Hello,
I recently completed a new build (specs below) with windows 7 64 bit and am having some issues. Every few minutes the computer would lock up and I would be forced to hard reboot it. After the reboot one of the 2 hard drives will show as “error occurred” during restart. However, everything still loaded just fine and I could mark the discs as normal in RST software and continue until the next freeze. I troubleshot the problem to the RST drivers. I’m using the RST drivers off of MSI’s website which are the version 11.6.0.1030 software and option ROM (haven’t bothered with the RSTe since I read the performance was sub par for my situation). After removing the RST software and the storage driver from the device manager windows installs the default driver and the problem goes away. While this eliminates the problem the performance is also less. I’m hoping to find a solution or a set of working drivers so I can fix my problem and maintain performance levels.
Intel I7 3930k
MSI Big-Bang xpower ii
2 x Samsung 840 Pro 256GB in raid 0
EVGA GTX 780
32GB Gskill 1600 ram
@ Oscifer:
Welcome at WinRAID Forum!
Since the Intel RST(e) drivers v11.6.x.xxxx have a lot of bugs, I recommend to try the v11.7.4.0.1001 or the v12.7.0.1936 ones.
Regards
Fernando
Ok I’ll give that a try. Do I need to follow the guide to update the option ROM as well or just download the windows drivers? I also noticed from another thread that you run ssd raid 0 with RSTe, how is the performance with the enterprise drivers and do you recommend it over RST? I have settings in bios for RST (11.6.xx.xxx) and RSTe (3.5.xx.xx) but haven’t tried the e version yet.
Since you are just testing the RST drivers, I would not change the Intel RAID ROM Version now. If you should be satisfied with the newest Intel RST(e) drivers v12.7.0.1033, you may update the related Intel RAID ROM to v12.7.0.1936 later.
I have a Z77 and not an X79 chipset mainboard. So I don’t have the option to compare the Intel RST with the RSTe drivers.
Well I tried both and had the same problem. With RST and the driver uninstalled I’m still getting TRIM support so I’m guessing that is handled by the option ROM and not the driver. If I install one of the RST drivers long enough to activate write back caching and then uninstall the software and driver will write back caching still be active? I know you can uninstall the software but the driver too? If so I’ll probably just do that and stick with the stable driver windows automatically installs when I remove the RST one. In any case, thanks for the help and the information.
Yes, once activated the Write-Back Caching Setting will stay activated even after the uninstall of the RST software and driver.
You probably can do that, because Win7 and Win8 have a generic on-board Intel RAID Driver named iaStorV.sys.
If it should be the iaStorV.sys (please check it from within the Device Manager), I doubt, that it will be the best RAID driver for your X79 system, because it is a v8.x.x.xxxx driver, which belongs to the outdated Intel(R) Matrix Management series.
Yeah it is v8.6.2.1015. I’m not sure what else to do though. Any other suggestions?
Have you ever tried the Intel RST driver v11.2.0.1006? This is the latest "conventional" Intel RAID driver named iaStor.sys (works similar to the Win7 on-board iaStorV.sys, but much newer and better).
If you are not satisfied by any of the v11/v12 RST/RST(e) drivers, I suggest to install the latest Intel RSTe drivers of the v3.7/v3.8 series.
I haven’t tried v11.2.0.1006, I’ll download that now and give it a go. If it doesn’t work I’ll switch over the RSTe and try that.
Hey OSC,
You don’t have the RST download, I checked the site, you only have RST-E, you can’t use the RST drivers when running RST-E OROM.
Under the win 8 and win 7, you can only use the 3. version RST-E drivers,.
This means you don’t have ROM switch, this is both the RST-E and RST OROM.
You would need to install the RST OROM MOD in your bios, then you can use the RST drivers.
Have you ever tried the Intel RST driver v11.2.0.1006? This is the latest "conventional" Intel RAID driver named iaStor.sys (works similar to the Win7 on-board iaStorV.sys, but much newer and better).
If you are not satisfied by any of the v11/v12 RST/RST(e) drivers, I suggest to install the latest Intel RSTe drivers of the v3.7/v3.8 series.
Fern, I think you should tell him to inject the 2826 /2822 BIOS OROM mod into his BIOS.
He does NOT have the 2822 controller ID, his BIOS has the 2826, 282A Mobil, wouldn’t it be better to inject the X79 mod 2822, over his 2826 and then use the RST 12 version drivers ?
I know that, but X79 RAID users are able to use any Intel RST/RST(e) drivers v11/v12, if they take one of the modified drivers, which I am offering >here<, and force the installation by using the "Have Disk" button.
Oscifer is still searching for the best suitable Intel RAID driver. If it should be any of the RST v11 or v12 Series, I will recommend to flash an X79 modded Intel RAID ROM of the v11 or v12 Series to get a matching Drivers/OROM combination.
If you’re referring to the MSI site isn’t the 11.6 RST and 3.5 RSTe? I can choose in the bios whether to run RST 11.6 or RSTe 3.5 and I’ve kept it set to RST. During boot it says Intel Rapid Storage Technology v 11.6.xxx.xx Option Rom. Am I misunderstanding something?
I know that, but X79 RAID users are able to use any Intel RST/RST(e) drivers v11/v12, if they take one of the modified drivers, which I am offering >here<, and force the installation by using the "Have Disk" button.
Oscifer is still searching for the best suitable Intel RAID driver. If it should be any of the RST v11 or v12 Series, I will recommend to flash an X79 modded Intel RAID ROM of the v11 or v12 Series to get a matching Drivers/OROM combination.
v11.2.0.1006 seems to have fixed the problem! I’m going on almost 20 hours with no issues, compared to a complete system lock up every 10-15mins with the other drivers. Should I stick with what I’m running now or find the matching OROM to flash my bios with?
I suggest to stick with what you are running now for some days. If you are still satified with this driver, please let me know it. Then I will modify the Intel RST RAID ROM v11.2.0.1527 for being usable with X79 chipset mainboards.
You do have the 8086-282A in your BIOS, strange they only post the 3, version driver for your board. I just figured you would be better off to inject the mod over the 2826.
What ever you do, listen to Fern.
EDIT by Fernando: Quoting corrected
OSC,
How did things work out for you? is your system free of RST related errors?
Ferdando - You mentioned if he is happy with 11.2 drivers you will create an 11.2 Rom for him? What is the benefit of using your modified 11.2 (as opposed to the stock one on motherboard?)
Does matching Driver to Rom version increase stability or is it performance related?
I’m trying to learn as much as possible, I’ve been through hell the last 2 months over this
Rick
Yes, I would be able to modify the RST v11.2.0.1527 RAID ROM to make it usable with X79 chipset RAID systems.
Since Intel optimizes the new RAID ROM modules for being used with the related AHCI/RAID drivers of the same development branch (examples: v11.2, v12.7), it may give a slightly better stability and performance, but you will only recognize it, if there is a big jump between the drivers and OROM version branches.