Problem resolved

 

Download  the latest Version of RAID: Intel® Matrix Storage Manager Driver for Intel Desktop Boards

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&Inst=Yes&ProductID=2807&DwnldID=15251&strOSs=88&OSFullName=Windows*%20XP%20Media%20Center%20Edition&lang=eng

 

English: STOR_allOS_8.7.0.1007_PV.exe

 

Install this version.  Freecom Esata drive is connected.

When i tried the previous installation, i received an compatability error.

Thanks to SmoothSL for posting this in other forums.

Instructions to turn on RAID and to use the eSata port on your XPS 420

Please backup anything you don't want to lose.. I've done this process twice now and have had no problem with either.. This is from a end user and not from Dell, please understand that.... If you have success with this process, please post and let others know so they will not fear this process..

-Download & Open R165147.EXE from dells driver page in the SATA Drives section.. The one that says Intel - Driver Applies to: Matrix Storage Manager

-Open Control Panel

-Double Click IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers

-Right Click Intel(R) ICH9 2 port Serial ATA Storage Controller 2

-Chose Update Driver Software

-Chose "Browse My Computer for driver software"

-Chose "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer"

-Click "Have Disk"

-Click "Browse"

-Find the folder you extracted the files from R165147.EXE

-Chose "iaahci.inf" and select open

-Click "OK" at the "Install From Disk" screen

-Scroll all the way to the bottom of the drivers list and select Intel(R) ICH9 SATA AHCI Controller and click Next

-You will get a driver warning, click Yes to continue

-Vista will install the driver and tell you that you have successfully updated the driver software

-Click Close and follow the same steps to update the driver for the Intel(R) ICH9 4 port Serial ATA Storage Controller 1

-Vista will prompt you to restart.. Click Yes and be ready to enter the BIOS by pressing F2.. (If you do not do this, Vista will give you a blue screen and reboot.. Don't sweat it, simply go into the BIOS and change it as stated below and continue. When you reboot Vista will prompt it did not start correctly before.. Select Boot Normally and continue..)

-Change your SATA Operation from "RAID Autodetect / ATA" to "RAID On".. You will get a prompt stating you may be required to reinstall your operating system, highlight accept and hit enter..

-Hit ESC and select Save/Exit...

Your system will reboot and will load the "correct" drivers for Vista which will require one last reboot...

gopimanne your post at Wed, Feb 25 2009 1:32 AM:
Your solution don't work on my XPS 420, I suppose your XPS 420 has a different configuration.

My XPS420:
North Bridge Intel Beachwood X38
South Bridge Intel 82801IR ICH9R
2 harddisks 2x233GB Raid0 (Stripe)- Intel Raid 0 Volume (465 GB)

In VISTA device manager:
I don't see "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers"
under Storage manager i see:
-Intel(R) ICH8R/ICH9R/ICH10R/DO SATA RAID Controller
-A1AW7YBJ IDE Controller (Intel(R) ICH9 SATA AHCI Controller)

Never the less i have tried your solution, but it dit not work. I lost my eSATA drive.
I reinstalled the driver STOR_allOS_8.7.0.1007_PV.exe, my esata dirve was back.

See my post 25 Feb 2009 01:32AM

SmoothSL your post 18 Jan 2008 05:35AM

Your solution don't work on my XPS 420, I suppose your XPS 420 has a different configuration  (non raid???).

My XPS420:
North Bridge Intel Beachwood X38
South Bridge Intel 82801IR ICH9R
2 harddisks 2x233GB Raid0 (Stripe)- Intel Raid 0 Volume (465 GB)

In VISTA device manager:
I don't see "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers"
under Storage manager i see:
-Intel(R) ICH8R/ICH9R/ICH10R/DO SATA RAID Controller
-A1AW7YBJ IDE Controller (Intel(R) ICH9 SATA AHCI Controller)

I have made a dual Boot system (Vista-XP)
So i had to repartition the whole harddisk (Raid0 stripe)

Never the less i have tried your solution, but it dit not work. I lost my eSATA drive.
I reinstalled the driver STOR_allOS_8.7.0.1007_PV.exe, my esata dirve was back.

See my post 25 Feb 2009 01:32AM (http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19259328/19436826.aspx#19436826)

Will this solution also work for Win 7 Home Ultimate?

 

Thanks,