antonio

Hi folks.

I'm trying to install Windows NT on new server having:
P4C800 deluxe,
P4 3.200
1024 MB fsb-400
2 x SATA Maxtor 80GB
standard VGA, CD, floppy.

MB configured for RAID-1 (1 array of 2 drives built).
All config in BIOS OK
NT start install, does not see any HD drive except CD: seems normal;
Asks for supplementary device drivers: specifying a nex driver,
NT shows list with Other (needs manufacturer disk): option choosen
NA asks for floppy in drive A:;
floppy made from last download from ASUS (file 378raid_100137.zip)
Floppy formatted with utility: directory NT4 present and readable;
floppy inserted into drive A:; hit Enter and
NT shows list of drivers for NT, W2K, Server 2003.
line "WinNT promise fastTrak 376/378 (tm) Controller" selected
hit Enter and ...
NT says that a problem is with information file:
Section Files.Scsi.FastTrak_TX2K_nt4 has invalid or missing files
Contact manufacturer bla,bla,bla.

Same problem when switching from RAID to IDE-SATA with Promise SATA normal drivers (download file '378ata_100104528.zip', latest)
No way to have NT read device drivers.

Does anyone have an answer ?
Thanks,
Antonio.

Mental_Myopia

Which version BIOS are you using? A newer one would likely update your Promise bootROM, and may help.

What power supply are you using? Although this is not likely the cause, I like to know these things.

I'm not using my Promise controller, but when I installed the drivers for it, I did notice that an SCSI Process Device was detected in addition to the RAID/SATA controller. In order for me to finally install the proper drivers, I had to jump into my device manager and manually select the right driver from the list. This is because the drivers weren't certified. This information might assist someone who has more experience with the Promise controller than I do. Hopefully they're reading this, too. ;)

antonio

Hi.

In fact I succeeded to install NT 4.0 into the machine, with a trick : I've installed an IDE HD, prepared it and install NT as usual, without any extra device drivers. SP 6a on top of all this and afterwards the manual installation of RAID device drivers coming with ASUS CD. They have been installed on the fly. Big miracle: it works.

But I never succeeded to install them from the NT boot install process. There must be something wrong with the .inf installation files or the files themselves.

I don't like this solution adding a spare disk only for installation purposes.

BTW, 2000 workstation installs perfectly in a run having 2 SATA HD built in a RAID-1 array.

Thanks anyway.

ANtonio.

clintfan

I didn't see you mention which ports you'd attached those SATA's to, so I assume you were using the Promise SATA_RAID1 & 2 ports. If so then I agree it sounds like the NT install files are incorrect. I think Asus needs to be made aware of this problem.


You are the first person I've heard of (not saying much there) who's tried to put the old 1996-vintage NT4 on this new mobo. Brave move, but IMO you will likely have other O/S hurdles to clear as you get deeper into this.

I wonder if anyone's tried putting Windows 3.1 on a P4C800x yet? Hmmm... can we buy RAM small enough to satisfy 3.1? :bandit:

-clintfan

antonio

OK clintfan.

It sounds like a joke this kind of stuff: P4C800 Deluxe and NT 4.0 using RAID. As you can imagine, it is not off my shelf. Just one of my customers wanting a race car driven by an oldy guy. He just wants to keep off from Micro$oft taxes and asked me to find out a way to use the licensed NT he's got. There are also some other constraints.

It's not a revolution but it was a very good exercise. Just that.
Besides this worrying problem of SATA device drivers lnot oading at installation boot time, everything goes well, no last minute surprises. Problem is that I'm not used enough to .inf installation files and so forth.
NT config BIOS is:
Main/ IDE config/
Onboard IDE operating mode: COMPATIBLE
IDE port settings: PRIMARY P-ATA+S-ATA
Advanced/
Onboard Promise Controller:Activated
Operating mode: RAID

A standard 40 gig IDE as master on Primary/master IDE, CD on Primase/Slave
Nothing SATA-S1, SATA-S2.
RAID-1: Maxtor 80 gig
RAID-2: id.

W2K config BIOS is:
Main/ IDE config/
Onboard IDE operating mode: ENHANCED
IDE port settings: PRIMARY P-ATA+S-ATA
Advanced
Onboard Promise Controller:Activated
Operating mode: RAID
A CD on Primase/Master, nothing elese on PRIM/SEC IDE

Next step could be RAID 0+1 but then 4 drives are needed. Should work with the two other S-ATA connectors (non raid)

Cheers.
Antonio