Windows 7 x64 + 3ware 9650 = fail.

[Black_moons]

Can't seem to get windows 7 64bit to load onto my 9650SE 3ware card. all I get is '3waredrv.sys' corrupt or missing once it trys to boot off the raid from setup. 32bit runs fine however. tryed turning off driver signing, no help. tryed manualy copying the 64bit 3waredrv.sys to the proper directory. it just causes a 'read error' on bootup, and then it complains about the 3waredrv.sys again.

 

[frozenlead]

Old hardware doesn't mix with new software. You should probably forget 7 and get XP.

 

[Black_moons]

Its a brand new pc. It has vista 64 drivers for that card, turns out it was the cd I was using.. don't try and install to raid when using an image with both x86 and x64 bit installs or it screws up the raid driver copy.

 

[frozenlead]

Whoa, SATA controller. Sorry, I completely thought you meant a graphics card. I don't know what was up there.

 

[Black_moons]

... Since when does 3ware make ATI video cards?
9650SE is a hardware RAID5 card.

 

[frozenlead]

It's Friday. Ha.

 

[Valery]

... Since when does 3ware make ATI video cards?
9650SE is a hardware RAID5 card.

 

[Valery]

Have you succeeded to make 3ware 9650 work with Win7-64? I still can not..

 

[Zoron]

From 3ware's website:

9650SE/9690SA

Windows XP [32-bit x86 & 64-bit x86_64 (x64) AMD Opteron/Intel EM64T]
Windows 2003 [32-bit x86 & 64-bit x86_64 (x64) AMD Opteron/Intel EM64T] driver is logo certified
Windows Vista/Windows 2008 Support
For Windows 7, see http://www.3ware.com/KB/article.aspx?id=15540

While not officially supported, Windows 7 should work okay with the 9650SE and 9690SA and the 9.5.2 code set (available for download from the 3ware software download center http://3ware.com/support/download.asp. Windows 7 will be officially supported for the 9650SE and 9690SA with the 9.5.3 code set (due out late 2009).
9650SE firmware direct download: http://3ware.com/download/Escalade9690SA-Series/9.5.2/9.5.2-9650-Upgrade.zip
9690SA firmware direct download: http://3ware.com/download/Escalade9690SA-Series/9.5.2/9.5.2-9690-Upgrade.zip

The 9550SX(U) should work okay with Windows 7 if the 9.5.2 Windows driver (v3.00.04.070) is used, and the latest available firmware for the 9550SX(U) (v3.08.00.029 from the 9.4.3 code set). http://3ware.com/support/download.asp direct download: http://3ware.com/download/Escalade9650SE-Series/9.4.3/9.4.3-9xxx-Upgrade.zip

The 9500S should work okay with Windows 7 if the 9.5.2 Windows driver (v3.00.04.070) is used, and the latest available firmware for the 9500S (v2.08.00.009 from the 9.3.0.8 code set). http://3ware.com/support/download.asp direct download: http://3ware.com/download/Escalade9500SSeries/9.3.0.8/9.3.0.8-9500s-Upgrade.zip

Report any issues/problems/concerns to support1@lsi.com.

So 3ware's stance appears to be "not officially supported but should still work". Did you have a look at the website and try the suggestions there? They also state that Windows 7 will be officially supported once their new code set is released.

 

[Valery]

Yes, I did.
The firmware is the latest. But I can not install Win7 64 on 3ware RAID array still since 64 bit driver is not signed. Win7-64 refuses to install driver if is not signed.
There is no problem with Win7-32, 32-bit driver works. But this is not what I want.
Probably should wait until new 9.5.3 code set will be released.

Thanks.

 

[Black_moons]

Your problem isent the driver, its the install media, if you don't use a x64 bit ONLY install of win7, the setup program starts in 32bit mode.. and hence, requires 32bit drivers.. And then copys them into your 64bit install, resulting in crash apon boot.

If you use a X64 only install of win7 (Ie the CD can only install X64 win7), the installer starts up in x64 mode, and you can load the UNSIGNED x64 3ware drivers, and they get copyed over correctly.

At least, this was my problem

A second oddity is that after loading the 3ware driver (Via CD only), windows will say 'Can not install on this drive' for all drives untill you put the windows install CD back in the drive and hit 'refresh' in the installer.

 

[Valery]

Interesting.
How to figure out that it starts in 32 or 64 bit modes if there is no any OS installed yet? Or you just learned this from somewhere?
You are right, my CD is multi-loading one, I can choose 32 or 64 bit version. I choose 64 but it never came to the crash at boot stage. Installer refuses to install Win7 on drive specified saying that driver is not signed. But at the same time it formats it succesfully, what is weird.
I will look for explicitly 64 bit installer, thank you.
V.

 

[Black_moons]

Just read it somewhere, followed the advice, got it to install. (About the 32bit/64bit setup deal)

 

[Guest]

What I have read is that the 64 bit version of WIndows 7 *requires* signed drivers and that there is no option to turn this off. This is supported by my experience in trying to install the 9650SE drivers. You get an error message saying you can't do it because the drivers are not signed. No option to bypass.

Black_moons says there is such an option. Can someone tell me exactly where?

 

[Valery]

I can not tell you. I failed to resolve this issue. Did not try too much but since 3Wire says that they will make driver supporting Win 7 at the end of 2009, I can wait. For now, I put Centos on this 8xRAID0 array on this 9650SE, and there is no any problems with this.

 

[mokaz]

I can not tell you. I failed to resolve this issue. Did not try too much but since 3Wire says that they will make driver supporting Win 7 at the end of 2009, I can wait. For now, I put Centos on this 8xRAID0 array on this 9650SE, and there is no any problems with this.

Hi Valery,

i'm facing issues with my onboard RAID controller and wanted to bypass the issue by buying a 9650SE to install Windows 7 x64.
Did you ever succeeded ? Because 2ware state it's now supported with FW 9.5.3 but they dont state which flavor of windows 7
is supported, i need a 64 bits version.

Let me know,
cheers,
m.

 

[Valery]

Hi Valery,

i'm facing issues with my onboard RAID controller and wanted to bypass the issue by buying a 9650SE to install Windows 7 x64.
Did you ever succeeded ? Because 2ware state it's now supported with FW 9.5.3 but they dont state which flavor of windows 7
is supported, i need a 64 bits version.

Let me know,
cheers,
m.

Hi m.

I still use it for CentOS, and I like how it works (RAOD0 x 8 SSD) so decided to keep it for CentOS.
It looks like 9.5.3 supports Win7-64 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816116042, look for the last December' review, you can ask that person).
If it really supports (may be you will tell me?), i will buy another 3ware controller and another 8 SSD for Win7.

But there is option now - go directly to RAIDDrives (http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2009/04/02/super-talent-to-launch-ssd-raid-card/1). You will get more than 1 Gb read/write with these ones, almost the same as RAID0 x 8 SSD.

V.

 

[mokaz]

Hi m.

I still use it for CentOS, and I like how it works (RAOD0 x 8 SSD) so decided to keep it for CentOS.
It looks like 9.5.3 supports Win7-64 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816116042, look for the last December' review, you can ask that person).
If it really supports (may be you will tell me?), i will buy another 3ware controller and another 8 SSD for Win7.

But there is option now - go directly to RAIDDrives (http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2009/04/02/super-talent-to-launch-ssd-raid-card/1). You will get more than 1 Gb read/write with these ones, almost the same as RAID0 x 8 SSD.

V.

Hi Valery,

So as i told you i was struggling with nvidia (damn...strangling some developers passed trough my mind really) nVRAID crap onboard.
So yesterday i went to my usual IT parts shop and bought a 9560SE-4LPML. I upgraded directly the bios to 9.5.3 trough USB dos boot.
All good there. Then i reinstalled Windows 7 x64 OEM from scratch (from a fully x64 media). When asked for the disks i loaded the last driver
available from 3ware and Windows 7 x64 took it without any complain, seeing my 1st RAID1.

So i'm now running with it on my main DAW all good.

Though i'm still looking at the performances and i'm not super happy with it yet. I mean i paid 400 CHF which is like 380 us $ for it.. shall be a fast thing...

ahh well will keep you posted.
take care,
m.