Problem with Intel Matrix Storage Manager

Question

I have a dimension 9200 with RAID 1. Last week I updated to the latest version of the Intel Storage Matrix console. This seemed to go fine but I soon found that I had to keep reactivating vista, even though the OS said it was activated (i.e. the microsoft web site said I wasn't using genuine software).   I fixed the problem (or so I thought) by restoring to a point just before I did the Intel console update. At that point when I was asked to activate Vista again (for the millionth time) it actually downloaded some validation software and activated.   No problems with activation anymore but now I can't load the Intel storage console properly - it says a plug-in could not be loaded (doesn't say which one). When I start the computer I can see before I get into Windows that the raid configuration is ok and when I get into Windows something (Intel storage manager?) is telling me that I am protected from disc failure.   So my question is can I just uninstall the Intel Storage manager and try installing again? What will happen to my RAID configuration when I uninstall. Do I even need the console?

mombodog · Answer

There is a known problem with Vista activation and  Intel raid software, better to leave it alone for now.   Vista will invalidate you activation if it see's a major hardware change, causing you to reactivate, if it is a big enough hardware change it will invalidate that OEM copy of Vista all together. Evidently the Matrix driver is causing Vista to think there is a major hardware change.   The Vista license and activation is tied to hardware on OEM installations.

keithg2 · Answer

down_under wrote:

So my question is can I just uninstall the Intel Storage manager and try installing again? What will happen to my RAID configuration when I uninstall. Do I even need the console?

Yes, you can uninstall the Intel Matrix Storage Manager console software and then reinstall it. Your RAID 1 will stay intact.

The console software allows you to check the condition of your RAID setup as well as other functions to setup RAID. The console, in my opinion, is good to have so you can always see what condition your RAID is in. If you have a drive failure, the console will tell you that your RAID is degraded. If your RAID needs to be verified due to issues the console found, it will do the verification and fix any issues.

Message Edited by keithg2 on 07-09-2007 09:42 AM

andreychuk · Answer

It does not do this if you right click on the installer and select run as administrator.........

Rebel9 · Answer

'It does not do this if you right click on the installer and select run as administrator'   Maybe in some cases that's true, but I don't think that's the solution to the problem. A few weeks back I did exactly that (I always 'run as administrator' for updates and additions) and I had to reactivate.

down_under · Answer

So, if I leave it alone for now until Intel/microsoft fix the activation problem, then I can assume that raid is working properly, even though the console is crippled?

mombodog · Answer

Actually you don't even need Console, it is just a software based raid utility, the raid is controlled by the bios and chipset, and driver.   Everything can be done with ctrl + I at boot.   People like it installed as a convenience rather than a necessity.

mombodog · Answer

keithg2, you better do some more homework   'Not necessarily true. If one 'breaks' their RAID 1 array, the console utility can be used to create a RAID 1 array from an existing hard drive. You can't do this via the RAID ROM Utility'   http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim9200/en/OM_EN/YH242A01.pdf  page 44

down_under · Answer

Keithg2,   I had a devil of a time with activation when I initially upgraded the intel software. My pc os said it was activated but microsoft on-line checking said I wasn't and denied automatic updates and patches. This occured even after the phone activation service was used (all computer activated - I wasn't able to actually talk to a human at microsoft about this). I think it must have corrupted some validation file on my pc.   However, I do like the convenience of the console.    Every fibre within me is telling me to not upgrade again but I have the day off so I will be too tempted. I don't like the idea of the console being crippled. I like everthing to be humming.   If I am stupid enough to do this to myself again what is the proper process? I note that the dell download site has the Intel application and driver as seperate downloads. Which gets installed first? And do I need to uninstall the previous version first?   Sorry to be a pest.

keithg2 · Answer

mombodog wrote:

Actually you don't even need Console, it is just a software based raid utility, the raid is controlled by the bios and chipset, and driver.

Everything can be done with ctrl + I at boot.

People like it installed as a convenience rather than a necessity.

Not necessarily true. If one "breaks" their RAID 1 array, the console utility can be used to create a RAID 1 array from an existing hard drive. You can't do this via the RAID ROM Utility. Additionally, if the RAID 1 array needs to be verified/repaired after some sort of disk issue, this cannot be done via the ROM Utility, but it can be done via the console. Automatically as a matter of fact.

down_under,

If it were me, I would install the most recent Intel Matrix Storage Manager console and if afterwards I needed to re-activate Vista, I would. Sometimes you can simply do it online and sometimes you have to call MS.

Message Edited by keithg2 on 07-09-2007 05:07 PM

Message Edited by keithg2 on 07-09-2007 05:14 PM

keithg2 · Answer

lol.... I know what I'm talking about and I'm not mad at anyone. I'd rather spend my energy helping down_under than be right. :)   Have a good evening!

mombodog · Answer

'I'd rather spend my energy helping down_under than be right.'   I guess that is why you have wasted 2 posts so far............

mombodog · Answer

'You can't do this via the RAID ROM Utility'   Like I said, you should do your homework before making such definitive statements.   Now that you have done your homework and realized your mistake, don't get mad at me.

keithg2 · Answer

mombodog wrote:

keithg2, you better do some more homework

"Not necessarily true. If one "breaks" their RAID 1 array, the console utility can be used to create a RAID 1 array from an existing hard drive. You can't do this via the RAID ROM Utility"

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim9200/en/OM_EN/YH242A01.pdf page 44

I have done my homework and I have the experience of trying to build a RAID 1 array (2 hard drives) with an OS installed from the ROM Utility and it will format both drives. Creating a spare hard drive applies on systems with a RAID 1 array and an additional hard drive marked as a "spare". Check out the paragraph below the "Creating a Spare Hard Drive" which explains a degraded RAID 1 without a spare drive. Not many people have a RAID 1 (2 drives) and a spare drive (3rd drive) setup. Also page 39 explains the two methods to create a RAID 1 array (Configuring your computer with RAID) with and without an OS installed. My experience has always been to create a RAID 1 volume from an existing drive. If you're able to do that from the ROM Utility, cool!

down_under,

You're not being a pest. :)

I've always installed the new version of the Intel Matrix Storage Manager console without uninstalling the previous version. I have never installed the Intel Storage Manager Driver, just the application (console).

Message Edited by keithg2 on 07-09-2007 07:07 PM

down_under · Answer

So, getting back to my problem, I propose to do the following:   1) create a restore point 2) run the application setup as an administrator (without installing driver and without uninstalling previous version) 3) hope it doesn't stuff up my activation status   Anything I have missed? Pray perhaps?

keithg2 · Answer

Looks right to me, down_under. No guarantee that you won't have to reactivate. But if you do, hopefully you won't have to make a phone call to MS and the online activation will work.

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