Gigabyte GA-7VAXP ULTRA, GA-8IHXP, GA-8INXP, GA-8IRXP, GA-7DXR User Manual

...

Promise RAID Function

(Only For Chipset 20265/20276 Used)

USER’S MANUAL

12ME-RAI276-001

RAID Function

Copyright by GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (“GBT”) No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any from without the expressed, written permission of

GBT.

Trademarks

Third-party brands and names are the property of their respective owners.

Notice

Due to rapid change in technology, some of the specifications might be out of date before publication of this booklet.

The author assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions which may appear in this document nor does it make a commitment to update the information contained herein. Please do not remove any labels on VGA card , this may void the warranty of this VGA card.

	Table of Content
Table of Content
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................	5
1-1 What is the RAID ? ......................................................................................................	5
2. Getting Started ................................................................................................	6
2-1 Installing The Hard Drives ..........................................................................................	6
2-2 Creating Your Disk Array ...........................................................................................	7
3. Using FastBuild™ Configuration Utility ..........................................................	12
3-1 Viewing MBFastTrak133 Lite BIOS Screen ...........................................................	12
3-2 Navigating the FastBuild™ Setup Menu .................................................................	13
3-3 Creating Arrays Automatically .................................................................................	14
3-4 Viewing Drive Assignments ....................................................................................	15
3-5 Deleting An Array ......................................................................................................	17
3-6 Rebuilding A Mirrored Array ....................................................................................	18
3-7 Viewing Controller Settings ......................................................................................	20
4. Installing Drivers ..........................................................................................	21
4-1 Windows 2000/XP ....................................................................................................	22
4-2 Windows 95/98/Me ..................................................................................................	23
4-3 DOS/Windows 3.1x ..................................................................................................	26
4-4 Windows NT4 ...........................................................................................................	28
5 Using The FastCheck™ Monitoring Utility ......................................................	29
5-1 Installing FastCheck .................................................................................................	29
5-2 Running FastCheck ..................................................................................................	30
5-3 Closing FastCheck ...................................................................................................	30
5-4 Using FastCheck Array Window ............................................................................	31
5-5 Synchronizing An Array ...........................................................................................	34
5-6 Rebuilding An Array .................................................................................................	36
5-7 Using Controller Window .........................................................................................	39
5-8 Using Options Window .............................................................................................	42

RAID Function
6 UNDERSTANDING DISK ARRAY CONCEPTS ............................................	49
6-1 ABOUT MBFASTTRAK133 LITE DISK ARRAY ADAPTER .................................	49
6-2 ABOUT ADAPTER BIOS .........................................................................................	49
6-3 FASTBUILD? AUTO MENU SETUP ......................................................................	49
6-4 RESERVED SECTOR .............................................................................................	49
6-5 DISK ARRAY TERMS ..............................................................................................	50
6-6 ABOUT RAID LEVELS .............................................................................................	51
7 TROUBLESHOOTING & TIPS ......................................................................	53
7-1 MOTHERBOARD ISSUES .......................................................................................	53
7-2 SYSTEM CMOS ISSUES ........................................................................................	54
7-3 DRIVE-RELATED ERRORS ....................................................................................	54
7-4 OPERATING SYSTEM-RELATED ERRORS ........................................................	59
8 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ...........................................................	62
8-1 PRE-INSTALLATION ................................................................................................	62
8-2 DRIVE ISSUES ..........................................................................................................	63
8-3 INSTALLATION ISSUES ...........................................................................................	65

Introduction

1. Introduction

1-1 What is RAID?

The RAID Fuction is designed to provide a cost-effective, high performance RAID technology that adds performance and/or reliability to PC desktops and/or servers using Ultra ATA/133, Ultra ATA/100, Ultra ATA/66, or EIDE drives.(By Function)

RAID Function of the mainboard supports striping (RAID 0) or mirroring (RAID 1) for master only. Please note the function supports hard disk drives only.

With striping, identical drives can read and write data in parallel to increase performance. Mirroring increases read performance through load balancing and elevator sorting while creating a complete backup of your files.

An ATA133 RAID striped array can double the sustained data transfer rate of

Ultra ATA/133 drives. RAID fully supports Ultra ATA/133 specification of up to 133 MB/sec per drive, depending on individual drive specifications.

The RAID technology also offers fault tolerant, data redundancy for entry-level network file servers or simply for desktop PC users wanting to continually protect valuable data on their PC. The RAID Function offers RAID 1 mirroring (for two drives) to protect data. Should a drive that is part of a mirrored array

fail, RAID technology uses the mirrored drive (which contains identical data) to assume all data handling. When a new replacement drive is later installed, RAID Function rebuilds data to the new drive from the mirrored drive to restore fault tolerance. ATA133 RAID’s bootable BIOS supports individual drives larger than 128GB.(For 20276 chipset) ATA100 RAID’s bootable BIOS supports individual drives larger than 8.4GB.(For 20275chipset) With FAT32 and NTFS partitioning, the array can be addressed as one large single volume.

RAID Function

2. Getting Started

This section is designed to get you started for installation.

WARNING: Before installing the driver into an existing system, backup any necessary data. Failure to follow this accepted PC practice could result in data loss.

2-1 Installing The Hard Drives

WARNING: If you wish to include your current bootable drive using the Windows NT 4.x, Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating system as part of a bootable Mirrored (RAID 1) array, there are two ways to do so:

•Install the Windows NT4, 2000 or XP driver software first to this drive while it is still attached to your existing hard drive controller. Then move and attach the drive to the RAID connectors.

•Attach the drive you desire to the RAID connectors. Then install the Windows NT4, 2000 or XP software together with the RAID

driver (in the floppy disk) into the drive by pressing <F6>. For detailed

information, see “Installing Driver During New Windows NT4.0/2000/XP Installation” on page 21.

Hard drives must be Ultra ATA/133, Ultra ATA/100, Ultra ATA/66, Ultra ATA/33, EIDE and/or Fast ATA-2 compatible to operate with the ATA133 RAID technology. For optimal performance, install all identical drives of the same model and capacity. The drives’ matched performance allows the array to function better as a single drive.

1.We recommends using identical drive as part of an array. If striping for performance, use two new drives. If mirroring for protection, you can use two new drives OR use an existing drive and a new drive (the new drive must be the same size or larger than the existing drive).

2.Configure the jumpers of the hard drive you’re preparing to connect to the RAID connectors using the correct “Master / Slave” or “Cable-Select” settings in the positions described in the table below.

Getting Started

NOTE: Sometimes the Master drive with no slave attached is called “Single.” The master slave setting differentiates two drives chained on the same connector.

Jumper Settings

# of Drives	IDE Channel 1	IDE Channel 2

1	M	----

2	M	M

	M = Master

3.Install the hard drives into the hard drive bays of your system, including the power cables.

4.Attach one Ultra ATA cable to each hard drive. Then attach one cable to each of the RAID connectors. The colored edge of the cable(s) indicates pin 1, and the green cable connector must be attached to the RAID connector.

NOTE: You must use an 80-wire, 40-pin cable when connecting a hard drive to the RAID connector.

2-2 Creating Your Disk Array (Picture below are shown in ATA 133 RAID Function)

You will now use the FastBuild BIOS utility to create your array using the attached drives. There are three different scenarios in creating this array. You can create an array for performance, you can create a Security array using new hard drives (recommended), or you can create a Security array using an existing hard drive and a new hard drive.

WARNING: If creating a Security array using an existing hard drive, backup any necessary data. Failure to follow this accepted PC practice could result in data loss.

RAID Function

1.Boot your system. If this is the first time you have booted with the drives attached to RAID connectors, the onboard BIOS will display the following screen.

MBFastTrak133 Lite (tm) BIOS Version 2.00.0.XX

No array defined . . .

Press <Ctrl-F> to enter FastBuild (tm) Utility

Or press <ESC> key to continue booting the system.

2.Press <Ctrl-F> keys to display the FastBuild (tm) Utility Main Menu

3.Press “1” to display the Auto Setup Menu below. This is the fastest and easiest method to creating your first array.

Optimize Array for:	Performance
Typical Application usage:	A/V Editing
[ Auto Setup Configuration ]
Mode..........................................	Stripe
Drives used in Array..........................	2
Array Disk Capacity ..................	16126
	[ Keys Available ]
[↑ ] Up [↓ ] Down [← , → , Space] Change Option [ESC] Exit [Ctrl-Y] Save

2-2-1 Creating an Array for Performance

NOTE: RAID Function allows users to create striped arrays with 1, 2 drives.

To create an array for best performance, follow these steps:

1.Using the Spacebar, choose “Performance” under the Optimize Array for section.

Getting Started

2.Select how you will use your PC most under the Typical Application usage section The choices are A/V Editing, Server, and Desktop (the default).

3.Press <Ctrl-Y> keys to Save and create the array.

4.Reboot your system.

5.Once the array has been created, you will need to FDISK and format the array as if it were a new single hard drive.

6.Proceed to Installing Drivers section of the manual (see page 21).

2-2-2 Creating a Security Array With New Drives

NOTE: RAID Function ermits only two drives to be used for a single Mirrored array in Auto Setup.

To create an array for data protection using new hard drives, follow these steps:

1.Using the Spacebar, choose “Security” under the Optimize Array for section.

2.Press <Ctrl-Y> keys to Save your selection.

3.The window below will appear.

Do you want the disk image to be duplicated to another? (Yes/No) Y - Create and Duplicate

N - Create Only

4.Press “N” for the Create Only option.

5.A window will appear almost immediately confirming that your Security array has been created. Press any key to reboot the system

Array has been created. <Press Any Key to Reboot>

6.Proceed with normal FDISK and format procedures as if you had just installed a new hard drive.

7.Once the arrayed drives have been formatted, proceed to the Installing Driver chapter on page 20 to install your operating system and/or

RAID Function driver.

RAID Function

2-2-3 Creating a Security Array With An Existing Data Drive

NOTE: RAID Function permits only two drives to be used for a single Mirrored array in Auto Setup.

You would use this method if you wish to use a drive that already contains data and/or is the bootable system drive in your system. You will need another drive of identical or larger storage capacity.

WARNING: Backup any necessary data before proceeding. Failure to follow this accepted PC practice could result in data loss.

WARNING: If you wish to include your current bootable drive using the Windows NT 4., Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating system as part of a bootable Mirrored (RAID 1)

array, do NOT connect the hard drive to the ATA133 RAID connectors yet. You MUST install the Windows NT4 or 2000 driver software first (see page 20) to this drive while it is still attached to your existing hard drive controller. For all other Operating Systems, proceed here.

Follow these steps:

1.Using the Spacebar, choose “Security” under the Optimize Array for section.

2.Press <Ctrl-Y> keys to Save your selection. The window below will appear.

Do you want the disk image to be duplicated to another? (Yes/No) Y - Create and Duplicate

N - Create Only

3.Press “Y” for the Create and Duplicate option. The window below will appear asking you to select the Source drive to use. FastBuild will copy all data from the Source drive to the Target drive.

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		Getting Started

	Source Disk
Channel:ID	Drive Model	Capacity (MB)
	Target Disk
Channel:ID	Drive Model	Capacity (MB)
	[Please Select A Source Disk]
Channel:ID	Drive Model	Capacity (MB)
1 :Master	QUANTUMCR8.4A	8063
2 :Master	QUANTUMCR8.4A	8063
	[↑ ] Up [↓ ] [ESC] Exit [Ctrl-Y] Save

4.Use the arrow keys to choose which drive contains the existing data to be copied.

5.Press [Ctrl-Y] keys to Save selection and start duplication. The following progress screen will appear.

Start to duplicate the image . . .

Do you want to continue? (Yes/No)

Y – Continue N – Abort

6.Select “Y” to continue. If you choose “N” , you will be returned to step 1.

7.Once complete, the following screen will appear confirming that your Security array has been created. Press any key to reboot the system

Array has been created.

8.Proceed to the Installing Driver chapter on page 21 to install the RAID Function driver and/or operating system.

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RAID Function

3.Using FastBuild™ Configuration Utility

(Picture below are shown in ATA 133 RAID Function)

The FastBuild TM Configuration Utility offers several menu choices to create

and manage the drive array on the RAID connectors. For purposes of this user’s guide, it is assumed you have already created an array in the previous chapter and now wish to make a change to the array or view other options.

3-1 Viewing RAID Function BIOS Screen

When you boot your system with drives attached to the RAID Function connectors, the onboard BIOS will detect the drives attached and show the following screen.

MBFastTrak133 Lite (tm) BIOS Version 2.00.0.XX

Scanning IDE drives . . . . .

If an array exists already, the BIOS will display the following screen showing the RAID’s BIOS version and status of the array.

MBFastTrak133 Lite (tm) BIOS Version 2.00.0.xx

ID	MODE SIZE	TRACK-MAPPING	STATUS
1 *	2+0 Stripe 16126M	611/128/32	Functional

Press <Ctrl-F> to enter FastBuild (tm) Utility....

The array status consists of three possible conditions: Functional, Critical,Offline. Functional - The array is operational.

Critical - A mirrored array contains a drive that has failed or disconnected. The remaining drive member in the array is functional. However, the array has temporarily lost its ability to provide fault tolerance. The user should

identify the failed drive through the FastBuild TM Setup utility, and then replace

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Using FastBuid Configuration Utility

the problem drive.

Offline - A striped array has 1 drive that has failed or been disconnected. When the array condition is “offline,” the user must replace the failed drive(s), then restore data from a backup source.

3-2 Navigating the FastBuild™ Setup Menu

When using the menus, these are some of the basic navigation tips: Arrow keys highlights through choices; [Space] bar key allows to cycle through options;

[Enter] key selects an option; [ESC] key is used to abort or exit the current menu.

Using the Main Menu

This is the first option screen when entering the FastBuild TM Setup.

Auto Setup ...............................................	[ 1 ]
View Drive Assignments ..........................	[ 2 ]
View Array................................................	[ 3 ]
Delete Array .............................................	[ 4 ]
Rebuild Array ...........................................	[ 5 ]
Controller Configuration ...........................	[ 6 ]
	[ Keys Available ]
Press 1...	6 to Select Option [ESC] Exit

To create a new array automatically, follow the steps under “Creating Arrays Automatically” on page 13. We recommend this option for most users.

To view drives assigned to arrays, see “Viewing Drive Assignments” on page 15.

To delete an array (but not delete the data contained on the array), select “Deleting An Array” on page 17.

To rebuild a mirrored array, see “Rebuilding an Array” on page 18.

To view controller settings, see “Viewing Controller Configuration” on page 20.

NOTE: After configuring an array using FastBuild, you should FDISK and format the arrayed drive(s) if you are using new, blank drives. Depending on the type of array you are using.

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RAID Function

3-3 Creating Arrays Automatically

The Auto Setup <1> selection from the Main Menu can intuitively help create your disk array. It will assign all available drives appropriate for the disk array you are creating. After making all selections, use Ctrl-Y to Save selections.

The RAID FastBuild will automatically build the array.

Optimize Array for:		Performance
Typical Application usage:		A/V Editing
	[ Auto Setup Configuration ]
Mode..........................................		Stripe
Spare Drive Count ............................		1
Drives used in Array..........................		2
Array Disk Capacity ..................		16126
		[ Keys Available ]
[↑ ] Up [↓ ] Down [← , →	, Space] Change Option [ESC] Exit [Ctrl-Y] Save

Optimize Array For

Select whether you want Performance (RAID 0), Security (RAID 1) under the “Optimize Array for” setting.

Performance (RAID 0 Striping)

Supports the maximum performance. The storage capacity equals the number of drives times the capacity of the smallest drive in the disk array.

NOTE: RAID Function permits striped arrays using 1, 2 drive attached in Auto Setup mode.

Security (RAID 1 Mirroring)

Creates a mirrored (or fault tolerant) array for data security.

NOTE: Under the Security setting, RAID Function permits two drives to be used for a single Mirrored array only.

Defining Typical Application Usage

Allows the user to choose the type of PC usage that will be performed in order to optimize how RAID Function controller handles data blocks to

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Using FastBuid Configuration Utility

enhance performance. Your choice will determine the block size used. You may choose from: A/V Editing (for audio/video applications, or any similar application that requires large file transfers), Server (for numerous small file transfers), or Desktop (a combination of large and small file sizes).

NOTE: If you wish to customize the settings of individual disk arrays (such as block size), you must manually create disk arrays with the Define Array <3> option from the Main Menu.

3-4 Viewing Drive Assignments

The View Drive Assignments <2> option in the Main Menu displays whether drives are assigned to a disk arrays or are unassigned.

The menu also displays the data transfer mode that relates to speed used by each drive (U6 refers to 133MB/sec transfers, U5 refers to 100MB/sec transfers, U4 refers to 66MB/sec transfers, etc...)

Channel:ID	Drive Model	Capacity(MB)		Assignment	Mode
1 : Master	QUANTUMCR8.4A		8063	Array 1	U5
2 : Master	QUANTUMCR8.4A		8063	Array 1	U5
		[ Keys Available ]
[↑	] Up [↓ ] Down	[ESC] Exit	Mode (U=UDMA, P=PIO, D=DMA)

How to Orders Arrays

During startup, the disk arrays on the RAID Function are recognized in this order: 1) The array set to bootable in the FastBuild TM Setup, and 2) the Array number (i.e. Array 0, Array 1…). This would be involved in determining which drive letters will be assigned to each disk array.

How RAID Function Saves Array Information

All disk array data is saved into the reserved sector on each array member. We suggests that users record their disk array information for future reference.

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RAID Function

Another feature of the RAID Function disk array system is to recognize drive members even if drives are moved between different RAID Function connectors. Since each drive’s array data identifies itself to the array, it is possible to move or swap drives without modifying the array setup. This is valuable when adding drives, or during a rebuild..

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Gigabyte GA-7VAXP ULTRA, GA-8IHXP, GA-8INXP, GA-8IRXP, GA-7DXR User Manual

Using FastBuid Configuration Utility

3-5 Deleting An Array

The Delete Array <4> Menu option allows for deletion of disk array assignments. This is not the same as deleting data from the drives themselves. If you delete an array by accident (and before it has been used again), the array can normally be recovered by defining the array identically as the deleted array.

WARNING: Deleting an existing disk array could result in its data loss. Make sure to record all array information including the array type, the disk members, and stripe block size in case you wish to undo a deletion.

Array No	RAID Mode	Total Drv	Capacity(MB)	Status
Array 1	Stripe	2	16126	Functional
Array 2	——	——	——	——
Array 3	——	——	——	——
Array 4	——	——	——	——
		[ Keys Available ]
	[↑ ] Up [↓ ] Down	[ESC] Exit	[Del] Delete

1.To delete an array, highlight the Array you wish to delete and press the [Del] key.

2.The View Array Definition menu will appear (see below) showing which drives are assigned to this array.

Array No	RAID Mode Total Drv		Capacity(MB)	Status
Array 1	——	——	——	——
Stripe Block:	64 KB
		[ Drive Assignments ]

Channel:ID	Drive Model	Capacity (MB)	Assignment
1 : Master	QUANTUMCR8.4A	8063	Y
2 : Master	QUANTUMCR8.4A	8063	Y

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RAID Function

3. Confirm yes to the following warning message with the <Ctrl-Y> key to continue array deletion:

Are you sure you want to delete this array?

Press Ctrl-Y to Delete, others to Abort

4.After deleting the array, you should create a new array using Auto Setup or the Define Array menu from the FastBuild Main Menu.

3-6 Rebuilding A Mirrored Array

The Rebuild Array <5> Menu option is necessary to recover from an error in a mirrored disk array. You will receive an error message when booting your system from the

RAID Function BIOS.

NOTE: Drives MUST be replaced if they contain any physical errors.

Follow these steps BEFORE using the Rebuild Array menu option:

1.On bootup, the RAID Function Startup BIOS will display an error message identifying which drive has failed.

2.Press <Ctrl-F> keys to enter FastBuild Main Menu.

3.Select submenu Define Array <3>.

4.Select the failed array and identify the Channel and ID of the failed drive.

5.Power off and physically remove the failed drive.

6.Replace the drive with an identical model.

7.Reboot the system and enter the FastBuild Main Menu.

8.Select the <5> Rebuild Array option. The following screen will appear.

Array No	RAID Mode Total Drv			Capacity(MB)	Status
Array 1	Mirror	2		16126	Critical
Array 2	——	——		——	——
Array 3	——	——		——	——
Array 4	——	——		——	——
		[ Keys Available ]
	[↑ ] Up [↓ ] Down		[ESC] Exit [Enter] Select

9.Highlight the array whose Status is “Critical”.

10.Press [Enter]. The following screen will then appear (see next page)..

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Using FastBuid Configuration Utility

Array NoRAID ModeTotal Drv			Status
Array 2	Mirror	2	Critical
Stripe Block: Not Available		[ Select Drive for Rebuild ]

Channel:ID	Drive Model		Capacity (MB)
1 : Slave	QUANTUMCR8.4A		8063
		[ Keys Available ]
	[↑ ] Up [↓ ] Down	[ESC] Exit	[Enter] Select

11.Under [Select Drive for Rebuild], highlight the replacement drive.

12.Press [Enter] and confirm that the data will be copied on to the selected drive. All data on the replacement drive will be written over with mirrored information from the array drive. A progress bar will appear as below.

Please Wait While Duplicating The Image

10% Complete

13. Once the rebuild process is complete, the user will be asked to reboot the system..

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RAID Function

3-7 Viewing Controller Settings

The Controller Configuration <6> menu selection allows you to enable or disable the RAID Function BIOS from halting (the default) if it detects an error on boot up. You may also view the system resources (Interrupt and I/O port address) of RAID Fiunction’s data channels.

	Halt On Error:	Enable
	[ System Resources Configuration ]
Channel 1 (IDE1)	Interrupt : AI/O Port : FFF0
Channel 2 (IDE2)	Interrupt : AI/O Port		: FFA8
	[ Keys Available ]
[←	, → , Space] Change Option		[ESC] Exit

Halting RAID Function BIOS On Bootup Errors

The [Adapter Configuration – Options] section allows you to enable or disable RAID Function to Halt operation at the BIOS startup screen should an error be detected. This is the only option that can be changed on this screen.

Viewing RAID Function System Resources

The [System Resources Configuration] section of this submenu displays the PCI slot interrupt and port address used by the RAID Function. The resources used are determined by the Mainboard PCI PnP BIOS for the PCI slot in which the

RAID Function resides.

In the rare case that there is a resource conflict, refer to the Mainboard BIOS documentation on changes on resources allocated to the RAID Channel.

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