2nd HD just wasting space? I need help setting this array up right.

[barch 88]

Ok, I tried agian and agian to set up a RAID 0 Array. When the blue screen pops up when setting up windows and says F6 to set up Array from disk...I hit that, insert the floppy that comes with the Mobo...and the drivers cannot be read, but the driver instructions on the floppy can..or something like that.

I have 2 WD 74gig Raptors. I want to at least set them up so I can run a Array with both of them working and Healthy. Becuase right now, I just used the "factory" if you will; Array that Windows automatticly gives you. And now I guess this 2nd drive is just wasting space because this is what it gives me when I go to check em out:

http://img293.echo.cx/my.php?image=deagle8tj2ia.jpg

If there is anyway to set up a Array where I can use both my drives into one big one, WITHOUT using the floppy provided, please explain to me. I feel like I just wasted $180 on that second drive if it isnt even being used and just burning off more heat into the case and wasting space... I honestly have no clue why the floppy does not read the drivers, but reads the drivers instructions part... (u kno how theres 2 parts on the floppy, and the drivers, and then the thing that explains em or whatever, I forget it's been a couple months).

PLEASE someone, help!

Thanks, Michael.

[EzyStvy]

I would try making another floppy. Make sure you can read it Windows.

*** Note that you will loose EVERYthing on your current drive if you get the floppy to work. ***

Your mobo manual should have instructions about going into and setting up the array Before you start the Windows install.

[glc]

The array must be set up in the bios before you install Windows, and you WILL need to use the floppy and F6.

[barch 88]

How do I make another floppy? I did set up my Array in BIOS then did the windows thing...still no work.

Should I try getting ahold of MSI see if they can send me a new one? There always busy and put me on hold for like hour and I just hang up.

HELP!

- Mike

[glc]

The array is not properly set up in the bios if that's the display you are getting in disk management. It should show as one 138.5gb volume.

You should be able to download the driver from MSI's website to make a new floppy.

[barch 88]

Ok, when I want to set up a RAID 0 Array in BIOS. It shouild go.

http://img253.echo.cx/my.php?image=hpim21655ii.jpg

Correct?

And where at the site can I get the RAID setupp..this it?- http://img253.echo.cx/my.php?image=hpim21652vv.jpg

This is the message it gives me-

File nvraid.sys caused unexpected error (512) at line 2113 in d:\xpsprtm\base\boot\setup\oemdisk.c

[rspassey]

set the array in bios first, creat new disk sencond if that fails, and make sure ur jumpers are set up properly, on pins 5 and 6 for it to be selected as the slave device acording to the cord

try formating it if it appears

[barch 88]

Ok what?

I don't have jumpers or anything...I don't use like slave, master and all that. I just have the SATA HD cables running into the mobo.

Can you like make a picture in paint or something to show me what it should look like when setup correctly?

Thanks.

[glc]

What is the exact K8N Neo 2 model you have? F, FX, or Platinum?

[barch 88]

Platinum, I got the correct download.

When I try to save the drivers and stuff to the floppy it says No ID Address found on floppy (i formatted too, maybe i did it wrong?).

Ok, I even got the floppy that came with the mobo, and Im ready to try this agian, but HOW should I set up my RAID Bios...(if I can get into it, it is not letting me enter it!).

Like should I clear disks, or delete current disks, what do I need to do to setup it correctly? So that the floppy will READ both the raid driver controller and drivers...not just the controller.

Thanks, Mike

[glc]

First off, do a full format on the floppy.

Open up the NVSA020.zip file, there will be a folder called NVSA020 inside of it. Open that folder, then copy all the files in the NVSA020 folder to the floppy.

Clear your CMOS. Page 2-24 in the manual, jumper JBAT1. The computer must be disconnected from AC power when you do this. Move the jumper from 1-2 to 2-3, leave for 10 seconds, return the jumper to 1-2.

Connect your drives to SATA 1 and SATA 2. Go into the bios setup, set the date and time and anything else that you previously customized. Go into Integrated Peripherals, Onboard Device, RAID Config, and ENABLE SATA 1 RAID through SATA 4 RAID. SAVE and exit, it will reboot. THEN F10 should work to get you into the Nvidia RAID setup. Refer to Chapter 5 for how to set up a striped RAID 0 using SATA 1 and SATA 2. Define a new array - striping - take the default block size. Move both drives from the left window (free disks) to the right window (array disks). Press F7 and say Y to the question to wipe the disks. When the array is highlighted, press Enter and clear both disks. Press Enter when done, then Ctrl+X to exit.

Page 5-7 tells you exactly how to make a floppy from the CD, by the way. When you press F6, you need to install both the RAID driver and the storage driver.

[barch 88]

I love you GLC...

Thanks a TON!!!!!!

Now, Ima go about doing this. Any questions, I will keeep it here...


Where are the jumpers at on the mobo?

- Mike

[glc]

JBAT1 is under the bottom PCI slot, about in the middle of the slot. Picture on page 1-5.

[barch 88]

Ok, I moveed the little jummper from the bottom to the top (held for 10 seconds) now Iam pluging my HD's in to SATA 1 and 2. then going to power up

(im on my other pc now)

[barch 88]

Nope. Still gives me that Error...

File nvraid.sys caused unexpected error (512) at line 2113 in d:\xpsprtm\base\boot\setup\oemdisk.c

And the floppy I made, says Cannot be found. I have made 2, still no go. It says txtsetup.oem could not be found, how ever it was copyed to the floppy?

[glc]

Is the array set up properly in the raid utility? Have you tried making a new floppy from the CD according to the instructions? Are you using a genuine WinXP CD, not a burned copy or an OEM restore disk?

[barch 88]

Yes. It is all setup correctly how you told me to. I even made 2 extra floppys, and I made 2 from the way the book said to...still no go.

And I think that one bastard sold me the OEM version...

The little cardboard thing w/ the insturctions for Windows has a little sticker on it that says "The OEM version may not be delivered unless accompanied by the required hardware under Microsoft OEM System" Then it says on the side w/ red "For distribution only with a new PC"

It has sticker that says "Is yours Genuine?"... Version 2002 Home

It's not a upgrade or anything, its the whole setup...I think he said it was OEM though. That hater. Oh well, I just got done installing windows, and I just used the Mirroring RAID setup, just stock so windows can work. Now at least I have a extra hard drive if one fails... Im just happy to get my pc cleaned out and running good. I paid like $120 for it...

The only things I installed are AIM, and the drivers. That is it. Im going to keep away from the P2P networks, and only install games I play, which latey have been none, so Im not going to bother, along with Photoshop, I havent used it in so long, I will install it when I need it.

- Mike

[glc]

OEM is fine, as long as it's not a proprietary restore disk.

A mirrored array installed without using the disk? If it did, there's no reason why a striped array won't install.

The smartest thing to do if RAID will not cooperate would be just to use one drive as the C drive with Windows installed on it, and format the second drive as D for file storage. Mirroring is a waste of expensive hard drive capacity.

[barch 88]

How do I use one for storage?

[glc]

Post another screen shot of your disk management the way it looks now.

[barch 88]

Oh, maybe it isnt mirroring. I set up the Array so both the drives are to the left (and RAID mode: Mirroring). But I HAD to go back to BIOS > Intergrated > RAID > Then I had to disable all the SATA RAIDS or I would just get a Disk Read Error...

The screen shot looks the same

And Limewire works this time!

http://img204.echo.cx/my.php?image=untitled0bp.jpg
http://img204.echo.cx/my.php?image=untitled29zz.jpg

[glc]

To format the drive for a data drive, right click on the unallocated space in Disk Management and create a partition, it will walk you through. I guess RAID just doesn't want to work for you - the driver has to be installed, period. Do not upgrade it to a dynamic disk.