What Would You Do Part 2

[Airbender 113]

If it doesn't work with the Extreme & 840 combo, it will work with an Extreme & Extreme combo since they are identical drives.  The Raid configuration tool should tell you if there is an issue mirroring an Extreme & an 840.  If this is an issue, turn off the PC, swap the 840 with the Extreme and try again.  This should work fine and then you will know if the 840 will work as a back-up drive.  If the 840 works, you can go ahead and install the OS, etc., then unplug the 840 and boot.  Computer should boot find but you will get an error message that a drive in the Raid has failed.  Turn off the PC, swap out the 840 with the Extreme, go into the Raid config screen and rebuild the Raid.  The Raid will mirror all the data to the newly installed Extreme drive and you'll be fine to start your ghost.  Put the 840 in a safe place and hope you never have to use it. 

 

Ok i got it thanks again hopefully over my days off i will start the enire process YOU ROCK !

[Airbender 113]

Hello

 

Yesterday and Today plan and gols :

 

So here is little update mybe it will help others too

so i started by cloning and creating Ghost image of all SSD's i have to a 250GB HHD , the reason behind it is to keep extra copy of the working SSD as second Backup. most of my working pc's are already backup as Ghost image in one of my 2TB Drive which is only for data but extra backup does not harm.

 

Tomorrow's Plan.

 

Second: Now i have SanDisk Extreme 120GB (2) Free and ready to use for Raid 1 and i have one Samsung 840 120GB as extra. So the goal is to Raid SanDisk with Samsung 840 as raid 1 and then install OS from Ghost image.

 

Third: I will do the tests once the test pass then i will use 2 SanDisk 120GB in Raid One and keep Samsung 840 as extra for future just in case if one drive fails

 

More update once this stage complete

[Tharnax 49]

Good luck!  I hope the RAID 1 using the Extreme and 840 works.

[Airbender 113]

Hi to guys who new raid thing so raid 1 need 2 drive of same size they can be normal drive or SSD and both drives will be one mirror so the os will only see one drive

the spare drive can be same size or larger but recommanded is same size and speed and if possible the model to avoid issues

 

Hope this help

[Airbender 113]

 

Good luck!  I hope the RAID 1 using the Extreme and 840 works.

 

 

 

Thanks

[Airbender 113]

Hi

 

Running into little issue it seem Sata Port 1 to 4 can run in Raid Mode and not Sta6 and sata 5

ASUS M5A97 Evo - AM3+ - 970 

 

In this case i cant setup Raid for only 2 Drives using the motherboard

 

can someone advise

[Airbender 113]

Hi

 

So i have 2 card that can allow Raid but Rosewill RC-209-EX has 4 ports which wont allow single raid just like my motherboad so if i go with Rosewill RC-212 VIA PCI SATA 1.5G / IDE ATA then i am limited to Up to 1.5GB/s which is not good speed to setup 2 SSD

 

 

Sata Card 1:
Rosewill RC-209-EX PCI 2.3, 32bit, 33/66Mhz SATA Controller Card
=============================
sata card 2:
Rosewill RC-212 VIA PCI SATA 1.5G / IDE ATA 133 Controller Card / Supports Raid 0, 1, 0+1, JBOD, non-RAID mode

 

 

seems like i have 2 options here

 

1- Software Raid mirror with MS --- which i dont trust

 

2- Buy a new 2 Sata 3 6GB/s card to be able to run Raid 1 Mirror

 

so more dealy on punting this pc back

[Airbender 113]

Hi

 

If i go with Rosewill RC-212 VIA PCI SATA 1.5G / IDE ATA then i am limited to Up to 1.5GB/s which is not good speed to setup 2 SSD in mirror

and i think it will be wrong move from my side to run the entire server with MB3 and so on at low speed

[Airbender 113]

hello

 

So after long hours of reading i was able to figure out how hardware raid work on my motherboard but now i am
running into new problem when Raid is turn on the MS Windows 7 64bit CD wont see the Raid Drive but if i turn Raid off then the CD see 2 Drive as 0 and 1

So i thought i need to install OS while Raid is running or active

Can someone advise please

Thanks

[Airbender 113]

Hi

 

Never mind guys the motherboard comes with a CD that create a file so when windows load i can add the driver to it and it will then see the 2 SSD Drive in Raid 1 as one drive very interesting 

 

i am good to go as far that goes now

 

Thanks

[Airbender 113]

If it doesn't work with the Extreme & 840 combo, it will work with an Extreme & Extreme combo since they are identical drives.  The Raid configuration tool should tell you if there is an issue mirroring an Extreme & an 840.  If this is an issue, turn off the PC, swap the 840 with the Extreme and try again.  This should work fine and then you will know if the 840 will work as a back-up drive.  If the 840 works, you can go ahead and install the OS, etc., then unplug the 840 and boot.  Computer should boot find but you will get an error message that a drive in the Raid has failed.  Turn off the PC, swap out the 840 with the Extreme, go into the Raid config screen and rebuild the Raid.  The Raid will mirror all the data to the newly installed Extreme drive and you'll be fine to start your ghost.  Put the 840 in a safe place and hope you never have to use it. 

 

Hi the Raid wont rebuild no matter what i do , can you please advise

 

Thanks

[Tharnax 49]

Sorry Airbender, I was out most of the weekend and I didn't have a chance to log on here.  It was unfortunate, you ran into so many issues and couldn't find any support.

 

So it sounds like you figured out how to create the Raid 1 with the two SSD drives and still have the other 2 drives in the other available SATA ports as JBOD.  Then you figured out that you need the manufacture drivers for the RAID in order for Windows setup to see the RAID 1 drive.  It also appears you got Windows installed on the RAID 1 but then when you removed the disk and replaced it with the Extreme it wouldn't rebuild?

 

Does that sound about right? 

 

What happens when you unplug the 840 SSD drive from the motherboard during boot-up?  Do you not get a warning that a drive is unavailable?  It should still boot.  Then you can power down, plug in the Extreme and go into the RAID settings (this is the RAID screen you press an F* key to enter on boot up).  It should see the Extreme drive in that port and allow you to rebuild the RAID 1 choosing any of the drives plugged directly into the same on-board SATA card.  Where are you stuck?  If you can take some pictures of the screen and post them that might help.    

[Airbender 113]

Sorry Airbender, I was out most of the weekend and I didn't have a chance to log on here.  It was unfortunate, you ran into so many issues and couldn't find any support.

 

So it sounds like you figured out how to create the Raid 1 with the two SSD drives and still have the other 2 drives in the other available SATA ports as JBOD.  Then you figured out that you need the manufacture drivers for the RAID in order for Windows setup to see the RAID 1 drive.  It also appears you got Windows installed on the RAID 1 but then when you removed the disk and replaced it with the Extreme it wouldn't rebuild?

 

Does that sound about right? 

 

What happens when you unplug the 840 SSD drive from the motherboard during boot-up?  Do you not get a warning that a drive is unavailable?  It should still boot.  Then you can power down, plug in the Extreme and go into the RAID settings (this is the RAID screen you press an F* key to enter on boot up).  It should see the Extreme drive in that port and allow you to rebuild the RAID 1 choosing any of the drives plugged directly into the same on-board SATA card.  Where are you stuck?  If you can take some pictures of the screen and post them that might help.    

Hi

 

here are the screenshots no option for rebuild from raid mode

 

<a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/cc5b19283134172" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails106.imagebam.com/28314/cc5b19283134172.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/b9e798283134180" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/28314/b9e798283134180.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/f5df7e283134191" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails103.imagebam.com/28314/f5df7e283134191.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/2db4ce283134227" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails103.imagebam.com/28314/2db4ce283134227.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/eccc99283134250" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/28314/eccc99283134250.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/c0f203283134273" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/28314/c0f203283134273.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/3d6a79283134300" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails108.imagebam.com/28314/3d6a79283134300.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/0cb557283134353" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails103.imagebam.com/28314/0cb557283134353.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/6d536b283134389" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails102.imagebam.com/28314/6d536b283134389.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/5e9d57283134404" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails101.imagebam.com/28314/5e9d57283134404.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/9d2a98283134414" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails102.imagebam.com/28314/9d2a98283134414.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/801ca8283134451" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails103.imagebam.com/28314/801ca8283134451.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/8588b2283134482" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails107.imagebam.com/28314/8588b2283134482.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a> <a href="http://www.imagebam.com/image/ebe5a0283134572" target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbnails107.imagebam.com/28314/ebe5a0283134572.jpg" alt="imagebam.com"></a>

[Airbender 113]

Humm did not work for screenshots and not able to upload images to server let try different code

 

 

[Airbender 113]

Hi talking off topic so while i was trying to figure out raid issue 2 of of my Hot swap sat broke so now i am going to need to contact antec support for replacement and

i had front fan went bad so few weeks ago antec sent me a new one which dead at arrival so now more issue

 

 

 

rebuilding this computer been a challenge

 

this is off topic part of what would you do

 

Thanks

[Airbender 113]

Sorry Airbender, I was out most of the weekend and I didn't have a chance to log on here.  It was unfortunate, you ran into so many issues and couldn't find any support.

 

So it sounds like you figured out how to create the Raid 1 with the two SSD drives and still have the other 2 drives in the other available SATA ports as JBOD.  Then you figured out that you need the manufacture drivers for the RAID in order for Windows setup to see the RAID 1 drive.  It also appears you got Windows installed on the RAID 1 but then when you removed the disk and replaced it with the Extreme it wouldn't rebuild?

 

Does that sound about right? 

 

What happens when you unplug the 840 SSD drive from the motherboard during boot-up?  Do you not get a warning that a drive is unavailable?  It should still boot.  Then you can power down, plug in the Extreme and go into the RAID settings (this is the RAID screen you press an F* key to enter on boot up).  It should see the Extreme drive in that port and allow you to rebuild the RAID 1 choosing any of the drives plugged directly into the same on-board SATA card.  Where are you stuck?  If you can take some pictures of the screen and post them that might help.    

 

Ok just to answer your question the OS will boot with 840 or sandisk no issue , it just give me crtical error

 

Thanks

[Airbender 113]

Hi no matter what i do i run into issue with Raid 1 and 3 drives , it either create 2 Raid or it wont rebuild even if i format all 3 Drives using Raid Config panel

very intersting to see how confusing Raid 1 setup can be when trying to use 3 same size drive

[Tharnax 49]

Humm did not work for screenshots and not able to upload images to server let try different code

 

 

 

I've been having some issue on desktop & smartphone trying to review these images in larger size.  Go through all the available menu options, there should be an option to rebuild the array once you've got the second extreme SSD installed.  The first images appear to so a correct RAID 1 with the 840 and the extreme (it means the 840 will work as a back-up).  The last images it looks like you've removed the 840 but I don't see the other extreme SSD connected - hence "Failed or disconnected" message.  Once the extreme SSD drive replaces the 840, there should be an option to rebuild the array using the second Extreme SSD drive.

[Airbender 113]

Hello

 

No Option to rebuild the array and ASUS Support chat sucked and manual is limited also even there forum is not very active 

http://vip.asus.com/FORUM/profile_view.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&ShowAll=1&login=6muiTkFMZTkZqu46hd1y1kMKcvzkx1ND

 

so now i delete the Raid re started with 2 SanDisks and stuck at initializing

 

If i understand the concept then once a raid get created both drives get formatted and then i can install os

if one drive fail i get error at boot critical so i can hit Ctrl + F key and go to raid config page and Rebuild the array and it should give me a progress bar once it done it will ask for reboot and then windows will load fine. in this case the 3rd drive does not have to be formated with raid like first 2 did unless i am wrong

 

Here are the new screenshots

 

[Tharnax 49]

So you've removed the Raid 1 array now?

 

Your last comment is accurate, although I haven't work with your exact configuration but that's how I did it with a Gigabyte motherboard.  Build the Raid 1, installed Windows OS, install motherboard drivers when it asks you for them.  Format, install OS, update, back-up.  Shut down, remove 840 SSD, reboot.  Raid error.  Power off, install Extreme. Power on, enter Raid config screen.  Rebuild failed Raid 1 array with Extreme SSD drive.  Progress, shouldn't be too long since only OS has been installed.  Once complete, Raid 1 should now exist with two Extreme SSD drives making up the Raid 1.  Reboot back into OS, you should be good to go.

[Airbender 113]

So you've removed the Raid 1 array now?

 

Your last comment is accurate, although I haven't work with your exact configuration but that's how I did it with a Gigabyte motherboard.  Build the Raid 1, installed Windows OS, install motherboard drivers when it asks you for them.  Format, install OS, update, back-up.  Shut down, remove 840 SSD, reboot.  Raid error.  Power off, install Extreme. Power on, enter Raid config screen.  Rebuild failed Raid 1 array with Extreme SSD drive.  Progress, shouldn't be too long since only OS has been installed.  Once complete, Raid 1 should now exist with two Extreme SSD drives making up the Raid 1.  Reboot back into OS, you should be good to go.

The asus tech support said to update the bios if that does not fix the issue then the mother board need to be replaced as Raid Controler might not be working

this is a new MB so ASUA Support think it is defect from get go

 

More update once i am done with Bios upgrade

[Airbender 113]

Not able to Install OS between San Disk and San Disk 2 SSD in Raid 1 , Windows 7 and ASUS CD Driver for AMD ACHI Raid Controler it fails

but is i use 840 with SanDisk then no issue , now i am wondering if SanDisk Frmware need to be upgraded

[Airbender 113]

Hi

 

So here is little update : i remove the raid upgraded bios in my motherboard , then upgraded frmware in bot sandisk SSD and then setup raid

now i see little more option in Raid section after bios upgrade but no rebuild function, so moving on started windows 7 64bit OS and it fail to find the hard drive then i put the USB with ASUS driver for Raid and it fails so most likely SanDisk SSD is not playing Nice with Raid1

 

So now i am back to main issue again if it is motherboard controller or not not sure

 

WOW what a over one month non stop issues it is like puzzle to figure out and move little bit and hit stop and then move little bit and then hit stop again

I thought i got top of the top stuff a year ago to aviod issue like this but i guess i was completely wrong

 

feel's like dead end even after i spent anther $300 USD on Storage expansion 8 bay

[Tharnax 49]

Only suggestion I have is make a RAID 1 with the SSD drives which worked.  Install Windows 7 OS as you did previously and see if it works.  That way you are up and running, use the other Extreme SSD for other purposes.  If somewhere down the road one of the Raid 1 SSD drive fails you will still be running.  Ghost the working drive to a back-up external drive.  Pull the working drive and replace RAID 1 with two good drives, by that point 256GB SSD will likely be cheap.  Build the Raid 1 with the fresh drives, just initialize them and format.  Then recover the backup from the image.  Hopefully, you will never have to do this for a long, long time and you can continue with your build.

 

Trust me, I can certainly understand your issues.  I was building a new server in my remote location in central america where getting PC hardware is a PITA!  Anyway, since I wanted to make sure everything would work as expected, I bought two of everything and built one server where I had access to hardware if I needed it.  I had a few minor issues but basically I was able to build the machine without any problems.  Took the exact same hardware down and I spent the better part of a week down there trying to get the hardware setup the exact same way I had just done not two weeks prior with the same OS and same hardware.  Unbelievable! 

 

Also, I just sent a family member down with two Seagate 4TB NAS drives full, basically a back-up of all Movies (individual, boxsets & 3D), all re-organized as a result of MB3.  The transfer alone took 5 days off and on.  Any, the family member arrives plugs on of the two 4TB drives into the USB3 hard drive dock.  What does windows see - an un-initalized, un-formatted bare 4TB drive!  Tried the other drive, same thing!  Tried a different computer nothing.  Tried plugging the 4TB drives directly into the motherboard, and they are still treated like brand new drives.  No idea!  I swapped the drives out a couple times, prior to their departure, cleaning and organizing with no issues.  Get down there and all the work is for nothing.  Made absolutely no sense!  I won't have the drives back until Christmas time and then I'll see how the original computer views the drives.

 

I certainly understand and can relate with your frustration!

[Airbender 113]

Hi

 

In this case I will use 2 128gb SSD then in raid 1

And re put San disk back on my laptop

 

And it seems that raid controler in ASAU is limated so that ok mybe in future I will double check feature like raid and what they can do before buying motherboard

 

Thanks