Raid bug/feature or incorrect usage?

[Koops]

On my ga-ex58-ud5 board it has 10 sata ports.

These are split into the intel controller (6 ports) and the jmicron controller (4 ports - 2 jmb322 controllers).

I have the following setup on the jmicron controller.

gsata2 0/1
Port 0 - Samsung 750gb
Port 1 - Seagate 500gb
Single standalone drives no raid configuration.

gsata2 2/3
Port 0 - seagate 320
Port 1 - seagate 320
These are configured into a Raid Stripe.

Now in the board manual it states :

A raid 0 or raid 1 configuration requires 2 hard drives. The two hard drives must be connected to either the GSATA2_0 and GSATA 2_1 asn an array or to the GSATA2_2 and GSATA2_3 connectors.

My problem is that I can not get access to all 4 drives at once. I can only get 3 out of 4. I have swapped them to check if its a cable or disk issue and all disks are fine.

If I only have the 2 x 320gb's + 500. Its fine in any ports.
If I only have the 2 x 320gb's + 750. Its fine in any ports.
If I only have the 500 + 750. Its fine in any ports.

Is there a limitation I am missing here?

Its almost as if the raid array disabled the usage of slave port drives on the other controller! I can see them in bios but they just aren't usable.

note: replying and saying "use the intel ports" is not an option. I currently have 2 x ssd's raid 0 + 4 x 1.5tb raid 5 disks in use on that controller. Those NEED to use the intel controller.

[Koops]

controller #1

[Koops]

controller #2

[Koops]

No ones running stripe sets on their gigabyte/jmicron controllers?

[Koops]

Originally Posted by Koops

No ones running stripe sets on their gigabyte/jmicron controllers?

no one?

[Chike]

In 500 + 700 configuration they both show on channel 4 as master and slave?

[Koops]

Originally Posted by Chike

In 500 + 700 configuration they both show on channel 4 as master and slave?

I'm not sure what you mean. The 500 doesn't show up at all unless I disconnect the stripe set or swap the cable with the 750. In that case the 750 then disappears.

750 master + 500 slave + raid stripe = 750 + stripe
750 slave + 500 master + raid stripe = 500 + stripe
750 master + 500 slave = 700 + 500

[Chike]

Originally Posted by Koops

I'm not sure what you mean. The 500 doesn't show up at all unless I disconnect the stripe set or swap the cable with the 750. In that case the 750 then disappears.

750 master + 500 slave + raid stripe = 750 + stripe
750 slave + 500 master + raid stripe = 500 + stripe
750 master + 500 slave = 700 + 500

I meant in BIOS Standard Settings the 750 & 500 show as master and slave in channel 4.
You'd probably have the same problem with 3 drives in non raid configuration, so either 2 drives, or 2 raids, or 1 drive and 1 raid configurations are possible.
I am not familiar with the board or SSDs but what is the reason you can't use the SSDs raid in the jmicron ports?

[Chike]

Just a thought, I am assuming Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl Mode is IDE, have you tried AHCI?

[Psycho101]

There aren't many people running on the JMicron controllers to be honest. You have alot of RAID drives. Many have enough room on their Intel controller.

I nderstand your frustration. As Chike suggested, try running the JMicron in AHCI mode. Also see if you can update to the latest driver (go to JMicron rather than the Gigabyte Site).

If this doesn't work, I'd strongly recommend purchasing a stand alone RAID card. A decent card with a good sized buffer would probably even out perform the ICH10R. Not an ideal solution, I know, but the truth is, the JMicron controllers are just there to tick a features box on the advertising and product packaging IMO. They aren't robust or bug free enough for intense use. Fine for a couple of extra DVD burners or stand alone backup drives, but I wouldn't trust them with any precious data. Adaptec do great RAID cards, but they are a little pricey. Highpoint RocketRAID are also very reliable and much more reasonably priced.