Intel Rapid Storage Technology Problem


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 64 Bit
       #1

    Removal of a HDD Array?


    Hello everyone, I'm a new user and I have kind of a weird problem. I tried researching my problem but I have came to no real answer on google or on sevenforums.com so i decided to create a new thread.

    I must apologize in advance for my lack of knowledge when it comes to computers but im trying to learn. Anyways..

    My brother and I installed a our new Seagate Barracuda XT 2TB harddrive to my computer a few days ago and everything installed great and worked just fine. However, my brother decided to use the Intel Rapid Storage Technology feature not really understanding what it does.. He was thinking that a simple backup of the computer could be created and the information could be placed on our secondary HDD. So he (I think) turned the second disk into a recovery disk or something.. but we cant access the HDD in the normal way anymore.

    So basically there is an Array 0000 and Volume 0000 (RAID 0) now displayed now and we simply want to bring back normal functionality to the harddrive (and if possible, recover any data that was on it.. if not, whatever).

    If anyone could help me or needs more information I'd be happy to provide. Thank you in advance.
    Last edited by pinkerton; 06 Dec 2010 at 19:51.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Here is the system report:


    System Report

    System Information
    OS name: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
    OS version: 6.1.7600 7600
    System name: DARIUS-PC
    System manufacturer: Alienware
    System model: Aurora-R2
    Processor: GenuineIntel Intel64 Family 6 Model 30 Stepping 5 2.801 GHz
    BIOS: Default System BIOS, ALWARE - 20100312

    Intel® Rapid Storage Technology
    User interface version: 9.6.0.1014
    Language: English (United States)
    Intel RAID controller: Intel(R) ICH8R/ICH9R/ICH10R/DO/5 Series/3400 Series SATA RAID Controller
    Number of SATA ports: 6
    RAID option ROM version: 8.9.0.1023
    Driver version: 9.6.0.1014
    ISDI version: 9.6.0.1014

    Device Information
    Name: Array_0000
    Size: 1,907 GB
    Available space: 953 GB
    Disk data cache: Enabled
    Number of volumes: 1
    Volume member: Volume_0000
    Number of disks: 2
    Array disk: 6VP4R3ZD
    Array disk: 9WM21NA5

    Name: Volume_0000
    Status: Normal
    Type: RAID 0
    Size: 954 GB
    Data strip size: 128 KB
    Write-back cache: Disabled
    System volume: Yes
    Initialized: Yes
    Verification errors found: 0
    Blocks with media errors: 0
    Physical sector size: 512 Bytes
    Logical sector size: 512 Bytes
    Parent array: Array_0000
    Number of disks: 2
    Array disk: 6VP4R3ZD
    Array disk: 9WM21NA5

    Disk on port 0
    Port location: Internal
    Status: Normal
    Usage: Array disk
    Size: 954 GB
    Serial number: 6VP4R3ZD
    Model: ST31000528AS
    Firmware: CC45
    System disk: No
    Password protected: No
    Disk data cache: Enabled
    Native command queuing: Yes
    SATA transfer mode: Generation 2
    Physical sector size: 512 Bytes
    Logical sector size: 512 Bytes

    Disk on port 1
    Port location: Internal
    Status: Normal
    Usage: Array disk
    Size: 1,908 GB
    Serial number: 9WM21NA5
    Model: ST32000641AS
    Firmware: CC13
    System disk: No
    Password protected: No
    Disk data cache: Enabled
    Native command queuing: Yes
    SATA transfer mode: Generation 2
    Physical sector size: 512 Bytes
    Logical sector size: 512 Bytes

    Disk on port 4
    Port location: Internal
    Status: Normal
    Usage: Unknown
    Size: 0 GB
    Serial number: CN0F4GM873639068508Q
    Model: PLDS DVD+/-RW DH-24ABS
    Firmware: AD11
    System disk: No
    Password protected: No
    Disk data cache: Disabled
    Native command queuing: No
    SATA transfer mode: Generation 1
    Physical sector size: 0 Bytes
    Logical sector size: 0 Bytes

    Empty port
    Port: 2
    Port location: Internal

    Empty port
    Port: 3
    Port location: Internal

    Empty port
    Port: 5
    Port location: Internal
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,403
    Win 7 Ultimate 32bit
       #3

    He set up a Raid 0 (Stripe)
    The hard drive is still there, and you are using it.
    The 2 drives are working as one drive.
    Stripe Array can improve performance because both drives are working at the same time to read/write data across them.

    For more info,...
    Standard RAID levels - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    The down side is, if one drive goes bad, you lose everything stored there.
    Always keep a backup of your data off the Stripe Array.

    The only way to fix this is,,,,,,,,, Back up your data.
    Break the array and reinstall windows from scratch.

    Also note,, that using 2 disks of non-equal value will result in an array of the smaller disk.
    Which is why you are not seeing the full 2Tb of the second drive.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 165
    W7x64 Ult.
       #4

    Do you have the Intel Matrix Storage Manager installed. There are quite a few options available there. Probably won't totally solve your problem but might help you salvage most of your data.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 23
    Windows 7 Home Premium
       #5

    @Outlander: It's called Intel Rapid Storage Technology now. They changed the name a couple of years back.

    I'm pretty sure Tepid is right. once you have a raid 0 array as your system disk, you have to start over again. Maybe what you want is to set up a raid 1 array, where an automatic copy of your hard drive is made. Read up on raid for your machine and in general. Wiki is pretty good for this.

    Tepid's remark about similar sized disk is right on. Also beware of upper limits to raid array sizes. I think 2TB is about the biggest disk (or array) windows can handle. i certainly defer to the more experienced here though (Tepid?).

    I am currently having problems with Intel RST, even though I am using all Intel hardware and chipsets and brand new hard drives. Even if you choose to use a raid array of some type, it is not necessary to install IRST. You should be seeing a setup option for raid arrays when you boot up your machine (if ACHI has been enabled). I strongly suggest you not install IRST, it will slow down your machine, and you cannot get rid of the drivers once installed without reinstalling the system.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,403
    Win 7 Ultimate 32bit
       #6

    How to Break the 2TB (2 TeraByte) File System Limit | CarltonBale.com

    However,, I think,,, depending on what version Intel Board you have, you may or may not have the ability to Use Raid 5 with Intel Rapid Storage Technology. Not sure which boards have that, I thought that I read somewhere it would be available on some boards.

    and this excerpt is the best route if you must..

    Breaking 2TB Option 3 – Use Standard Partitions and Create Multiple Volume Sets within a RAID array. A RAID array itself can be larger than 2 TB without presenting a volume set larger than 2 TB to the operating system. This way, you can use older file systems (that support only 2TB) and still have RAID 5 protection and more than 2 TB of total storage. To do this, put all 5 drives into a RAID set and create a 2 TB RAID Level 5 volume set — this will leave 2TB of the RAID set unused. Then create a second 2 TB RAID level 5 volume set. Boot into your operating system, create a partition on each of the 2TB virtual drives, and format each of the two 2TB virtual drives. The disadvantage is that there is not one single, large 4TB partition. The advantage is that 1) backwards compatibility for the file system and partitions and 2) they are both part of a RAID 5 array and are protected from single drive failures and only 1 drives worth of storage is sacrificed for RAID parity data.
    So, if all you have is Raid 1 or 0 ,,, You can still do it, you will just have to create multiple arrays.

    I have read many studies that say with Intel Rapid Storage Technology or Intel Matrix Storage, whichever you do have,,, doesn't matter if you use Raid 1 or 0, you will not see a speed increase
    But, I say try it yourself, cause studies versus real world are apples and oranges.

    What I can say, is the increase is noticeable, and worth it, but not mind blowing.
    Raid 0, does make a difference under certain circumstances.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 23
    Windows 7 Home Premium
       #7

    Thanks Tepid,

    I have a file server running 4 1.5TB disks under Vista, and may get up the nerve to try the Carlton Bale solution. I run a raid 1 array for the system disk in this machine, and a raid 0 array for data files. I experience no detectable speed bonus from the 0 array, which is disappointing to say the least.

    On this topic (remotely) do you have any experience with PCIe SATA Raid cards? Are there any issues other than compatability? My Intel planar came with an extra Marvell Raid controller, but I lost a couple of raid arrays on this controller, not due to disk problems, and no longer trust it.

    Cheers.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,403
    Win 7 Ultimate 32bit
       #8

    I am not familiar with using Raid Cards of any kind,,,

    But will warn you that ,..,..,..,.

    I run a raid 1 array for the system disk in this machine, and a raid 0 array for data files.
    Is completely backwards, unless you are off loading backups elsewhere of your Data Files.
    Raid 0 is intended not for Data Files access, but for OS and Application access.
    And, you have no redundancy, if one drive fails, say good bye to all your data. It's gone and not recoverable.

    As I said, it is not completely noticeable, but run with Raid 0 for about 6 months on your OS Apps disk, then switch to a single drive, you will see it where it really counts. Where I have noticed it is heavy disk access at loading/running certain things, such as some games, video and audio rendering. Again, it's a minor increase.

    You will not notice it with data transfers and accesses.
    Unless you have 50 people trying to access the same data all at once.

    That is one of the benefits of Raid 5, or if you can Raid 6 is best.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 198
    Windows 7 Professional
       #9

    Tepid said:

    I have read many studies that say with Intel Rapid Storage Technology or Intel Matrix Storage, whichever you do have,,, doesn't matter if you use Raid 1 or 0, you will not see a speed increase
    But, I say try it yourself, cause studies versus real world are apples and oranges.

    What I can say, is the increase is noticeable, and worth it, but not mind blowing.
    Raid 0, does make a difference under certain circumstances.
    Sorry to take this off topic but my understanding is that with RAID 1 you will not see any performance increase over a non RAID setup. I’ve also experienced quite the opposite with the Intel Rapid Storage Technology. Here are 2 Corsair SSD drives set up in RAID0 on a AMD and Intel system. Show us your SSD performance

    Unfortunately I deleted the non RAID benchmark so I do not have that for comparison. However, I can honestly say that the RAID0 outperformed the non RAID in both systems with the Intel being faster. Fully understand that these are synthetic benchmarks but they do add some value to real life performance.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 23
    Windows 7 Home Premium
       #10

    I did some research on my situation, and it may be the case that my Power Setting Options were causing the problem. I did not realize that RAID 1 drives could not be powered down without causing 'drive errors' with IRST.

    I have to admit I still have philosophical problems with the choice of RAID 0 vs 1. My system and program disk is a RAID 1 array. This information would be the most problematic to reinstall, so I want to add reliability to the storage. If RAID 1 is not reducing the failure rate, then I would change.

    I do backup the data from my RAID 0 array, daily. I keep rather dense media files on this drive, as well as gaming programs. Any improvement in performance of the drives is helpful, as is the increase in size.
      My Computer


 

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