raid drivers help

[mssurrey]

Do I need to partition one or both hard drives on initial XP installation/setup if I am going to setup in Raid 1 ?

By partitioning one drive so that i can install XP within this partition, will Raid 1 automatically 'partition' the other drive and mirror XP within this partition on the second drive?

[mssurrey]

I'VE DOWNLOADED THE FOLLOWING FILE FROM MSI's WEBSITE:
nVidia C55+MCP51 SATA RAID Driver (For floppy driver)

I have a new build system and I am trying to install XP pro 32 bit for the first time. I would like to set up a bootable RAID 1 array and have already setup the NVRAID BIOS.

However, after I reboot using the XP CD and follow the prompts to install the RAID drivers (F6) and try to install the RAID driver from the downloaded files on the floppy, I get the following error:

File txtsetup.oem caused an unexpected error (512) at line 1747 in d:\xpsprtm\base\boot\setup\oemdisk.c.

I cannot proceed any further with the RAID setup or with the XP setup and am stuck.
According to MSI, I need to update the BIOS ( ). Is this right? I would have thought that all I need is a newer/stable version of the RAID drivers

[EzyStvy]

I would think the mobo maker knows what they're talking about.

[Cricket]

I think you should partition and format both hard drives.

Cricket

[mssurrey]

Cricket,

When I setup to install XP, it asked if I want to partition the HD (320gb). I set a value of 25GB and proceeded to format using NTFS. This is where XP installed to. However, after installation when I right click properties of C drive, it only shows 25GB (or thereabouts). And the other drive is not showing at all.

Where has my other 295 GB and my other drive gone !?

Do I need to format the other part of my hard drive? If so, when I install the Win disk again, it starts the setup process from scratch again - so how do I get to format the rest of the first drive and the whole of the second drive?

[mssurrey]

I keep getting the same message when i try to load the RAID drivers

File txtsetup.oem caused an unexpected error (512) at line 1747 in d:\xpsprtm\base\boot\setup\oemdisk.c. Press any key to continue

I cannot proceed any further with the installation as setup does not detect any hard drives.

I've tried everything. I've disconnected the Sata DVD burner completely. I took out 1 stick of memory and left only 1 stick (1gb instead of 2gb and i've tried swapping them around). I've connected the HDs to Sata ports 1 and 2 (different ports have been tried). I've reset the Cmos and took the battery out for 15 minutes. I've reseated the battery correctly and checked. I've checked all other connections and cables. I've set the BIOS to raid for sata ports 1 and 2. BTW, both HDs are recognised in the BIOS. I've set to boot from the IDE dvd drive. I've loaded Win XP disk, saved and restarted. I've created a NVraid array when prompted (F10). I've pressed F6 when asked to do so. I've installed the floppy (using downloaded updated files on a formatted floppy and I've tried 3 different floppies) when asked and ...then the same damn message appears everytime.

YET, If I do not set a raid array and do not try to install as a RAID, then windows loads normally ???

Does anyone have ANY ideas on how to get past this stage (for a RAID setup) before I give up totally with effin RAID?

I'm pulling out what little hair i have left. The build was the easy part - this 'conflict' is just doing my head in. I would have though that in today's age of technology, these things would sort themselves out !!! Why I should have to use a bloody floopy to load a little driver is beyond me.

[dogdude16]

i cant help you with your problem but you might want to look in to Drobo. It is a great back up solution so at least take a look at this review from engadget.com and they recommend it.

[EzyStvy]

Did you update the BIOS like the mobo maker suggested in your other thread:
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=182067

[XenaWP]

Did you Google the message?

http://forum.abit-usa.com/printthrea...threadid=76233

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/archive/.../t-185926.html

http://www.abxzone.com/forums/a64-ch...-asus-av8.html

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?...ic=19792&st=10


Several possible solutions there.

[Cricket]

You have to use Disk Management.

How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP

How to use Disk Management to configure basic disks in Windows XP

Cricket

[glc]

The first thing you have to do is set up the RAID array in the RAID controller's bios. If you choose RAID 1 (mirroring) it will appear to Windows as a single 320gb drive. When you partition it during setup, it takes care of both drives. Then you can use Disk Management as indicated to create more partitions in the unallocated space.

EDIT: I've merged your 3 threads all on the same issues - please do not keep opening new threads, it makes it very difficult to follow and give proper advice. Thank you.

[mssurrey]

EzyStvy,
I havn't updated the BIOS yet because
1). Don't know exactly how to
2) didn't want to take the risk especially after comments received on one of my earlier threads

Cricket
Got that - thanks. I will partition after I have sorted out whether to keep trying for RAID or not

GLC. Got ir re threads. I have setup raid in the BIOS and set up NVRAID by pressing F10 but I still can't get past that error message.

XenaWP - I have googled the problem and tried the fresh floppy and other details approach. To no avail. The only thing I did find was some people talking about changing the text/code. I've no idea how to do that and wouldn't even try as I'm not an IT guy.

[mssurrey]

OK It looks like i'll have to update my BIOS before setting up raid and before loading XP ie on a clean machine.

I've no idea how to do this. How can I make sure I don't mess it up ie how do I do it relatively safely and securely?

[mssurrey]

Anyone ???

[glc]

MSI should have instructions on their website.

Personally, I'd forget about RAID and install on a single drive. Then I'd buy an external housing for the second drive and use that for backups. Apricorn has an excellent housing for SATA drives that's both eSATA and USB 2.0 compatible, and it comes with an OEM version of Acronis True Image to do drive cloning and imaging.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817362002

With RAID 1, if you get file corruption, the mirror will also be corrupted. All RAID 1 does for you is protect you if one drive physically fails. The imaging to an external drive periodically protects you against that AND against any corruption.