Hi Anna,
If you are going to reset the drives to non-raid, you will lose all the data on the drives.
I have attached a screenshot so that you can see it yourself.
Now if you want to know more about RAID, refer to the manual:
http://download.intel.com/support/chipsets/imsm/sb/8_x_raid_ahci_users_manual.pdf
Since you have a RAID 1, you can lose one HDD.
Advantage of RAID1:
100% redundancy of data. One disk may fail, but data will continue to be accessible. A rebuild to a new disk is recommended to maintain data redundancy.
Usually, it is best to have a back up before performing any test as RAID1 is not backup. Anything can happen in practical.
What i would suggest if you want to learn more on RAID:
=======================================
- Do a complete backup of the drives as a precaution.
- Disconnect the sata cable at the back of the hdd - Drive1
- The raid should be degraded, but the system must still continue to boot on the Drive2 and all the data must be accessible.
If not, there is something wrong.
Note: If you put back the missing drive Drive1, the status must changed from degraded to rebuilding. So if something is wrong from the above steps, you should still have the data on the missing drive Drive1. I have attached a few screenshots so that you can have an idea of what is happening.
Note: I have used all identical drives and an Intel Motherboard in this scenario.
- If with the single drive Drive2 connected, the system is working fine, shut down the system.
- Disconnect the sata cable at the back of the hdd - Drive2
- Reconnect the sata cable at the back of the hdd - Drive1
- Go into the RAID Bios, reset the hdd Drive1 to non-raid as you already have access to the data on the Drive2 and you have a complete backup as well.
- Reconnect the sata cable at the back of the hdd - Drive2
- You can rebuild the array again or you can install a fresh OS on the Drive1 and transfer all the data from the Drive1 to the Drive2.
- If you think the hdds have some problem, use some hard drive tools to check the drives.
Else If you want to do an easy procedure:
=============================
- Do a complete backup of the drives to a separate storage device.
- Reset the drives to non-raid
- If you want a new RAID array, recreate another one. Else, leave it to non-raid
- Reinstall a clean OS.
- If you think the hdds have some problem, use some hard drive tools to check the drives.
That's all i can think of as suggestion. (Backup is always very important to have , and it must be on a separate storage devices)
Regards,
Aryan.
Thank you for your reply and support, Aryan.
I am saddened by the fact I was so foolish to think that RAID was more forgiving than what you describe.
A 30 second decision has potentially cost me hours and hours and hours of work. I am so fricken mad I could kick my PC right up its HDDs and SCREAM!!!
Thanks again for the education and for taking the time to respond to my posting here at Intel.
With kindest regards,
Anna 
Hi Anna,
RAID 1 is supposed to be the redundant disks.
So, as far as I know, from my experience, it must be the exact copy of the other drive.
I remember on my system, I had a RAID1 with two drives 250GB, i had installed my OS, then in windows i created two other partitions d & e. I removed one drive, my system boot onto the second disk without any problem, and all my partitions were intact. When i put back the missing drive, it went into rebuilding mode
automatically.
Glad to help.
Regards,
Aryan.
Thank your responding to my follow-up post, Aryan.
I shall do as you suggest and make a backup of my C: drive, as well as my F: and G: drives. Once that's done, I am going to play around with this RAID 1 config for a while. I will find out if RAID 1 is TRULY redundant for all drives including F, G and the DELL section. It may be a couple of days, but once I have the answer I will report my findings to this forum.
Thanks again, Aryan.
Anna
...File not found.
This message is recorded in the Event Log under IAANTmon - Intel(R) Matrix Storage Event Monitor, and I receive several each time I boot - noted as follows:
RAID Plug-In Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the RAID Plug-In: File not found
Create Volume Wizard Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the Create Volume Wizard: File not found
Create Volume from Existing Hard Drive Wizard Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the Create Volume from Existing Hard Drive Wizard: File not found
Modify Volume Wizard Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the Modify Volume Wizard: File not found
Delete Volume Wizard Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the Delete Volume Wizard: File not found
Event Monitor User Notification Tool Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the Event Monitor User Notification Tool: File not found
I do not like a system that does not perform at its peak and these "File not found" issuse leave me highly suspicious that Intel's RAID 1 software is not performing at its peak.
The manual states nothing in this regard - any thoughts?
Thank you.
AnnaG
P.S. Below it the actual IAANTmon log...
Event Source: IAANTmon
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7500
Date: 4/14/2009
Time: 8:15:17 PM
User: N/A
Computer: ANNAGSPC-AC9EBD
Description:
Intel RAID Controller: Intel(R) ICH8R/ICH9R/ICH10R SATA RAID Controller
Number of Serial ATA ports: 4
RAID Option ROM Version: 6.0.0.1022
Driver Version: 8.8.0.1009
RAID Plug-In Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the RAID Plug-In: File not found
Create Volume Wizard Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the Create Volume Wizard: File not found
Create Volume from Existing Hard Drive Wizard Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the Create Volume from Existing Hard Drive Wizard: File not found
Modify Volume Wizard Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the Modify Volume Wizard: File not found
Delete Volume Wizard Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the Delete Volume Wizard: File not found
ISDI Library Version: 8.8.0.1009
Event Monitor User Notification Tool Version: 8.8.0.1009
Language Resource Version of the Event Monitor User Notification Tool: File not found
Event Monitor Version: 8.8.0.1009
Array_0000
Status: No active migrations
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes
Size: 596.1 GB
Free Space: 0 GB
Number of Hard Drives: 2
Hard Drive Member 1: WDC WD3200KS
Hard Drive Member 2: WDC WD3200AAKS
Number of Volumes: 1
Volume Member 1: Volume_0000
Volume_0000
Status: Normal
System Volume: Yes
Volume Write-Back Cache Enabled: No
RAID Level: RAID 1 (mirroring)
Size: 298 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Number of Hard Drives: 2
Hard Drive Member 1: WDC WD3200KS
Hard Drive Member 2: WDC WD3200AAKS
Parent Array: Array_0000
Hard Drive 0
Usage: Array member
Status: Normal
Device Port: 0
Device Port Location: Internal
Current Serial ATA Transfer Mode: Generation 2
Model: WDC WD3200KS
Serial Number: WD-XX
Firmware: 21.00M21
Native Command Queuing Support: Yes
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes
Size: 298 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Number of Volumes: 1
Volume Member 1: Volume_0000
Parent Array: Array_0000
Hard Drive 1
Usage: Array member
Status: Normal
Device Port: 1
Device Port Location: Internal
Current Serial ATA Transfer Mode: Generation 2
Model: WDC WD3200AAKS
Serial Number: WD-XX
Firmware: 01.03E01
Native Command Queuing Support: Yes
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes
Size: 298 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Number of Volumes: 1
Volume Member 1: Volume_0000
Parent Array: Array_0000
Hi Anna,
To be honest with you, I never had any error on Intel Matrix Manager. So it is very difficult for me to point where does it come from?
To be able to help you further, explain to me steps by steps how you have done it.
Board Model:
Bios Version:
Intel Matrix Manager Oprom Version:
Let me know.
Kind Regards,
Aryan.
Thank you, once again, for your reply Aryan. :)
While I have created a shortcut icon to review Event Log files, to review Event Log files in Windows XP SP2, I click Start | Settings | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Event Viewer, then under the Event Viewer (Local) tree, select System to review the IAANTmon Event Properties.
If you were to examine the IAANTmon Event Properties on your PC, you may find similar "File not found" statements.
Another problem I NOW have - since going RAID 1 with Intel - includes the following APPLICATION ERROR associated with "Windows Explorer" and it occurs every other time that I boot my PC...
Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: (100)
Event ID: 1000
Date: 4/15/2009
Time: 7:25:05 PM
User: N/A
Computer: ANNAGSPC-AC9EBD
Description:
Faulting application , version 0.0.0.0, faulting module unknown, version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0x00000000.
For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 20 30 2e ure 0.
0018: 30 2e 30 2e 30 20 69 6e 0.0.0 in
0020: 20 75 6e 6b 6e 6f 77 6e unknown
0028: 20 30 2e 30 2e 30 2e 30 0.0.0.0
0030: 20 61 74 20 6f 66 66 73 at offs
0038: 65 74 20 30 30 30 30 30 et 00000
0040: 30 30 30 000
The above Event Log is associated with "Windows Explorer" in which a pop-up window states Windows must close this application... etc. And the pop-up windows never end, once cleared, they pop-up again and again and again. The only way out is to reboot my PC and cross my fingers that it will not happen again.
I am 100% confident it is all related to Intel's software and its management of the RAID 1 configuration, since I never had this problem before RAID anything.
I have to say, with less than four (4) days into RAID 1, Intel's software is REALLY ******* ME OFF.
AnnaG
Hi Anna,
As i said earlier, i did not come across any problem so far with the Intel Matrix Manager.
Bear in mind, that i have done all the test using an Intel Desktop Board not an OEM board like Dell, HP, etc.
If there is something different, it is best to check on the manufacturer website.
So let me explain to you how i proceed when installing a RAID1 on an Intel Desktop Board.
Make sure that i have the latest bios before
Connect two hard drives on the first two sata ports on the board.
If using a sata optical drive, connect it to the last sata port.
Go into the bios
Configure SATA as RAID
Save and Exit
Go into the RAID Bios by pressing Ctrl+I
Create my raid1
Disk will be online
Save and Exit
Download the F6 drivers for the onboard RAID controller as it is present by default in
Windows XP/2003, it is present only in Vista/7/2008
Usually, due to compatibility issue from Microsoft, the F6 drivers dont work with many
external floppy drives
So, i use a software called NLite to slipstream the F6 driver into the Operating System
thus allowing me to create a new Operating System with the F6 drivers already integrated.
Burn the new OS image onto a CD
Install the OS
Install all the latest drivers from the Website in the following order Chipset, GFX,
Audio, Lan, Intel Storage Matrix Manager etc.
That's all - i never got any problem so far on any Intel Desktop Boards.
Hope this helps a bit, Anna.
Other than this, I ran out of ideas now.
Regards,
Aryan.
I am having the same problem....
Exactly the same problem...
Same error...
Same behavior...
Same Intel software...
Our Intel Chipsets are the same as well.
The problem I have complicates things, because I have 6 RAID disks in my machine. Purchased a new power supply thinking it might have been the problem. Purchased a new Graphics card, drives, and after that many trips to the Computer store, I finished it of and continued buying what I was missing to replace the complete computer.
However I am running a different Windows OS (Windows 7 64bit)
RAID is a beautiful technology, because you don't need tradiational software, its mainly just hardware. I am either going to go buy a seperate RAID controller card, try to uninstall and use Device Manager to support my RAID control needs, or return the Motherboard I purchase a week a go and get an EVGA board that has ONE RAID controller with ten 3gbs slots. I originally thought that this was a driver support issue, but since you have the same problem and errors\logs. It has to be something with this software. I used it in the past without any problems, cause it is nice to have an interface to see if there is any RAID issues inside the OS since Intels RAID BIOs Controller does not allow you to rebuild the array there, you have to get into windows and "keep-m cro-ssed" that it won't take 4 hours for the Mirror to rebuild and within about 30 minutes my system will reboot. I have rebuilt my Arrays about 15 times this week, and I have had my computer crash about 20 times.
Thanks for the procedures. At this time, I am confident that my install was done correctly.
What does your Event Log read? Do you ever review it?
For me, to review Event Log files in Windows XP SP2, I click Start | Settings | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Event Viewer, then under the Event Viewer (Local) tree, select System to review the IAANTmon Event Properties.
What does your IAANTmon Event Properties read?
Anna
Thanks for the procedures, Aryan.
At this time, I am confident that my install was done correctly.
What does your Event Log read? Do you ever review it?
For me, to review Event Log files in Windows XP SP2, I click Start | Settings | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Event Viewer, then under the Event Viewer (Local) tree, select System to review the IAANTmon Event Properties.
What does your IAANTmon Event Properties read?
Anna
Anna,
Those "Language resource file missing" errors look like minor errors related to language files for the console - like it can't find the language files (the files that translate all the strings into the supported languages). The language files wouldn't impact the performance of the RAID software.
What I'd suggest to try to resolve it is to uninstall the application (it should not uninstall the driver, just the minor apps like the console, etc.) and reinstall it.
I haven't seen the error before so am not sure why it would occur; I'll see if I can find out. Did you install the English version or multi-language version? Did the OS language change after install? Could some of the language files have gone missing?
thanks, Elizabeth
