A7N8X Deluxe PCB Rev. 1.04 + SATA

[Guevara]

Hello dea
people @ this Asus Forum.
I am totally new here and hope to get and give some useful
information here.
[color=blue:c68fdfdb98][b:c68fdfdb98]
But first i need your help badly ..[/b:c68fdfdb98][/color:c68fdfdb98]


I have an [b:c68fdfdb98]Asus A7N8X DeLuxe Gold Rev
1.04[/b:c68fdfdb98] just updated t
[color=blue:c68fdfdb98][b:c68fdfdb98]1009[/b:c68fdfdb98][/color:c68fdfdb98]
[b:c68fdfdb98]Soon i will buy me the SATA2 HDD Samsung SpinPoint P12
Series SP2504C [/b:c68fdfdb98]
http://www.samsung.com/Products/Har...ies/HardDiskDrive_SpinPointPSeries_SP2504C.ht

Because of that i have to update m
[b:c68fdfdb98]Sil3112A[/b:c68fdfdb98] drivers. And [b:c68fdfdb98]tha
[/b:c68fdfdb98]gives me a big headache. It is confusing and it make
me weird aranoid:

[size=18:c68fdfdb98][color=blue:c68fdfdb98][b:c68fdfdb98]As found o
the homepage of Silicon Image
[/b:c68fdfdb98][/color:c68fdfdb98][/size:c68fdfdb98
http://www.siliconimage.com/support/supportsearchresults.aspx?pid=63&cid=3&ctid=2&osid=4
their latest [b:c68fdfdb98]SiI3x12 32-bit Windows SATARAID Driver
v.1.0.0.51 (21-09-2004)[/b:c68fdfdb98
[[color=red:c68fdfdb98]Sil3x12A-Serial ATA (SATA
Windows RAID Driver.zip[/color:c68fdfdb98]], which
just downloaded. A little bit confusing for me is the possibility t
download also the latest [b:c68fdfdb98]SiI3x12 32-bit Windows ID
Driver, v.1.3.61.0 (07-10-2005)[/b:c68fdfdb98
[[i:c68fdfdb98][color=red:c68fdfdb98]SWD-003x12-00W-1361.zip[/color:c68fdfdb98][/i:c68fdfdb98]

[size=18:c68fdfdb98][color=blue:c68fdfdb98][b:c68fdfdb98]Is i
necessary to download that one too?[/b:c68fdfdb98
[/color:c68fdfdb98][/size:c68fdfdb98]
However when you take a look unde
[b:c68fdfdb98]Description[/b:c68fdfdb98] you see that you can clic
also for [b:c68fdfdb98]Sil3112 BIOS [/b:c68fdfdb98] where you ge
[i:c68fdfdb98][b:c68fdfdb98]even mor
[/b:c68fdfdb98][/i:c68fdfdb98]options
http://www.siliconimage.com/support...ne posting. I hope it is readable. :retard:

 

[Paul]

Hello dear people @ this Asus Forum. I am totally new here
and hope to get and give some usefull information here.
But first i need your help badly

I have an Asus A7N8X DeLuxe Gold Rev. 1.04 just updated to
1009. Soon i will buy me the SATA2 HDD Samsung SpinPoint P120
Series SP2504C

http://www.samsung.com/Products/Har...es/HardDiskDrive_SpinPointPSeries_SP2504C.htm

Because of that i have to update my Sil3112A drivers. And that
gives me a big headache. It is confusing and it makes
me weird aranoid:

As found on the homepage of Silicon Image:

http://www.siliconimage.com/support/supportsearchresults.aspx?pid=63&cid=3&ctid=2&osid=4&

their latest SiI3x12 32-bit Windows SATARAID Driver,
v.1.0.0.51 (21-09-2004) Sil3x12A-Serial ATA (SATA)
Windows RAID Driver.zip, which i just downloaded. A little bit
confusing for me is the possibility to download also the latest
SiI3x12 32-bit Windows IDE Driver, v.1.3.61.0 (07-10-2005)
SWD-003x12-00W-1361.zip

Is it necessary to download that one too?
However when you take a look under Description you see that
you can click also for Sil3112 BIOS where you get even more
options:

http://www.siliconimage.com/support/supportsearchresults.aspx?pid=63&cid=15&ctid=2&

I do have already the latest RAID BIOS: 3112_x86_ribios-4250.zip
Problem is, that i don't know anymore what to use and what to do
:crybaby:

Because my actual motherboard does only support SATA1 this new
SATA2 HDD has to be set at the 1,5Gbps mode, which will be done
automatically by this Samsung. See for info:

http://www.samsung.com/Products/HardDiskDrive/support/faqs/faqs_20050727_0000180403.htm

for a close jumperview: :smirk:

http://www.samsung.com/Products/HardDiskDrive/support/faqs/images/SATAspeedselectionjumper.JPG

I want a fresh XP Pro install and because of that i have several
questions

I know that during this install i have to push the F6
key to load the SATA RAID driver 1.0.0.51 (floppy).
But there has to be done more i guess?
How to load the RAID BIOS v.4.2.5.0.? (Is it necessary?)
Which other drivers do i have to download / install?

Next summer i wil buy me a new ASUS AMD64 MoBo with
SATA2. I presume this Samsung thing will "see" that
there is a SATA2 controller then, what will happen then
with all the DATA ?

Will it be useless then? Do i have to make a fresh XP
Pro install again or doesn't happen anything at all
and will only the 1,5Gbps (SATA1) changed to 3.0Gbps? (SATA2)

Recently i updated my A7N8X Deluxe PCB Rev. 1.04 to 1009.
I am not sure what SATA features are in that BIOS update,
so maybe one of you can give me the answer on that. Maybe
in this 1009-update the SATA-updates are already included?
Can someone give me an answer on that?

Well as you can see i did a major job here for putting so
much questions in one single posting.

I hope you won't get dizzy and will forgive me for this enormous
posting. I am sorry for that, but i didn't see a way out
anymore so i decided to do it in one posting.
I hope it is readable. :retard:

AN8D1009 BIOS file has Silicon Image 4247 RAID BIOS in it. To change
to a different one, like 4250, requires BIOS editing tools, to
extract the old, and add the new RAID BIOS. There are also people
who have already done this, and offer the result on their web
page for download.

In terms of drivers, do you already have drivers installed ?
Did you go to the Device Manager, and see what drivers are loaded
for your hardware ? That might give you some idea what drivers
are currently in use.

The information on this page, refers to the use of a SIL3112 on a
separate PCI card. When the SIL3112 is put on your motherboard,
the RAID BIOS is stored inside the motherboard flash chip. But
you can still use the drivers. If you are not building a RAID
array, then the IDE driver should be good enough.

http://www.siliconimage.com/support/supportsearchresults.aspx?pid=63&cid=3&ctid=2&osid=4&

The 3112_x86_ribios-4250.zip file is not intended for a motherboard
user. It is for a separate PCI card based SIL3112 product.

In terms of moving the Samsung disk, from A7N8X SIL3112 to a
new AMD64 motherboard, the driver needed to access the data
will be different. If could be, that a "repair install" will
allow you to fix the driver issue. Perhaps some one who has
done that before, can give you a better answer (the answer
really depends on whether the SIL3112 uses a reserved sector
or not, to store info about whether the drive is in a RAID -
I've had a portability problem between a Promise RAID and
my Southbridge, on another motherboard.).

The clock rate jumper only affects the clock rate of the
data on the SATA cable, it does not change the method of
data storage on the disk. You can use whatever setting for
the jumper, that is compatible with the capabilities of
the motherboard.

By the way, when you post to USENET, select a "text only" format
for your news reader program. I had to reformat your posting
above, in order to be able to read it. Your posting is full
of "formatting commands". You might go to groups.google.com
and see what the posting looks like for the rest of us. And
if you are tunnelling to USENET via a PHP bulletin board,
why not try posting through Google instead ? Or tell your
bulletin board owner to change the format of the info
exported to nntp - I mean, look at this mess...

http://groups.google.ca/group/alt.c..._frm/thread/b72795bf2818c12f/e334acec9304e579

Paul

 

[Guevara]

Paulwrote

AN8D1009 BIOS file has Silicon Image 4247 RAID BIOS in it. T chang
to a different one, like 4250, requires BIOS editing tools, t
extract the old, and add the new RAID BIOS. There are also peopl
who have already done this, and offer the result on their we
page for download.

In terms of drivers, do you already have drivers installed ?
Did you go to the Device Manager, and see what drivers are loade
for your hardware ? That might give you some idea what driver
are currently in use.

The Silicon Image Sil 3112 SATARaid Controller driver is: v.1.0.0.47
THAT driverversion can i update with the 1.0.0.51 as described in m
posting and which i already had downloaded

For what the Raid BIOS driver version concerns, i don't know. I hav
further no idea what drivers i have to look for more. Can you be mor
specific to that? Also the links i posted unde "Describe" are ther
(necessarely) drivers to download for me

Paulwrote

The information on this page, refers to the use of a SIL3112 on
separate PCI card. When the SIL3112 is put on your motherboard
the RAID BIOS is stored inside the motherboard flash chip. Bu
you can still use the drivers. If you are not building a RAI
array, then the IDE driver should be good enough.

As i read on several forums it is necessary to update at least th
Sil3112A driver when you go for the Samsung i want to buy. (Mayb
also because of the 250 GB which wouldn't be recognized then) Wha
about the Raid BIOS, i don't know what to do

Paulwrote

(e-mail address removed)

http://www.siliconimage.com/support/supportsearchresults.aspx?pid=63&cid=3&ctid=2&osid=4

The 3112_x86_ribios-4250.zip file is not intended for a motherboar
user. It is for a separate PCI card based SIL3112 product.

That should mean that i don't have to upgrade the BIOS of it

Paulwrote

In terms of moving the Samsung disk, from A7N8X SIL3112 to
new AMD64 motherboard, the driver needed to access the dat
will be different. If could be, that a "repair install" wil
allow you to fix the driver issue. Perhaps some one who ha
done that before, can give you a better answer (the answe
really depends on whether the SIL3112 uses a reserved secto
or not, to store info about whether the drive is in a RAID -
I've had a portability problem between a Promise RAID an
my Southbridge, on another motherboard.)

That is a very interesting point. I hope someone give me an answer o
that issue. I hope it can be done by software and not that i
necessary to re-install all the sh*t

Paulwrote

The clock rate jumper only affects the clock rate of the
data on the SATA cable, it does not change the method of
data storage on the disk. You can use whatever setting fo
the jumper, that is compatible with the capabilities o
the motherboard.

It has only influence on the data-transfer?

Paulwrote

By the way, when you post to USENET, select a "text only" forma
for your news reader program. I had to reformat your postin
above, in order to be able to read it. Your posting is ful
of "formatting commands". You might go to groups.google.co
and see what the posting looks like for the rest of us. An
if you are tunnelling to USENET via a PHP bulletin board
why not try posting through Google instead ? Or tell you
bulletin board owner to change the format of the inf
exported to nntp - I mean, look at this mess...
http://groups.google.ca/group/alt.c...e_frm/thread/b72795bf2818c12f/e334acec9304e57
Pau

As you can see, i just editted the text and changed a lot. Thx for it
hope it is now better ;-) Hopefully you or someone else can give a
the information and help i need.

Tia

 

[Guevara]

Paulwrote

AN8D1009 BIOS file has Silicon Image 4247 RAID BIOS in it. T chang
to a different one, like 4250, requires BIOS editing tools, t
extract the old, and add the new RAID BIOS. There are also peopl
who have already done this, and offer the result on their we
page for download.

In terms of drivers, do you already have drivers installed ?
Did you go to the Device Manager, and see what drivers are loade
for your hardware ? That might give you some idea what driver
are currently in use.

The Silicon Image Sil 3112 SATARaid Controller driver is: v.1.0.0.47
THAT driverversion can i update with the 1.0.0.51 as described in m
posting and which i already had downloaded

For what the Raid BIOS driver version concerns, i don't know. I hav
further no idea what drivers i have to look for more. Can you be mor
specific to that? Also the links i posted unde "Describe" are ther
(necessarely) drivers to download for me

Paulwrote

The information on this page, refers to the use of a SIL3112 on
separate PCI card. When the SIL3112 is put on your motherboard
the RAID BIOS is stored inside the motherboard flash chip. Bu
you can still use the drivers. If you are not building a RAI
array, then the IDE driver should be good enough.

As i read on several forums it is necessary to update at least th
Sil3112A driver when you go for the Samsung i want to buy. (Mayb
also because of the 250 GB which wouldn't be recognized then) Wha
about the Raid BIOS, i don't know what to do

Paulwrote

(e-mail address removed)

http://www.siliconimage.com/support/supportsearchresults.aspx?pid=63&cid=3&ctid=2&osid=4

The 3112_x86_ribios-4250.zip file is not intended for a motherboar
user. It is for a separate PCI card based SIL3112 product.

That should mean that i don't have to upgrade the BIOS of it

Paulwrote

In terms of moving the Samsung disk, from A7N8X SIL3112 to
new AMD64 motherboard, the driver needed to access the dat
will be different. If could be, that a "repair install" wil
allow you to fix the driver issue. Perhaps some one who ha
done that before, can give you a better answer (the answe
really depends on whether the SIL3112 uses a reserved secto
or not, to store info about whether the drive is in a RAID -
I've had a portability problem between a Promise RAID an
my Southbridge, on another motherboard.)

That is a very interesting point. I hope someone give me an answer o
that issue. I hope it can be done by software and not that i
necessary to re-install all the sh*t

Paulwrote

The clock rate jumper only affects the clock rate of the
data on the SATA cable, it does not change the method of
data storage on the disk. You can use whatever setting fo
the jumper, that is compatible with the capabilities o
the motherboard.

It has only influence on the data-transfer?

Paulwrote

By the way, when you post to USENET, select a "text only" forma
for your news reader program. I had to reformat your postin
above, in order to be able to read it. Your posting is ful
of "formatting commands". You might go to groups.google.co
and see what the posting looks like for the rest of us. An
if you are tunnelling to USENET via a PHP bulletin board
why not try posting through Google instead ? Or tell you
bulletin board owner to change the format of the inf
exported to nntp - I mean, look at this mess...
http://groups.google.ca/group/alt.c...e_frm/thread/b72795bf2818c12f/e334acec9304e57
Pau

As you can see, i just editted the text and changed a lot. Thx for it
hope it is now better ;-) Hopefully you or someone else can give a
the information and help i need.

Tia

 

[Paul]

Your posting format is much improved However, I notice when
you posted, that two articles were posted. That means something
is tied in a loop ? Have a look in Google, to see what has
happened.

The Silicon Image Sil 3112 SATARaid Controller driver is: v.1.0.0.47.
THAT driverversion can i update with the 1.0.0.51 as described in my
posting and which i already had downloaded?

For what the Raid BIOS driver version concerns, i don't know. I have
further no idea what drivers i have to look for more. Can you be more
specific to that? Also the links i posted unde "Describe" are there
(necessarely) drivers to download for me?

If you look here, you can download a "Trats" BIOS. The one for
1009, with CPC ON, is the one I would select. It has 4250 RAID
BIOS installed in it. I have used a different "Trats" modded
BIOS on my A7N8X-E Deluxe without a problem (I don't use SATA
drives on my board, so haven't done anything with the SIL3112
on my board.) You don't absolutely need this BIOS, but it is
there if you want to try it.

This is the thread with the announcement:

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=351279&highlight=AN8D1009

This is the BIOS, with 4250 RAID, and CPC On (CPC On is exactly
like the normal Asus BIOS are shipped - it gives higher memory
bandwidth than CPC Off):

http://www.senorpanadero.net/uploader/userfiles/trats/asus/a7n8x_deluxe_rev1/AN8D1009mod.zip

The next issue is the driver files. I believe all these drivers
will work with 4247 or 4250 BIOS versions.

IDE Driver 1.3.61.0 Most recent IDE driver. Has one additional
system file "SiRemFil.sys". By naming convention
and content, this file allows hot swap of SATA
drives. You may see a "Safe to remove" icon in
the taskbar if you use this driver. You cannot
remove the boot drive. This is not practical for
an internal SATA drive.
SATARAID 1.00.51 Latest RAID driver, for things like RAID 0 or
RAID 1 (striping or mirroring). Use with two drives.
IDE Driver 1.2.0.57 Driver for non-RAID array operation. Like one
drive by itself. Or two single drives by
themselves.

If you do not wish to set up a RAID array, I would use the first
file, the 1.3.61.0 .

As i read on several forums it is necessary to update at least the
Sil3112A driver when you go for the Samsung i want to buy. (Maybe
also because of the 250 GB which wouldn't be recognized then) What
about the Raid BIOS, i don't know what to do.


http://www.siliconimage.com/support/supportsearchresults.aspx?pid=63&cid=3&ctid=2&osid=4&

That should mean that i don't have to upgrade the BIOS of it?

You cannot use the 3112_x86_ribios-4250.zip . You do not have a
flashing tool, and the SIL3112 is not configured to use the
contents of the ZIP. The above "Trats" BIOS has been modded
via one of the files in that ZIP. Trat has done the work for
you. You can always install the 1.3.61.0 driver on your system
as it is now, and test it with your new Samsung drive - it
may work properly without needing the "Trats" BIOs.

That is a very interesting point. I hope someone give me an answer on
that issue. I hope it can be done by software and not that is
necessary to re-install all the sh*t.

I cannot test it for you, because I don't own any SATA drives.
(I use nothing but PATA drives.)

It has only influence on the data-transfer?

Yes, it only affects the transfer rate on the cable.
It does nothing to the files on the disk.

http://groups.google.ca/group/alt.c..._frm/thread/b72795bf2818c12f/e334acec9304e579

As you can see, i just editted the text and changed a lot. Thx for it,
hope it is now better ;-) Hopefully you or someone else can give al
the information and help i need.

Tia

Good luck,
Paul