Just providing a 2 week follow-up to my original post. I have 4 x WD6400AAKS on ICH8R with Raid 0 and Raid 5 matrix volumes. Originally did a clean install of Win7 Pro x64 with v8.9 and had three random drive "failures" on the Raid 5 volume followed by array rebuilds over the course of 4 days. Fortunately I found this thread early on and had symptoms similar to the OP. Downgrading to v8.8 solved all issues for me.

About 8 months ago I decided to start using the Intel RAID software that came with my Dell computer (version 7.5) so I bought a new pair of Samsung drives and switched on Raid1. The system had been working just fine but a couple of weeks ago I was checking out my computer to see if I could upgrade to Windows 7. I saw that the newest version of the Matrix Storage software (8.9) was Windows 7 compatible. Since I would need to install this version eventually I decided to go ahead and upgrade. Within a few days it reported a drive failure (port 1). I was concerned that since one drive went out after only 8 months that my other drive might follow suit so I went ahead and bought a new pair of Western Digital drives. Within 24 hours of installing the new drives and creating the RAID volume it reported that one of the brand new drives failed (this time, port 0). It seems to me that 8.9 is not really ready for prime time.

Hey, I just found this thread, feel like joining the club:

8.9.0.1023 running now

4x 7200.12 seagate barracuda in raid5 on an intel ich10r

DFI x58 t3eh6

It's currently rebuilding, and i'll be switching to 8.8 as soon as it's done...

System Information

Kit Installed: 8.9.0.1023
Kit Install History: 8.9.0.1023, Uninstall
Shell Version: 8.9.0.1023

OS Name: Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Ultimate
OS Version: 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2 Build 6002
System Name:
System Manufacturer: DFI Inc.
System Model: DFI LP DK X58
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU         920  @ 2.67GHz
BIOS Version/Date: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 07/01/2009

Language: ENU

Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager

Intel RAID Controller: Intel(R) ICH8R/ICH9R/ICH10R/DO/PCH SATA RAID Controller
Number of Serial ATA ports: 6

RAID Option ROM Version: 8.5.0.1030
Driver Version: 8.9.0.1023
RAID Plug-In Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the RAID Plug-In: 8.9.0.1023
Create Volume Wizard Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the Create Volume Wizard: 8.9.0.1023
Create Volume from Existing Hard Drive Wizard Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the Create Volume from Existing Hard Drive Wizard: 8.9.0.1023
Modify Volume Wizard Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the Modify Volume Wizard: 8.9.0.1023
Delete Volume Wizard Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the Delete Volume Wizard: 8.9.0.1023
ISDI Library Version: 8.9.0.1023
Event Monitor User Notification Tool Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the Event Monitor User Notification Tool: 8.9.0.1023
Event Monitor Version: 8.9.0.1023

Array_0000
Status: Rebuilding
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes
Size: 3726 GB
Free Space: 0 GB
Number of Hard Drives: 4
Hard Drive Member 1: ST31000528AS
Hard Drive Member 2: ST31000528AS
Hard Drive Member 3: ST31000528AS
Hard Drive Member 4: ST31000528AS
Number of Volumes: 1
Volume Member 1: Raid5Array

Raid5Array
Status: Rebuilding: 19% complete
System Volume: No
Volume Write-Back Cache Enabled: Yes
RAID Level: RAID 5 (striping with parity)
Strip Size: 128 KB
Size: 2794.5 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Number of Hard Drives: 4
Hard Drive Member 1: ST31000528AS
Hard Drive Member 2: ST31000528AS
Hard Drive Member 3: ST31000528AS
Hard Drive Member 4: ST31000528AS
Parent Array: Array_0000

Hard Drive 0
Usage: Non-RAID hard drive
Status: Normal
Device Port: 1
Device Port Location: Internal
Current Serial ATA Transfer Mode: Generation 2
Model: ST31000340AS
Serial Number: 9QJ1FAWH
Firmware: SD1A
Native Command Queuing Support: Yes
System Hard Drive: No
Size: 931.5 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes

Hard Drive 1
Usage: Array member
Status: Normal
Device Port: 2
Device Port Location: Internal
Current Serial ATA Transfer Mode: Generation 2
Model: ST31000528AS
Serial Number: 9VP0JG77
Firmware: CC34
Native Command Queuing Support: Yes
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes
Size: 931.5 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Number of Volumes: 1
Volume Member 1: Raid5Array
Parent Array: Array_0000

Hard Drive 2
Usage: Array member
Status: Normal
Device Port: 3
Device Port Location: Internal
Current Serial ATA Transfer Mode: Generation 2
Model: ST31000528AS
Serial Number: 9VP0D3EY
Firmware: CC34
Native Command Queuing Support: Yes
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes
Size: 931.5 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Number of Volumes: 1
Volume Member 1: Raid5Array
Parent Array: Array_0000

Hard Drive 3
Usage: Array member
Status: Normal
Device Port: 4
Device Port Location: Internal
Current Serial ATA Transfer Mode: Generation 2
Model: ST31000528AS
Serial Number: 9VP0H1Z6
Firmware: CC34
Native Command Queuing Support: Yes
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes
Size: 931.5 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Number of Volumes: 1
Volume Member 1: Raid5Array
Parent Array: Array_0000

Hard Drive 4
Usage: Array member
Status: Normal
Device Port: 5
Device Port Location: Internal
Current Serial ATA Transfer Mode: Generation 2
Model: ST31000528AS
Serial Number: 9VP0JBS8
Firmware: CC34
Native Command Queuing Support: Yes
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes
Size: 931.5 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Number of Volumes: 1
Volume Member 1: Raid5Array
Parent Array: Array_0000

Unused Port 0
Device Port: 0
Device Port Location: Internal

Just thought I would check in. Its been a couple of weeks know since i up/down graded to 8.8.

All is well - no weird disk fails, or any such since the change from 8.9

Hmmmm, useless response from Intel....

Snaga

Thought I would follow up as well. No problems since downgrading the driver to 8.8...

Here's an update on my experience with a clean install of Vista 64 with MSM and raid drivers 8.7: the system has been stable for a day since I made a configuration change in the Asus BIOS. When I saw that I was experiencing repeatable freezes when the DVD drive was in use I suspected that there was a conflict between the SATA DVD burner and the raid configuration. In the Asus BIOS for my P5Q Pro Turbo board there is a setting to "Configure SATA as [Enhanced | Compatible | Disabled]." The default "Enhanced" was in effect. Changing that parameter to "Compatible" so far seems to have fixed my issue. In this BIOS this parameter selection is particularly obtuse since the "Configure SATA as..." selection becomes invisible once one chooses a raid configuration in the submenu. I had to clear the real time clock to re-enable the ability to set the selection.

There is no description whatsoever in the Asus manual describing the difference between "Compatible" and "Enhanced."

After some digging, I found this description:

The Storage Configuration submenu, with can be accessed from the Storage Configuration link within the Main menu, contains settings for configuring the ICH10R controlled SATA 2 controller. The SATA Configuration setting determines the system port access type in conjunction with the Configure SATA as setting. With the Compatible mode setting selected for the SATA Configuration option, the system is restricted to accessing to a total of 4 SATA 2 devices. The Enhanced mode setting allows for use of 6 devices in standalone IDE, AHCI, or RAID mode, configured via the Configure SATA as option. This option becomes user configurable only when the SATA Configuration set to Enhanced mode. Note that the Intel RAID boot BIOS will only show with drives connected to the onboard ICH10R’s SATA 2 ports.

ASUS Rampage II Gene

BIOS settings

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/05/28/asus_rampage_ii_gene/2

It isn't the same motherboard, but it is the same manufacturer.

Hi. I'm having same problems. Same drive is always reported as failure, on port 2. When I mark as normal raid is rebuild without any problems.

Also, I already replaced SATA cabes and the harddrive. The problem persists.

Please, if someone know how to solve this, let me know.

I am free to give any extra information needed.

Where is my report (it's actually an intel i7 920 cpu):

System Information

Kit Installed: 8.9.0.1023
Kit Install History: 8.9.0.1023, Uninstall
Shell Version: 8.9.0.1023

OS Name: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Version: 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
System Name: KASKA
System Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
System Model: P6T
Processor: Processador Intel Pentium III Xeon ~2672 MHz
BIOS Version/Date: American Megatrends Inc. 0603   , 05/19/2009

Language: ENU

Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager

Intel RAID Controller: Intel(R) ICH8R/ICH9R/ICH10R/DO/PCH SATA RAID Controller
Number of Serial ATA ports: 6

RAID Option ROM Version: 8.0.0.1038
Driver Version: 8.9.0.1023
RAID Plug-In Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the RAID Plug-In: 8.9.0.1023
Create Volume Wizard Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the Create Volume Wizard: 8.9.0.1023
Create Volume from Existing Hard Drive Wizard Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the Create Volume from Existing Hard Drive Wizard: 8.9.0.1023
Modify Volume Wizard Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the Modify Volume Wizard: 8.9.0.1023
Delete Volume Wizard Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the Delete Volume Wizard: 8.9.0.1023
ISDI Library Version: 8.9.0.1023
Event Monitor User Notification Tool Version: 8.9.0.1023
Language Resource Version of the Event Monitor User Notification Tool: 8.9.0.1023
Event Monitor Version: 8.9.0.1023

Array_0000
Status: No active migrations
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes
Size: 1192.3 GB
Free Space: 0 GB
Number of Hard Drives: 2
Hard Drive Member 1: SAMSUNG HD642JJ
Hard Drive Member 2: SAMSUNG HD642JJ
Number of Volumes: 1
Volume Member 1: Volume0

Volume0
Status: Normal
System Volume: Yes
Volume Write-Back Cache Enabled: No
RAID Level: RAID 1 (mirroring)
Size: 596.1 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Number of Hard Drives: 2
Hard Drive Member 1: SAMSUNG HD642JJ
Hard Drive Member 2: SAMSUNG HD642JJ
Parent Array: Array_0000

Hard Drive 0
Usage: Array member
Status: Normal
Device Port: 2
Device Port Location: Internal
Current Serial ATA Transfer Mode: Generation 2
Model: SAMSUNG HD642JJ
Serial Number: S1AFJ90S601699
Firmware: 1AA01118
Native Command Queuing Support: Yes
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes
Size: 596.1 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Number of Volumes: 1
Volume Member 1: Volume0
Parent Array: Array_0000

Hard Drive 1
Usage: Array member
Status: Normal
Device Port: 3
Device Port Location: Internal
Current Serial ATA Transfer Mode: Generation 2
Model: SAMSUNG HD642JJ
Serial Number: S1AFJ90S601041
Firmware: 1AA01118
Native Command Queuing Support: Yes
Hard Drive Data Cache Enabled: Yes
Size: 596.1 GB
Physical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Logical Sector Size: 512 Bytes
Number of Volumes: 1
Volume Member 1: Volume0
Parent Array: Array_0000

Unused Port 0
Device Port: 1
Device Port Location: Internal

Unused Port 1
Device Port: 4
Device Port Location: Internal

Unused Port 2
Device Port: 5
Device Port Location: Internal

CD/DVD Drive 0
Device Port: 0
Device Port Location: Internal
Current Serial ATA Transfer Mode: Generation 1
Model: PIONEER DVD-RW  DVR-217F
Serial Number: Data not reported
Firmware: 1.07

luminoso wrote:

 

Hi. I'm having same problems. Same drive is always reported as failure, on port 2. When I mark as normal raid is rebuild without any problems.

Also, I already replaced SATA cabes and the harddrive. The problem persists.

 

Please, if someone know how to solve this, let me know.

I am free to give any extra information needed.

 

Intel(R) Matrix Storage Manager

 

Driver Version: 8.9.0.1023
RAID Plug-In Version: 8.9.0.1023

Try installing Intel Matrix Storage Manager 8.8.0.1009. That seems to fix the drive drop-out problem for most people. There is a link for downloading this older version in this message thread.

Crazy_Train: thanks for pointing me to that description. So it appears that since my SATA DVD is on port 4 (i.e., the 5th on the controller), the behavior was erratic. What really stumped me was that the freezes I was experiencing with 8.9 and then 8.7 were not necessarily tied to DVD drive use - the system would freeze during downloads, when programs were starting, whatever.

It was only after I enabled volume write-back cache in 8.7 that there became a clear correlation with DVD drive use.

This is the second day that there have been no freezes, although I noticed in the logs that there were a few minutes of IAstor timeout errors.

I'm still on the fence as to whether this is a reliable configuration.

Just wanted to followup regarding my downgrade from 8.9.0.1023 to 8.8.0.1009. It has been working perfectly for 1 week. Previous to the downgrade, I would get a random failed drive every 24 hours or so.

I have a D975XBX2 (ICH7R) running with 4 Western Digital "RE" model hard drives in RAID 5.

Hi everybody. Just when I was about to tell you all that we have been back on 8.8 for over a week now without any problems, I received an email with this in it:-

http://www.station-drivers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9116#9116

OK, it's in French, but the English bits are very easy to read. Does anybody here no anything about  8.9.2.1002 WHQL!!!!!

crhendo wrote:

 

Does anybody here no anything about  8.9.2.1002 WHQL!!!!!

According to this link:

http://www.station-drivers.com/page/intel%20raid.htm

Version: 8.9.2.1002
Officiel: non

They appear to be beta. I searched for "8.9.2.1002" on Intel's download page and found nothing.

I'm not sure if anyone else noticed, but the download link is also broken.