How to install new SATA drives in RAID 0?

Thanks for your $.02! I'm ok with the RAID, F6 & XP stuff, but what I
really want to know is do I format and partion before starting the
XP/RAID install?
On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 22:38:23 GMT, "Clint" <noone.DeleteThis@nowhere.invalid>
wrote:

 >Since nobody else has answered your question, here's my $0.02. Remember,
 >though, my advice is worth every cent you paid.
 >
 >You will need to run the BIOS utility to setup your array prior to running
 >the XP installation. You will need your RAID drivers on floppy. After
 >running the BIOS utility to setup the RAID array, and starting the XP
 >installation, it will ask you if you need third party drivers for RAID or
 >SCSI. I think it's F6 to hit. It will do a bunch more stuff, then ask you
 >for the location of the drivers. Not sure if it can take a CD, but floppy
 >is safe. Then the XP installation should go normally.
 >
 >This is based on the Server 2003 installation I did yesterday. Mine wasn't
 >SATA, and I only had a 1 drive array (to use the otherwise useless RAID
 >channel). By following the steps above, all was well, and at the end of the
 >night, I had a working machine. The only other thing was that it took
 >FOREVER to format the drive. Not sure what was up with that, but I've been
 >told that's normal for 200GB drives. Not sure what RAID will be like, and I
 >don't know how big your drives are anyways.
 >
 >Clint
 >
 ><sdeyoreo.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
 >news:phei20hv28v2j63s977eub6ol2uu3f3o76@4ax.com...
  >> I'm building a new system. I just got 2 Maxtor SATA hard drives. I
  >> will be installing WinXP as OS. Do I need to format and partion the
  >> hard drives with the Maxtor-supplied CD before I start the XP/RAID 0
  >> installation? Or will XP see that they're not formatted or partioned
  >> and do it first before loading RAID drivers? ( I have RAID drivers on
  >> floppy that came with mobo, Intel D865PERL). I plan not to partion
  >> them, just one big C drive. (I have the CD-RWs already installed and
  >> BIOS sees them).
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to install new SATA drives in RAID 0? 

Windows XP's installation routine will partition and format the drive(s) for
you. It will ask you where and how to create partition(s) and give you the
option to format with FAT32 or NTFS, quick format (without searching for
possible bad physical sectors on the HD), or full format (searches for
possible bad physical sectors on the HD. The one caveat is that if you
prefer the older and less secure FAT32 file system, you are limited to a
maximum of 32 GB for a FAT32 partition if you'll be creating it from the
Windows XP installation routine.. If you want to use FAT32 with a larger
partition size, you'll need to partition and format with a Win9x bootable
floppy before starting the XP CD installation. Most folks are going for the
NTFS file system, unless they have a particular reason for FAT32 (they want
the files on the partition to be accessible in earlier Windows/DOS
versions.)

Remember, if you're installing clean onto SATA drives, XP doesn't include
the SATA drivers, so you'll need to slip-stream them into your installation
by creating an F6 floppy. You can download an Intel ICH5-R F6 floppy from
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tastycomputers.com/support/download/intel_application_accelerator_raid_edition_floppy.htm" target="_blank">http://tastycomputers.com/support/download/intel_application_accelerat...raid_ed</a>
if you don't have one ready, then remember to enable the SATA ports in BIOS
as bootable drive devices, or you'll experience a never-ending loop of
starting the XP installation over and over again when it comes time for the
installation routine to reboot for the first time.

Hope this helps.
Russell
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tastycomputers.com" target="_blank">http://tastycomputers.com</a>

<sdeyoreo.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:8koi20dako34p32slvm17219e7qgg3hs7v@4ax.com...
 > Thanks for your $.02! I'm ok with the RAID, F6 & XP stuff, but what I
 > really want to know is do I format and partion before starting the
 > XP/RAID install?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to install new SATA drives in RAID 0? 

Thanks alot! That helps alot. I do have the the RAID drivers on floppy
that came with my Intel board. About the SATA drivers: I have an Intel
D865PERL that says "SATA hard drive support with Intel RAID
technology". Do I still need SATA drivers? One more question: Will I
have both new hard drives in when XP formats and partitions? I want to
use RAID, so will XP partition both as one big drive?
On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 23:47:46 GMT, "Russell"
<rsullivan@tastycomputersdotcom_replacedotwith "."> wrote:

 >Windows XP's installation routine will partition and format the drive(s) for
 >you. It will ask you where and how to create partition(s) and give you the
 >option to format with FAT32 or NTFS, quick format (without searching for
 >possible bad physical sectors on the HD), or full format (searches for
 >possible bad physical sectors on the HD. The one caveat is that if you
 >prefer the older and less secure FAT32 file system, you are limited to a
 >maximum of 32 GB for a FAT32 partition if you'll be creating it from the
 >Windows XP installation routine.. If you want to use FAT32 with a larger
 >partition size, you'll need to partition and format with a Win9x bootable
 >floppy before starting the XP CD installation. Most folks are going for the
 >NTFS file system, unless they have a particular reason for FAT32 (they want
 >the files on the partition to be accessible in earlier Windows/DOS
 >versions.)
 >
 >Remember, if you're installing clean onto SATA drives, XP doesn't include
 >the SATA drivers, so you'll need to slip-stream them into your installation
 >by creating an F6 floppy. You can download an Intel ICH5-R F6 floppy from
 >http://tastycomputers.com/support/download/intel_application_accelerator_raid_edition_floppy.htm
 >if you don't have one ready, then remember to enable the SATA ports in BIOS
 >as bootable drive devices, or you'll experience a never-ending loop of
 >starting the XP installation over and over again when it comes time for the
 >installation routine to reboot for the first time.
 >
 >Hope this helps.
 >Russell
 >http://tastycomputers.com
 >
 ><sdeyoreo.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
 >news:8koi20dako34p32slvm17219e7qgg3hs7v@4ax.com...
  >> Thanks for your $.02! I'm ok with the RAID, F6 & XP stuff, but what I
  >> really want to know is do I format and partion before starting the
  >> XP/RAID install?
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to install new SATA drives in RAID 0? 

There seems to be a lot of confusion about the SATA drivers ever since the
865 and 875 series motherboards came on the scene. The RAID drivers you're
talking about and the SATA drivers I mentioned are one and the same. That's
the only floppy you'll need to install the drivers for the SATA ports during
the Windows XP installation.

If you want to use RAID 0 for your operating system partition with two SATA
drives connected to your 2 SATA Intel ICH5-OR ports, you'll need to do a
couple things before installing XP. First, make sure that your drives are
physically hooked up. Then, you'll be sure that the SATA ports are enabled
in your motherboard's BIOS, and if there is a selection to choose which RAID
mode, choose RAID, not BASE (BASE is just "normal" mode for the drives, 2
drives seen an operating separately.). After saving your settings and
exiting BIOS, you'll reboot, then either before or after the motherboard's
BIOS boot sequence (POST routine), you'll see another boot sequence for the
Intel RAID BIOS, (which shows up separately during the boot process, after
you've enabled the SATA ports as RAID in the motherboard's BIOS.) There
will be a prompt for a combination of keys to press to enter the hardware
RAID BIOS, something like Ctrl+G or Ctrl+I, or something like that (sorry
I'm having a memory lapse, but you'll be prompted for the keyboard keys
onscreen.) When you enter the Intel RAID BIOS, you'll have the option to
create the RAID array, which would be RAID 0. Create the RAID array, save
and exit, rebooting your computer. Now your 2 drives should be in a RAID 0
(striping) hardware array, and will be recognized as one hard drive with the
capacity of both individual drives combined when you begin the XP
installation. You've got to do these steps before installing XP if you want
to install the operating system on a hardware RAID array, which you've said
you wanted to do.

Hope this helps,
Russell
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tastycomputers.com" target="_blank">http://tastycomputers.com</a>

<sdeyoreo.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:jqti20pv9plta5vk650ble5sl6uhirv6kl@4ax.com...
 > Thanks alot! That helps alot. I do have the the RAID drivers on floppy
 > that came with my Intel board. About the SATA drivers: I have an Intel
 > D865PERL that says "SATA hard drive support with Intel RAID
 > technology". Do I still need SATA drivers? One more question: Will I
 > have both new hard drives in when XP formats and partitions? I want to
 > use RAID, so will XP partition both as one big drive?
 > On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 23:47:46 GMT, "Russell"
 > <rsullivan@tastycomputersdotcom_replacedotwith "."> wrote:
 >
  > >Windows XP's installation routine will partition and format the drive(s)
for
  > >you. It will ask you where and how to create partition(s) and give you
the
  > >option to format with FAT32 or NTFS, quick format (without searching for
  > >possible bad physical sectors on the HD), or full format (searches for
  > >possible bad physical sectors on the HD. The one caveat is that if you
  > >prefer the older and less secure FAT32 file system, you are limited to a
  > >maximum of 32 GB for a FAT32 partition if you'll be creating it from the
  > >Windows XP installation routine.. If you want to use FAT32 with a larger
  > >partition size, you'll need to partition and format with a Win9x bootable
  > >floppy before starting the XP CD installation. Most folks are going for
the
  > >NTFS file system, unless they have a particular reason for FAT32 (they
want
  > >the files on the partition to be accessible in earlier Windows/DOS
  > >versions.)
  > >
  > >Remember, if you're installing clean onto SATA drives, XP doesn't include
  > >the SATA drivers, so you'll need to slip-stream them into your
installation
  > >by creating an F6 floppy. You can download an Intel ICH5-R F6 floppy
from
 >
 >http://tastycomputers.com/support/download/intel_application_accelerator_ra
id_edition_floppy.htm
  > >if you don't have one ready, then remember to enable the SATA ports in
BIOS
  > >as bootable drive devices, or you'll experience a never-ending loop of
  > >starting the XP installation over and over again when it comes time for
the
  > >installation routine to reboot for the first time.
  > >
  > >Hope this helps.
  > >Russell
  > >http://tastycomputers.com
  > >
  > ><sdeyoreo.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
  > >news:8koi20dako34p32slvm17219e7qgg3hs7v@4ax.com...
   > >> Thanks for your $.02! I'm ok with the RAID, F6 & XP stuff, but what I
   > >> really want to know is do I format and partion before starting the
   > >> XP/RAID install?
  > >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to install new SATA drives in RAID 0? 

I neglected to mention that the shipping version of your motherboard's BIOS
could be several months out of date. You could updtae the BIOS to the
latest "P14" version before starting anything by getting it from the Intel
site <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/rl/rl_bios.htm." target="_blank">http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/rl/rl_bios.htm.</a>

Russell
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tastycomputers.com" target="_blank">http://tastycomputers.com</a>

"Russell" <rsullivan@tastycomputersdotcom_replacedotwith "."> wrote in
message news:zhfWb.1061$yE5.4643@attbi_s54...
 > There seems to be a lot of confusion about the SATA drivers ever since the
 > 865 and 875 series motherboards came on the scene. The RAID drivers
you're
 > talking about and the SATA drivers I mentioned are one and the same.
That's
 > the only floppy you'll need to install the drivers for the SATA ports
during
 > the Windows XP installation.
 >
 > If you want to use RAID 0 for your operating system partition with two
SATA
 > drives connected to your 2 SATA Intel ICH5-OR ports, you'll need to do a
 > couple things before installing XP. First, make sure that your drives are
 > physically hooked up. Then, you'll be sure that the SATA ports are
enabled
 > in your motherboard's BIOS, and if there is a selection to choose which
RAID
 > mode, choose RAID, not BASE (BASE is just "normal" mode for the drives, 2
 > drives seen an operating separately.). After saving your settings and
 > exiting BIOS, you'll reboot, then either before or after the motherboard's
 > BIOS boot sequence (POST routine), you'll see another boot sequence for
the
 > Intel RAID BIOS, (which shows up separately during the boot process, after
 > you've enabled the SATA ports as RAID in the motherboard's BIOS.) There
 > will be a prompt for a combination of keys to press to enter the hardware
 > RAID BIOS, something like Ctrl+G or Ctrl+I, or something like that (sorry
 > I'm having a memory lapse, but you'll be prompted for the keyboard keys
 > onscreen.) When you enter the Intel RAID BIOS, you'll have the option to
 > create the RAID array, which would be RAID 0. Create the RAID array, save
 > and exit, rebooting your computer. Now your 2 drives should be in a RAID
0
 > (striping) hardware array, and will be recognized as one hard drive with
the
 > capacity of both individual drives combined when you begin the XP
 > installation. You've got to do these steps before installing XP if you
want
 > to install the operating system on a hardware RAID array, which you've
said
 > you wanted to do.
 >
 > Hope this helps,
 > Russell
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tastycomputers.com</font" target="_blank">http://tastycomputers.com</font</a>>
 >
 > <sdeyoreo.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
 > news:jqti20pv9plta5vk650ble5sl6uhirv6kl@4ax.com...
  > > Thanks alot! That helps alot. I do have the the RAID drivers on floppy
  > > that came with my Intel board. About the SATA drivers: I have an Intel
  > > D865PERL that says "SATA hard drive support with Intel RAID
  > > technology". Do I still need SATA drivers? One more question: Will I
  > > have both new hard drives in when XP formats and partitions? I want to
  > > use RAID, so will XP partition both as one big drive?
  > > On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 23:47:46 GMT, "Russell"
  > > <rsullivan@tastycomputersdotcom_replacedotwith "."> wrote:
  > >
   > > >Windows XP's installation routine will partition and format the
drive(s)
 > for
   > > >you. It will ask you where and how to create partition(s) and give you
 > the
   > > >option to format with FAT32 or NTFS, quick format (without searching
for
   > > >possible bad physical sectors on the HD), or full format (searches for
   > > >possible bad physical sectors on the HD. The one caveat is that if you
   > > >prefer the older and less secure FAT32 file system, you are limited to
a
   > > >maximum of 32 GB for a FAT32 partition if you'll be creating it from
the
   > > >Windows XP installation routine.. If you want to use FAT32 with a
larger
   > > >partition size, you'll need to partition and format with a Win9x
bootable
   > > >floppy before starting the XP CD installation. Most folks are going
for
 > the
   > > >NTFS file system, unless they have a particular reason for FAT32 (they
 > want
   > > >the files on the partition to be accessible in earlier Windows/DOS
   > > >versions.)
   > > >
   > > >Remember, if you're installing clean onto SATA drives, XP doesn't
include
   > > >the SATA drivers, so you'll need to slip-stream them into your
 > installation
   > > >by creating an F6 floppy. You can download an Intel ICH5-R F6 floppy
 > from
  > >
 >
 >http://tastycomputers.com/support/download/intel_application_accelerator_ra
 > id_edition_floppy.htm
   > > >if you don't have one ready, then remember to enable the SATA ports in
 > BIOS
   > > >as bootable drive devices, or you'll experience a never-ending loop of
   > > >starting the XP installation over and over again when it comes time for
 > the
   > > >installation routine to reboot for the first time.
   > > >
   > > >Hope this helps.
   > > >Russell
   > > >http://tastycomputers.com
   > > >
   > > ><sdeyoreo.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
   > > >news:8koi20dako34p32slvm17219e7qgg3hs7v@4ax.com...
   > > >> Thanks for your $.02! I'm ok with the RAID, F6 & XP stuff, but what I
   > > >> really want to know is do I format and partion before starting the
   > > >> XP/RAID install?
   > > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to install new SATA drives in RAID 0? 

Boy, thats exactly what I needed to know. I just put the 2 hard drives
in and BIOS sees them as SATA0 and SATA1. I did update the BIOS to the
latest last week. I forget if it was P12 or P14. Thanks again.
Nice web site. Your Bistro 875 looks real nice. I just bought
SuperAlien case, D865PERL, 500W PSU, 2- Maxtor 120Gb SATAs, 2-CD-RWs
52X32X52. Next I need XP.
What do you recommend for video card? I'm thinking Asylum GeForce
5200FX w/256Mb DDR. Want a seperate TV tuner and video capture. I
presently use ATI All in Wonder 128, but want to go seperate devices
this time.
Do you sell Asylum GeForce 5200FX w/256Mb DDR.
On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 01:20:48 GMT, "Russell"
<rsullivan@tastycomputersdotcom_replacedotwith "."> wrote:

 >I neglected to mention that the shipping version of your motherboard's BIOS
 >could be several months out of date. You could updtae the BIOS to the
 >latest "P14" version before starting anything by getting it from the Intel
<font color=purple> >site <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/rl/rl_bios.htm.</font" target="_blank">http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/rl/rl_bios.htm.</font</a>>
 >
 >Russell
 >http://tastycomputers.com
 >
 >"Russell" <rsullivan@tastycomputersdotcom_replacedotwith "."> wrote in
 >message news:zhfWb.1061$yE5.4643@attbi_s54...
  >> There seems to be a lot of confusion about the SATA drivers ever since the
  >> 865 and 875 series motherboards came on the scene. The RAID drivers
 >you're
  >> talking about and the SATA drivers I mentioned are one and the same.
 >That's
  >> the only floppy you'll need to install the drivers for the SATA ports
 >during
  >> the Windows XP installation.
  >>
  >> If you want to use RAID 0 for your operating system partition with two
 >SATA
  >> drives connected to your 2 SATA Intel ICH5-OR ports, you'll need to do a
  >> couple things before installing XP. First, make sure that your drives are
  >> physically hooked up. Then, you'll be sure that the SATA ports are
 >enabled
  >> in your motherboard's BIOS, and if there is a selection to choose which
 >RAID
  >> mode, choose RAID, not BASE (BASE is just "normal" mode for the drives, 2
  >> drives seen an operating separately.). After saving your settings and
  >> exiting BIOS, you'll reboot, then either before or after the motherboard's
  >> BIOS boot sequence (POST routine), you'll see another boot sequence for
 >the
  >> Intel RAID BIOS, (which shows up separately during the boot process, after
  >> you've enabled the SATA ports as RAID in the motherboard's BIOS.) There
  >> will be a prompt for a combination of keys to press to enter the hardware
  >> RAID BIOS, something like Ctrl+G or Ctrl+I, or something like that (sorry
  >> I'm having a memory lapse, but you'll be prompted for the keyboard keys
  >> onscreen.) When you enter the Intel RAID BIOS, you'll have the option to
  >> create the RAID array, which would be RAID 0. Create the RAID array, save
  >> and exit, rebooting your computer. Now your 2 drives should be in a RAID
 >0
  >> (striping) hardware array, and will be recognized as one hard drive with
 >the
  >> capacity of both individual drives combined when you begin the XP
  >> installation. You've got to do these steps before installing XP if you
 >want
  >> to install the operating system on a hardware RAID array, which you've
 >said
  >> you wanted to do.
  >>
  >> Hope this helps,
  >> Russell
<font color=green>  >> <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tastycomputers.com</font" target="_blank">http://tastycomputers.com</font</a>>
  >>
  >> <sdeyoreo.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
  >> news:jqti20pv9plta5vk650ble5sl6uhirv6kl@4ax.com...
   >> > Thanks alot! That helps alot. I do have the the RAID drivers on floppy
   >> > that came with my Intel board. About the SATA drivers: I have an Intel
   >> > D865PERL that says "SATA hard drive support with Intel RAID
   >> > technology". Do I still need SATA drivers? One more question: Will I
   >> > have both new hard drives in when XP formats and partitions? I want to
   >> > use RAID, so will XP partition both as one big drive?
   >> > On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 23:47:46 GMT, "Russell"
   >> > <rsullivan@tastycomputersdotcom_replacedotwith "."> wrote:
   >> >
   >> > >Windows XP's installation routine will partition and format the
 >drive(s)
  >> for
   >> > >you. It will ask you where and how to create partition(s) and give you
  >> the
   >> > >option to format with FAT32 or NTFS, quick format (without searching
 >for
   >> > >possible bad physical sectors on the HD), or full format (searches for
   >> > >possible bad physical sectors on the HD. The one caveat is that if you
   >> > >prefer the older and less secure FAT32 file system, you are limited to
 >a
   >> > >maximum of 32 GB for a FAT32 partition if you'll be creating it from
 >the
   >> > >Windows XP installation routine.. If you want to use FAT32 with a
 >larger
   >> > >partition size, you'll need to partition and format with a Win9x
 >bootable
   >> > >floppy before starting the XP CD installation. Most folks are going
 >for
  >> the
   >> > >NTFS file system, unless they have a particular reason for FAT32 (they
  >> want
   >> > >the files on the partition to be accessible in earlier Windows/DOS
   >> > >versions.)
   >> > >
   >> > >Remember, if you're installing clean onto SATA drives, XP doesn't
 >include
   >> > >the SATA drivers, so you'll need to slip-stream them into your
  >> installation
   >> > >by creating an F6 floppy. You can download an Intel ICH5-R F6 floppy
  >> from
   >> >
  >>
  >>http://tastycomputers.com/support/download/intel_application_accelerator_ra
  >> id_edition_floppy.htm
   >> > >if you don't have one ready, then remember to enable the SATA ports in
  >> BIOS
   >> > >as bootable drive devices, or you'll experience a never-ending loop of
   >> > >starting the XP installation over and over again when it comes time for
  >> the
   >> > >installation routine to reboot for the first time.
   >> > >
   >> > >Hope this helps.
   >> > >Russell
   >> > >http://tastycomputers.com
   >> > >
   >> > ><sdeyoreo.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
   >> > >news:8koi20dako34p32slvm17219e7qgg3hs7v@4ax.com...
   >> > >> Thanks for your $.02! I'm ok with the RAID, F6 & XP stuff, but what I
   >> > >> really want to know is do I format and partion before starting the
   >> > >> XP/RAID install?
   >> > >
   >> >
  >>
  >>
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to install new SATA drives in RAID 0? 

I mainly deal with systems that have ATI RADEON series cards, with the
9600XT, 9800PRO, 9800XT and All-In-Wonder 9600Pro being the top sellers
right now. I guess it mainly comes down to what you'll be wanting to do
with your system and how much you can afford. nVidia's lower end cards are
better than ATI's low-end cards, but for mid-range or high performance in an
8x AGP form factor home system, ATI is top of the heap right now, IMHO.

Russell
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tastycomputers.com" target="_blank">http://tastycomputers.com</a>

<sdeyoreo.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:qe2j20pmeespcrukferit8t4i2pnjns8dn@4ax.com...
 > Boy, thats exactly what I needed to know. I just put the 2 hard drives
 > in and BIOS sees them as SATA0 and SATA1. I did update the BIOS to the
 > latest last week. I forget if it was P12 or P14. Thanks again.
 > Nice web site. Your Bistro 875 looks real nice. I just bought
 > SuperAlien case, D865PERL, 500W PSU, 2- Maxtor 120Gb SATAs, 2-CD-RWs
 > 52X32X52. Next I need XP.
 > What do you recommend for video card? I'm thinking Asylum GeForce
 > 5200FX w/256Mb DDR. Want a seperate TV tuner and video capture. I
 > presently use ATI All in Wonder 128, but want to go seperate devices
 > this time.
 > Do you sell Asylum GeForce 5200FX w/256Mb DDR.
 > On Wed, 11 Feb 2004 01:20:48 GMT, "Russell"
 > <rsullivan@tastycomputersdotcom_replacedotwith "."> wrote:
 >
  > >I neglected to mention that the shipping version of your motherboard's
BIOS
  > >could be several months out of date. You could updtae the BIOS to the
  > >latest "P14" version before starting anything by getting it from the
Intel
<font color=green>  > >site <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/rl/rl_bios.htm.</font" target="_blank">http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/rl/rl_bios.htm.</font</a>>
  > >
  > >Russell
  > >http://tastycomputers.com
  > >
  > >"Russell" <rsullivan@tastycomputersdotcom_replacedotwith "."> wrote in
  > >message news:zhfWb.1061$yE5.4643@attbi_s54...
   > >> There seems to be a lot of confusion about the SATA drivers ever since
the
   > >> 865 and 875 series motherboards came on the scene. The RAID drivers
  > >you're
   > >> talking about and the SATA drivers I mentioned are one and the same.
  > >That's
   > >> the only floppy you'll need to install the drivers for the SATA ports
  > >during
   > >> the Windows XP installation.
   > >>
   > >> If you want to use RAID 0 for your operating system partition with two
  > >SATA
   > >> drives connected to your 2 SATA Intel ICH5-OR ports, you'll need to do
a
   > >> couple things before installing XP. First, make sure that your drives
are
   > >> physically hooked up. Then, you'll be sure that the SATA ports are
  > >enabled
   > >> in your motherboard's BIOS, and if there is a selection to choose which
  > >RAID
   > >> mode, choose RAID, not BASE (BASE is just "normal" mode for the drives,
2
   > >> drives seen an operating separately.). After saving your settings and
   > >> exiting BIOS, you'll reboot, then either before or after the
motherboard's
   > >> BIOS boot sequence (POST routine), you'll see another boot sequence for
  > >the
   > >> Intel RAID BIOS, (which shows up separately during the boot process,
after
   > >> you've enabled the SATA ports as RAID in the motherboard's BIOS.)
There
   > >> will be a prompt for a combination of keys to press to enter the
hardware
   > >> RAID BIOS, something like Ctrl+G or Ctrl+I, or something like that
(sorry
   > >> I'm having a memory lapse, but you'll be prompted for the keyboard keys
   > >> onscreen.) When you enter the Intel RAID BIOS, you'll have the option
to
   > >> create the RAID array, which would be RAID 0. Create the RAID array,
save
   > >> and exit, rebooting your computer. Now your 2 drives should be in a
RAID
  > >0
   > >> (striping) hardware array, and will be recognized as one hard drive
with
  > >the
   > >> capacity of both individual drives combined when you begin the XP
   > >> installation. You've got to do these steps before installing XP if you
  > >want
   > >> to install the operating system on a hardware RAID array, which you've
  > >said
   > >> you wanted to do.
   > >>
   > >> Hope this helps,
   > >> Russell
<font color=brown>   > >> <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tastycomputers.com</font" target="_blank">http://tastycomputers.com</font</a>>
   > >>
   > >> <sdeyoreo.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
   > >> news:jqti20pv9plta5vk650ble5sl6uhirv6kl@4ax.com...
   > >> > Thanks alot! That helps alot. I do have the the RAID drivers on
floppy
   > >> > that came with my Intel board. About the SATA drivers: I have an
Intel
   > >> > D865PERL that says "SATA hard drive support with Intel RAID
   > >> > technology". Do I still need SATA drivers? One more question: Will I
   > >> > have both new hard drives in when XP formats and partitions? I want
to
   > >> > use RAID, so will XP partition both as one big drive?
   > >> > On Tue, 10 Feb 2004 23:47:46 GMT, "Russell"
   > >> > <rsullivan@tastycomputersdotcom_replacedotwith "."> wrote:
   > >> >
   > >> > >Windows XP's installation routine will partition and format the
  > >drive(s)
   > >> for
   > >> > >you. It will ask you where and how to create partition(s) and give
you
   > >> the
   > >> > >option to format with FAT32 or NTFS, quick format (without searching
  > >for
   > >> > >possible bad physical sectors on the HD), or full format (searches
for
   > >> > >possible bad physical sectors on the HD. The one caveat is that if
you
   > >> > >prefer the older and less secure FAT32 file system, you are limited
to
  > >a
   > >> > >maximum of 32 GB for a FAT32 partition if you'll be creating it from
  > >the
   > >> > >Windows XP installation routine.. If you want to use FAT32 with a
  > >larger
   > >> > >partition size, you'll need to partition and format with a Win9x
  > >bootable
   > >> > >floppy before starting the XP CD installation. Most folks are going
  > >for
   > >> the
   > >> > >NTFS file system, unless they have a particular reason for FAT32
(they
   > >> want
   > >> > >the files on the partition to be accessible in earlier Windows/DOS
   > >> > >versions.)
   > >> > >
   > >> > >Remember, if you're installing clean onto SATA drives, XP doesn't
  > >include
   > >> > >the SATA drivers, so you'll need to slip-stream them into your
   > >> installation
   > >> > >by creating an F6 floppy. You can download an Intel ICH5-R F6
floppy
   > >> from
   > >> >
   > >>
 >
  >>http://tastycomputers.com/support/download/intel_application_accelerator_r
a
   > >> id_edition_floppy.htm
   > >> > >if you don't have one ready, then remember to enable the SATA ports
in
   > >> BIOS
   > >> > >as bootable drive devices, or you'll experience a never-ending loop
of
   > >> > >starting the XP installation over and over again when it comes time
for
   > >> the
   > >> > >installation routine to reboot for the first time.
   > >> > >
   > >> > >Hope this helps.
   > >> > >Russell
   > >> > >http://tastycomputers.com
   > >> > >
   > >> > ><sdeyoreo.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
   > >> > >news:8koi20dako34p32slvm17219e7qgg3hs7v@4ax.com...
   > >> > >> Thanks for your $.02! I'm ok with the RAID, F6 & XP stuff, but
what I
   > >> > >> really want to know is do I format and partion before starting the
   > >> > >> XP/RAID install?
   > >> > >
   > >> >
   > >>
   > >>
  > >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to install new SATA drives in RAID 0? 

i am also trying to setup raid 0 on my rig. i have 2 160gb sata drives
and a M2N-SLI Deluxe ASUS board. what ports are the sata cables
plugged into exactly. i have one going to sata 1 and the other going
to sata 2. I enabled all the raid options in the bios and saved the
raid drivers to a floppy. whenever i try to install windows it asks
me for any raid or scsi drives so i hit f6. then i proceed to the
step where you hit S to load the drivers. It seems as though they
load, but once i get to the setup screen and select "hit enter
to setup windows" it says that it fails to recognize any drives
to actually setup on. however on the post and in the bios both drives
are sensed. Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be the
problem. sata drives dont require jumpers do they? i asked because i
dont have an on the drives and am wondering if thats the problem. i
just built this brand new comp and cant wait to get raid setup like i
wanted.
 >> Stay informed about: How to install new SATA drives in RAID 0? 

orionchs85 wrote:
>
> i am also trying to setup raid 0 on my rig. i have 2 160gb sata drives
> and a M2N-SLI Deluxe ASUS board. what ports are the sata cables
> plugged into exactly. i have one going to sata 1 and the other going
> to sata 2. I enabled all the raid options in the bios and saved the
> raid drivers to a floppy. whenever i try to install windows it asks
> me for any raid or scsi drives so i hit f6. then i proceed to the
> step where you hit S to load the drivers. It seems as though they
> load, but once i get to the setup screen and select "hit enter
> to setup windows" it says that it fails to recognize any drives
> to actually setup on. however on the post and in the bios both drives
> are sensed. Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be the
> problem. sata drives dont require jumpers do they? i asked because i
> dont have an on the drives and am wondering if thats the problem. i
> just built this brand new comp and cant wait to get raid setup like i
> wanted.

Did you read in the manual, page 5-30, to "press F10 during POST"
to enter the RAID BIOS ? In that screen, you define your array.
The BIOS operation write metadata to the reserved sector on
each disk. That info on the disk, declares the array type.
It also allows the drives to be moved to any SATA port on
the Southbridge, and the array will still be properly detected.

Once you've set up your RAID 0 array, then boot the Windows
install CD, and offer RAID drivers on a floppy.

In "Onboard Device Configuration":"IDE Function Setup" there
is an item "RAID Enabled" plus settings for each port. You
should enable some of those, before you would expect to see
the <F10> option work at the beginning of POST. See page
4-30 in the manual. (Refs are from E2651 PDF manual downloadable
from Asus.)

Have you done any of that stuff ?

Paul
 >> Stay informed about: How to install new SATA drives in RAID 0?