP 32/64bit partition insert the Vista DVD (x86 or x64) and choose "Custom Install".
  4. Important: Although Vista Setup will show you already all existing RAID partitions, you have to hit the "Load Driver" button and to load all compatible drivers/devices from your prepared LEGACY mode nForce IDE driver package (32bit for Vista x86, 64bit for Vista x64).
  5. Install Vista x86/x64 onto an empty, NTFS formatted RAID partition (if you want a real "clean" install).
  6. The rest of the installation will run automaticly.
  7. At the end you will have a running Vista x86/x64 onto your NF2-3 SataRAID array. If you don't want to use XP (32/64bit) anymore, you can delete it and will get another free partition within your RAID array.

Warning: Don't let Vista Windows Update install any nForce S-ATA or RAID drivers (you will certainly get a BSOD by doing that). If your computer has a permanent internet connection, unplug it during the Vista installation and disable the automatic update function before you reconnect it.


Upgrade from XP to Vista x86 for users with an nForce2 or nForce3 SataRaid system

Alternatively it is obviously possible to upgrade an existing Windows XP partition to Vista x86 within an existing nForce2/3 SataRaid system. In this case users don't need to load extern drivers, but the XP partition has to be installed from scratch by using the official nForce3 SataRaid drivers of the chipset driver package 5.10 or 5.11.



Annex II
MediaShield/Raidtool installation guide:

The easiest way to get the Raidtool installed is by running the SETUP.EXE of the associated nForce chipset driver package, but by doing this all nForce IDE drivers of the package will be installed too (and maybe replace the better and currently working ones).
In these cases you have to use an other way to get full access to the MediaShield/RAID software (NVIDIA Control Panel) after having completed the Vista installation.
Here is the guide for the manually installation of the nForce Raidtool (on the basis of posts from nForcersHQ members TheMaxx32000 and Tweak_addict):

• Run Vista.
• Install the latest version of nTune.
• Search for the RAIDTOOL folder of the actual Vista x86/x64 nForce chipset driver package.
• Extract the content (all files) of the RAIDTOOL.CAB file into the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 folder.
• Search for the file "RegRaidSedona.bat" (formerly named "RegRaid.bat") within C:\Windows\System32, right click on it, choose "Run as Administrator" and run the BAT file to get the Raidtool Services registered.
• Search for the file "nvCplUI.exe" (formerly named "nvRaidman.exe") within the same folder and run it.

That should bring up the Nvidia Control Panel and the "Storage" item should be listed on the left window task list.
Suggestions:
1. It is a good idea to create a shortcut to the NVCPLUI.EXE (formerly NVRAIDMAN.EXE) onto the Desktop or into the Startmenu. This way you will get an easy access to the NVIDIA MediaShield Control Panel.
2. Additionally you should put a shortcut to the NVRAIDSERVICE.EXE into the Startup folder, if you want a continuous monitoring of the Raid health.

[peanut]

Is it me, or is it retarded that vista cant load the drivers off your HD when starting setup in windows xp?

[Fernando 1]

Is it me, or is it retarded that vista cant load the drivers off your HD when starting setup in windows xp?

You can load the drivers off the hdd or an USB stick , but the way to find this option is a lttle bit difficult. The "normal" and easiest way to load the TEXTMODE drivers is the floppy method. That is the reason why I suggest to prepare a floppy with the necessary nForce SataRaid drivers.

[aerospyke]

its also rather crappy that you have to try and install from windows. i hope this is just a beta thing or i'll be very upset. I keep being told to press F6 when its in the textmode of install when asking for help but i never see such a thing.

[phaTrx7]

Which nForce chipset is the most difficult to install w/ a RAID 0 Array on Vista x64? nForce3? nForce4? or nForce5?

[aerospyke]

i just found out why you specifically said to run windows XP x64 if u wanna install vista x64 and 32bit XP if u wanna install 32bit vista. .... i have 32 bit XP but want to install x64 vista. won't let me. anyone know how it can be done?

[Catkiller]

Same problem here, also trying to install vista x64 from XP x86.

Momentarely I try to install Win XP 64 bit Trial and after that trying to install Vista the way it is described here.
Don't now if vista accepts a trial version. I will post my "results" here when I'm done.

[aerospyke]

Sounds great Catkiller ... as i think it will be my last resort. I don't know how i'm going to try it out if i can't do it this way. COz I won't want to spend money buying it if i don't know what its like first hand.

[tommo123]

Is it me, or is it retarded that vista cant load the drivers off your HD when starting setup in windows xp?

You can load the drivers off the hdd or an USB stick , but the way to find this option is a lttle bit difficult. The "normal" and easiest way to load the TEXTMODE drivers is the floppy method. That is the reason why I suggest to prepare a floppy with the necessary nForce SataRaid drivers.

i dont have any floppy disk drives so will have to get the drivers from a usb stick. how much of a PITA is it to get this going in vista?

[tHE_dODGE]

To Fernando 1:
Greetings from Australia! Became a member just so I could write this. THANK YOU!!
I have been trying to load 64bit Vista for 3 days; always BSOD on reboot.

Thank you very much for your tutorial, and the links to real working 64bit drivers!! Cant say enough how much I appreciate you spending time to write what you did. Cheers!