I cannot get WinXP Pro installed with the A8N-SLI-Premium MoBo and Raid 0. All goes well until the WinXp Startup cannot copy the nvraid.sys, nvraidco.dll, nvatabus.sys, nvatabus.sys, idecoi.dll, nvata.cat, nvraid.cat. The exact error message is:

Windows XP Pro Setup
Setup cannot copy the file: nvraid.sys
and then it goes thru all the files listed above. I use “esc” to bypass
each copy file error to keep going (I’ve used the retry with no success).

After it bypasses these nVidia Raid driver files Windows Startup goes on copying all the other windows files and drivers it needs without any problems and no error messages.

I am using the nVidia SATA connections on the MoBo, I’ve enabled the nVidia Raid on the BIOS, I’ve created 4 partitions on the HDD, cleared the data, and have formatted using both the FAT and NTFS with no change in outcome. I’ve also enabled the first and second SATA Master Raid NVRAID Configuration and disabled the Silicon SATA Controller.

I have no problem loading the Raid drivers, using F6 at the initial Windows Startup setup, I load the nVidia drivers diskette with the nVidia NV11 Raid 32 bit Xp/2K drivers (and I tried the nVidia Rev 6.66 Raid SATA drivers from the nVidia website), I select the 1st required driver, then the 2nd required driver for the controller and it loads fine.

After all this, I reboot, as specified in the Windows setup, and I get the windows start up error:

Stop: 0x0000007B (0xf789e63c, 0xc0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

I’ve also tried the Silicon SATA and Raid controllers and MoBo connections and I get the same error.

Help!!

Ken,
I had same problem. couldn't find nvraid.cat etc. Try making driver disk with a new floppy. That worked for me.


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Thanks Scott, I've tried that with no luck. I've used 3 different diskettes and different versions of the drivers (2 for nVidia and 1 for Silicon).

Ken

I recieve the excact same error!

I have also tried several different diskettes and drivers. I have the same setup and i can not resolve this issue. Been working on it for a week now, very frustrating naturally.

If anyone has any suggestions, i would really appreciate it!

I have tried ASUS tech support three times now. The first time I went to level 2 support and I tried all the suggestions, nothing worked. I called a second and third time, I waited on the line, got to level 2 support on-hold, and then both times they said they would call back and have never yet called, that was 2 and 4 days ago. Frustrating!!

I can also add that i have tried 3 different BIOS from the Asus website.
They all give the same error. Currently using the latest Beta release.

I have a support requst going with asus, but they have not replied my email yet.
Have also sent a support mail to Western Digital (who makes my Raptor disks), they have not yet replied either. Aargh.

Seems to be a lot of errors with this motherboard and setup. Just hope someone has a good tip before im forced to return this stuff.

I've found a website that shows how to setup a WinXP Install CD with Raid drivers on it and loads without using the F6. I'm trying that today. Here is the URL if you want to try it. http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/HDDProblems2.htm#sata - then search for "How can I restore Windows XP to a serial ATA (SATA) hard disk drive?" and right after that article is "How to slipstream Windows XP and create a customised boot CD". There is another site on how to update with WinXP SP2 (the url is on the above page).

I also tried a BartPE - Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE) bootable live windows CD/DVD (http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/) but its been hard to get all the settings correct.

I'm learning more then I ever wanted to know about SATA and Raid. Whne I had my drives set up on a different ASUS Mobo with Raid 0 I had no problems, althought the manufacturer installed it.

Hey again

Thank you. I will try to make a slipstream CD like you have posted. I had not thought about this work-around, but i have actually made SP2 into a slipstream disc before.
Hmm, perhaps this thing will work. *crosses fingers* well, i can always hope.

NB: Still no word from Asus nor Western Digital.

Hello

I have tried the slipstream disc with the Nvraid driver in it. It does not work.
When i start the computer with that CD in, it loads a few things, then i get a different kind of error message.
This one says a bit more than the regular windows one perhaps. It states that the system is unstable and that the cause is either a device driver or a loaded program (there are no programs loaded). Hmm, ok, maybe it doesnt help much after all.
The error message has some advanced technical information in it, saying something about an "Exception code 6" or something like that, and refering to some hex codes. (i won't type them all here, theres a lot!)

Anyway, still no solution unfortunetly, just a different kind of error message. well well, i'm already going crazy ^^

Anyone got a tip, please, PLEASE, give me a shot, i will try most things at this point.

I can't seem to get a bootable CD. I keep getting an error "CDBoot: Cannot boot from CD -Code: 4" I've used ISOBuster and Roxio Easy Media Creator 7 to create a boot cd.

I give up. I am buying another Hard Drive (WB Raptor 74GB) for my windows boot disk and will use the 2 drives I now have as Raid 0 for data only.

I hate giving up, but I want to get my PC set up so I can use it again!!

I also had trouble with Norton Ghost, the newest one, using RAID, it will not recognize my Raid disk for standalone restore of my raid drives. I'm really disappointed with Symantec on this issue with Ghost. I need to find another backup/restoe program that will work with Raid.

Yeah i have not come any closer to a solution yet either. I will have one last talk with western digital, then i'm also giving up

I will have to drop the Raid for the boot, and just use one HDD for that. aaargh this is so messed-up, how can there be issues like this on completely standard parts?

I'm extremely dissapointed and angry with Asus (cause i think this is there fault, their motherboard cant handle it).

Dont know what to do either. god, defeat like this is awful.

Well i just got a mail from WD support. Will post it here, cause i'm not really sure what to say on the first question.

"Response (Evert B.) 08/09/2005 01:23 AM
Hello,

Is the Montherboard set to 32bit or 64bit burst in the BIOS

Are your using XP or XP 64bit Edition

When installing the drivers for the SATA chipset is the the 32bit or 64bit Driver.

WD Tech Support "

Well i'm (trying to) use regular Windows XP pro, not 64 bit. The drivers for the Nvraid i'm sure is 32bit. However the burst thing in the BIOS i'm not sure about. where do i see that?

thanks in advance anyone

From your WD support response my answers for my set up are below:

Is the Montherboard set to 32bit or 64bit burst in the BIOS ---- 32 bit

Are your using XP or XP 64bit Edition ----- regular 32 bit WinXP Pro

When installing the drivers for the SATA chipset is the the 32bit or 64bit Driver. ---- 32 bit driver and controller drivers

Have you tried calling ASUS on your issue? Maybe you can get through to them. I tried and I think I may try again even though I have ordered a Raptor 74GB drive to boot from. I'm going to be building a second computer so I'll be able to reuse it if I can get Raid 0 working on this MoBo.

Thanks

I ran into the same problems and was able to get it to work. I did a search on google at first and came to this site and saw that others had this same problem. I have never been to this site and almost did not post because I have to jump through hoops and register with my email, etc. etc.

Anyway I am running the a Asus A8V-Deluxe with Dual Core 3800 and Windows XP64. I had the same problem saying that it was missing the .CAT file. What I did was search the CD and found the .CAT files it was missing on the floppy and copied them to the Raid Floppy Disk I made and everything worked. It seems that Asus forgot to include these files when it makes A Raid Disk for you from the CD.

Later.

Download xpboot.bin from:
http://www.short-media.com/images/mm/Articles/slipstream_xp/bo...xpboot.bin

Download a trial version of Nero 6 or get a cracked version from Limewire .

Choose CD-ROM (Boot) from the menu and choose the BOOT tab.

Choose the radio button for IMAGE file and browse to where the XPBOOT.BIN file was downloaded to. Click the ENABLE EXPERT SETTINGS tickbox and choose NO EMULATION. Remove the NERO boot message and change NUMBER OF LOAD SECTORS from 1 to 4.

Choose the LABEL tab.

Click the MORE LABELS button and enter the following information if using a corporate edition of Windows XP.
http://www.short-media.com/images/mm/Articles/slipstream_xp/nl...ero_04.jpg

You will want to add WXPVOL_EN to the disc name if it wasn't added automatically. Click the NEW button and add all the files in the folder where nLite slipstreamed the installation disk. Click the BURN button and insert a blank CD to be burnt.

That's what I did when I had an identical problem with a RAID setup of SATA disks on an A8N-SLi Premium (But the problem is there across most/all nF4 boards so don't run out and swap it yet ).

I also slipstreamed SP2 and removed Windows Messenger because it always used to end up running in the background even when I told Windows to uninstall it.

There is a guide on exactly what to do here:
http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=284&p=1

You will also have to edit the txtsetup.oem file from the drivers (6.53 I used), everything is explained in the guide.

I don't mean to take away from Gamerz l33t (i.e. overly complicated) approach, but here's a simpler (and legal) method that worked for me. Also, call me old-fashioned, but I am using my real name instead of a forum bio or handle...so feel free to contact me with questions.

1) Download the nVidia drivers from their support website (http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_nf4_winxp32_amd_6.66.html)

I grabbed a 40MB file called nForce4_amd_6.66_winxp2k_international.exe

2) Run the file to extract the drivers. If you choose the default path, everything should end up in C:\NVIDIA\nForceWin2KXP\6.66\

3) After the extraction is done, the binary might try to start installing. I just cancelled the install with Alt+F4

4) Open the following path and copy all the files to a floppy (that's what I used, but you could also try a USB device...YMMV):

C:\NVIDIA\nForceWin2KXP\6.66\IDE\WinXP\sataraid

Here are the filenames, in case you want to double-check:
txtsetup.oem
nvuide.exe
nvraidco.dll
nvraid.sys
nvraid.inf
nvide.nvu
nvcoi.dll
nvatabus.sys
nvata.cat
idecoi.dll
disk1

5) Boot the A8N-SLI system and hit F6 when prompted to select alternate drivers. When prompted, hit the S key to select the drivers from the floppy. It should show you two driver options from NVIDIA. Hit enter to select the top one. After it is done copying, hit S again and then select the bottom one. After both are installed tell the XP setup you are done and it should continue without a hitch.

So, I was able to use this simple method to install XPSP2 on a striped pair of SATA2 disks with an ASUS A8N-SLI Premium MB. I'm sure it would work with mirrored, etc. as well.

Hope that helps,
Davi

Davi can you please read the posts we made? i don't mean to be rude, but it gets a bit frustrating to explain the problem over and over again. WE HAVE TRIED THE 'DRIVERS ON FLOPPY' METHOD!

Look at this from the first post by Ken: "I have no problem loading the Raid drivers, using F6 at the initial Windows Startup setup, I load the nVidia drivers diskette with the nVidia NV11 Raid 32 bit Xp/2K drivers (and I tried the nVidia Rev 6.66 Raid SATA drivers from the nVidia website), I select the 1st required driver, then the 2nd required driver for the controller and it loads fine."

in fact, i have tried every driver it's possible to attain, yes "even" the regular nvidia sata driver from the package (which is the way everyone tries at first, and you described). It does not work with that.

I have done a lot of research into this now, and it seems its nVidia who has made a little mistake in their textbased scriptfile (probably oemsetup.txt). It is a problem which has affected a LOT of people, not just the A8N motherboards (even though mainly this board).

Some choose to give up, use other HDDs or even return it. But don't!

THE METHOD POSTED BY GAMERZ WORKS! (at least it did for me ^^)

Follow the directions at the site he linked to. I also found this site: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=50659

I can truly recommend reading it for anyone having these now almost famous issues.

Right now i'm just glad i finally got it working. So good luck to all! ^^

Sorry you're having issues. I feel your pain but the floppy worked for me. Perhaps my brand-new copy of XPSP2 direct from a Microsoft-campus store is different. I know Microsoft's media is usually very different depending on when/where it's from. This all reminds me of building custom Linux kernels about ten years ago...used to run into the same problem where drivers had to be compiled into the installer before the system could get past its first reboot. Linux always gets the blame for lack of native hardware support, so I don't see why you would blame ASUS instead of Microsoft on this one...

Sorry, I guess you are actually blaming nVidia. Either way, fair's fair and it's Microsoft's fault, right?

"Sorry, I guess you are actually blaming nVidia. Either way, fair's fair and it's Microsoft's fault, right?"

Well, yeah ^^ i am blaming nVidia on this one. cause it's not just Asus motherboards. and yes, you are correct, microsoft should start implementing native support for these sata controllers! This has caused a lot of people a lot of problems. But just keep at it guys, follow the instructions above and it will work

Hi just wanted to tell u that i'we fixed the problem with deleting the raid array and creating a new one and then installing w same floppys as before


hope it helps

Jimmie