8K5A2+ RAID-0 Windows Installation woes

[WrxAnt]

Guys,

I'm having a problem installing Windows 2000 and Windows XP to my RAID-0 configuration.

I've got a EPOX 8K5A2+ motherboard with the Highpoint 372 controller Bios Rev 2.32 onboard controller.

My drives are 2 x Western Digital WD800JB 80GB ATA/100 8mb Cache IDE drives.
Both are master drives on each of the two channels on the highpoint controller.

I've created a 16k RAID-0 configuration on the drives.

When installing Windows 2000 from the installtion media upon pressing F6 and being asked to insert the driver diskette I am presented with the following error message.

"File txtsetup.oem caused an unexpected error (512) at line 1041 in D:\nt\private\ntos\boot\setup\oemdisk.c"

I've tried all versions of the drivers on your website and they all result in the same problem.
I've tried installing Windows XP and Windows 2000 and both times the error message I get is the same apart from the pathname for the oemdisk.c file.

I have setup in the mean time a raid-0 partition to use as scratch space for my Digital Video editing and the configuration performs fine and performance is great!

I would prefer of course to have my operating system installed on the RAID-0 to get the best overall performance.


Hardware Configuration:
AMD XP2000+
768MB PC 2700
Epox 8K5A2+ Motherboard
Onboard Highpoint 372 Controller with 2.32 BIOS
2 x WD800JB 80GB ATA/100 8mb Cache IDE drive
1 x WD400DD 40GB ATA/100 2mb Cahce IDE Drive (On Onboard IDE Channel)

Any assitance you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance,
Antony Watson

[garikfox]

I had yer same PROB when my MEM settings were Incorrect. Also use 64k stripe for that Chip I HAVE PROOF that thats the BEST size for that chip. all chips are diff.


[i]P.S my SATA 1520 Highpoint uses the 372A chip same as all other RAID / Colntrollers they sell that are for ata 133.

[WrxAnt]

Garifox,

What exactly do you mean by MEM settings?

RAM Timings ?

Coz I've been going at this for 3 days now with no luck!!!

I'm willing to try ANYTHING!!!

Cheers
Antony

[garikfox]

Actually easier like this too tell you,

1. CPU Perf at OPTIMAL which gives u 1 option under that SPD/ or AUTO .

UR setting are holding u BACK u did the same thing i did READ about certain RAM and didnt espect that, Mines at 7,3,3,2.5 IF at 6,3,3,2.5 MY MEM will FREEZE games SO MEME is Picky REAL picky in computer making, MY MOST FEARED Enemy is MEM in my compter making.

[Clipse]

he means the stripe size, set it to 64k as ur stripe size.

If I understood his answer correctly.

[garikfox]

His stripe is at 64k i do belive already.

[SteveI]

I've gotten the same error a few times with my HPT 374's...
Usually it's due to some system instability, like a bad overclock. Whenever installing an OS, it is a good idea to run conservative speeds and conservative timings.

[WrxAnt]

The stripe size is not the issue really.

I've got RAID-0 working and its runs fine. I've been fiddling with stripe sizes with varied performance results.

The problem I've got is installing Windows itself so it will boot off the RAID-0 setup.

I'll fiddle with my memory settings Garikfox and see if I get any mileage.

I'm not overclocking ANYTHING on my box. I'm going to turn down all my settings.

Windows XP installed to my single HDD under this configuration before. So its not an XP issue as such.

Its something to do with the Highpoint drivers or some weird BIOS config...

THanks guys all suggestions will be tried!!!

Cheers
Ant

[WrxAnt]

OK I've just noticed before the driver error I get an error saying


Disk IO Error Status 00000200

Its only on briefly before the aforementioned error arrives...

So now so would this be an IO error with the floppy disk or the RAID?

Cheers
Antony

[garikfox]

Maybe Floppy.

[WrxAnt]

Mmmmm with screw driver in hand looks at wifes computer with evil grin....

I'll be back

Cheers
Ant

[garikfox]

WELL knoiwing EPOX I turn OFF my computer for UNPLUGED for 2 min THEN CLR CMOS if i have too, THEN REplug in PWR THEN WAIT 10 seconds too TRN ON PWR all good

[WrxAnt]

I tell you what guys I'm thinking of getting myself committed to an insane asylum.

I've changed floppy disk drives over and the floppy cable.

I can read and write to floppies but as soon as I try and format a floppy it muches the disk and its usless.

Is there some weird BIOS setting that I'm missing that might be causing this problem?

Cheers
Ant

[garikfox]

Umm YEr NOT in a ASYLUM are u I will help u if u are.. ! WANt US

[SteveI]

Odd, I just had a floppy do the same thing on my box last month... (my wife hasn't even noticed that her box is missing a floppy drive )

BTW, whenever possible, match the driver with the BIOS revision. I've always used the driver that came with the mobo, but finally dl'd the correct driver, since I updated the bios a while back.

[WrxAnt]

Believe it or not guys all my woes were being caused by the old floppy drive....

I copied the file to a floppy using another computer and suddenly all is well....

So basically either my floppy disk controller is a bit bodgey or something when it comes to writing to disks...

Thanks for ALL the help with this weird and wonderful error!!

Cheers
Antony

[garikfox]

YES:

I have Many COMP. under my BELT @@!!

1. CD-ROM Goes out...........

2. Floppy Goe OUT.....


3 . MEM

THESE are THEE most PROB with hardware..

[garikfox]

LOL Yer FINE MAN dont give up...