Problem with RAID + DVD+/-RW

[FordGT90Concept]

My server has an Intel ESB2 chip (Tyan Tempest i5000XT motherboard) with 1 PATA and 6 SATA ports. There were two hard drives pluged into the SATA0 and SATA1 configured in RAID1 which has worked for years. Today, I plugged in a Lite-On DVD+/-RW drive into SATA2 and now it is giving me NTLDR error because the chip appears to be running in AHCI mode when I explicitly ordered it to run in RAID mode in the BIOS. Moreover, the ctrl+i prompt isn't coming up after it detects the drives so I can't reconfigure the RAID1 array.

This is what the ESB2 chip says (which is correct, except the ACHI BIOS installed part--should be RAID, no?):

Controller Bus#00, Device#1F, Function#02: 06 Ports, 03 Devices
  Port-01: Hard Disk, <serial number>
           (Drive is controlled by the RAID BIOS)
  Port-02: Hard Disk, <serial number>
           (Drive is controlled by the RAID BIOS)
  Port-03: CD-ROM, ATAPI   iHAS424   B
  Port-04: No device detected
  Port-05: No device detected
  Port-06: No device detected
AHCI BIOS installed

After that, it moves on to the Highpoint RAID card.

Any ideas how to get the ctrl+i option to appear? I would rather remove the DVD+/-RW drive than lose the data on that RAID1.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I gave up and moved the new SATA drive to my computer and put my computer's PATA Pioneer DVR-109 drive in the server. It's not the ideal solution but it will work. If anyone knows why the Intel Matrix Storage Manager went AWOL, I'd be glad to hear it.

 

[slyfox2151]

maybe stick it in sata port 5 or 6? see if that solves the problem. confirm its set to raid mode and first boot is the Raid array. fairly certain it will say AHCI installed if its in AHCI or Raid mode, just not IDE.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I tried that (the HDDs are currently still pluged into 4 and 5--ESB2 doesn't care where they are XD):
SATA0: Lite-On
SATA4: HDD
SATA5: HDD

It has always been set to Enhanced Mode -> RAID Enabled (enabling RAID hides the AHCI option). I also reloaded previous defaults and reset the extended BIOS memory.

The RAID array ("Intel BACKUP") doesn't even show up when the DVD drive is pluged in. Instead, it shows my other RAID5 array + the optical drive in the boot menu. The RAID5 isn't even bootable. If I unplg the DVD drive, it again returns to just Intel BACKUP (RAID5 doesn't appear in the list).

You are correct about the AHCI Installed bit. It still says that now and the Intel Storage Matrix Manager information appears on the very next line.

 

[Bundy]

I don't fully understand the RAID setup, a good example being that I did not think it was possible for a screenshot like yours to exist. In the past however, I have had equally mystifying behaviour from mobos with dvd drives. In my case, coincidently, the problem was caused by lite on drives that had become dodgy. I still can't see how it might be possible that the dvd can cause this.

Subscribed to thread for curiousity and education purposes!

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Drive/Controller topography (FDD excluded):

Intel ESB2 Controller
 -Lite-On 24x DVD+/-RW
 +RAID1
  -Seagate Barracuda ES 7200.9 250GB
  -Seagate Barracuda ES 7200.9 250GB

Highpoing RocketRAID 2300 Card
 +RAID5
  -Seagate Barracuda ES 7200.11 320GB
  -Seagate Barracuda ES 7200.11 320GB
  -Seagate Barracuda ES 7200.11 320GB
 +Hot-Spare
  -Western Digital Caviar RE3 320GB

It isn't possible to take a screenshot. I hit Pause|Break and then switched from my computer to the server and back on the KVM typing it exactly as it appeared.

This Lite-On drive is brand spankin' new out of the retail box. It is now in this computer and I haven't had a chance to use it. I will in a few hours though.

 

[Bundy]

My bad - I should have said I didnt think it was possible for both the raid and ahci modes to run simultaneously.

 

[slyfox2151]

what happens if you remove the raid 5 card?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Hmm, a good idea but, I'm not too keen on doing that unless I have to because that's where all the important data is and the drive is already in another computer. If someone has a similar problem, that's something they should try. I may try it and post back to the thread when this Pioneer drive dies (it is over 5 years old now).


Then again, it isn't likely to work. Everything should be configured exactly how it should be before the DVD drive is plugged in. The controller should assume any new device plugged in is not part of a RAID array so I shouldn't have to change anything. If I remove the card and it works, would there be any way to fix it? The card and those drives are far more important than an optical drive.

 

[oily_17]

It has always been set to Enhanced Mode -> RAID Enabled (enabling RAID hides the AHCI option). I also reloaded previous defaults and reset the extended BIOS memory.

Not sure about your BIOS options, but is there a legacy or IDE mode ? Have you tried switching to that (will RAID option still be available)

Everything should be configured exactly how it should be before the DVD drive is plugged in. The controller should assume any new device plugged in is not part of a RAID array so I shouldn't have to change anything.

I agree and cant see how adding the optical drive has messed with the RAID array.
IIRC, a long time ago I had a board that would let me select which SATA ports were enabled, in RAID, separately on their own.Not sure if you would have this option, if so you could just enable the two ports.

 

[AsRock]

I gave up and moved the new SATA drive to my computer and put my computer's PATA Pioneer DVR-109 drive in the server. It's not the ideal solution but it will work. If anyone knows why the Intel Matrix Storage Manager went AWOL, I'd be glad to hear it.

It had a name change and now it's called Rapid Storage Technology
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...Technology+Rapid+Storage+Technology++download)

Make sure your hardware is supported.

My bad - I should have said I didnt think it was possible for both the raid and ahci modes to run simultaneously.

I know i cannot it's either one or the other.

 

[Kreij]

The Mobo BIOS should allow you to mix and match the port settings as you see fit (RAID, AHCI, ATA, whatever ... well mine does anyway).
Sounds like when the BIOS sees the non-RAID device it's changing all of the ports to an AHCI default or something.
I'm running that exact setup, RAID + SATA DVD all on the Intel ports, on my rig and it works fine.

I assume you have the most current BIOS for the mobo?

 

[oily_17]

I assume you have the most current BIOS for the mobo?

A good thought Kreij, there has been some fixes for RAID and SATA optical drives in BIOS updates Never mind, was looking at wrong board

 

[Kreij]

Lol ... I saw that oily. !

I know asking about the BIOS rev is painfully basic, but I tend to not update my BIOS or drivers unless I'm having a problem. That's why I'm still running cat 10.4

 

[oily_17]

Damn , caught in the crosshairs, lol

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Not sure about your BIOS options, but is there a legacy or IDE mode ? Have you tried switching to that (will RAID option still be available)

There was only one other option and changing it removed all subsequent options (including RAID). I think it was to enable/disable the SATA support.

The manual is here:
http://www.tyan.com/manuals/m_s2696_130.pdf

Page 47, the only options are:

Parrallel ATA: Enable/Disable
Serial ATA: Enable/Disable
  SATA Controller Mode Option: Compatible/Enhanced
    SATA RAID Enable: Enable/Disable
    SATA AHCI Enable: Enable/Disable

I'm pretty sure the RAID/AHCI options went away on Compatible.

I agree and cant see how adding the optical drive has messed with the RAID array.
IIRC, a long time ago I had a board that would let me select which SATA ports were enabled, in RAID, separately on their own.Not sure if you would have this option, if so you could just enable the two ports.

The enumerated ports only appear on the main page and they aren't even all listed (only shows 4 out of the 6 and all said "None"). In the manual, it is on page 32.

It had a name change and now it's called Rapid Storage Technology
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...Technology+Rapid+Storage+Technology++download)

Make sure your hardware is supported.

This is a Feb 2007 Socket 771 system. If you think it would be fine to update it, I could try but again, it's not worth losing all that data over an optical drive so I'd rather not take a needless risk.

...Their list of compatible products doesn't show any server boards but that doesn't necessarily mean it won't work.


Edit: Ah, it looks like it is there: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Sea...X+Chipset&ProdId=2532&LineId=1087&FamilyId=40

Wouldn't that require reinstalling Windows though? I've had serious problems when the driver installed during Windows installation didn't match those installed from Windows.

I assume you have the most current BIOS for the mobo?

It has 1.04 installed and 1.05 is available. I tried to install it once and the Highpoint card bitched and moaned about it. The 1.05 update is very minor though only "Updated CPU Micro Code" and "Added a 5:4 DRAM-FSB ration setting option."

 

[newtekie1]

I know there were a few Intel chipsets that only allowed RAID when hard drives were connected, connecting an Optical drive would disable RAID abilities. Maybe you are unlucky that chipset is one of them.

Also, why not use one of the SAS/SATA ports provided by the LSI controller on the board for the optical drive?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

My board is the one without the LSI SAS controller.

 

[newtekie1]

My board is the one without the LSI SAS controller.

Ah, didn't realize there was a version without it.

 

[Kreij]

So ... do we need to all pitch in for a new mobo for Ford?

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Naw, If this Pioneer drive dies, I'll just be looking at another PATA drive. I should have gotten a PATA now but I thought the server is going to be hanging around a while yet and PATA is going away so I better get a SATA and it should work. I knew it was a possibility it wouldn't because I have never tried RAID + drives before on a single controller. Turns out my hunch was correct. I'm stuck burning disks uber slow now but at least they are getting burned. I know now to stay away from SATA drives on ESB2. Maybe the next time I format it, the (much) newer drivers will get it fixed. I'll certainly experiment with it when that RAID1 array isn't mission critical like it is now so I won't feel bad having to erase it.

Oh how $27 worth of equipment can break $1000s worth of other equipment.

 

[Kreij]

Replace the RR 2300 with a 4300 series and use the eSATA port for an external DVD?

 

[newtekie1]

Replace the RR 2300 with a 4300 series and use the eSATA port for an external DVD?

I was going to suggest just dropping a cheap SATA controller in one of the PCI or PCI-e slots and use that for the optical drive.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Well, the reason why the Highpoint card complained was because the motherboard ran out of memory (don't remember which type specifically) but it basically prevented the computer from booting. As such, I'd be very, very wary of buying another add-in card. Worst case scenario (PATA drives no longer being sold), I'll have to plug in my USB external DVD+/-RW drive.

 

[newtekie1]

Well, the reason why the Highpoint card complained was because the motherboard ran out of memory (don't remember which type specifically) but it basically prevented the computer from booting. As such, I'd be very, very wary of buying another add-in card. Worst case scenario (PATA drives no longer being sold), I'll have to plug in my USB external DVD+/-RW drive.

Ah, that makes sense. With the huge install base of PATA in old pre-built machines I wouldn't worry too much about PATA going away any time soon. But it might start to get more expensive.