P4C800E- Deluxe: Raptor(s)/controllers/sw/XP Pro

[kgs]

I want to re-install one WinXP fresh install on one fresh formatted Raptor
(NTFS I assume is my option) with the Promise 20378 RAID/SATA/IDE controller
either [enabled] or [disabled] in BIOS (whatever is correct at the moment
for only one Raptor), install all of the current and correct software from
asus.com, on the correct type of drive (I assume dynamic, not basic- is this
related to NTFS?), and not have 8MB wasted space.

I currently have one new WD Raptor 36.7GB SATA HDD. Eventually I will have 2
Raptor 36.7GB SATA HDDs for a performance only RAID0. The Raptor(s) will be
the boot drive only to hold my OS and apps.

My single Raptor is connected to SATA1 ( not SATA_RAID1...), and I'm here.
So its working, at least somewhat. 'The Controller" is set to [disabled]. I
can't wait to get it all right.

I also have a 30GB IBM Deskstar 7200rpm U-ATA-100 HDD for long-term
permanent storage of important data, etc. installed on the primary master
IDE channel(E. I have a Pioneer DVD-116 (player only) installed on the
Secondary Master IDE channel(D. These work.

According to wdc.com there is an 8MB partition or quantity of area caused
from booting and installing directly from the WinXP Pro CD. I have one of
these 8MB spaces currently, and would like to know how to do the install
differently so I don't have one of these areas. Do I do an autorun and do a
fresh install while in the middle of a current WinXP running?

There is also talk of dynamic drives vs. basic drives, another new thing for
me. Currently all 3 drives listed above are basic. Should I make the Raptor
dynamic, and then re-install? Or re-install and then make dynamic?

I have already tried one re-install and chose the choose partition option
and now have 2 boot options, one of which doesn't work, probably because of
"the Controller". Should I have chosen not to choose in order to defeat the
choice? I want to delete all partitions, including the 8MB, and have one
full drive, with one OS, in dynamic mode I assume, on NTFS format, I assume
also .



When do you need the Promise 20378 RAID/SATA/IDE controller to be [enabled]
in BIOS? I don't know if my new SATA is really working in real SATA mode.

And when is it set [IDE], as opposed to [RAID]

- it seems for every controller and software setting for RAID, there is an
equaivalent for non-RAID. Is it for RAID only? Is it for everything other
than what I currently have? Might it be needed for two non-RAID SATAs if
primary and secondary channels are used also? Or if U-133 is used too? Is
enabling the controller and F6 w/ makeboot one and the same project? And
what about iaa? I am assuming when I have two SATA Raptors I'll set
[enabled], [RAID]. What do I do now with only one SATA Raptor? There seems
to be settings and software. I believe I have tried the F6 w/ makeboot (but
don't know when or if I should have). This is what happens when I set
[enabled] now: 1.00.0.37 Promise SATA No device is found BIOS is not
installed.



378raid_100137.zip Promise FastTrak 378 RAID Driver V1.00.1.37 for Windows
98SE/NT4/ME/2000/XP/2003. Fun with RAID.

378ATA100130.zip Promise FastTrak 378 ATA Driver V1.00.1.30 for Windows
NT4.0/98/ME/2000/XP. Why?



iaa35r.zip Intel(R) Application Accelerator RAID Edition 3.5R for Windows
2000/XP. I assume this is only when I get the second Raptor. Or is it
applied to anything that uses the Controller, and therefore applies when
owning one SATA Raptor drive?

PAM_2.zip Promise Array Management Utility Version 3.2.1 Build 13 for
Windows NT4.0/2000/XP. Will I ever need this? I only intend on having one
RAID0 of two Raptors, and the primary HDD and secondary DVD IDE channels.

I've set Enhanced mode, SATA, and I've got my drives listed and boot
sequences ok.

I've done the BIOS update P4CED15.zip P4C800-E Deluxe BIOS1015 All OS. This
is my 3rd ASUS mobo in a row, and I think it is just standard to run the CD
inf after the OS installs: inf5021003.zip Intel(R) Chipset Software
Installation Utility V5.02.1003 (this is a newer one from the ASUS website).



Dragging on a bit, is it ok to re-format/install many times (like maybe 15)
before getting it right. That is, should I generally try to avoid doing it?
My last HD bit the bullet after several in a row, and I don't want to be the
cause. It was ancient, like 2.1GB and I used it with win2K.

 

[Tim]

Step 1. Read the manual.
- Tim

I want to re-install one WinXP fresh install on one fresh formatted Raptor
(NTFS I assume is my option) with the Promise 20378 RAID/SATA/IDE controller
either [enabled] or [disabled] in BIOS (whatever is correct at the moment
for only one Raptor), install all of the current and correct software from
asus.com, on the correct type of drive (I assume dynamic, not basic- is this
related to NTFS?), and not have 8MB wasted space.

I currently have one new WD Raptor 36.7GB SATA HDD. Eventually I will have 2
Raptor 36.7GB SATA HDDs for a performance only RAID0. The Raptor(s) will be
the boot drive only to hold my OS and apps.

My single Raptor is connected to SATA1 ( not SATA_RAID1...), and I'm here.
So its working, at least somewhat. 'The Controller" is set to [disabled]. I
can't wait to get it all right.

I also have a 30GB IBM Deskstar 7200rpm U-ATA-100 HDD for long-term
permanent storage of important data, etc. installed on the primary master
IDE channel(E. I have a Pioneer DVD-116 (player only) installed on the
Secondary Master IDE channel(D. These work.

According to wdc.com there is an 8MB partition or quantity of area caused
from booting and installing directly from the WinXP Pro CD. I have one of
these 8MB spaces currently, and would like to know how to do the install
differently so I don't have one of these areas. Do I do an autorun and do a
fresh install while in the middle of a current WinXP running?

There is also talk of dynamic drives vs. basic drives, another new thing for
me. Currently all 3 drives listed above are basic. Should I make the Raptor
dynamic, and then re-install? Or re-install and then make dynamic?

I have already tried one re-install and chose the choose partition option
and now have 2 boot options, one of which doesn't work, probably because of
"the Controller". Should I have chosen not to choose in order to defeat the
choice? I want to delete all partitions, including the 8MB, and have one
full drive, with one OS, in dynamic mode I assume, on NTFS format, I assume
also .



When do you need the Promise 20378 RAID/SATA/IDE controller to be [enabled]
in BIOS? I don't know if my new SATA is really working in real SATA mode.

And when is it set [IDE], as opposed to [RAID]

- it seems for every controller and software setting for RAID, there is an
equaivalent for non-RAID. Is it for RAID only? Is it for everything other
than what I currently have? Might it be needed for two non-RAID SATAs if
primary and secondary channels are used also? Or if U-133 is used too? Is
enabling the controller and F6 w/ makeboot one and the same project? And
what about iaa? I am assuming when I have two SATA Raptors I'll set
[enabled], [RAID]. What do I do now with only one SATA Raptor? There seems
to be settings and software. I believe I have tried the F6 w/ makeboot (but
don't know when or if I should have). This is what happens when I set
[enabled] now: 1.00.0.37 Promise SATA No device is found BIOS is not
installed.



378raid_100137.zip Promise FastTrak 378 RAID Driver V1.00.1.37 for Windows
98SE/NT4/ME/2000/XP/2003. Fun with RAID.

378ATA100130.zip Promise FastTrak 378 ATA Driver V1.00.1.30 for Windows
NT4.0/98/ME/2000/XP. Why?



iaa35r.zip Intel(R) Application Accelerator RAID Edition 3.5R for Windows
2000/XP. I assume this is only when I get the second Raptor. Or is it
applied to anything that uses the Controller, and therefore applies when
owning one SATA Raptor drive?

PAM_2.zip Promise Array Management Utility Version 3.2.1 Build 13 for
Windows NT4.0/2000/XP. Will I ever need this? I only intend on having one
RAID0 of two Raptors, and the primary HDD and secondary DVD IDE channels.

I've set Enhanced mode, SATA, and I've got my drives listed and boot
sequences ok.

I've done the BIOS update P4CED15.zip P4C800-E Deluxe BIOS1015 All OS. This
is my 3rd ASUS mobo in a row, and I think it is just standard to run the CD
inf after the OS installs: inf5021003.zip Intel(R) Chipset Software
Installation Utility V5.02.1003 (this is a newer one from the ASUS website).



Dragging on a bit, is it ok to re-format/install many times (like maybe 15)
before getting it right. That is, should I generally try to avoid doing it?
My last HD bit the bullet after several in a row, and I don't want to be the
cause. It was ancient, like 2.1GB and I used it with win2K.

 

[kgs]

what's a manual

Step 1. Read the manual.
- Tim

I want to re-install one WinXP fresh install on one fresh formatted Raptor
(NTFS I assume is my option) with the Promise 20378 RAID/SATA/IDE controller
either [enabled] or [disabled] in BIOS (whatever is correct at the moment
for only one Raptor), install all of the current and correct software from
asus.com, on the correct type of drive (I assume dynamic, not basic- is this
related to NTFS?), and not have 8MB wasted space.

I currently have one new WD Raptor 36.7GB SATA HDD. Eventually I will

have

2
Raptor 36.7GB SATA HDDs for a performance only RAID0. The Raptor(s) will be
the boot drive only to hold my OS and apps.

My single Raptor is connected to SATA1 ( not SATA_RAID1...), and I'm here.
So its working, at least somewhat. 'The Controller" is set to

[disabled].

I
can't wait to get it all right.

I also have a 30GB IBM Deskstar 7200rpm U-ATA-100 HDD for long-term
permanent storage of important data, etc. installed on the primary master
IDE channel(E. I have a Pioneer DVD-116 (player only) installed on the
Secondary Master IDE channel(D. These work.

According to wdc.com there is an 8MB partition or quantity of area caused
from booting and installing directly from the WinXP Pro CD. I have one of
these 8MB spaces currently, and would like to know how to do the install
differently so I don't have one of these areas. Do I do an autorun and

do

a
fresh install while in the middle of a current WinXP running?

There is also talk of dynamic drives vs. basic drives, another new thing for
me. Currently all 3 drives listed above are basic. Should I make the Raptor
dynamic, and then re-install? Or re-install and then make dynamic?

I have already tried one re-install and chose the choose partition option
and now have 2 boot options, one of which doesn't work, probably because of
"the Controller". Should I have chosen not to choose in order to defeat the
choice? I want to delete all partitions, including the 8MB, and have one
full drive, with one OS, in dynamic mode I assume, on NTFS format, I assume
also .



When do you need the Promise 20378 RAID/SATA/IDE controller to be [enabled]
in BIOS? I don't know if my new SATA is really working in real SATA mode.

And when is it set [IDE], as opposed to [RAID]

- it seems for every controller and software setting for RAID, there is an
equaivalent for non-RAID. Is it for RAID only? Is it for everything other
than what I currently have? Might it be needed for two non-RAID SATAs if
primary and secondary channels are used also? Or if U-133 is used too? Is
enabling the controller and F6 w/ makeboot one and the same project? And
what about iaa? I am assuming when I have two SATA Raptors I'll set
[enabled], [RAID]. What do I do now with only one SATA Raptor? There seems
to be settings and software. I believe I have tried the F6 w/ makeboot (but
don't know when or if I should have). This is what happens when I set
[enabled] now: 1.00.0.37 Promise SATA No device is found BIOS is not
installed.



378raid_100137.zip Promise FastTrak 378 RAID Driver V1.00.1.37 for Windows
98SE/NT4/ME/2000/XP/2003. Fun with RAID.

378ATA100130.zip Promise FastTrak 378 ATA Driver V1.00.1.30 for Windows
NT4.0/98/ME/2000/XP. Why?



iaa35r.zip Intel(R) Application Accelerator RAID Edition 3.5R for Windows
2000/XP. I assume this is only when I get the second Raptor. Or is it
applied to anything that uses the Controller, and therefore applies when
owning one SATA Raptor drive?

PAM_2.zip Promise Array Management Utility Version 3.2.1 Build 13 for
Windows NT4.0/2000/XP. Will I ever need this? I only intend on having one
RAID0 of two Raptors, and the primary HDD and secondary DVD IDE channels.

I've set Enhanced mode, SATA, and I've got my drives listed and boot
sequences ok.

I've done the BIOS update P4CED15.zip P4C800-E Deluxe BIOS1015 All OS. This
is my 3rd ASUS mobo in a row, and I think it is just standard to run the CD
inf after the OS installs: inf5021003.zip Intel(R) Chipset Software
Installation Utility V5.02.1003 (this is a newer one from the ASUS website).



Dragging on a bit, is it ok to re-format/install many times (like maybe 15)
before getting it right. That is, should I generally try to avoid doing it?
My last HD bit the bullet after several in a row, and I don't want to be the
cause. It was ancient, like 2.1GB and I used it with win2K.

 

[kgs]

now I have 3 boot options: a busted winXp, a working winXP, and a winxp
setup. Don't know how to get rid of any of it. Can't format it when its
using itself. Don't know how to make a floppy with a HDD format command.
Wait maybe del. Seeya

 

[Tim]

Everytime you reinstall XP you will get another entry on the menu.
You have probably noticed by now.
- Tim

 

[kgs]

that is like carrying around a little piece of garbage in the pocket of your
pants all the time. You don't know it's there until you think about it.

 

[kgs]

I thought this would be the best place to get the bottom of this. hw and sw
go together.

I tried to format a ms start up floppy disk with winXP explorer. It starts
fine to the command prompt fine, but will not allow access to any disk drive
letter other than itself (A. B: it seems is available, but has the same
dir listing.

DOS literally means Disk Operating System, but a floppies size is limited
and with all kinds of new hardware, eg my USB kbd, and newer formatting
types and sizes of drives, I doubt I could splice in the right info or files
to the root dir, or to AB and CS myself, using any manner of current or
older operating systems.

Can I create one of these automatically while within WinXP? Can I use
another type of automatically created within WinXP floppy disk, eg. ERD?

It has been a while, and I never really used DOS much, but I tried getting
my ms start up floppy disk created with winXP explorer to allow access to
the HDDs, and may even want access to the CD(DVD).

 

[kgs]

sorry wrong button

this is the directory of the newly made floppy A:\

autoexec.bat (empty)
command.com (ninety-one KB)
config.sys (empty)
display.sys
ega2.cpi
ega3.cpi
ega.cpi
io.sys
keyb.com
keyboard.sys
keybrd2.sys
keybrd3.sys
keybrd4.sys
mode.com
msdos.sys

Note. My AB and CS are also 0KB on C:\, as are iosys, msdos.sys.

I tried actually pointing A:\ to command.com in a few primitive ways, just
to get to C:, so I could del *.*. I hate garbage. No luck. Any pointers.

All I want to do is install winXP fresh, alone, with no company on the
drive, no boot options. I have to do it anyways, many times, to get it
right. I'm going back to wdc.com, and try to learn more about the 8MB area
which is now both on the C:\os drive, and my other HDD (E. Also to learn
more about dynamic drives vs. basic drives. Maybe if I had a dynamic drive
I could delete the partitions when installing. That is my problem. The
other OS install partitions cannot be deleted during an install because it
says that is where it has put the temporary install files. And then
installs the new install on a new partition which can then not be deleted
when doing another install. But I read something about if you turn a basic
drive into a dynamic drive, you have to turn it back into a basic drive
again before you can- well I'll just go to wdc.com and see. i typed in
fdisk at the command prompt in WinXP, no such thing. Is there another way
to get rid of partitions other than during an install?

I really wish I had a big magnet!

BTW I have 3 DOS 6.21 install floppies, and all kinds of other OSs. This
could just get rediculous though. Or maybe I'm just reeling from the last
time I had this nightmare just trying to get a CD drive.