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Sapphire

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Posts posted by Sapphire

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    You wrote" You will get much better results with natively 64bit drivers, if you are going to install a 64bit OS."

    What is the better result were you referring to? I did a benchmark test on both x64 with the Official v6.25 and the x64 with v6.99 (your latest Mod) using HD tune (trial version) as the benchmark software.

    The benchmark result was identical. Throughput ~100MB/s Seek time 13.2ms.

    1. NVIDIA's Beta driverpack v6.25 was published during the first stage of the development of Windows XP x64 to give users with an nForce3 chipset mainboard the chance to use this OS. You cannot expect a high value of stability by using these early Beta drivers.

    2. If you are running a 64bit OS, you should use natively 64bit supporting drivers. Otherwise you will get problems (sudden BSOD's).

    3. Benchmark results and the results while working are different things. You should compare the drivers with special scenarios, where the I/O activity is extremely high (Videeo encoding, copying big sized files etc.).

    I see, and also experienced. The OS suddenly BSOD the other day during my testing. However I was using XP x86. The x86 driver I used was also old (2004). I would assume the v6.25 for the x64 will also occurs BSOD. I will have to do further testings with v6.25 comparing with v6.99.

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    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    What will be the difference between using the official 6.25 from Nvidia Website than your modded 6.99 driver?
    The "64bit" nForce IDE drivers v4.68 of NVIDIA's BETA package 6.25 are 32/64bit compatible drivers, whereas the 64bit nForce IDE drivers v6.66 are clean 64bit ones, which cannot be used with a 32bit OS.

    You will get much better results with natively 64bit drivers, if you are going to install a 64bit OS.

    I see,

    You wrote" You will get much better results with natively 64bit drivers, if you are going to install a 64bit OS."

    What is the better result were you referring to? I did a benchmark test on both x64 with the Official v6.25 and the x64 with v6.99 (your latest Mod) using HD tune (trial version) as the benchmark software.

    The benchmark result was identical. Throughput ~100MB/s Seek time 13.2ms.

    0

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    @ Sapphire:

    Don't worry, you didn't offend me in any way. To make this clear, I have sent you a PM.

    By the way: Did you install Vista x64 onto your NF3 RAID system? If yes, how did you manage it?

    CU

    Fernando

    No, I did not bother to install Vista x64 on my NF3 RAID. The Vista x64 I bought was installed on my new AMD Triple Core 8450 on Asus board with no RAID.

    But I am pretty sure a user can install Vista x64 on a NF3 RAID by first installing XP x64 on it first then upgrade to Vista x64 within the OS.

    I think there's no driver for vista x64 with NF3?? Some say using XP x64 driver works (but it's is really rare).

    Regards,

    0

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted · Edited by Sapphire

    The reason I wanted to give another try after 3 years is just I wanted to know what I did wrong 3 years ago. Spending all this time (I probably have made and burnt ISO (30 mins each) 50 times and do the installation (30 mins) 50 times, so roughtly I spend 50 hours straight during the last 3 weeks.

    I currently own an Intel Duo 2 Core 7300 laptop with genuine with XP 32bit, and a Intel Pen4 3.2Ghz with genuine XP 32bit with 4 Disks RAID0 setup. So you can figure I pretty much don't need that wimpy AMD with the nForce3 RAID for anything.

    Additionally, I hope that my testings can help some other users as well in regards to this nForce3 issues.

    If someone can donate a copy of XP 64bit CD temporary to me for this testing, It would be much appreciated.

    Fernando, I hope I didn't offended you in anyway. I am not a proud user of using pirate software. I currently just bought a genuine Vista Ultimate 64bit, (Don't buy, it's awefully slow, I really should try it out before spending my money :wacko: )

    Cheers,

    0

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    No, the 64bit LEGACY drivers that release by Fernando last night didn't work. it behaves the same as the other. installation was okay, but windows can't load, keep crashing, safe mode didn't work..
    After having a look into the SETUPAPI.LOG file I probably found the reason for the failure of the OS installation:

    Instead of just integrating the LEGACY folder of my recently linked nForce IDE drivers v6.99 you obviously have integrated a couple of different nForce IDE driver versions (v6.66, v6.68, v6.99, v10.3.0.21 and v10.3.0.42).

    Result:

    Windows Setup installed different driver versions for the nForce P-ATA/SATA Controllers and the RAID Controller, which doesn't work at all.

    Furthermore you have integrated the actual nForce IDE drivers v10.3.0.42, which were taken by the Setup routine while installing the NVIDIA nForce RAID Controller (because these drivers are WHQL), but these actual RAID drivers do not work at all with NF3-4 chipsets.

    Please repeat the creation of the XP x64 CD with integrated nForce textmode drivers from scratch (with a fresh source, don't use the old one again), but just integrate the LEGACY folder of my newest driverpack and nothing else!

    I am not sure how that happened, maybe I did mixed up my ISO files (since I have like 8 of them now with diff version of driver). But I am aware of that issue not to mix diff version drivers into the same ISO. I will try again now with the XP x64 source (I dont' have an untouch version), but hopefully at least I can nLite that source with your LEGACY drivers only this time.

    Is there way to check the source to see if it already contains any other version of nForce drivers? I did a simple test, I use the source without do anything to it (straight from the original). And it didn't see the RAID at all, can that implies the source contain no nForce drivers that might affect anything? :blink:

    Regards,

    0

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted · Edited by Sapphire

    And yes, I have just installed Windows XP x86 Slipstream SP3 on my RAID0 on the first try, no problem whatsoever. So all my hardware is good.
    Which nForce SataRAID drivers (which driver version, LEGACY or SATARAID+SATA_IDE) did you take? It would be interesting to know, if the 32bit version of the v6.99 IDE drivers are working with your RAID system.

    I didn't use any of the newer drivers. I had a disk for my nvRAID nf3 250 that I got from 2 years ago. It's states v2.6. It's probably be LEGACY I guess. Driver dated : DriverVer=06/03/2004,5.10.2600.0446

    I zipped up the driver,

    Here: http://rapidshare.com/files/167029790/driver.zip.html

    I am also suspecting the windows install CD source is not clean enuf. It is modded xp x64 with sp2 and some appz, it install okay on systems but just not my RAID.

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    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    So this SETUPERR.LOG and SETUPAPI.LOG should be in the root dir of the Failed OS partition right? C:\>??
    No, they are within the WINDOWS directory of the failed OS partition (= C:\Windows).

    Yup, I found it..

    Just a quick head-ups.. No, the 64bit LEGACY drivers that release by Fernando last night didn't work. it behaves the same as the other. installation was okay, but windows can't load, keep crashing, safe mode didn't work..
    Are you able to get the SETUPERR.LOG and SETUPAPI.LOG files?

    Yes, here it is.. http://rapidshare.com/files/167015343/setup_log.zip.html

    Hope this will help you.

    Can u try with official F19 BIOS & its own NVRAID BIOS version?
    I am unsure, if you get any nVRAID BIOS version higher than 4.81 running with NF3 chipsets.

    It basically behave exactly the same with F19, v4.60 and the new F21A, v4.81. So I don't really think that is a factor. I wouldn't think v4.84 will help either. And yes, I have just installed Windows XP x86 Slipstream SP3 on my RAID0 on the first try, no problem whatsoever. So all my hardware is good.

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    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    1. Please test the 64bit LEGACY drivers, which were built and customized by me yesterday evening (link).

    Inf files in this pack looks ok... These should work.

    Sapphire, we're waiting 4 your testing results! :)

    Hi Guys,

    Just a quick head-ups.. No, the 64bit LEGACY drivers that release by Fernando last night didn't work. it behaves the same as the other. installation was okay, but windows can't load, keep crashing, safe mode didn't work..

    0

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    By the way: Why don't you install XP x64 onto a separate partition? That would be the best solution (unless you don't have enough space on your RAID array).
    Okay, I should do that then. I do have 600GBytes of space.. :whistle:
    That is a good decision, which will help you to have access to any file even after a crash of any of your installed Operating Systems.

    Yes, I am installing a temporary Win XP x86 on my RAID0 now.

    I will let you know about the SETUPERR.LOG.
    Since I believe, that this file will be without any entry, I need the SETUPAPI.LOG file, which documents the hardware installation procedure.

    So this SETUPERR.LOG and SETUPAPI.LOG should be in the root dir of the Failed OS partition right? C:\>??

    0

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    2. How do I get to access this SETUPERR.LOG? From the Failed OS partition Yes, but this will be not easy, because you don't have a dual boot system.

    By the way: Why don't you install XP x64 onto a separate partition? That would be the best solution (unless you don't have enough space on your RAID array).

    Okay, I should do that then. I do have 600GBytes of space.. :whistle:

    I will let you know about the SETUPERR.LOG.

    0

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    Thanks for your prompt reply, Fernando

    Further questions:

    1. Do you have a SataRAID or PataRAID system?

    2. Which is the exact HardwareID of your nForce S-ATA or P-ATA Controller (look into the "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers section of the Device Manager)?

    3. When you tested the nForce IDE drivers v6.99, did you take this driverpack?

    1. I am using SataRAID with 2 Seagate Brracuda 320G

    2. I will have to find that out but need to install a temporary windows x86 on the system first to look at the HardwareID, is the a easy way to read the HardwareID on a system with no OS?

    3. I have used your nForce_IDE_699_for_XP_64bit_mod_by_Fernando.zip (637KB)

    Recommendations:

    1. Please test the 64bit LEGACY drivers, which were built and customized by me yesterday evening (link).

    2. If the installation should fail again, please save the SETUPERR.LOG (if it's not empty) and the SETUPAPI.LOG file. You will find them both within the WINDOWS directory of the partition, where you tried to install XP x64. Zip the LOG file, upload it to RapidShare or any other hoster and post the link.

    1. I will try this newly built for you.

    2. How do I get to access this SETUPERR.LOG? From the Failed OS partition?

    Regards,

    0

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted · Edited by Sapphire

    Hi Fernando,

    Here's my testing results,

    Before I flash my nvraid.rom,

    With K8NS F19 BIOS, and nvraid @ v4.60

    Using driver version:

    6.25 -FAILED,

    6.56 -FAILED,

    6.67 -FAILED,

    6.99 -FAILED,

    The window installation was okay, but when the system reboot for the 1st time, it crashes, safe mode, etc, didn't help.

    After I flashed my nvraid.rom,

    With K8NS F21A BIOS, and nvraid @ v4.81

    Using driver version:

    6.25 -FAILED,

    6.67 -FAILED,

    6.99 -FAILED,

    The window installation was okay, but when the system reboot for the 1st time, it crashes, safe mode, etc, didn't help.

    All drivers were incorporated into the XP 64bit (SP2 Slipstreamed) itself using nLite, into an ISO, then burn the ISO onto a DVD disk.

    There should be nothing wrong with my system since I was using Windows XP x86 on RAID0 and nvRaid With K8NS F19 BIOS, and nvraid @ v4.60. It's just that x64 is a bit of a pain to install.

    Please advice.

    Sapphire

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    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    Just an update,

    I just got nvRaid.rom v4.81 from MSI K8N FX Neo 2 BIOS v1.5,

    I CBROMed into my BIOS,

    I flashed my BIOS and now my system is at v4.81 RAID BIOS level.

    I will now try to nLite the NVidia AHCI controller driver provided by iSmart in his above post.

    I will let everyone know about the result.

    Thanks,

    Sapphire

    0

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    Hi Fernando, thanks for your reply again

    I have been trying to upgrade to v4.81, but I never able to do it, the most I can do was v4.60

    Why weren't you be able to get a higher nVRAID version? Did you ever try to flash an updated nVRAID BIOS into your mainboard BIOS yourself?

    Yes, I have tried to updated the nvRAID BIOS into my mainboard BIOS, this is the problem. Gigabyte had shipped the mb BIOS with very old nvRAID BIOS for my board K8NS. I am using F19 bios, (03/30/2006). Note that even in F19 BIOS which release in 2006 still came with old nVRAID BIOS level like v4.24. So what I did was I extracted the nVRAID bios from a Asus board BIOS, and got nvRAID v4.60.

    Just now, I looked at gigabytes website, it is to my suprise that they just released a BIOS F21A on 2008/10/23. After 2 years, they still release new BIOS for this old board, very interesting!!

    So, just a few minutes ago, I flashed my system BIOS to F21A, but guess what, the nvRAID BIOS level is v4.59!!!! So I don't know where I can find v4.81 or v4.84 (I looked at your previous posting in 2005, you recommended v4.84). Please advice where I could get v4.81 or v4.84.

    I put the driver in the CD with nLite, after everything installed, after the system reboot for the 1st time, Windows can't boot, it keep resetting.
    Which driver version did you take and how did you integrate it?

    I used the version, 6.56, 6.67, and your modded 6.99. They all give the same result. I used nLite and choose add driver, txt mode, then create a ISO, and then burn the ISO onto a DVD. (notice I am using BIOS F19 and nvRAID BIOS v4.60).

    Have you used a clean (=untouched) XP CD as source?
    No, I only have a XP 64bit , slipstreamed with SP2 and some Appz.
    0

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    @ Sapphire:

    You got the error message, because you didn't use a clean (= untouched) XP CD.

    As soon as Windows Setup sees a file named WINNT.SIF within the i386 directory, it assumes, that all needed textmode drivers have been integrated into the OS CD. Although Setup had loaded the F6/floppy drivers, it "forgets" them and doesn't find the source later on.

    Hi Fernando,

    Yes, you are right, it is a XP CD already been nlited with some other appz.

    You wrote "1. You may need to update your nVRAID BIOS version to 4.81 by using a tool like CBROM215.EXE."

    I have been trying to upgrade to v4.81, but I never able to do it, the most I can do was v4.60

    2. If you are going to integrate the 64bit textmode drivers into Windows XP x64, you may try the nForce IDE drivers v6.99, which are much newer and better than NVIDIA's old Beta drivers of the 6.25 set.

    I tried the v6.99 with my v4.60 Raid BIOS level, however there was problem. Do I need v4.81 raid bios level to use your v6.99 driver?

    Thanks again

    Sapphire

    0

    Integration of NVIDIA's nForce RAID and AHCI drivers

    in nLite

    Posted

    Hi Fernando,

    It's been 3 years, and I haven't able to setup my system with nvRaid. I have a Gigabyte k8ns, with NForce 3 250. My RAID BIOS level is v4.60

    I have a problem installation with the raid driver.

    I use the SATA RAID device/driver, v6.25. (nForce_6.25_WinXP64_international), the one from Nvidia website.

    I copy the driver onto a floppy (from the /IDE folder of the above nvidia driver pack), I boot up with the Windows XP x64bit, SP3 integrated, installation.

    I press F6, it loads the drivers from the floppy.

    The Raid can be seen correctly by the windows installation, 2x320Gb Harddrives (one 640Gb RAID partition),

    I choose to install on the 640Gb RAID partition, the installation continues... It starts to copy files onto the new RAID partition.

    but then after a while, it asks for the nvraid.sys again, it says it can't find on the floppy, I press Retry, it says it can't find it. I check the nvraid.sys is still in the floppy. I don't know why it couldn't find it.. :wacko:

    Please advice,

    Thanks alot in advance. :hello:

    Sapphire.

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