SBS Premium 2003 hangs during install, RAID 5 2

[wahnula]

My new build:
Asus K8N-DL w/Silicon Image 3114CT176 SATALink
(3) WD 36GB Raptors in AMS mobile SATA rack
(2) Opteron 242s
(2) 1-GB ECC Registered RAM
PCI-E Graphics, ATI Radeon X300
Antec 550w PSU, 24-pin ATX, EPS-12
Sony DVD-RW combo drive
Mitsumi floppy dd
Not yet installed: Sony sdt-11000 tape drive & Adaptec 2940uw

The onboard SATA controller has a software RAID 5 option.

Build was fun & uneventful. Upon first boot, I checked BIOS & components, then built a RAID 5 array with a 68 GB raid size using F4 prompt and auto-configure, no conflicts, exited BIOS.

I then created a RAID floppy from the mainboard CD. Upon boot to Windows install (3-CD), pressed "F6" and installed the RAID drivers from floppy. Windows confirmed the Sil3114 softRAID5 drivers had been installed. Installation proceeds normally, until the "Setup is starting Window" info bar. After (40) minutes w/ no CD activity, I tried putting Disc 2 in to see if that's what it was waiting for, no luck. I obviously need to get around this, help please.

For troubleshooting purposes, I deleted the array and at the
"Setup is starting Window" point I was informed there were no HDDs as expected. I rebuilt the array manually and the hang persisted. It's OEM so I don't have the manual, but downloaded & printed the install procedure from the MS website.

I was planning on creating a 6 GB partition for the OS as recommended (if it ever gets this far LOL), another partition for Exchange and files. Thanks.

Tony

 

[rvnguy]

Wahnula,

The following refers to an error msg & you did not say that you are getting one...but just hanging

Computer stops responding

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/817789

How To Establish a Striped Volume with Parity (RAID-5) in Windows Server 2003

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323434

These might also be helpful as you proceed:

Windows Server 2003 Storage Management Technology Center

http://support.microsoft.com/winsvr2003stor

Search by error code:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/su...ows operating system&majorminor=5.2&lcid=1033

Last resort install a spare single drive to get SBS up and functioning and other items installed and then migrate..I know this is ugly..but could get you up.

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[wahnula]

NOTE: Your operating system and boot files cannot reside on the RAID-5 disks. However, you can put the system swap file on a RAID-5 volume.

...from the page

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323434

Doh!

It's off to Fry's to get a SCSI HDD, the smaller the better!

 

[wahnula]

Follpwup question: Can I simply use a single SATA drive for the OS?

 

[rvnguy]

wahnula,

You can use a spare IDE or SATA drive

"Last resort install a spare single drive to get SBS up and functioning and other items installed and then migrate..I know this is ugly..but could get you up."

Other's seem to get this done, but I have not tried this if you look back I always set up RAID 1 for the OS & apps.

See From thread931-1092979
"We have Win Server2003 with 1 3 drive Raid 5 array with 1 partition, and about 100 users. Everything is on this array - OS, Sql Svr, user files, etc."

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[wahnula]

Update: I bought another Raptor, tried to install OS w/ F6 drivers and hung in same place, deleted the array, didn't F6, and OS is loading now. I will be adding RAID 5 as per the MS article. No need to migrate anything, I'll leave the drive & OS as-is. Thanks for your patience.

Tony

 

[rvnguy]

wahnula,

MS#$@!!$%^!#@$ They should make this easier & less convoluted..Oh well

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[rvnguy]

wahnula,

Just a query, Are you up & running...just curious????
While I can't post a email here I do have a gmail accnt if you want to figure it out

rvnguy


"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[wahnula]

Hi there,

Yes, I'm up & running (posting this from the machine), but still can't get 2003 to see the RAID array. After first successful OS install I updated all the chipset drivers that I could. Disk Management did not "see" the drives.

I then booted from CD and tried "repair" option and loaded the F6 drivers. No problem, system booted fine. Still could not see the array. Rebooted, this time I configured the onboard controller (pressed F4 when bootimg) to create the RAID 5 array, all was well until...about 7 seconds into the 2003 splash screen the OS hung...no errors, just dead.

I then took the Asus CD and installed the RAID5 utility form their disk, there's a SATARAID5 icon on the desktop that shows the 3 drives. Still nothing in Disk Management.

I downloaded all the MS 2003 updates, installed a rudimentary firewall (ZoneAlarm freeware, for now) and a 30-day trial of PCCillin.

Inbetween all this I took my wife to our anniversary dinner at a very expensive restaurant and chilled. That's why I'm doing this now (vacation), with zero time constraints it's a more relaxed way to build...and I still have (10) days before I need to get back to work.

I've only installed Disc One which I gather is the OS, looks a lot like NT4.0 on steroids. I don't think I want the other discs loaded until I get the array going.

I will follow any leads anyone can offer and appreciate the email addy, rvnguy. At this point if I have to start from scratch no big deal, I just want to get this array humming. Thanks.

Tony

 

[rvnguy]

wahnula,

Slow down abit....

You should disable the array at the BIOS level...

Insure that each drive is recognized in BIOS as a single drive

Boot to SBS...choose a file system (FAT32 or NTFS) FORMAT each drive making sure to establish it as a "dynamic disk" Once all disks are formated. reboot

In disk management you should see your boot volume and the three formatted drives.

See thread751-1090926

WIN does not display un-formatted volumes???just doesn't.

you should now be able to follow the setup RAID 5 Array steps in
How To Establish a Striped Volume with Parity (RAID-5) in Windows Server 2003

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323434

Do this from within SBS as described and you should be good to go.

Happy Aniversary

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[wahnula]

Boot to SBS...choose a file system (FAT32 or NTFS) FORMAT each drive making sure to establish it as a "dynamic disk" Once all disks are formated. reboot

I assume I must install the F6 drivers?

 

[thule]

The way I have always done it (using PERC 3 or 4 RAID). Go to the RAID Controller BIOS, create your RAID Volume(s), choosing RAID 5. Boot to the NOS CD, using the F6 key to install your special RAID driver if you know 2003 does not support drivers natively. You should be presented with a the created partitions during the setup, (if not then Windows does not support this RAID controller even with the driver). I would suggest creating one partition (12 to 15 gig min) for the OS and proceed with the install. Once the install is complete then go to disk manager and create your extra volume for your apps and such. Am curious as to what kind of hardware RAID controller this is, have had problems with SATA RAID controllers in Novell but not MS products.

 

[rvnguy]

wahnula,

I think that you already installed the drivers??? but yes if needed.

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[rvnguy]

wahnula,

Opps, You have the driver to use the SATA drives as you are booting from a SATA drive correct??? If so format the drives and use the "disk manager" to create the Array as outlined in the MS reference.

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[thule]

I then created a RAID floppy from the mainboard CD. Upon boot to Windows install (3-CD), pressed "F6" and installed the RAID drivers from floppy. Windows confirmed the Sil3114 softRAID5 drivers had been installed. Installation proceeds normally, until the "Setup is starting Window" info bar

Sounds like the CD drive is being turned off (not found) as soon as the OS switches over to primary drive controller. As soon as Windows tries to access the CD it hangs. Did not think it was possible, but is sure what is sounds like.

 

[wahnula]

FYI the SATA drive I am booting from is seen by the BIOS as "Third IDE master" so no drivers are needed for that, only the RAID 5 array. Sounds like un-formatted drives have been the problem all along. Double doh!

 

[wahnula]

You should be presented with a the created partitions during the setup, (if not then Windows does not support this RAID controller even with the driver)

I think this might be the problem. I don't see the RAID array when loading Windows. I'm going to re-do with the (4) drives in the SATA ports, (1) for boot and the other (3) for the 2003-created software RAID. Thanks all.

Tony

Everyday at this site I realize I don't know as much as I thought, but leave knowing a little more.

 

[rvnguy]

wahnula,

The ASUS K8N-DL is 2003 compliant and SBS should have the drivers. Again do not setup array in BIOS let 2003 do it as outlined. Check you email (auto responder)

If you then need to update the drivers, do this in the system area in control panel..you know "update drivers..have disk ect.

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[wahnula]

There are other tidbits in the Asus disc that do not work w/ 2003, even after uddates. I did read in the SBS documentation that a mixed hardware and software RAID 5 solution should not be used.

My progress: Used all (4) SATA ports, all drives show up in BIOS, created partitions in SBS install and formatted & made dynamic disks in Disk Management. Alll disks dynamic, formatted NTFS & Healthy. So far so good.

Current problem: When I right-click on the future RAID drive, the "New Volume" that I'm supposed to click is grayed out. I am logged in as admin of course. Will these SATA ports not operate as RAID5?

There is a Silicon Image RAID5 app on the Asus disk that works within windows...might try that next, based upon the next gems I see here.

Going out to think...thanks

Tony

 

[rvnguy]

wahnula,

My oversite, I thought you were using the Sil 3114 controller for your Raid 5 setup....

this is from my documentation for the ASUS board

PATA 2 x ATA 133 up to 4 Devices
PATA RAID NV RAID 0/1/0+1 JBOD
SATA 4 x SATA II
SATA RAID NV RAID 0/1/0+1 JBOD
Additional SATA 4 x SATA 150
Additional SATA RAID RAID 0/1/0+1/5
Additional RAID Controller Sil 3114

If you notice the NV RAID does not support RAID 5 but the Sil 3114 Does

Guess I need to work on being more specific

How is your vacation so far (lol)

rvnguy

"I know everything..I just can't remember it all