Asus Maximus Formula Raid Setup

[edkoch]

Hello,

I just purchased 2 Samsung SSD drives and are trying to Raid 0 them. I've connected them to SATA port 1 & 2 on the motherboard but and set IDE setting to Raid in BIOS. However, when I try and boot the system it hangs after the memory check/USB controller check. Can't even get into the BIOS.

If I unplug the drives and set SATA back to IDE it boots fine and shows both drives as 1 & 2 in the IDE drive list.

Any ideas?

Thanks all,
-Ed

 

[jaquith]

Welcome to Tom's Forum!

There's a little more, after you set the 'SATA' -> RAID and save, then you need to boot into the Intel RAID setup screen {Ctrl + I}. Refer to pages 5-36~5-38 for RAID 0 setup. If you have Window 7 then you shouldn't need a 'RAID Driver Disk'; see 5-43.

Manual -> http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/Maximus_Formula/e3471_maximus_formula.pdf

 

[edkoch]

Thanks, glad to be here - well wish I was under better circumstances

I reset raid in the bios, rebooted and tried holding/hitting ctrl+I. No joy, should I be seeing a message that states hit ctrl+I now to enter Interl controller bios? If so, I'm never making it that far. The boot process gets to Initializing USB Controllers, lists two dots and the sits there. I can ctrl+alt+del to reboot, so its not frozen but it won't go past this.

Last boot line looks like:

Initializing USB Controllers ..

Is there a posssible usb conflict with the Intel raid controller?

Thanks again!

 

[jaquith]

Beep...hold the Ctrl and press I . I . I . I ... repeatedly. Use SATA 1 & 2 ports, top/closet to the CPU, you can also verify in the BIOS in the 'Main' screen; verify Configure SATA as -> RAID is selected. I also assume the SSD have both the SATA cable and power.

 

[edkoch]

Yes, raid is set in bios...power and SATA cables are connected (can see drives fine in IDE mode).

Tried these new steps. Same thing, can't get past the boot screen and or get into the raid configuration tool.

 

[jaquith]

Hmm...I assume SATA Configuration -> Enhanced

Just for testing to get into the RAID Configuration:
1. SATA Configuration -> Compatible ; test
2. SMART -> Disabled ; test

 

[edkoch]

Correct, tried both and can still not get into raid config screen. I also turned off J-Micron controller for the tests and running default bios settings. Is there anywhere I need to turn Raid controller access on? So I should be able to access the raid controller bios even if I'm not in raid mode? If so, tried 20 times...no joy.

Starting to think my mobo is busted...

 

[jaquith]

Okay, just 'speaking out loud' throwing ideas on the 'wall.'

First, it concerns me that the SSD aren't being 'seen' by the BIOS in RAID mode, I assume it's the same in AHCI mode. Some SSD's have jumpers on them -- what exact SSD so I can research? {I know they're Samsung -- need a model}

Also, some 'USB' Keyboards get 'funky' aka don't work in all aspects of the BIOS. Reason I still have a PS/2 Keyboard.

I know if the BIOS 'sees' nothing on the RAID ports the Ctrl + (X), RAID access will not work.

Leaving me to the SSD and if it has a 'Jumper'.

 

[edkoch]

You are correct, the system hangs in RAID and AHCI. Should I still be able to get in the BIOS or is it normal to hang until I hit ctrl+I? The drive model numbers are: Samsung SSD PM810 256gb

Vendor specifics can be accessed here: http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/products/SSD/Products_SSD.html

SATA Enchanged boots fine but still unable to launch RAID storage manager.

I'll try a couple differnet keyboards...all I have is USB though.

Don't see any jumpers on the drives...

 

[jaquith]

There's no reason other than: BIOS and Firmware updates. I assume no data is on the SSD.

1. Clear CMOS - use Jumper Method; generic how to do it correctly - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdHH9KrceR0

2. Failure - Update MOBO BIOS - Maximus Formula 1403 BIOS; Use ASUS EZ Flash 2:
EZ Flash 2 is a built-in App to allow the BIOS to be upgraded and USB Flash Drive is the storage for the BIOS ROM file to be stored/accessed from with BIOS EZ Flash 2. The USB Flash drive must be formatted in FAT-32.

Link -> http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20070215223109668&board_id=1&model=P5B+Deluxe
Video -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQKQj_aASCQ

3. Flash SSD, you'll need a Donor PC i.e. the one you are using. IF your PC you're using to 'post' here has SATA then I'd test the SSD in AHCI mode to determine a MOBO or SSD issue. None the less, it's a good idea to use the latest Firmware.
Use Magician Software (ver.2.0) and the May 5, 2011 Firmware File (ver.AXM09B1Q)

REF:
ASUS Maximus Formula http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_775/Maximus_Formula/#download
MZ7PA256HMDR-010 http://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/MZ-5PA256/US#

 

[edkoch]

Thanks again, I'll work on these over the weekend and early next week and let you know what happens.

Wish me luck!

Have a great weekend all.

 

[fred_heroux]

hi edkoch

did you fix the problem cuz i think a have the same as you . i cant access to the raid utility. so let me know if you got a solution cause im f****n stuck !

in the motherbard guide , they talk about a sata boot rom we need to enable that but we dont have it ? are they kidding us


anyway let me know if something work. thanks fred

 

[jsawyer77]

I had to move the ports to the top red connects closest to the CPU

 

[warmongersix]

Hey, same issue with mine. Here is what I did as others mentioned above, thanks to all for your input.
1) update Bios- I used EZ falsh 2 on page 3-46 of the manual
2) Does the reboot- dont get crazy. The MB looked like it hung and I thought I screwed my board up, just wait. The Q code LED will start throwing up numbers like its your moms bingo night...wait. It wiil reboot-start to update-update to new BIOS
3) New bios reset bios of course, go back in and redo your SATA to RAID, save-reboot
4) If you have any type of gaming key board unplug it and go to the nearest store that rhymes with ball-mart and get a $13 keyboard...plug it in. Bam CTRL-I good to go.

 

[Gam3rPro]

Hello,

I just purchased 2 Samsung SSD drives and are trying to Raid 0 them. I've connected them to SATA port 1 & 2 on the motherboard but and set IDE setting to Raid in BIOS. However, when I try and boot the system it hangs after the memory check/USB controller check. Can't even get into the BIOS.

If I unplug the drives and set SATA back to IDE it boots fine and shows both drives as 1 & 2 in the IDE drive list.

Any ideas?

Thanks all,
-Ed

 

[Gam3rPro]

Ok guys I found a fix after trying everything listed in previous posts.
All I did what reset the bios set to raid mode and disabled speed-step in bios, Restarted pc and everything went very well no problems since.