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February 18th, 2007 19:00
Vista Installation solution for RAID setup/dual-boot that get worker_thread BSOD
The following instructions should solve the issue users have been having with installing Vista on Dell systems that use a RAID bios that, by default, is turned on.
Firstly, we know that going into your BIOS settings and changing the RAID BIOS parameter to Autodetect enables you to install Vista without any special instructions-- So if you're willing to give up a RAID array or willing to do a clean Vista install that wipes your old XP install then you're good to go.
However the above "solution" doesn't help those that wish to dual boot XP/Vista (probably a very good idea for now) and want to keep their entire XP install with all settings and files and/or are using an enabled RAID setup and wish to continue using that functionality (turning that functionality off would be tantamount to erasing your hard drives). See DELL shipped these RAID supporting computers with the RAID setting defaulted to ON even if your HD setup is not using it. So the default Windows XP installs shipped on these Dells REQUIRE this setting to remain on. If you turn it off, you will no longer be able to boot up your XP install without getting the same BSOD we see in Vista forcing you to do a clean install only. So how do we keep our RAID setups and/or install Vista in a dual-boot XP/Vista configuration?
These instructions are meant to solve the issue that people have been having with the "WORKER_THREAD_RETURNED_AT_BAD_IRQL" BSOD. Keyword: Worker Thread Returned at Bad IRQL (Keyword placed here to facilitate people that are searching the forums for this solution)
#1-- Forget the DELL drivers-- they don't work-- at least they certainly didn't for me and they're also out of date.
#2-- From Windows XP, go to Intel's site and download the latest (6.2.1.1002) Intel Storage Manager exe for Vista. Run it but don't hit the NEXT button through the prompts-- you don't want to install it-- the good news is that if you do install it into your Windows XP install by accident the Vista driver release does work with Windows XP as well so you won't have an unbootable XP install. *whew* Either way the reason why I want you to hold off its installation is because we need to pull drivers from it that you can only get to from the a temporary folder that is created when you run the Intel setup. (there is another way that uses flags but we'll skip that idea for now)
Link for 32bit Vista Intel Storage Manager driver:
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=1809&OSFullName=Windows+Vista*+Ultimate%2C+32-bit+version&lang=eng&strOSs=156&submit=Go%21
Link for 64bit Vista Intel Storage Manager driver:
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=1809&OSFullName=Windows+Vista*+Ultimate%2C+64-bit+version&lang=eng&strOSs=162&submit=Go%21
#3- Go into your Windows\temp ($windir$\temp) directory and look for the IIF folder-- this is a temporary folder created by the Intel Storage Manager setup. Dig into that folder looking for the Driver or Driver64 folder (it's inside the WINALL folder). The correct folder will have the "iaStor.sys" file within it along with a few others such as "iaahci.cat" and "iastor.inf" Take the contents of that folder and write it to the root directory of a floppy disk, USB key, or CD. Don't write the folder "Driver" or "Driver64" to your media-- just the contents (I'm trying to keep things simple). The 32bit drivers are in "Driver" folder and the 64bit drivers are in the "Driver64" folder.
#4- Cancel the Intel Storage Manager for Vista installation since you got what you needed from it.
#5- Now try and install Vista again-- run the install from Windows XP and do a clean install-- if you wish to setup a dual boot and have a partition ready be sure to select that destination. While you're going through the install,
look for the Load Driver icon (it's quite small) and click it. Be sure the USB key, floppy disk, or CD is inserted/connected to your system and browse to it. Then select OK. It will take the Vista install a long time to find it (god knows why). You should eventually see the Intel RAID driver pop up as an option. Select it and click OK or NEXT (I believe NEXT is the available button).
#6- Vista install should then copy the drivers and continue with the installation.
#7- Keep the USB key, CD, or Floppy Disk inserted/connected throughout the installation-- the Vista install may need to reinstall the driver again and will look for it later in the installation-- without it you may BSOD again so don't eject the media or disconnect your USB key until Vista is running properly.
#8- Vista should now install for your system with RAID capability allowing you a successful installation whether dual boot or clean and no more WORKER_THREAD BSOD.
I hope this helps everyone who's been having major issues-- as a medium-business DELL customer, I am troubled that DELL hasn't posted these instructions for users of its higher end systems that have this issue (such as the Dimension 9200, XPS 410, 700, etc.) It took a number of install retries along with a measure of sharing everyone's frustration for me to realize that I needed to look outside of Dell's support site to find what is needed to remedy the issue.
I also took the time to erase my newly working Vista install and doing this over again using my instructions to make sure they worked. Not exactly a controlled experiment but good enough for now.
Regards,
Chandler
Message Edited by ChandlerL on 02-19-2007 12:48 PM
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ybb
2 Posts
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July 19th, 2008 01:00
Hello, I have a Dell XPS 410 that came with XP Pro. Upgraded to Vista Business. Recently, had problems with Raid always rebuilding. Became a pain in the neck so I decided to get rid of it I was told by Dell Tech just to delete the volume and reinstall Vista. Well, have been having problems ever since. At first, could not find boot device, call Dell said my hard drives were bad but I know that wasn't true. Problem only occurred after deleting raid volume. Dell was no help. My computer now goes to the desk top but takes forever to boot and shut down. although raid was deleted, I still can see Control I which is the Matrix Storage Version 6 although I do not see it listed in the Program files. In setup my sata hardrive is not present. I need hlep to solve this problem. PLEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM TOTALLY LOST ON WHAT TO DO NEXT. DELL SUPPORT IS THE PITS.
meemee1955
1 Message
0
May 1st, 2011 16:00
My problem is I have windows 7 & windows vista on computer how do I get rid of windows vista? I aaccidentialy started loading it instead of the windows 7 which is on computer and was trying to fix compputer.