Windows 7: New Intel RST 11.7.0.103 question

I have an Asus P6T Deluxe v2 board, BIOS set to AHCI and I was running the version 11.2.0.1006. My set up is;
I have a single SSD (OS) C drive
a single mechanical drive (data files) D drive
a DVD ROM as E drive

So in the attachments, you can see the registry for the 11.2.0.1006 set up. There were the standard two entries; iaStor and iaStorV.

But after installing the new RST 11.7.0.1013 (see attached file), there are the same two, but then there are added ones called iaStorA and iaStorF. I checked and the "Start" are enabled on these too

So in my set up this is what is on and off

iaStor = 0
iaStorA = 0
iaStorF = 0
iaStorV = 3
msahci = 0



So I am wondering if the new entries should be on? What are they and what are they doing? Just curious. Anyone seen this too?

Is in the "Devices Manager" your drives appears to be taggeg as SCSI drives or looks just normal?

I'm also curious because you have it installed without the v11.2.0.1006 iaStor.sys to be removed/replaced by v11.7.0.1013 iaStorA.sys & iaStorF.sys...

iaStorF.sys is the SCSI Filter Driver.
iaStorA.sys should be the SATA RAID Filter Driver, which i can't load at the moment since v11.2.0.1006. (i'm on Raid Mode Bios).

msahci (native Microsoft driver) should have set itself on "0" the time to update...it doesn't matter as it have to be set anyway on "0" to enable Ahci mode in Windows 7. But turns "3" when iaStor is installed.


IaStorV is the one for Intel Matrix Storage Manager, so "3" is normal because it is the previous version of the Intel Rapid Storage Technology.

The three others look normals set on "0" to me, but iaStor.sys that shouldn't be loaded. Is it still there in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers ?

Are you set in the Bios on RAID Mode or AHCI Mode?

Okay, here is what the Device Manager says. The drives look to be using SCSI if I read that correct.

Some history, I use to have two Seagate drives in RAID0 about a 6-8 months ago. Then I got the Crucial drive, removed the old drives, went in to the BIOS and turned the SATA mode from RAID to AHCI, then installed the SSD and did a clean install of Windows 7, been running since. I just happened to notice these additions when I updated.

My BIOS is set to SATA mode AHCI.

The drives are;

C=Crucial M4 256GB SSD
D=Western Digital "Black" 500GB

So should I turn those iaStorA and F to off by changing the "Start" to 3 for each? Or what do I need to do to correct this? I would like to use the Intel drivers.

That's what I thought... they're tagged as "ATA-SCSI Device" instead of their own name, WDC-WDxxx & M4-CTxxx, etc...

Which is not so important for the management of those drives as the new IRST 11.7.0.1013 is made first for x79 Platform and looks just renamed.

NO!!...let the first three ones on "0" (started)

IaStorA.sys & iaStorF.sys are working together now. That's the purpose of those drivers for x79 Platform and others.

It should works fine but it will check after next reboot if the msahci.sys turns back to value "3". iaStorV.sys will stay on "3".

PS:
you didn't mentionned if the first iaStor.sys (v11.2.0.1006) is still in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers

Missed that. So in the system32/driver folder these are the versions

iastor - 11.2.0.1006
iastorA - 11.7.0.1013
iastorF - 11.7.0.1013
iastorV - 8.6.2.1014

I rebooted and checked the registry, still shows what I mentioned above;
iaStor = 0
iaStorA = 0
iaStorF = 0
iaStorV = 3
msahci = 0

What about the iastor.sys? Should I uninstall, then go in and remove all of these .sys files and then reinstall RST?

BTW, I am using Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, if that makes a difference

Weird, so as mentioned, in the folder in the above thread, the iastor.sys file is version 11.2.0.1006.

When I go to the Device Manager, select the IDE ATA/ATAPI and hit the properties, the Intel ICH10R SATA AHCI controller says it is version 11.7.0.1013.

It shouldn't hurt the system if the v11.2.0.1006 is still in Drivers folder and in Device Manager says v11.7.0.1013 as it is not in use.

It is just unusual for this driver be still there, it should be removed from that folder and placed in case rollin' back, here:

C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\iaStor.inf.xxx

What you can do later if you feel enough confident, is to set iaStor.sys on "3" and msahci.sys on "3" too, reboot and sees if its troubleshooting. But only if something is really looking weird to your eyes.

Otherwise i suggest you to let your new IRST install as is.

One more thing...

It would had been wise previously the install of the newer IRST, to uninstall the IRST v11.2.0.1006,

Reboot and update before to the Latest Intel Chipset Device Software WHQL version: 9.​3.​0.​1026

Just to remap/update the ports of the machine, then install the newer IRST.

But it still can be done after IRST install, if you need.

Maybe have you already done it? Asus shows on their specs card v9.1.1.1014.

@Non
I originally had IRST 11.2.0.1006. Today I went looking around and found out that Intel had a newer one (I skipped the one after 11.2.0.1006).

I downloaded the installer from Intel and ran it. So I did let it uninstall the old one before it put the new one. But you got me on the update of the chipset drivers. You are right, I have not done that yet. I stopped as soon as I found these entries. But I can still do this as you mentioned.

I also looked where you said the driver should go for the rollback; it is not there.

So let me get this straight (my head is foggy from other things right now). I should get the newer IRST, install it as it should remove the older files and send them to the filerepository and then install the newest files. Then I should update the chipset to the latest?

I can do this, I am not busy for the next few days. Question, that 9.3.0.1026 at the Intel site it does not have my board listed (X58). Does that mean the 9.1.1.1014 is the highest for my board?

I'll try the iastor and msahci to 3 and see and I will get back here.

First, feel easy & confident!
You have the choice to let all "as is" also. Looks quite correct to me actually, just update your Chipset Inf.

but If...

1)
I'm suggesting if you have spare time now, to uninstall all of the IRST from "program and features".

Reboot will load the msahci.sys driver (just check before if it is still set to "0" if you decide to uninstall IRST).

On reboot don't allow Windows Update to search a driver for you, or disable it before the reboot!

Don't move yourself any files anywhere!

2)
After reboot check if there's any iaStor.sys (A & F included) left, in "System32\Drivers" folder only. Delete them if.

Delete the iaStor key registry entry, iaStorA & iaStorF keys in registry after uninstall & reboot (if they're still there).

Don't delete the iaStorV Key & driver!

And this before updating Chipset v9.3.0.1026 (doesn't matter if it is not for your x58 Board, as it is already included in)

3)
When ready run as administrator & install your WHQL Chipset v9.3.0.1026, reboot even if not needed.

Install the latest IRST you have. Reboot takes effect and remap the drives

Check all is in order upon reboot.

It should go back itself to:

iaStorA = 0
iaStorF = 0
iaStorV = 3
msahci = 3

PS:
I'm suggesting you an uninstall because the IRST v11.7.0.1013 is too much different version from v11.2.0.1006. That's maybe why iaStor.sys is still there in Drivers folder.

"install it as it should remove the older files and send them to the filerepository". This, is a bit of a mystery to me...it didn't backed up.