GA-965P-DS4 (rev1): RAID array larger than 2TB

[janvanderwatt]

Hi,

I've just upgraded my <2TB RAID array to 3 x 2TB Seagate ST32000S42AS with which I want to build a >2TB volume.

I am running:
- Windows 2003 Server + 2GB RAM
- Intel Rapid Storage Technology 9.6.0.1014 (which happily reports the volume to be 3.7 TB big)
- RAID BIOS 6.0.0.1022 ICH8R wRAID5
- BIOS 965P-DS4-F12

My main issues is that I can only seem to utilise 2 TB of the 3.7 TB volume. The Windows Disk Management tool automatically divided the volume into a 2 TB section and the remaining 1.7 TB section. In the first section, I can add partitions, etc., but NOTHING in the second one (see attached screen shot).

However, what also worries me is that the RAID BIOS seems to be unhappy with the 2TB drives, stating that they are "incompatible" (see attached screen shot).

At this point, I can use the 2TB partition, it formats, copies, etc., all fine - but I would like to use the extra available space on the volume. I really don't mind if I have to limit it to 2TB partitions, as long as I can use it all.

So, any ideas on where this limitation originates, and if I can overcome it?

I see there is a 6.2.x RAID BIOS around - do I need that? and how would I install it?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Jan

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte UK Forum.

The 2TB is the maximum permitted size for a single partition and that is what is holding you back. I have seen some supposed ways around it but I cannot say I have tried them out so they might or might not work.

[Lsdmeasap]

You have to use GPT disks for larger than 2TB partitions, and I do believe you can't boot from them, here is more info
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/storage/gpt-on-x64.mspx

[Dark Mantis]

The trouble is Lsd that this only works as far as I understand it on systems that don't use a BIOS but the UEFI instead. There are not many around yet that I have seen.

[Peteruk]

Your ICH8R cannot make array volumes bigger then 2TB even for non-bootable arrays or using GPT.
http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/imsm/sb/CS-022304.htm

[unclebob]

I have the same Drives as you have mentioned in a RAID 5 Array, i could see the full 3.8 approx in Window7 Proffessional 64bit, however i have got a different issue that my array drives are show as NON RAID Drives after a BIOS upgrade.... but as for the drives they were working fine for me and not reporting as incompatible.