Vertex + Adaptec xx05 Raid 0 troubles

[Millennium]

After reading many threats with problems about RAID 0 arrays en Adaptec (wished I read that before...). I like to know what I can try.

First the probleme:
Creating array is no probleem, but after booting windows 7 RC from DVD and trying to partition/format de Raid 0 array (if I ever reach this state) it freezes and after a reboot on of de SSD is missing. Only a Cold reboot fixes this. Story so far, I didn't had the change to format the Array .

Hardware:
ASUS M4A79T + Phenom II 4x 955. (latest bios)
Adaptec 2405 (latest firmware)
OCZ Vertex 60GB (FW 1.10 (1370))

So what's the current state of the famous? combination problems.
An what can I try? Because I can't install the OS I can't use adaptec's storage manager to see the error messages from de adaptec. Well do i see the "knight rider" move of the adaptor many times (don't know if this is normal) also the aggegrate activty connector wont stop flashing for one second.

[reaver_shado]

Welcome to the OCZ forum. The problem that you are describing ,as you might have read, is occurring on many RAID cards from different manufactures (card with Intel IOP348 seem to be a particular model of issue). A tech from this forum, Tony, has sent lots of Vertex drives to many RAID Card manufactures.

In another thread a member has heard from an Adaptec rep. that a firmware update is expected by the end of june, but there is differing here-say about where that firmware will fix the problem. We are expecting new firmware for the vertex drive in the coming days, I personally hope that this might fix something.

One thing i might suggest, from my understanding of your post adaptec offers some sort of diagnostic tool. You may want to try to install an OS on a separate drive. then try to setup/install the array as a secondary drive, then run your adaptec diagnostic tool. when i try this it sets up ok, but when i try to run benchmarks i get all kinds of errors.

On a side note:
a few comments, i have heard/read/received (via e-mail) make me concerned that the companies are pointing fingers at each other saying it's the other guys problem our product works fine, and thus us the "valued" customers as stuck in the middle crying.

[m.oreilly]

yeah, im packing it in re the adaptec (again). too many system freezes. can't even check my email w/o system going south...i hope that the new vertex FW is out tomorrow, as i have to dump this install, get back on on board...

[techspec6]

How many Vertex drives are you attempting to connect to your 2405 adapter? Have you attached a fan to the heatsink yet? I have the same card and the knight rider thing is normal.

Jason

[Millennium]

How many Vertex drives are you attempting to connect to your 2405 adapter? Have you attached a fan to the heatsink yet? I have the same card and the knight rider thing is normal.

Jason

Only 2 Vertex 60GB (raid 0) and 2 WD Caviar 1TB (Raid 1) which are always there.
I have no fan attached to the headsink. I won't believe a manufacture like Adaptec made a passife cooled controller, while it indeed needs a cooler. Even after a colt boot when I can touch the heat sink it feels still cold it freezes. So I won't believe it's an overheating probleme (for now). Informed Adaptec about the probleme suggested in an other thread by Tony. I'll wait they say. Mean while I have all time of the world testing the config.

[SLK320]

I have the same problem on my work computer. If there's a solution let me know.

[Legacy]

I have no fan attached to the headsink. I won't believe a manufacture like Adaptec made a passife cooled controller, while it indeed needs a cooler.

When adaptec designed this card, they were design to run with HDD. SSDs have 100 times less latency. Many members on this forum have encounted hot raid cards. Slapping on a fan to the heatsink of the raid card has solved alot of the problems that people faced. I suggest that you do the same.

[techspec6]

I had exactly the problems described here. The card is rated up to something like 58 degrees celsius. When it reaches that temp, it will start to throttle like a mofo. Mine was running 60 degrees with 3 vertex only. This card was designed for HDDs and nowhere does Adaptec state the card is SDD compatible. After I installed a fan using a couple zip ties, it runs at a constant 40 degrees. M.O. has replaced his heatsink completely as a work around. I suggest you try it. Cost a few bucks for the fan and less than a dollar for zip ties. Replacement heatsink runs around $4 on newegg.

If the solution cost under $5, then no complaining =p

Jason

[m.oreilly]

i guess i'll put the fan back on it...though it is now running like a speed demon, no ill effects whatsoever...got me...

[techspec6]

What's your temp at in the ASM with just the heatsink, Moe? I'd love to get this fan off the card if your card is running below ~45 degrees.

Jason

[SLK320]

Fan doesn't help, for me atleast. Temp goes down from 55-60C to 40-45C.

[Millennium]

Will try a fan tonight.

Anyways installed windows 7 on onboard controller left the adaptec 2405 in the system with no devices attached. Windows runs fine.
Installed ASM idle temp of controller was 68 degrees which was normal (according adaptec). After connecting the 2 Vertexes the temp didn't changed (maybe one degree). Reading individual status of the vertex showed up many aborted commands(like noticed in another thread).

[arturo_spain]

Below is the answer I got from adaptec regarding my problems posted on another thread. Nothing we didn't know already.


Response (Luis Maldonado) - 06/01/2009 03:18 PM
Greetings from Adaptec,

Unfortunately there seems to be an issue with compatibility between the OCZ vertex drives and our SAS controllers. Unfortunately, the OCZ drives have not been qualified for use with our controllers and are still undergoing testing. Several customer have reported problems with these solid state drives, however currently there is no fix available for these issues. All we can recommend is using drives from the compatibility listing for this controller at: http://www.adaptec.com/NR/rdonlyres/...s5_LowPort.pdf

Thank you for contacting Adaptec Technical Support

Customer (Arturo Rodriguez) - 05/23/2009 10:36 AM
System

MB: Evga Classified 759
CPU: 965 EE
12GB OCZ Blade 2000
4 x OCZ Vertex 120Gb v1.10 RAID 0
SLI Nvidia GTX280
PCIe Xfi Titanium
PCIe Dlink Xtreme N wlan
PCIe Adaptec 5805 firmware 16501

When installing Vista 64bit / Windows 7 64 bit the setup halts at "expanding files" 15% or sometimes at 48% forcing a reboot, after which I get a message from Adaptec controller that one of the drives is missing from the array. I have tried many times with different stripe sizes, reflashing card firmware, reflashing SSD, etc.. The problem is always the same, the Adaptec 5805 "drops/looses" one of the drives randomly during the installation process, the drive/array reapear after powering down the pc & process repeats again.

The SSD drives work fine as I have been able to install Vista/Windows 7 creating the RAID 0 array with the motherboard Intel ICH10R after being unable to use my 5805 card.

What could be the cause?

Thanks

Auto-Response - 05/23/2009 10:36 AM

[Tony]

new FW may help, knowing adaptec they are running 1275 or older.

Funny how Areca can get it right

[m.oreilly]

new FW may help...

yeah, after i saw the ata/smart value abort thing mentioned in the new vertex FW thread, i kinda got to wondering...would be neat