Firmware is up to date (drivers can be firmware-dependent).
The PERC 5/i comes in two variations: Adapter and Integrated. While they are very nearly identical, they have slightly different firmware. The 2950 uses the Integrated, while the Precision uses the Adapter. The driver I gave you is for the PERC 5/i on a T7500, so I would try the following (it is for 2003, not XP, so it may or may not work, but drivers for XP and 2003, because they are based on the same kernel, are usually (but not always) interchangeable):
When you extract the files, you should have these:
If you didn't extract all of them - or didn't include all of them in the folder used to prep the CD, then PERCSAS.SYS may be missing. The download may also be corrupt, so you might try downloading again.
Well, I'm not sure what to tell you. A quick search doesn't immediately indicate anyone has gotten XP running on a 2950 WITH A PERC (the thread you linked to (which I did not look at until just now) shows they were not using a PERC controller, but a "SAS Non-RAID 5/i integrated", called the "SAS 5/i").
In most cases, one can manage to get it installed, but other times there are other incompatibilties that get in the way. (Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you :))
Have you looked into virtualization for the XP OS? The "maker" said it would not work on a Server OS, but have you tried it? In theory (unless the software does an OS check as part of the install, making it a mfg decision and not a technical limitation), because the kernel in 2003 and XP is the same, it should run on 2003 just fine.
Do you think I might have better luck if I get and install the floppy drive for the 2950 and then do the F6-type install of those same drivers? Perhaps that might work but you would know better than I. If you think it's worth a shot I'll try it.
Looking at doing it the USB way seems dicey at best. So many error messages possible.
With my Dell XPS410 system (which was acting up after several years or no issues) it was suggested I forgo installing the SATA drivers (at F6) and it reverted to plain old ATA. Works fine that way since I was not using raid anyway. Is there no way to "fool" the 2950 into running non-raid long enough to get the OS installed. Then (try to) install the drivers later?
They do make XP drivers for this PERC, apparently. You mentioned they do run on some other Dell systems, correct?
Don't have any server OS to try. Not sure what you mean by "virtualization for the XP OS".
Perhaps. I've found nlite to be many times more reliable than the floppy method, but at this point, it can't hurt to try it ... just in case something was going wrong creating the nlite image/disk.
"Looking at doing it the USB way seems dicey at best. So many error messages possible."
What do you mean? Installing XP from USB? Or loading the driver from USB (using the prep tool linked to above)? Neither of these are easy and neither is very reliable either. Or are you talking about a USB-attached floppy drive? This one shouldn't give you any more difficulty than having an "internal" floppy disk.
"it was suggested I forgo installing the SATA drivers (at F6) and it reverted to plain old ATA"
This is not a method I approve of :) ... turning off AHCI in favor of ATA/IDE, turns OFF everything about SATA drives that make them better than the IDE drives you would purchase 10-20 years ago (queuing, cache, error recovery, etc.). It's a lazy, cheap shortcut that should only be used when absolutely everything else fails ... in my opinion (I'm not directing that at you, but at those who told you to do it :). That said, no, there is no way to fool the PERC ... it is unlike any onboard SATA controller you'll see on a computer ... it's sole purpose is to handle the storage needs of a server, it doesn't to "compatibility mode" and does not have the ability to turn off AHCI.
"They do make XP drivers for this PERC, apparently. You mentioned they do run on some other Dell systems, correct?"
Yes, the higher-end Precision workstations (but no server has drivers for XP) can [optionally] use a PERC controller. The PERC comes in two basic versions: integrated and adapter. The integrated is what is put into systems such as the 2950, R710, etc., and is called integrated because there is a slot designed specifically for the performance needs of the PERC. The adapter is used in systems without a designated slot, like in the 840 and R200. The adapter is also the version used in desktops, like the Precision workstations. While it is the same controller, each has their own firmware, tweaking their behavior for its designed use. Even though the adapter in the PowerEdge servers and the Precision workstations are the same controller, it appears that they too have different firmware one from the other. In theory, the driver for one may not work for the other for that reason. If that is the case, then you'd need the specific driver. I gave you an XP driver from the T7500, which appears to have only used a PERC 6/i. The Precision 690 used the PERC 5/i. While on a server, the drivers would work for either, when the firmware is up to date, looking at the 690 downloads, the latest driver version listed for XP is version 2.14, one version back from the latest we have been working with (2.24). So, you might try the older driver from the 690, but also bear in mind that that driver is for an adapter version of the PERC and not the integrated version that you have in your 2950. So, if you want to try these, let us know what happens:
You can download an evaluation/trial version of a Server OS - if only to demonstrate to yourself that the PERC works and things are setup like they need to be, just needing to resolve (if possible) a driver issue with XP. There would be no 2003 download however (unless you purchase a TechNet membership - around $250), so if your app mfg says it won't run even on 2003, there probably is little hope it would run in a later OS.
"Not sure what you mean by "virtualization for the XP OS"."
This is the answer for 99% of compatibility issues - be it hardware, OS, or application - and is the future (even present) of computing. There are many different ways you go go here.
Install a Server OS, which is supported for your configuration, say Server 2008R2, then run XP as a "virtual machine" inside of the built-in Hyper-V, which simply allows XP to run as a separate machine within another OS:
I am running Windows 8. On the screen (besides Outlook running in the background - forgot to minimize it) are two virtual machines: one running XP and one running Ubuntu with a browser/webpage open. Virtual machines work just like a regular computer, but from within another OS. Virtual machines do not actually touch the hardware - the underlying OS handles the hardware, and translates the hardware for the virtual machine, eliminating hardware/OS incompatibilities.
There also exist "bare metal hypervisors", which are tiny OS's designed only to run virtual machines. VMWare's ESX is one. Microsoft also has a standalone version of Hyper-V that can be installed, with the sole purpose of running virtual machines. I set up a network in December for someone with one physical server, but 4 virtual servers running on the one server/machine, eliminating the need for a stack of loud servers in their office. ESXi and Hyper-V are both free hypervisors.
I may have had some (limited) success here. I made a USB flash drive using the Dell utility. First I made one using the 422.exe (server 2003) drivers. Using a newly made ISO with Win XP Pro-3 only (no drivers) and tried again. Pressed F6. I eventually got the same message "cannot find percas.sys".
I tried again, this time I made the flash drive using the 426.exe (XP) drivers. It took them and started to load. Asked to format drive (selected NTFS) and after a few seconds or more loading it now says "insert the disk labled Perc5...raid controller...(win xp)" into drive A and press enter.
I removed the flash drive and, on a computer that has no floppy A drive I was able to reset the flash drive from E to A.
Reinstalled it but pressing enter I got nothing. I'm going to keep trying but hos do I set up the USB in bios (F2)?
Do I set it to Floppy or Auto? The third choice is hard drive and I assume not this.
I tried the new drivers (R168600) which come up as for Windows 2000. I get to the exact same spot waiting for Drive A.
I will order the floppy drive today. Hopefully will be here end of the week and will try that.
Please accept my sincere appreciate for all the help these last three days. If the floppy drive does the trick hopefully all this time spent might help someone else in the future.
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
March 9th, 2013 16:00
I saw only an XPx64 driver on LSI's site, or I would have included that here.
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
March 9th, 2013 16:00
Firmware is up to date (drivers can be firmware-dependent).
The PERC 5/i comes in two variations: Adapter and Integrated. While they are very nearly identical, they have slightly different firmware. The 2950 uses the Integrated, while the Precision uses the Adapter. The driver I gave you is for the PERC 5/i on a T7500, so I would try the following (it is for 2003, not XP, so it may or may not work, but drivers for XP and 2003, because they are based on the same kernel, are usually (but not always) interchangeable):
Server 2003:
ftp.dell.com/.../DELL_MULTI-DEVICE_A07_R211422.exe
scooter250
131 Posts
0
March 10th, 2013 10:00
Tried the 422.exe drivers. No luck. Get "the file percas.sys could not be found". Made two ISOs from scratch to be sure I did it right.
Then tried those LSI drivers off the Isilogic site for WXP and got same message.
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
March 10th, 2013 13:00
When you extract the files, you should have these:
If you didn't extract all of them - or didn't include all of them in the folder used to prep the CD, then PERCSAS.SYS may be missing. The download may also be corrupt, so you might try downloading again.
What SP level does your XP CD have?
scooter250
131 Posts
0
March 10th, 2013 15:00
Yes, they are all extracted in a folder just as you have it, here.
I have Windows XP Pro-SP2 on a disk and I'm slipstreaming in SP3 when I make the ISO.
When I come to the page that says Select Multiple Drivers, I highlight:
E:\Win-Dell 2950 raid drivers
Press OK
next page:
Text Mode (has the dot)
I highlight:
Dell Per5/Perc6... (server 2003 32bit)
Press OK
They show only the package... not the individual files from the folder so I assume they are all getting picked up??
I downloaded another 422.exe driver and made another ISO.
Same result as above.
scooter250
131 Posts
0
March 10th, 2013 15:00
I have SP2 on the OEM CD and I'm slipstreaming SP3 when I make the IOS.
Yes, all files are expanded and sitting in a folder including percsas.sys file.
They only show as a package "win-dell 2950 raid drivers" when I go to select them
Textmode is selected by default "dell perc5 and perc6... (server 2003 32bit)"
Tried again with a new driver and same results as above.
When I expand the results at the end of the nlite operation where should I see these added files? There is no obvious folder showing.
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
March 10th, 2013 16:00
Well, I'm not sure what to tell you. A quick search doesn't immediately indicate anyone has gotten XP running on a 2950 WITH A PERC (the thread you linked to (which I did not look at until just now) shows they were not using a PERC controller, but a "SAS Non-RAID 5/i integrated", called the "SAS 5/i").
In most cases, one can manage to get it installed, but other times there are other incompatibilties that get in the way. (Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you :))
Have you looked into virtualization for the XP OS? The "maker" said it would not work on a Server OS, but have you tried it? In theory (unless the software does an OS check as part of the install, making it a mfg decision and not a technical limitation), because the kernel in 2003 and XP is the same, it should run on 2003 just fine.
scooter250
131 Posts
0
March 11th, 2013 08:00
Do you think I might have better luck if I get and install the floppy drive for the 2950 and then do the F6-type install of those same drivers? Perhaps that might work but you would know better than I. If you think it's worth a shot I'll try it.
Looking at doing it the USB way seems dicey at best. So many error messages possible.
With my Dell XPS410 system (which was acting up after several years or no issues) it was suggested I forgo installing the SATA drivers (at F6) and it reverted to plain old ATA. Works fine that way since I was not using raid anyway. Is there no way to "fool" the 2950 into running non-raid long enough to get the OS installed. Then (try to) install the drivers later?
They do make XP drivers for this PERC, apparently. You mentioned they do run on some other Dell systems, correct?
Don't have any server OS to try. Not sure what you mean by "virtualization for the XP OS".
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
March 11th, 2013 09:00
Perhaps. I've found nlite to be many times more reliable than the floppy method, but at this point, it can't hurt to try it ... just in case something was going wrong creating the nlite image/disk.
"Looking at doing it the USB way seems dicey at best. So many error messages possible."
What do you mean? Installing XP from USB? Or loading the driver from USB (using the prep tool linked to above)? Neither of these are easy and neither is very reliable either. Or are you talking about a USB-attached floppy drive? This one shouldn't give you any more difficulty than having an "internal" floppy disk.
"it was suggested I forgo installing the SATA drivers (at F6) and it reverted to plain old ATA"
This is not a method I approve of :) ... turning off AHCI in favor of ATA/IDE, turns OFF everything about SATA drives that make them better than the IDE drives you would purchase 10-20 years ago (queuing, cache, error recovery, etc.). It's a lazy, cheap shortcut that should only be used when absolutely everything else fails ... in my opinion (I'm not directing that at you, but at those who told you to do it :). That said, no, there is no way to fool the PERC ... it is unlike any onboard SATA controller you'll see on a computer ... it's sole purpose is to handle the storage needs of a server, it doesn't to "compatibility mode" and does not have the ability to turn off AHCI.
"They do make XP drivers for this PERC, apparently. You mentioned they do run on some other Dell systems, correct?"
Yes, the higher-end Precision workstations (but no server has drivers for XP) can [optionally] use a PERC controller. The PERC comes in two basic versions: integrated and adapter. The integrated is what is put into systems such as the 2950, R710, etc., and is called integrated because there is a slot designed specifically for the performance needs of the PERC. The adapter is used in systems without a designated slot, like in the 840 and R200. The adapter is also the version used in desktops, like the Precision workstations. While it is the same controller, each has their own firmware, tweaking their behavior for its designed use. Even though the adapter in the PowerEdge servers and the Precision workstations are the same controller, it appears that they too have different firmware one from the other. In theory, the driver for one may not work for the other for that reason. If that is the case, then you'd need the specific driver. I gave you an XP driver from the T7500, which appears to have only used a PERC 6/i. The Precision 690 used the PERC 5/i. While on a server, the drivers would work for either, when the firmware is up to date, looking at the 690 downloads, the latest driver version listed for XP is version 2.14, one version back from the latest we have been working with (2.24). So, you might try the older driver from the 690, but also bear in mind that that driver is for an adapter version of the PERC and not the integrated version that you have in your 2950. So, if you want to try these, let us know what happens:
XP Adapter 2.14:
ftp.dell.com/.../R165680.EXE
2003 Integrated 2.14 ('hard drive' version):
www.dell.com/.../poweredge-2950
"Don't have any server OS to try"
You can download an evaluation/trial version of a Server OS - if only to demonstrate to yourself that the PERC works and things are setup like they need to be, just needing to resolve (if possible) a driver issue with XP. There would be no 2003 download however (unless you purchase a TechNet membership - around $250), so if your app mfg says it won't run even on 2003, there probably is little hope it would run in a later OS.
"Not sure what you mean by "virtualization for the XP OS"."
This is the answer for 99% of compatibility issues - be it hardware, OS, or application - and is the future (even present) of computing. There are many different ways you go go here.
Install a Server OS, which is supported for your configuration, say Server 2008R2, then run XP as a "virtual machine" inside of the built-in Hyper-V, which simply allows XP to run as a separate machine within another OS:
I am running Windows 8. On the screen (besides Outlook running in the background - forgot to minimize it) are two virtual machines: one running XP and one running Ubuntu with a browser/webpage open. Virtual machines work just like a regular computer, but from within another OS. Virtual machines do not actually touch the hardware - the underlying OS handles the hardware, and translates the hardware for the virtual machine, eliminating hardware/OS incompatibilities.
There also exist "bare metal hypervisors", which are tiny OS's designed only to run virtual machines. VMWare's ESX is one. Microsoft also has a standalone version of Hyper-V that can be installed, with the sole purpose of running virtual machines. I set up a network in December for someone with one physical server, but 4 virtual servers running on the one server/machine, eliminating the need for a stack of loud servers in their office. ESXi and Hyper-V are both free hypervisors.
This may be worth looking into as well.
scooter250
131 Posts
0
March 11th, 2013 10:00
I may have had some (limited) success here. I made a USB flash drive using the Dell utility. First I made one using the 422.exe (server 2003) drivers. Using a newly made ISO with Win XP Pro-3 only (no drivers) and tried again. Pressed F6. I eventually got the same message "cannot find percas.sys".
I tried again, this time I made the flash drive using the 426.exe (XP) drivers. It took them and started to load. Asked to format drive (selected NTFS) and after a few seconds or more loading it now says "insert the disk labled Perc5...raid controller...(win xp)" into drive A and press enter.
I removed the flash drive and, on a computer that has no floppy A drive I was able to reset the flash drive from E to A.
Reinstalled it but pressing enter I got nothing. I'm going to keep trying but hos do I set up the USB in bios (F2)?
Do I set it to Floppy or Auto? The third choice is hard drive and I assume not this.
This may just work if I can get by this.
scooter250
131 Posts
0
March 11th, 2013 10:00
Stuck here... but I think much progress.
Tried setting bios to Auto and to Floppy. Flash drive is set to A (by another computer)
Gets past:
Setup is loading windows
Setup starting windows
Welcome to setup, to setup XP press "Enter"
License (F8)
Formatting 69,375mb Disc 0 NTFS, yellow bar goes across quickly
Then:
insert the disk labled Perc5...raid controller...(win xp)" into drive A and press "Enter".
Pressing enter does nothing.
Is this good, better than before?? Would the floppy drive do the trick or is there a workaround for this?
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
March 11th, 2013 11:00
"Is this good, better than before?? Would the floppy drive do the trick or is there a workaround for this?"
This is better than before ... the driver has been successfully loaded into the OS and sees the drives.
"insert the disk labled Perc5...raid controller...(win xp)" into drive A and press "Enter""
This is what I mean by "flaky" ... I've found no way around this error ... it doesn't always work.
scooter250
131 Posts
0
March 11th, 2013 11:00
I tried the new drivers (R168600) which come up as for Windows 2000. I get to the exact same spot waiting for Drive A.
I will order the floppy drive today. Hopefully will be here end of the week and will try that.
Please accept my sincere appreciate for all the help these last three days. If the floppy drive does the trick hopefully all this time spent might help someone else in the future.
I will be back when the drive is installed.
scooter250
131 Posts
0
March 11th, 2013 12:00
Yes. No luck. Ordering a floppy today.
DELL-Rey G
3 Apprentice
•
1.1K Posts
0
March 11th, 2013 12:00
Did you try the F6 utility, it should work. (sorry, I didnt read all the thread)