A7N8X Deluxe SATA SetUp

[Bill Tarkington]

I have seen several postings in last couple of weeks that for the most part
say subject MB will recognize and accept one or more SATA HDs, with or
without any IDE HDs, and also can boot from said SATA Drive. However, no one
seems to be able to go into detail about how to make this happen, just
states it can be done.
I am running the C1007 BIOS, and have installed first a single, then a
second WD Caviar 120G SATA drive(s). The SATA driver is loaded as the Raid
Controller shows up during boot sequencing, and can access the Raid
configuration procedure (more on this later). Both SATA drives show up in
the Control Panel under DRIVES, as does the RAID Controller under SCSI
Controllers. However, I have found no way to get the BIOS to see or list
any drives other than my singe WD CAviar 120G IDE drive C.
If in fact this board can utilize one or more SATA drives, and/or boot from
same, I would certainly appreciate it if the knowledgeable parties would
patiently take me by the hand and lead me through the process, step by step.
I am sure others would likewise be appreciative. I am not a novice, nor an
expert, but cannot solve this one without a lot of hand holding.
Some of my questions are:
1. What advance preparation, if any, is required for the SATA drives in
terms of partioning and formatting. Understand there is not Master/Slave
relationship applicable as with IDE, but how about pinning of these drives?
AT present both mine are unpinned.
2. How or can one get the BIOS to recognize and list these SATA drives and
letter same?
3. What is procedure for Loading WinXP OS to a single SATA drive intending
same to be the boot drive. WHat changes if any must be made in the BIOS?
4. What is procedure for copying an IDE boot drive (C) to a single SATA
drive? WD provides no software as does Seagate and some others? Is the
copy a simple copy C to some other letter, or must a specialized software be
utilized?
5. On bootup sequence, following BIOS load, I get a message to hit F4 to
enter the RAID setup, and it works. However, it recognizes and sees two
drives listing them as 0 and 1. Am given several options all related to a
RAID setup and maintenance. One is to
CREATE a RAID configuration. I hit ENTER, and absolutely nothing happens, so
am guessing there is something that must be done to the drives, but have'nt
a clue what. WHile I do not at this time want to utilize a RAID SET, thought
I would throw this phenomena in so perhaps someone can enlighten me about it
too.

I love this MB, but have had no experience with SATA drives or RAID. Have
not found any web sites that provide the level of help I need at this point.
I doubt I am alone, just willing to confess my ignorance and beg for help
from those in the know. Am sure there will be more questions as lot of the
time, responses cause same. Usually, if everyone hangs in there, it all
eventually get pieced together and that is what hope happens here. Frankly,
I suspect this particular MB does not support use of SATA drives in any mode
other than RAID, but hope that is not the case. Sorry for the length of this
plea. CAN ANYONE HELP? All responses appreciated, but those peculiar to
this specific MB would be particularly useful. Thanks to any and all!

 

[Ben Pope]

I have seen several postings in last couple of weeks that for the most
part say subject MB will recognize and accept one or more SATA HDs, with
or without any IDE HDs, and also can boot from said SATA Drive. However,
no one seems to be able to go into detail about how to make this happen,
just states it can be done.
I am running the C1007 BIOS, and have installed first a single, then a
second WD Caviar 120G SATA drive(s). The SATA driver is loaded as the
Raid Controller shows up during boot sequencing, and can access the Raid
configuration procedure (more on this later). Both SATA drives show up in
the Control Panel under DRIVES, as does the RAID Controller under SCSI
Controllers. However, I have found no way to get the BIOS to see or list
any drives other than my singe WD CAviar 120G IDE drive C.
If in fact this board can utilize one or more SATA drives, and/or boot
from same, I would certainly appreciate it if the knowledgeable parties
would patiently take me by the hand and lead me through the process, step
by step. I am sure others would likewise be appreciative. I am not a
novice, nor an expert, but cannot solve this one without a lot of hand
holding.
Some of my questions are:
1. What advance preparation, if any, is required for the SATA drives in
terms of partioning and formatting. Understand there is not Master/Slave
relationship applicable as with IDE, but how about pinning of these
drives? AT present both mine are unpinned.

Dunno what you mean by pinning.

2. How or can one get the BIOS to recognize and list these SATA drives and
letter same?

The BIOS, as in the Award6 BIOS will not recognise the SATA drives, but
after the BIOS has posted, you'll see the SiI 3112A "BIOS" come up, I don't
recall the keys you have to enter maybe Ctrl-F2 or something, it tells you
anyway - this is where you configure RAID... more on that later...

3. What is procedure for Loading WinXP OS to a single SATA drive intending
same to be the boot drive. WHat changes if any must be made in the BIOS?

Make sure you have the drivers extracted onto a floppy... check my FAQ ifor
the latest drivers. Then boot from the Windows CD, hit F6 when prompted and
insert the floppy. Select the appropriate driver. Continue as usual.

Note: If installing to RAID, your partition must already be set up. As I
understand it, for RAID you can do this from the SiI 3112A BIOS.

In order to boot from the SATA drive, the easiest way is to set SCSI (bad
name, it's the SATA controller) above IDE in the boot order.

4. What is procedure for copying an IDE boot drive (C) to a single SATA
drive? WD provides no software as does Seagate and some others? Is the
copy a simple copy C to some other letter, or must a specialized software
be utilized?

Ideally you need special software. Ghost is popular, but there are probably
free versions.. never done it so can't tell ya'.

You have to make sure that the drive (or more the the point, the partition)
that holds the new copied version of Windows becomes Drive C when you change
it over (or the same drive letter it was originally installed on)

5. On bootup sequence, following BIOS load, I get a message to hit F4 to
enter the RAID setup, and it works. However, it recognizes and sees two
drives listing them as 0 and 1. Am given several options all related to a
RAID setup and maintenance. One is to
CREATE a RAID configuration. I hit ENTER, and absolutely nothing happens,
so am guessing there is something that must be done to the drives, but
have'nt a clue what. WHile I do not at this time want to utilize a RAID
SET, thought I would throw this phenomena in so perhaps someone can
enlighten me about it too.

Never tried it. Perhaps the drives must not be partitioned already. I
would suspect that it can wipe them though, or at least inform you of the
problem... nothing happening is probably not a good thing.

I love this MB, but have had no experience with SATA drives or RAID.
Have not found any web sites that provide the level of help I need at
this point. I doubt I am alone, just willing to confess my ignorance and
beg for help from those in the know. Am sure there will be more questions
as lot of the time, responses cause same. Usually, if everyone hangs in
there, it all eventually get pieced together and that is what hope
happens here. Frankly, I suspect this particular MB does not support use
of SATA drives in any mode other than RAID, but hope that is not the
case

Doing it without RAID is not a problem. I have a WD360 Raptor which is SATA
and installed Win2K SP4 on it as the boot drive, as well as Linux.
Absolutely no problems without RAID. It's the same as any other install...
except that the OS needs to know about the SATA controller - it already
knows about your IDE controller and has a driver, but needs a specific
driver for the SATA controller.

Sorry for the length of this plea. CAN ANYONE HELP? All responses
appreciated, but those peculiar to this specific MB would be particularly
useful. Thanks to any and all!

No problems, if you can possibly try it, I'm usually around to help
on-the-go (although you kinda gonna need a second machine to post and read
this newsgroup), although I suspect it'll go easily when you try it, bearing
in mind the controller driver.

Ben

 

[Bill Tarkington]

Hi Ben: I was hoping you of all people would respond. Need to carefully
peruse your response, but I have already been to your web site and
downloaded the drivers you recommend, except that when I click on the URL
for Silicon Image, it goes to their home page where I have spent at least
one hour trying to find something downloadable. Thought this site would
provide the latest SATA 3112 driver. Did find a very small section or
software associated with Storage. But, when click on it, just takes one back
to the Home page. Ben, is there a driver to be downloaded here? IF so, I
cannot locate it. If not, how do I locate the driver you referre to that
goes on floppy? Also, I take it that the SATA drives never do show up in the
BIOS? May be slow getting back to you if you respond to these questions as
am leaving for Dallas, TX tomorrow and will not return until Sunday. Thanks,
Bill

 

[Ben Pope]

Hi Ben: I was hoping you of all people would respond. Need to carefully
peruse your response, but I have already been to your web site and
downloaded the drivers you recommend, except that when I click on the URL
for Silicon Image, it goes to their home page where I have spent at least
one hour trying to find something downloadable. Thought this site would
provide the latest SATA 3112 driver. Did find a very small section or
software associated with Storage. But, when click on it, just takes one
back to the Home page. Ben, is there a driver to be downloaded here? IF
so, I cannot locate it. If not, how do I locate the driver you referre to
that goes on floppy?

I'd give you a direct link, but it won't work, it requires a session ID
which will be invalid.

If you go to the link in my FAQ:
http://www.siimage.com/products/sii3112.asp

Then click the box that says "Product Support" next to Tech Docs, you'll get
a new site (at 12.24.47.40).

You want DOWNLOADS/Drivers/SiI3x12 and then the "Windows RAID Driver".

http://12.24.47.40/utility/getfile.asp?rid=1734

Thats a direct link to the file, but it won;t work unless you already have a
session on the server. It's a PITA and I may get around to automating the
download using JavaScript. However I hate JavaScript and popup blockers
will likely mess that up.

Also, I take it that the SATA drives never do show
up in the BIOS?

Thats correct.

May be slow getting back to you if you respond to these
questions as am leaving for Dallas, TX tomorrow and will not return until
Sunday. Thanks, Bill

No problem, thread will be highlighted for a while...

Ben

 

[Eric Carter]

Thanks Ben
All this is very useful as is your site many thanks

I have a working machine with single SATA drive booting to XP although I did
not install the drivers. However I can not install and run Recovery
Console - do you happen to know if that is because the drivers need to be
installed seperately (i.e again) for that function? Reluctant to experiment
in case i dig myself a hole but i would like to be able to get into recovery
mode in case I ever need it!

Eric

 

[Ben Pope]

Thanks Ben
All this is very useful as is your site many thanks

I have a working machine with single SATA drive booting to XP although I
did not install the drivers. However I can not install and run Recovery
Console - do you happen to know if that is because the drivers need to be
installed seperately (i.e again) for that function? Reluctant to
experiment in case i dig myself a hole but i would like to be able to get
into recovery mode in case I ever need it!

I didn;t realise recovery console needed installing.

Are the drivers for the SiI3112A installed now?

I think it's quite possible that XP SP1 has drivers for it, but previous
versions don't... Thats a guess, but would explain how you can install
Windows "without a driver" for the SATA controller.

Have no idea why you can't use recovery console. Works for me.

Ben

 

[Bill Tarkington]

Hi Ben: Thanks for the prompt response. Well, I must confess that either I
am totally blind or totally stupid! Understood most of what you provided.
Went to your site, clicked on SATA driver which took me to Silicon Image
home page,but for the life of me, I just could not find any place thereon,
the words "Product Support"?? I did find the words "Product Brief" listed
just above the words Technical Documents. However,clicking on that gets me
no where. I find no box specifying Product Support. Obviously I am missing
something, please redirect me if you will.

Ben, perhaps I do not need to get the SATA RAID driver cause think it is
already loaded and working. When bootup, I get directions to hit F4, and
when I do, it does take me to the RAID configuration facility. I thought
your site was providing a pointer to perhaps a later driver than that
provided me on the MB CD-Rom which is what I assume is working as described.
What do you think about this?

EIther way, once I have the driver in question, it is the SATA RAID driver I
presume. The current one, however, provides no way I can see to address a
single SATA drive, nor two except in a RAID configuration. So, if the
objective with the driver is to gain entry to the RAID configuration, I do
not understand what I am to do step by step once in there.
Also, again I must ask, what preparation of the drive must I make, if any?
Or, does the configuration facility take care of this automatically insome
way?

Once the drive is prepared, if needed, Precisely how does one go about
loading Windows fresh, and/or making a bit for bit mirror image from an
existing IDE boot drive (C)?

Incidentally, you mentioned your BIOS was the Uber, guess the one your site
lists. WHat the heck is UBER, anyway. I have never heard that expression
before. Although I presently have the C1007 loaded, do you recommend the
Uber instead for some reason, or perhaps it just does not matter for
purposes of this discussion/education!

Finally, I have seen elsewhere on this group, references stating that it is
necessary to go into CMOS/BIOS and change first boot device to something
other than IDE 0. One said to select SCSI. This reference was associated
with another ASUS model board, but seemed like a logical thing to me. ANy
comment on this? Recognize, this would likely be in play only if one is
booting from a properly prepared and am guessing (lettered {C:}) SATA drive.

May be getting way ahead of you, but just wanted you to see all the things I
am wondering about. Thanks again for all you patience and help.

 

[Ben Pope]

Hi Ben: Thanks for the prompt response. Well, I must confess that either
I am totally blind or totally stupid! Understood most of what you
provided. Went to your site, clicked on SATA driver which took me to
Silicon Image home page,but for the life of me, I just could not find any
place thereon, the words "Product Support"?? I did find the words
"Product Brief" listed just above the words Technical Documents.
However,clicking on that gets me no where. I find no box specifying
Product Support. Obviously I am missing something, please redirect me if
you will.

Think: Red Box.

Now look again

Ben, perhaps I do not need to get the SATA RAID driver cause think it is
already loaded and working. When bootup, I get directions to hit F4, and
when I do, it does take me to the RAID configuration facility. I thought
your site was providing a pointer to perhaps a later driver than that
provided me on the MB CD-Rom which is what I assume is working as
described. What do you think about this?

Thats the SATA firmware, way before you need drivers. You can only update
that with a motherboard BIOS update. Instructions in my FAQ

The one on the CDRom might be older, there have been some recent releases.

EIther way, once I have the driver in question, it is the SATA RAID
driver I presume. The current one, however, provides no way I can see to
address a single SATA drive, nor two except in a RAID configuration. So,
if the objective with the driver is to gain entry to the RAID
configuration, I do not understand what I am to do step by step once in
there.

There is a "GUI" that allow some administration of the RAID. Should come
with the driver.

Also, again I must ask, what preparation of the drive must I make, if any?
Or, does the configuration facility take care of this automatically insome
way?

Windows setup will partition and format a drive, empty or not. For RAID, as
I understand it, you must first build the array. I doubt there is any
preparation required for that, it should be doable from the F4 screen at
startup.

Once the drive is prepared, if needed, Precisely how does one go about
loading Windows fresh, and/or making a bit for bit mirror image from an
existing IDE boot drive (C)?

To install Windows, whack the CD in the drive.

Oh I should mention that the Jumper on the motherboard should be on for
anybody else who does not see the SATA firmware come up, just after boot.

Incidentally, you mentioned your BIOS was the Uber, guess the one your
site lists. WHat the heck is UBER, anyway. I have never heard that
expression before. Although I presently have the C1007 loaded, do you
recommend the Uber instead for some reason, or perhaps it just does not
matter for purposes of this discussion/education!

The Uber is the standard BIOS with some more options enabled. Michael (the
"author") has used a freely available tool to add those options. I might
describe it in my FAQ, don't recall.

I used to recommend the Uber when it had updated SATA firmware, but they're
the same in the current release so take your pick. Not all of the options
work, incidentally

Finally, I have seen elsewhere on this group, references stating that it
is necessary to go into CMOS/BIOS and change first boot device to
something other than IDE 0. One said to select SCSI. This reference was
associated with another ASUS model board, but seemed like a logical thing
to me. ANy comment on this? Recognize, this would likely be in play only
if one is booting from a properly prepared and am guessing (lettered
{C:}) SATA drive.

I think I've said that many times in the newsgroup

Not necessarily Drive C:, but yes, usually. For Windows it's just easier.

May be getting way ahead of you, but just wanted you to see all the
things I am wondering about. Thanks again for all you patience and help.

No problem.

Ben

 

[Bill Tarkington]

Ben, hope you are still with me. I never was able to locate the driver in
the way you described, but somehow did get it, I think? I somehow in someway
I have not been able to reproduce got to a download page at the site you
referenced. I downloaded the following files: 1. 3112 x86 rdvr logo
10050.zip 2. Java RAID GUI-113.zip. Am i correct that the first, is the
driver I was looking for? If so, I followed the instructions for its
installation via the SCSI controller entry in Device Manager utilizing the
driver update wizard. Directed it to a floppy containing driver. Result was
that it gave me a message indicating it could find nothing better than what
was already installed. From this I assume I already have the above driver
installed? Ben, what the heck is the RAID GUI file all about? Have not
attempted to install it pending more knowledge of same and necessity, if
any, for it. Comments, if any, on anything above? Thanks, Bill

 

[Eric Carter]

Thanks Ben
Alas I have no idea how the original Win XP installation was carried out -
maybe the drivers were on XP+SP1 or they used the SI drivers.

The issue is Win XP is up and running - recovery console will not and
perhaps I need to install the divers for that separately. What i think I
will do is aquire a second SATA drive and experiment until I figure it out.

Thanks for the suggestions Eric

 

[Ben Pope]

Ben, hope you are still with me. I never was able to locate the driver in
the way you described, but somehow did get it, I think? I somehow in
someway I have not been able to reproduce got to a download page at the
site you referenced. I downloaded the following files: 1. 3112 x86 rdvr
logo 10050.zip

Sounds about right.

2. Java RAID GUI-113.zip. Am i correct that the first,
is the driver I was looking for? If so, I followed the instructions for
its installation via the SCSI controller entry in Device Manager
utilizing the driver update wizard. Directed it to a floppy containing
driver. Result was that it gave me a message indicating it could find
nothing better than what was already installed. From this I assume I
already have the above driver installed?

Presumably... what version is installed?

Ben, what the heck is the RAID
GUI file all about? Have not attempted to install it pending more
knowledge of same and necessity, if any, for it. Comments, if any, on
anything above? Thanks, Bill

It's a GUI for the driver, allows you to view information, but it's a Java
based one, there should be one compiled natively for windows. Not tried the
Java one.

Ben

 

[_P_e_ar_lALegend]

Ben, what the heck is the RAID

It's a GUI for the driver, allows you to view information, but it's a Java
based one, there should be one compiled natively for windows. Not tried the
Java one.

Mine natively built for windows just work with the old sata drivers on the
cd. This version is also on cd too.

If u upgrade the drivers, u need the Java version, becouse for me it's the
only one working.