Hi Bobindeed,
welcome to the nLite forum!
There is no need for any excuse. Nobody can or should read all contributions. The only important one is the first post of this thread.
The guide was written for users with an nForce RAID array. Whithin the first post of this thread you find this:So if you don't have built an nForce RAID array, my guide will not really help you.

My advice for you:
If you want to integrate the nForce SATA drivers into an nLited CD, just integrate the SATA_IDE subfolder of the 6.86 chipset driver package as PnP driver. XP with integrated SP2 should detect your SATA drives during TEXTMODE (=first) part of the installation without any third party SATA driver. You can simply test it by booting off the original XP SP2 CD without hitting F6.
You can't simulate nonexistent hardware with VMWare. So you cannot be really sure, if the drivers tested with VMWare will work in reality.

CU
Fernando

@ all users with an nForce SataRaid system:

After a lot of new tests with the current version of nLite I figured out, that it is possible to get the newest WHQL certified nForce SataRaid drivers installed onto an nForce SataRaid system, when you do a special combination of the nForce SataRaid integration:

• Integration of the SATARAID subfolder (from the suitable nForce chipset driver package) as TEXTMODE driver and additionally
• Integration of the SATA_IDE subfolder (from the same nForce chipset driver package) as PnP driver!

At the end of the successul OS installation I had a flawlessly running Windows XP, all nForce IDE drivers (the SATA and RAID ones) were WHQL certified. Another advantage: Windows did install the MS IDE instead of the NVIDIA PATA (=IDE s/w) drivers (a lot of nForce users have troubles with the NVIDIA ones).

These findings might be a big step forward for all users with an nForce SataRaid system, but - as I could only test it with my nForce4 system - the new method has to be confirmed by users with other nForce chipsets. Nevertheless I am very optimistic, that the method works with every actual nForce chipset (except the nForce2 and nForce3 ones).

For further details look into the first post of this thread.

CU
Fernando

Thanks Fernando. I didn't know SP2 integrated into the CD would do that. I guess I'll pop the drive in and give the CD a try without the drivers.
Thanks again.

So, is that a fix for the endless reboots with the latest nLite?
If yes, just let me say "I LOVE YOU" man

This is not a fix for nLite, but a big chance to get WHQL certified SataRaid drivers installed.
An additional advantage of the WHQL method: You only will be able to do an Upgrade from Windows XP to Vista, if the controller drivers of your XP are correctly digitally signed by Microsoft. This has to be done right from the start (Vista looks into the drivers list, which were first of all installed during the XP installation). Users with LEGACY drivers will probably not be able to Upgrade to Vista.

for me by using vista legacy driver driver found out...
this happen

What happened exactly? The attached pic is not very informative.
Please give me some more informations about your config - I am not a clairvoyant.
Did you try the WHQL method too? If not, why not?

yup using the whql method by pyron...
the driver and sata driver can be install well and windows will use it...
but the driver cause mydocument have 2 there/ c: and d: popup and no way to remove it unless update the sata driver to old nforce 3 sata or microsoft ide... it will gone...
wonder if does your guys have 2 my docu too? using nlite one?

Now I realized what you meant.
No, I have never seen 2x "My Documents" within the "SendTo" folder.
Have you tried to delete one of them?
Search for the folder "SendTo" (you have to show invisible/hided folders by "folder options" > "view").

lol cannot find them is the problem =)
reupdate myself the driver to vista legacy... they coming back... lol

This issue has another reason. A driver has no influence on how many entries are done into the Windows folder "SendTo".
Search for the folder, delete the second entry "My Documents", but do not install old drivers to get the same effect.

going crazy... use microsoft ide it gone..
use nvraid driver even old one they are coming back......... =.=
install use vmware there are not there cause not using nvraid driver for vmware.... will u have c: or d: at sendto ?

1. You can always replace the NVIDIA nForce P-ATA (=IDE s/w) driver by the MS Standard IDE driver, but you can not replace any other nForce IDE driver (as S-ATA or RAID) by an MS driver.
2. The SendTo folder is a hidden folder you have within each partition where an Operating System is installed. It does not depend on a drive letter.

looks like i found the problem...
answer is no problem... nvdia ide act like that... i use only one drive maybe cause it... and you are using raid..
ask my friend that install nvdia ide / windows normal... also gave him the same 2 my documents as i am troubleshooting about... lol

thanks for keep replying fernando.... =.=

Congratulations, that you have found at least the solution for your problem.
You should have read the first post of this thread:

hi there, i've just tried about 23+ times without success... i have a MSI k8Neo3F Nforce4-4X with AMD64 2800+, socket 754, Supertalent 1GB RAM DDR400, a ATi Radeon X600 with 256mb Pci-ex, and (pay attention) 1 HDD Seagate Barracuda 7200 RPM 120gb SATA on channel 1, and 1 Hitachi HDS728080PLAT20 80GB PATA133 HDD alone on primary as master, both in RAID0 mode and "HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-H10A DVD-RW DL (LG)", i've been using WinXP SP2 with the provided g72-NVSA041 floppy drive for a long time, and i start to trying out to integrate the RAID/SATA drivers into my "Windows uE v5 CD" without success... the system recognizes the RAID0 on text mode, and when on GUI mode the systems installs normally, but just after shows a light blue screen after the GUI part, the systems restarts itself and NEVER AGAIN BOOT... i use a DVD-RW because i have wasted too many CD-R... i have tried the nvraid drivers from 6.53 to 8.22 and got the same problem again and again.... i have read the 58 pages of this forum and tried virtually everithing..... ehmm HEEEEEEELLPPPPPP PLEEEAAASSSEEEEEEEE...

Greetings

Fernando Moreno from Venezuela

Hi Fernando,
your RAID configuration (a combination of SATA and PATA and a mixture of different HDD's of different manufacturers) is quite unusual and might be the reason for your problems.
I'm sorry, but I have no idea how to help you.
If you want a working RAID configuration, I would suggest to buy a second Seagate SATA hdd and build a new RAID array.
By the way: There is no need to read all pages of this thread, everything important is layed down within the first post.

Good luck!
Fernando

@ everyone who needs help regarding the integration of the nForce SataRaid drivers:

Because of a 5-week holiday trip I will not be able to support this thread until 15th October.
After my return I will be back again here and help where I can.

I have used this system successfuly on the M2NPV-CSM and the M2NPV-VM motherboards in order to get a bootable striped SATA II raid. Absolutely no issues with the CSM.

However, when I integrate the WHQL raid drivers into XP Pro SP2 using the new method, I have a little problem. XP installs perfectly. However, I cannot load the audio drivers. XP is conviced that the sound card described in the drivers is not on the computer. All other drivers install without a hitch. I know that there is no issue with the sound card, as I am able to load the drivers fine if I install a non-nlited XP on a PATA drive.

I also tried the other methods of integrating the raid drivers. However, they all result in blue screens of death.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

read well at the 1st post.... sound like u are using wrong nvraid driver for intergrate.... it is known most of the WHQL drivers from nvdia is causing BSOD...

How can I install Windows Vista RC1 from Windows XP using the new your "Brandnew method".
Shouldn't Windows Vista asks for a RAID driver during the installation? or not?

Another question, why did you proposed the use of nVidia version 6.85 and not 6.86?

UPDATE:
OK, I installed the OS using your new method. There weren't any endless reboots BUT, however, the system booting is extremely (VERY VERY) slow and I found that Windows has defined the "Primary IDE Channel" which I disabled from the BIOS and I found something for the first time "Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller".
What do you think is going on?
BTW, I'm using an nForce4 motherboard with 2 SATA hard disk as RAID0 and 1 PATA DVD Writer as a "Slave" of the "Secondary Channel".
Drivers used: 6.86

I would like to say that the "new" method indicated in the first post (with lots of red) worked flawlessly for me on a DFI NF4 SLI-DR Motherboard using 2 Raptors on NVRAID 0. Thank you very much!

Look here: http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/1-vt66299.html?start=0

I proposed to use the 6.86 chipset driver package (WHQL method).

That is not a problem at all. When you use the WHQL method, Windows will automaticly install the MS IDE drivers instead of the NVIDIA Parallel ATA device drivers. If you are not satisfied with the MS IDE (=P-ATA) drivers, you can easily substitute them by the nForce Parallel ATA device drivers (device manager > IDE/ATAPI Controllers > Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller > Update drivers > have disk > compatible drivers > NVIDIA nForce Parallel ATA Controller > OK).

CU
Fernando
(still not at home for a while)

new method worked flawlessly here (legacy as txt mode and sata_ide as PNP) used to get endless reboots before, board is in sig used the drivers from mei's remix 6.10 (ide's are version 6.86)

Thanks for your post, because this certifies, that the new WHQL integration method even works with nForce3 chipsets.

CU
Fernando

Can you please give me a link to that drivers please?

Here is the link to Mei's actual driver package: http://troglo.u-strasbg.fr/~3fmauricard/nw...e_x86_06-10.exe
and here is the link to Mei's thread about these drivers: http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/meis-nware...3a46d7ddcfd92ec

Thanks a lot Fernando 1

The drivers were NOT WHQL signed, the cat files were not even there in the folders

Thank you for this clarification. I had already realised, that the WHQL certificate of the nForce SataRaid drivers within Mei's UDP have gone lost by modding the INF files.
Nevertheless I have modified my guide (first post of this thread) by adding your experience with Mei's Unified Driver Packet as a chance for users with nForce3 (or nForce2) chipset to integrate actual nForce chipset drivers including the SATARAID ones. Maybe Mei will find a way to prevent the lost of the WHQL signature of these drivers.
Thanks again!

BTW, I Forgot to add the OS Was Windows Server 2003 R2 Std Edition Service Pack 2 Beta 2786, and RAID BIOS is 4.52

I bought the Media Center Edition because I think its basically just XP pro on disk one, with the MCE addons on disk two. Is that correct? I dont need the MCE stuff, but I do need to slipstream NVRAID in, so would I just follow the instructions for XP above?

The guide for XP should work for MCE too.

hi all
got some probs
im using 2maxtor IDE in raid0 on asus a8n-sli (bios 1014)

the only way i see only one array is only when i use the msi package called "nForce3_4".
• WinXP IDE PATARAID driver version 5.52
• WinXP IDE SATARAID driver version 5.52 (WHQL)
• WinXP IDE SATA_IDE driver version 5.52 (WHQL)

http://download.msi.com.tw/support/dvr_exe...RAID_Floppy.zip

then i integrate these with nlite like this:

pataraid_BUSDRV = "NVIDIA nForce Storage Controller (for PATA-RAID required 1)"
pataraid_RAIDCLASS = "NVIDIA RAID CLASS DRIVER (for PATA-RAID required 2)"

(note there s no sata_ide to integrate and 2different class into these drivers as scsi adapter and hdc type!!??)

but got endless reboot after gui install

(certainely because of not WHQL and then conflict with ms driver)

do u have any ideas ?

You are writing, that the XP setup only was able to detect your RAID, when you used these old MSI drivers, but you didn't note which other SataRaid drivers you have tried to integrate.
PLease give us some additional informations:
Which different nForce SataRaid drivers (version number of the used chipset driver package) did you test?
Which of them failed by detecting your RAID array?
Do you have a floppy drive?
If yes, did you try to install XP by using F6 method (this is the easiest way to test, which nForce SataRaid driver might be suitable for your system).
Which version has your nVRaid BIOS (look at second boot display)?
What do you mean with "the only way i see only one array ..."? Do you have more than 1 RAID array?
Notice: If you have already one or more Windows version installed onto your RAID array, you will see all these Windows partitions.

-nvraid bios : 4.84
-with classic driver (i will try again to say which one) i got something like:
id0:
maxtor 80go
id1:
maxtor 40go

instead of only:
id0 maxtor 80go

btw what do i need to do my floppy disk?
legacy folder + ?

some1 knows what s the difference between scsi class and hdc in .inf?

1. If you want to test nForce SataRaid drivers by using Floppy/F6 method (just to see, if they will work, if you would integrate them), you should take the LEGACY subfolder. Just copy the whole content, that means all files onto an empty floppy disk.
2. HDC can be "Hard Disk Controller". I think, that this is nothing to warry about. If you want to know more, you should post the line with these entries (by editing with "CODE" and "/CODE"). In which INF file did you find these entries?

ok just copyed LEGACY folder from 6.86 whql
i hitted f6, selected both drivers
and then there were my 2 hdd 40go without any raid0..


i tryed with msi's driver and deleted all (5?) IDE driver with nlite but still endless reboot..

Is your RAID "healthy" and set as first bootable Hard Disk Drive within BIOS?
Is this the first try to get any OS installed onto your nForce RAID array?
When you used the MSI drivers, did you try to boot in safe mode at the end of the installation by hitting F8? If yes, what happened?

-yes
-yep first time using the raid part
-dont think so


thx for help

Try the following:
1. Download the nForce chipset driver package v. 6.53 (download link is within my guide).
2. Prepare a new driver floppy with the content of the IDE\WinXP folder (except the RAIDTOOL subfolder).
3. Then try again to boot from the XP CD by using F6/floppy.

If XP does not detect your RAID this way, I can't help you from here. In this case you should ask ASUS for technical support.

ok i ll try

thx

doesnt work with 6.85, 6.70 and 6.66
works with 6.53
trying to include driver on cd now, ill tell u tomorrow if it worked

thx

edit: including .inf in nlite. adding 2drivers busdrv and raidclass in textmode (both HDC class) and no ide pnp, is that right?

Yes, and don't remove any driver or hardware support by nLite. Just integrate the both "requested" drivers as TEXTMODE, nothing else. You may disable the "Oem Preinstall" option.

After a succussful install you may update the PataRaid drivers with the 6.86 chipset driver package by running the Setup of this package or directly by driver update of the nForce4 Parallel ATA Controller and NVIDIA nForce RAID driver within the device manager.

Good luck!
Fernando

Hi Fernando! You seem to be an extremely helpful person in all of this and no doubt I'll be posting soon (*Edit, which happens to be now!) for your assistance if you would be so kind? Been trying to setup a RAID 0 erray for the past 2 days now, and I'm starting to lose patience!

Firstly, rough spec...
======
CPU - AMD X2 3800+ AM2
MOBO - MSI K9N SLi Platinum (nForce 570 MCP) Bios 1.3
RAM - 2x1Gb DDR2
GFX - 2xGainward 6800's PCi-e
Hard Drives - 2xWestern Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 2500KS Raid 0
======

My bios settings are correct, I definately know that. 1 thing that does concern me is the fact that the "boot" option is greyed out within the NVraid F10 setup. Under boot, it just displays "N/A"...which worries me.

Anyhow, beforehand, F6 prompt didn't work and I'd get continuous BSOD's, despite what I put on the floppy.

Successfully slipstreamed nVidias 9.16 drivers (just the SATARAID, which automatically added the SATA_IDE too, Raid as Textmode and IDE as PnP) to a WinXP CD and it finally completed the whole installation (both GUIs)...only to restart just at the last second before loading "welcome to windows)...and then continue to restart. Won't boot in safe mode either.

I have tried the SATA drivers that are supplied on MSIs support website, which didn't work. The newest drivers from nVidia's website are the ones Im using, and I can't see any older drivers to use at all.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong here at all, but it must be something surely?

Any help gladly appreciated. The answer is probably in this thread somewhere, but it is 60 pages and I've had enough as it is!!

Thanks in advance,
Cheers
Rich.

Maybe you have forgotten to set your RAID as first bootable hdd within your BIOS (Advanced BIOS Features > "Hard Disk Boot Priority").
It seems, that the integration of the SATA_IDE subfolder done automaticly by nLite, isnot good for your chipset.
Do the following:
Copy the SATARAID subfolder of the 9.16 package somewhere outside the package. Then slipstream your XP CD again just integrating the lonely SATARAID subfolder. nLite should only pick up 2 TEXTMODE (S-ATA and RAID) and no PnP driver.

Good luck!
Fernando

Thanks for the swift reply Fernando, much appreciated!

With regards to boot order...bios does state that 1st is DVD, and 2nd is 'NVraid Stripe'. Thinking about it, maybe the reason why nVraid says "N/A" is because it's solely controlled by the bios?

I will give it a try when I get home from work later Just a quick one, when I slipstream the drivers should I use the single driver option, or multi driver folder one?

Also, is there any preference on what build of XP is used at all?

Thanks again

The "Hard Disk Boot Priority" (ranking of the hdd's) is something else than the rorder of "Bootable Devices" (CD-ROM/HDD/Floppy etc.). Look into your BIOS again. Your first bootable device has to be the CD-ROM/DVD device, because you want to boot from it, but your RAID should be set as first bootable Hard Disk Drive.
Take the single driver option, because you will prevent this way, that nLite integrates not needed or even wrong driver folders.
The best source is an original XP CD with integrated SP2. If you have an XP CD without any SP, you shoud integrate SP2 at first step, when you start creating your nLited XP CD.

Ahhh I see. Right, I'm *sure* it's already set up correctly, but can't remember off hand! Surely if it wasn't setup properly, it wouldn't boot after the second GUI ? ..or even the 1st? I'll have a check anyway

Ah, then I've already done this for the SATARaid driver, so pretty much stuck.



Ok, that's what I'm using already. Although I am tempted to use an older XP SP2 which has no, or very little RAID drivers and slipstream them...only out of desperation!

Something's definately working somewhere, because beforehand it wouldn't get to the 2nd GUI and now it completes the whole installation! I've also tried installing XP with all intergrated peripherals in bios switched off, USB, firewire etc. Still didn't work.

Not sure what I'm doing wrong at all but something's not quite right! I will check the bios though.

Have you checked, if the boot sector of your RAID array is on drive C:?
Many problems with freshly built RAID arrays are due to the fact, that there is somewhere (within one of the hdd's of the array) an old boot sector remaining from earlier OS installations.
It is a good idea to delete all former datas of the hdd's by doing a low formatting before creating the RAID array.

Everytime I've been trying to install Windows, I have removed the RAID erray via NVRaid and re-created it, which asks if I want to clear the data in which I respond "Y". Also in the first GUI installation section, I create the partition and do a quick format. Previously, I have done a full format too just to make sure. I think doing both of them methods is surely removing everything?

Thanks for all your replies BTW Can't wait to get home and give it another go.