Gigabyte EG45M-UD2H Vista installation problems

when booting up vista off cd press f6 to install the raid drivers then install should go fine.

CT

The RAID drivers load fine. Vista installation can see the array, create/delete partitions, format, etc. It just won't let you install to any of the partitions on the array.

Thanks anyway!

ok i here is a though if you have a ubcd you could us one of the disk manager to create and format the partition and install vista.

CT

CT - sorry, I don't understand what you are trying to say. ubcd = ubuntu cd?

Sorry I should have included a link http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

Ct

I'll give it a shot and get back to you. Thanks!

Another idea - even though Vista loads the drivers correctly, try integrating the RAID drivers into the Vista install, using vLite (http://www.vlite.net/download.html)

Also - check for a motherboard bios update - you might even be wise to slipstream as many of the other drivers for your system into the image.

and235100,

 Good thoughts. Thanks! I'm just getting ready to jump back on this problem, so I'll try your ideas.

 I read an article on MS that stated the problem was related to the way Vista identifies discs. Apparently they don't use the old ARC methodology, and this can be problematic. No mention of how to correct this problem though. I am using a base Vista installation, I may try using one that has SP1.

Thanks again!

-Louie

Update:

 After juggling various hard drives, etc. it appears that the problem is a limitation with the Intel ICH10 RAID controller. It seems like the controller will not allow arrays over ~ 1.5 TB to be bootable. The firmware based storage manager that you access during boot does not allow you to change the boot status of arrays. Another issue seems to be Vista and it's handling of multiple arrays on this controller. I tried creating 2 arrays under 1.5 TB. The storage manager listed both arrays as bootable, but Vista gave the same message that appeared in my original post i.e. "Windows is unable to find a system volume that meets its criteria..."

 I am now checking to see if the Intel Windows based storage manager will allow me to work around some of the problems. As I mentioned in my original post I am working with 4 drives. I created a RAID 1 array using the firmware based manager and installed Vista. I then installed the storage manager application and created a RAID 0 array using that utility. It is currently creating the array, but hopefully it will work correctly. I'll post an update once the utility finishes creating the array.

A couple more thoughts.

1. When you create arrays under 2.5 TB Vista installation does not require that you load a driver in order to see them. However, when they are over that limit you must install the driver to see the array.

2. if someone can figure out how to make my original** desired configuration work on this motherboard.

** 4 x 750 GB drives configured in RAID 5.

Sorry, make that 1.5 TB arrays.

younghv,
Will do. Thanks!

Rindi,

 Thanks for the quick response. I guessed at the 1.5 TB limit prior to finding documentation on that limit. Since I was working with 750 GB drives I knew the limit was between 1.5 TB and 2.25 TB.

 This setup is for a media server at home. The case limits me to 4 drives so what I was trying to do was create a large RAID 5 array, put a 500 GB system partition on it and a second 1.7 TB data partition. As I currently have it configured I'm mirroring 2 drives for the OS and striping 2 drives for the data. I'm going to see if I can squeeze another drive inside the case and make the data array RAID 5.

 The 750 GB system partition isn't optimal, but it seemed like kind of a waste to split it up into 2 smaller partitions. I'm working with large video files, so the space would get used up quickly.

Callandor,

 I actually bounced that idea around. I opted for the mirror set so that I would have one more layer of protection. I'm going to image the system partition once I get the installation sorted out (I just wiped everything and installed Windows 7). What imaging software do you recommend? I used to use Casper, then went back to ghost, and now am looking at Clonezilla. Any recommendations that you have would be appreciated.

Based on all the input I received I was able to get the system up and running. I found that the configuration that I wanted to use was not supported by the hardware or the OS.

Clonezilla is a good free program; I use Acronis True Image Home 2009.  I stay away from Symantec because they ruined all Norton products, which used to be cutting edge and great before they were acquired.