AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Planning to rebuild my 20TB WHS Flexraid server: Information requested.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Planning to rebuild my 20TB WHS Flexraid server: Information requested. - Page 10

post #271 of 936
12/7/12 at 3:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy_Steb View Post

Looks like you used this one "LSI MegaRAID to SAS2008(P10).zip - 6.38MB" not the one you stated earlier.
Mfusick
Before you install the card, before you even install the card write the SAS address down, it is on a green sticker.
You might want to disable your on board SATA and NIc before you begin.
You can flash the card with or without a boot rom. If you plan on booting the server with the on board sata, then you don't need it. Or you can flash it and just disable it.

Your talking if I wanted to boot from the card right? Like my OS drive was connected to the IBM card?

Yeah.. No I won't. I'll use an SSD directly on the SATA3 port on the Z77 motherboard for that.

So if I don't need it what should I do ? I will never boot from this card.
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #272 of 936
12/7/12 at 3:39pm
CONTROL ALT DELETE Works
Reply
Reply
post #273 of 936
12/7/12 at 3:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Your talking if I wanted to boot from the card right? Like my OS drive was connected to the IBM card?
Yeah.. No I won't. I'll use an SSD directly on the SATA3 port on the Z77 motherboard for that.
So if I don't need it what should I do ? I will never boot from this card.

If you will never boot off of the IBM card you really don't need it.
I went ahead and flashed it, but I have it disabled, Later on if I decide I want to boot off of it I can just turn it on.
Reply
Reply
post #274 of 936
12/7/12 at 3:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy_Steb View Post

If you will never boot off of the IBM card you really don't need it.
I went ahead and flashed it, but I have it disabled, Later on if I decide I want to boot off of it I can just turn it on.



Your talking about this right ?
Reply
Reply
post #275 of 936
12/7/12 at 3:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy_Steb View Post

I would try one with batch files, it may be a little simpler for you.
LSI MegaRAID to SAS2008(P11).zip - 5.87 MB (DOS, via bootable usb key)

When you say "batch files" I am not sure what you mean.

I think I might have answered this question myself:

From the other link:
http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=12767.msg121131#msg121131

It appears you can download this:
Quote:
LSI MegaRAID to SAS2008(P10).zip - 6.38 MB (DOS, via bootable usb key)
LSI MegaRAID to SAS2008(P11).zip - 5.87 MB (DOS, via bootable usb key)




Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?98j2l2314l6g77w

Which gets you:





take a look inside


I see:






With this READ ME below :
Quote:
1) Prepare a USB stick you do not mind formatting. You only need about 12MB.

2) Go into the bootable_usb_stick directory and install the HP USB Boot Utility (HP_USB_Boot_Utility.exe)

3) Launch the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool

4) See screenshot "bootable_usb_stick.png" as reference, you just need to select "FAT32" file system
I named the volume KILLMEGA smile.gif, "Quick Format" otherwise it takes a LONG time, "Create a DOS startup disk"
and select "using DOS system files located at:" and browse to the directory "usbdos" which is a sub
folder under the boot_usb_stick directory where you installed the HP USB Boot Utility.
Click start

5) Once completed, unzip "LSIMega.zip" to the root of the usb stick.

6) Boot up to the usb stick.

7) Launch each step, Step 1, 1.bat (This will dump all the information about your card to a file Named ADAPTERS.TXT
In this file is your SAS Address which will be required for step 6 (6.bat)

Example:
HW Configuration
================
SAS Address : 500605b001f31fa0

8) Step 2, 2.bat will save your current controllers SBR to a file Mega.sbr, please rename it to the cards model
your using this on, example IBM M1015, rename mega.sbr to SBRM1015.bin and post on the forum (would like
to collect all SBRs)

9) Step 3, 3.bat will wipe your current SBR and clear your controllers BIOs.

10) Set 4, Shutdown your system now, plug your USB stick in another system were you can get at the ADAPTERS.TXT
(that was dumped in step 1) file to write donw your SAS Controllers Address

11) Put back usb stick in the system with the Mega card and boot to usb again.

12) In step 5 you can Flash your card to either IT or IR mode by lauched the respective batch file (5IT.bat or
5IR.bat) This will file your mega controller to SAS2008 firmware P10 (lastest as of time posted)

13) Step 6, 6.bat will echo out the command you need to run manually in a commandline to re-program back your
SAS Address you obtain when you shutdown your system and wrote it down from the ADAPTERS.TXT file

SHOULD for any reason the SAS Address have not been in the ADAPTERS.TXT file, it should be on a sticker on the
back of your controller card, 16 characters without "-" dashes or spaces

14) reboot and enjoy!


So... I think your talking about this method vs the method linked here:
http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/topic/29059-sas2008-lsi92409211-firmware-files/

Which appear to both be links to do the same thing but slightly different.


So... I am half way through the first method. But I have not done anything yet.


For those who have done this... which way is easier / safer / better ??? Which ways did you use ???
Reply
Reply
post #276 of 936
12/7/12 at 4:00pm
Thread Starter 


WOW it's taking forever!!!!!


Note: Use a small USB stick because converting the format from NTSF to FAT32 on a large USB stick seems to take a long time. I am wondering if I should have plugged it into a USB3.0 port instead.




For some odd reason I stuck it in a USB2.0 slot even though I had a perfectly fine 3.0 right next to it. Live and learn I guess.
Reply
Reply
post #277 of 936
12/7/12 at 4:01pm
If it makes you feel any better I just flashed a M1015 a couple of days ago with the files from laptopvideo2go. I used an old dell core duo. I already had usb disc. The whole process took less than 10 minutes.
Reply
Reply
post #278 of 936
12/7/12 at 4:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post


WOW it's taking forever!!!!!
Note: Use a small USB stick because converting the format from NTSF to FAT32 on a large USB stick seems to take a long time. I am wondering if I should have plugged it into a USB3.0 port instead.

For some odd reason I stuck it in a USB2.0 slot even though I had a perfectly fine 3.0 right next to it. Live and learn I guess.

Use the USB 2.0 when you go to flash your card
Reply
Reply
post #279 of 936
12/7/12 at 4:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy_Steb View Post

Use the USB 2.0 when you go to flash your card

Yeah. I figured. just because often times things don't have drivers and support for USB3.0. I originally wanted to install windows 7 x64 pro from a USB 3.0 and realized that it only does 2.0 and that 3.0 ports don't work until I install the drivers. lol.
Reply
Reply
post #280 of 936
12/7/12 at 4:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy_Steb View Post

If it makes you feel any better I just flashed a M1015 a couple of days ago with the files from laptopvideo2go. I used an old dell core duo. I already had usb disc. The whole process took less than 10 minutes.

Cool. Perfect.

This one right: http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/topic/29059-sas2008-lsi92409211-firmware-files/

So I will continue down this path... as I believe I understand it. I trust your advice. I will ignore the other method I listed above from LIME-TECH.

Wish me luck!!!
This 16GB stick is taking forever. I am about to go grab a 2GB or 4GB and start over.. lol.

Is the the FAT32 format that is taking so long ?? Did yours take a while ???

Look how far I made it in last 10 minutes:

Reply
Reply
post #281 of 936
12/7/12 at 4:28pm
1) Prepare a USB stick you do not mind formatting. You only need about 12MB. Your doing this now

2) Go into the bootable_usb_stick directory and install the HP USB Boot Utility (HP_USB_Boot_Utility.exe) Your doing this now

3) Launch the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool Your doing this now

4) See screenshot "bootable_usb_stick.png" as reference, you just need to select "FAT32" file system
I named the volume KILLMEGA , "Quick Format" otherwise it takes a LONG time, "Create a DOS startup disk"
and select "using DOS system files located at:" and browse to the directory "usbdos" which is a sub
folder under the boot_usb_stick directory where you installed the HP USB Boot Utility.
Click start Your doing this now

5) Once completed, unzip "LSIMega.zip" to the root of the usb stick.Your going to have to do this with both methods

6) Boot up to the usb stick.Your going to have to do this with both methods

7) Launch each step, Step 1, 1.bat (This will dump all the information about your card to a file Named ADAPTERS.TXT
In this file is your SAS Address which will be required for step 6 (6.bat)Remember the green sticker, you already have this, if that sticker was damaged I could see you needing this

Example:
HW Configuration
================
SAS Address : 500605b001f31fa0There or no letter o's in hex, the 0's are zeros

8) Step 2, 2.bat will save your current controllers SBR to a file Mega.sbr, please rename it to the cards model
your using this on, example IBM M1015, rename mega.sbr to SBRM1015.bin and post on the forum (would like
to collect all SBRs) This step is not necessary for flashing

9) Step 3, 3.bat will wipe your current SBR and clear your controllers BIOs.The other method does this in step one and step two

10) Set 4, Shutdown your system now, plug your USB stick in another system were you can get at the ADAPTERS.TXT
(that was dumped in step 1) file to write donw your SAS Controllers Address Didn't I say we already had this? if you use this method, compare the numbers and make sure they are the same.

11) Put back usb stick in the system with the Mega card and boot to usb again.

12) In step 5 you can Flash your card to either IT or IR mode by lauched the respective batch file (5IT.bat or
5IR.bat) This will file your mega controller to SAS2008 firmware P10 (lastest as of time posted)you want IT mode. If you don't want a boot rom, you will need to edit this file

13) Step 6, 6.bat will echo out the command you need to run manually in a commandline to re-program back your
SAS Address you obtain when you shutdown your system and wrote it down from the ADAPTERS.TXT fileYou need to type this command in manually using both methods

SHOULD for any reason the SAS Address have not been in the ADAPTERS.TXT file, it should be on a sticker on the
back of your controller card, 16 characters without "-" dashes or spaces

14) reboot and enjoy!



I just wanted to point out the differences.

double check all of your typing before hitting enter. And watch the o's and 0's
Reply
Reply
post #282 of 936
12/7/12 at 4:36pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy_Steb View Post

1) Prepare a USB stick you do not mind formatting. You only need about 12MB. Your doing this now
I named the volume KILLMEGA , "Quick Format" otherwise it takes a LONG time, "Create a DOS startup disk" and select "using DOS system files located at:" and browse to the directory "usbdos" which is a sub
folder under the boot_usb_stick directory where you installed the HP USB Boot Utility.
Click start Your doing this now

I am not sure I did the USB stick right, I followed the directions but mine appears to be empty.






should I be seeing anything on the drive ????


Reply
Reply
post #283 of 936
12/7/12 at 4:42pm
Your good, all the operating system files are hidden. Copy the files from Laptopvideo2go on it
Reply
Reply
post #284 of 936
12/7/12 at 4:53pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy_Steb View Post

Your good, all the operating system files are hidden. Copy the files from Laptopvideo2go on it

Ok...

First unzip:




Then


Go into the folder and see this...




And then inside that...

You see this:




So I then copy everything....


and paste to the USB STICK just as it was...


SO it looks like this on the USB STICK





DOES THIS LOOK RIGHT ???
Reply
Reply
post #285 of 936
12/7/12 at 4:56pm
Thread Starter 
If so... I guess it's time to get get my Athlon 939 3800 X2 beast from storage... and hook it up to my second monitor. I don't want to use my current server, desktop or HTPC (wife is watching movie with her sister now) to do it.

Does that make sense?

or- Should I quickly hook up my new motherboard Asrock Z77 and use that? (it's not in a case... but I have a silverstone HTPC case, RAM and CPU and PSU sitting right here. It would only take 10 minutes.

Z77 or old AN8-SLI Deluxe ??
Reply
Reply
post #286 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:04pm
I vote for ASUS A8n-cm
Reply
Reply
post #287 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post


Your talking about this right ?

Yes, This is how mine is configured. If you flash without a boot rom. You wouldn't even be able to get to this screen
Reply
Reply
post #288 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:07pm
Thread Starter 
ok. I'll get get it. I was just hooking up my new one... on the counter next to me. I will abort. It's a working PC so I guess I will remove the video card and slap the card into that.

I will unhook all the HDD's and turn everything off in the BIOS.

Oh.. crap. Do I need a video card??? I guess I do cause I need to see the screen. lol...
Reply
Reply
post #289 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 


I got one of these beasts...

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_Socket_939/A8NSLI_Deluxe/

Looks like I have a Spare slot:
Quote:
2 x PCIe x16 *SLI mode : x8 , x8 *Default(Single VGA) mode : x16, x1
2 x PCIe x1
3 x PCI

Look at this pig I took out of the basement:




Might have to blow it out with some air first... That slot look cruddy...
Reply
Reply
post #290 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:15pm
Thread Starter 
I have forgotten about SLI mode and what not... do I need to do anything to enable the other x8 slot ??? A jumper or some odd thing ??? I remember something about that. It's been 5 years.
Reply
Reply
post #291 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:19pm
Thread Starter 
I took out the sound card and the x1 PCI Wireless adapter.... Unlugged all the HDD's and DVD ROM. This is what I should do right ?
Reply
Reply
post #292 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

I took out the sound card and the x1 PCI Wireless adapter.... Unlugged all the HDD's and DVD ROM. This is what I should do right ?
It can't hurt. The main thing is to turn off SATA controller and onboard nic in bios. The one I did the other day on the dell didn't have an option to turn off the SATA controller.

We are just trying to make as much room as possible for the LSI/IBM rom
Reply
Reply
post #293 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:45pm
Thread Starter 
I am not seeing options for that in my bios
Reply
Reply
post #294 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:46pm
Thread Starter 
found it and disabled it. It was in a subfolder...
Reply
Reply
post #295 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:48pm
Thread Starter 
OK... I guess I will install the card and try it.
Reply
Reply
post #296 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kapone View Post

Once you have booted successfully to DOS using your bootable USB stick and are seeing C:\
Type: megarec -writesbr 0 sbrempty.bin [hit enter]
[The system will do a bunch of things and come back to C:\]
Type: megarec -cleanflash 0 [hit enter]
[The system will do a bunch of things and come back to C:\]
REBOOT MANUALLY and boot back to USB stick
Type: sas2flsh -o -f 2118it.bin -b mptsas2.rom (sas2flsh -o -f 2118it.bin if OptionROM is not needed) [hit enter]
[The system will do a bunch of things and come back to C:\]
Type: sas2flsh -o -sasadd 500605bxxxxxxxxx (x= numbers for SAS address) [hit enter]
[The system will do a bunch of things and come back to C:\]
REBOOT MANUALLY and boot back to USB stick
Now you're Done!
Quote:
Convert LSI9240(IBM M1015) to a LSI9211-IT mode
Type in the following exactly:
megarec -writesbr 0 sbrempty.bin
megarec -cleanflash 0

sas2flsh -o -f 2118it.bin -b mptsas2.rom (sas2flsh -o -f 2118it.bin if OptionROM is not needed)
sas2flsh -o -sasadd 500605bxxxxxxxxx (x= numbers for SAS address)

Done!

This is all I do now... right ?
Reply
Reply
post #297 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:53pm
Thread Starter 
And last... It's totally ok to have this thing slapped into a x16 slot right ???? I mean.. the x8 is shorter so my IBM card does not fit the whole slot.. but that is ok right ?? (dumb question I know)

I only ask because the motherboard I am using is 6 years old.
Reply
Reply
post #298 of 936
12/7/12 at 5:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

OK... I guess I will install the card and try it.

Before you try it. Install the card and fire it up.

you should see the IBM card spill out some kind of message.
See if you can access the IBM bios.
I think it is Ctrl -H or Ctrl - Y
IF you cant get access to these screens, Then I wouldn't flash with this board.
Reply
Reply
post #299 of 936
12/7/12 at 6:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

And last... It's totally ok to have this thing slapped into a x16 slot right ???? I mean.. the x8 is shorter so my IBM card does not fit the whole slot.. but that is ok right ?? (dumb question I know)
I only ask because the motherboard I am using is 6 years old.

Its OK. But if it is only working at 1x you may have problems. it should work in 4x.
Reply
Reply
post #300 of 936
12/7/12 at 6:04pm
Thread Starter 


OK... Might have a problem

Step one seems to work good.

Step 2 did not.

I typed exactly : megarec -cleanflash 0

Got the screen above
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Home Theater Computers

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Planning to rebuild my 20TB WHS Flexraid server: Information requested.