Asus Rampage IV Extreme RAID help please

[digitalraven]

I cant seem to get this right.

I installed my OS on my crucial ssd while in AHCI, didnt load any drivers. I get a BSOD when i change to RAID mode to get my two raptors up and running in RAID 0. Ive tried changing the iaStorV file from 3 to 0 with no luck.

Do i have to reinstall windows with the bios set to RAID first? What driver do i load during the setup because i have tried many with windows not recognizing them or giving me unsigned errors...ugh.

 

[Pinhedd]

Hi there, I have a Rampage IV Extreme myself so I can address your question.

There are a few things that you need to know about this motherboard.

First, it has gone through many firmware revisions. You should update to the latest which is 3602. If you are not running this revision, please install it ASAP. If you are running a firmware <2000 (1404 or earlier) you will need to use a firmware converter. This is available on Asus's website, installs just like any other firmware upgrade, and takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Second, there are two separate storage controllers on the motherboard. There's the Intel X79 PCH storage controller, and the ASMedia 1061 add-in storage controller which is connected to the PCH via PCIe. The top 6 SATA ports (4 SATA-II, and 2 SATA-III) are connected to the X79 PCH controller. The bottom two SATA-III ports are connected to the ASMedia controller.

Both controllers support IDE and AHCI modes of operation, but only the PCH controller supports firmware assisted RAID. As a side note, the ASMedia controller only supports hard drives. If you attempt to connect a BluRay drive to the ASMedia controller you will run into boot sequence problems.

The latest firmware revisions include both a BIOS OPROM and a UEFI driver for each of the storage devices. You can set the priority to either one in the firmware settings under the compatibility support module. I recommend using the UEFI driver, as this will speed up booting.

If you choose to use the BIOS OPROM, you will create and manage the RAID volumes through the storage controller's own interface (CTRL+I at startup, you can't miss it). If you choose to use the UEFI driver, you will create and manage the RAID volumes through the UEFI setup menus.

There is a compatibility issue that you need to be aware of here. For the X79 PCH storage controller, the firmware RAID device ID exposed by the firmware to the operating system differs between the BIOS OPROM and the UEFI driver. If you create the RAID volume using the BIOS OPROM and then switch to the internal UEFI driver you will encounter a BSOD on startup. The only way to avoid this is to destroy the RAID volume and recreate it using the new method.

Lastly, and perhaps most relevant to you, is that Windows 7 does not have full built in support for the X79 chipset. On release, it was only necessary to provide external storage drivers if the storage controller was in RAID mode. However, newer firmware revisions have changed this such that Windows 7 seems to require Intel's Rapid Storage Technology (Enterprise) drivers to be provided at install time regardless of whether or not it is AHCI mode or RAID mode. If you installed Windows 7 in AHCI mode without providing drivers at boot time you can install the Intel RST/RSTe drivers then reboot and enable RAID mode.

Windows 8 does not have this issue.

 

[digitalraven]

Thanks for the answer to this, i have the latest bios installed. my ssd is connected to the intel 6gb port while my 2 raptors are connected to the intel 3gb ports. nothing is connected to the asmedia controller. Can you point me to the correct driver to install while in windows since i didnt install it during the initial load of the OS please? Im not sure how to go about the new method you're speaking of.

 

[digitalraven]

i updated the bios through the bios utility in the bios after getting the file on my flash drive. Im familiar with the ctrl+i to create or delete the array.

 

[Pinhedd]

Thanks for the answer to this, i have the latest bios installed. my ssd is connected to the intel 6gb port while my 2 raptors are connected to the intel 3gb ports. nothing is connected to the asmedia controller. Can you point me to the correct driver to install while in windows since i didnt install it during the initial load of the OS please? Im not sure how to go about the new method you're speaking of.

Here's the list of Rapid Storage Technology Enterprise driver downloads

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Software+Products&ProductLine=Chipset+Software&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Rapid+Storage+Technology+enterprise+(Intel%C2%AE+RSTe)

Here's the list of Rapid Storage Technology driver downloads (not enterprise)

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Software+Products&ProductLine=Chipset+Software&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Rapid+Storage+Technology+(Intel%C2%AE+RST)

Since you're running the old BIOS OPROM you should use the RSTe drivers. If you're using the UEFI driver module you should use the regular RST drivers

 

[digitalraven]

Thanks, so do i install the IRSTe while in windows, looks like it has to be loaded upon bootup?

 

[digitalraven]

When trying to install the latest IRSTe i get the following: "This computer currently contains driver versions newer than the versions you are about to install" Intel C600 series chipset SATA AHCI Controller (12.5.0.1066)

 

[Calvin7]

I will give you an example of how to install the IRSTe (Intel Rapid Storage Technology Enterprise) for Windows 7 (64-bit). Some people prefer to use the non-Enterprise IRST drivers, I will not address this.

I go to Intel Download Center and choose one of their three active X79 DESKTOP boards. (7 Series)
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Default.aspx?lang=eng

Intel Rapid Storage Technology enterprise
File name: RSTe_f6_win7_64_3.6.0.1093.zip
Version: 3.6.0.1093
Download
Date: 11/16/2012
Status: Latest
Size: 0.32 MB
Operating Systems: Windows 7 (64-bit)

Download this .32 MB file and take a USB flash drive
Make a new folder on the flash drive and extract (uncompress the .zip file) to the folder.
Look in the new folder for the NAME of the folder. This is the folder you will direct the Windows installer to.

On the Intel download page there is the User interface that you install after you have Windows installed.
RSTe_Win8_3.6.0.1093_PV.exe
Version: 3.6.0.1093
Date: 11/16/2012
Status: Latest
Size: 24.12 MB
Operating Systems: Windows 7 (32-bit)*, Windows 7 (64-bit)*, Windows 8, 32-bit*, Windows 8, 64-bit*

Just connect the drive for the OS and set the SATA Controller to RAID.
Boot to the Windows installation set up DVD and select Load Drivers. Direct the installer to the folder from the extracted .zip file in your Flash Drive.

Once you have installed windows, install the 24.12 MB file, you can connect the RAID Drives and use this program to set up your RAID array.

 

[digitalraven]

followed your directions to the tee.. when Windows install starts up it asks for drivers right off the bat... tried every driver within the flash drive but get either these two errors.
1. device driver could not be installed, contact your vendor fir an updated driver.
2. No new devices could be found. make sure the driver files are correct and located on the driver installation media.

ugh..

 

[Pinhedd]

followed your directions to the tee.. when Windows install starts up it asks for drivers right off the bat... tried every driver within the flash drive but get either these two errors.
1. device driver could not be installed, contact your vendor fir an updated driver.
2. No new devices could be found. make sure the driver files are correct and located on the driver installation media.

ugh..

I've never tried using the RST drivers with my RIVE motherboard, only RSTe. The legacy BIOS OPROM (which you are using) should be paired with the RSTe drivers. Windows does come with storage drivers, and Windows Update may distribute new ones. These drivers do not include the full feature suite of the RST/RSTe drivers.

Try the 3.6 RSTe drivers and see where that gets you.

 

[digitalraven]

I tried the IRSTe drivers, Windows won't take them... Not sure why. I'm back in Windows on a fresh install through AHCI mode. going through Windows update right now.. Not sure where to go from here

 

[digitalraven]

I tried the IRSTe drivers, Windows won't take them... Not sure why. I'm back in Windows on a fresh install through AHCI mode. going through Windows update right now.. Not sure where to go from here

 

[Pinhedd]

I tried the IRSTe drivers, Windows won't take them... Not sure why. I'm back in Windows on a fresh install through AHCI mode. going through Windows update right now.. Not sure where to go from here

That's very strange. I used the RSTe drivers on Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

[digitalraven]

ya, i have windows fully updated now and IRSTe installed. My iaStorF file under the registry shows a value of 3 for disabled. I want to change it to 0, do i just reboot into bios and change to raid, then create the array and reboot again and hope for the best lol?

 

[Pinhedd]

ya, i have windows fully updated now and IRSTe installed. My iaStorF file under the registry shows a value of 3 for disabled. I want to change it to 0, do i just reboot into bios and change to raid, then create the array and reboot again and hope for the best lol?

There's no need to change anything in the registry. Just set it to RAID mode, create a volume, and cross your fingers

 

[digitalraven]

ya still get the BSOD...ugh. Seems hopeless🙁

 

[digitalraven]

i can get into startup repair and load drivers. To get raid enabled, i need to select an setup info file from the RSTe_3.6.0.1093_F6-drivers.zip i downloaded but i have no idea other the x64 what to select. Their is iastorA and iastorS and iaAHCI files to select from..

 

[Pinhedd]

i can get into startup repair and load drivers. To get raid enabled, i need to select an setup info file from the RSTe_3.6.0.1093_F6-drivers.zip i downloaded but i have no idea other the x64 what to select. Their is iastorA and iastorS and iaAHCI files to select from..

That particular driver distribution contains 3 driver versions, 1086, 1090, and 1093. Ignore the first two and use 1093 that is in its own folder. Inside of that there are 8 folders, 4 for Windows 8 (marked), and 4 for Windows 7 (not marked). Each has two drivers, A and S, and 32 bit and 64 bit versions of each.

The iaStorA is found in both versions of the driver (enterprise and regular), but iaStorS is found only in the Enterprise version of the drivers. It is needed to manage the enterprise raid exposed by the legacy OPROM, but is not needed to manage the raid exposed by the UEFI driver.

If I recall correctly, target the iaStorS_64 folder for Windows 7 while trying to install the OS in RAID mode. It should install some drivers and make the raid volume viewable.

 

[digitalraven]

thanks, im just worried about running into the unsigned driver problem again..thinking ill start this and have to reload windows again while in AHCI just to have a working computer lol..

 

[Pinhedd]

thanks, im just worried about running into the unsigned driver problem again..thinking ill start this and have to reload windows again while in AHCI just to have a working computer lol..

The drivers are digitally signed, so you shouldn't run into any issues