GA-X58A-UD7 using RAID (XHD) and Adaptec 31205 togeather won't boot

[AussieMuddler]

Hi all - first time post, wondering if anyone has come across a problem with the GA-X58A-UD7 when running in RAID (XHD) mode, and an adaptec 31205 RAID controller. The Adaptec controller boots fine when RAID (XHD) is NOT set on the MB (i.e. booting with failsafe/optimised BIOS defaults), but when it is enabled, I am prompted with "Verifying dmi pool data ..." and the boot sequence doesn't go any further. I have latest (non-beta) BIOS running on all hardware, but just can't figure this out. I am guessing it is a BIOS configuration setting? (BTW: the reason I am doing this is I want to run RAID on the MB for the OS - and have the RAID card completely seperate for other stuff).

Setup is
GA-X58A-UD7 rev 2
i7 930
6gig Corsair RAM
Adaptec 31205

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

[Lsdmeasap]

Same problem here with Highpoint RocketRAID 640, I think it's the controllers firmware's are not compatible with the boards, or the BIOSes are not compatible with the cards?

Not sure, but I think we should be able to boot with both devices to set RAID, but it's not possible so I know what you mean for sure.

[Dark Mantis]

As Lsd says it probably just is one of those things that should work but doesn't. However it might  be worth trying to clear the CMOS completely by following the instructions.

Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least ten minutes before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Opimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self and then press F10 to save and exit.

[AussieMuddler]

Thanks very much for your comments Dark and LSD. I tried the CMOS clear, but had no luck. I also am speaking to Adaptec support. They suggested disabling the Adaptec RAID boot option from the card BIOS. Unfortunately that didn't help either. Any thoughts on other things I might be able to try to work out why this isn't working Kind Regards - Aussie

[F5BJR]

*
For HighPoint card ( RR620 ) i have no problem ( similar Gigabyte BIOS in my motherboard GA-X58A-UD5 )
 
Exist a little utilility for programming HighPoint BIOS parameters for resolve compatibility

You can found utility with Firmware upgrade ( run load.exe /C  ) for the RR640 to :

http://www.support-highpoint-tech.com/Main/rr64x/bios/rr640-bios-v1.0-100107.zip

I think that you can test the option  : disabling Reallocate EBDA in the HPT BIOS

Pierre

[F5BJR]

*
For the problem with the Adaptec card

question 1 :  See you the Adaptec BIOS at startup with INTEL in RAID mode ?

question 2 : Have you the RAID / INTEL disk valid for the first disk boot order ( in the Gigabyte BIOS ) ?

question 3 : Can you remove the RunTime BIOS in the Adaptec RAID ROM  ?

( similar to my old's Adaptec 21610Sa / 2510SA / also old SCSI cards ) with key ' CTRL A ' ( Array Configuration Utility )

** Remember you can use KEY F12 at GigaByte Bios Startup for choice manually the boot disk    

Pierre

* i have read the doc :

Runtime BIOS When enabled, the controller BIOS allows the controller to act as a bootable device.
Disabling the BIOS allows another controller to act as a bootable device.

[Lsdmeasap]

*
For HighPoint card ( RR620 ) i have no problem ( similar Gigabyte BIOS in my motherboard GA-X58A-UD5 )
 
Exist a little utilility for programming HighPoint BIOS parameters for resolve compatibility

You can found utility with Firmware upgrade ( run load.exe /C  ) for the RR640 to :

http://www.support-highpoint-tech.com/Main/rr64x/bios/rr640-bios-v1.0-100107.zip

I think that you can test the option  : disabling Reallocate EBDA in the HPT BIOS

Pierre

Thanks, I'd been waiting forever to see a new BIOS other than V. 1.0!

Do you know if they will ever release a driver for the PLX bridge chip (Base System Device in win7 device manager)?

[F5BJR]

*
a little add-on ...

if i connect a CD / DVD to the Intel Sata port i have also OPTION ROM problem and i cannot see the add-on RAID BIOS card

-- Solution:  i use IDE CD/DVD connect to the IDE port or SATA with Sata /  IDE adapter

Pierre

[AussieMuddler]

Thanks again for all the comments and support guys - this forum is truely awesome !!!. Adaptec replied to me to say that (as F5BJR suggested) I should try diabling the the cards boot option through BIOS (specifically disabling "Array Based BBS Support" and "RunTime Bios". Even with these options disabled, I have the same problem with booting - even if I try to selet the MB raid array speficially through F12 at boot time.
 
Gigabyte have said "This might caused by the limited ROM size of the BIOS ROM. When enalbe onboard RAID function and RAID card at the same time, the resource for RAID and onboard RAID are occupied at the same time. We would suggest you choose either onboard RAID or RAID card at a time."

This seems a little unusual from such a high end MB. I will ask them to clarify what they mean and if another board would alleviate the problem i'm seeing. Looks like I could be out of options here.

I also tried used an IDE CD/DVD for a boot device, but that unfortunately didn't help either.

[F5BJR]

*
You can also test with an old PCI  Graphics crd ( not PCI-e ) , possible resolve Option ROM problem

I use a long time an old Matrox Mystique with my ASUS P5E WS PRO and an Adaptec 21610SA 

Pierre

[Lsdmeasap]

*
For HighPoint card ( RR620 ) i have no problem ( similar Gigabyte BIOS in my motherboard GA-X58A-UD5 )
 
Exist a little utilility for programming HighPoint BIOS parameters for resolve compatibility

You can found utility with Firmware upgrade ( run load.exe /C  ) for the RR640 to :

http://www.support-highpoint-tech.com/Main/rr64x/bios/rr640-bios-v1.0-100107.zip

I think that you can test the option  : disabling Reallocate EBDA in the HPT BIOS

Pierre

Thanks, this worked perfectly!

It's really too bad about this card only having 2 Marvell controllers, especially for $200!

You can only use 2 SSD's on it, one on each controller, otherwise it suffers the same problems that motherboards with one controller do.   

I tried using 3 SSD's and scores drop under the performance of two, and I know if you use both ports on one controller(IE 1+2 or 3+4) it's terrible like onboard too.

Ohh well, I didn't have to pay for it so I can't complain to much, but I do feel bad for those who buy this intending to RAID 0 with more than 2 SSD's.

Do you by any chance have the PLX Bridge chip driver (Base System Device), it's missing in windows 7 and is not on the CD or site.   My contact who supplied me with the card, also has asked them directly a few times for the driver and has not had any luck getting one.