DQ45EK mobo (82801JDO chipset) RAID 5 issue

[idata]

I'm using a DQ45EK motherboard with an intel dual-core E5200 (LGA775) processor. My issue is that when I go into the RAID menu to create the array I want (RAID5 array- 4 drives, 3 in the array, one as a hot spare). If I set up the array with 3 drives, it leaves the 4th out, not asking what to do with it, but it's bootable. If I use all 4 drives, the same thing happens, but it's not bootable.

My question is, how do I set up this 3 drive array to be bootable with the 4th disk being a hot spare?

Apologies if this is a silly question; I'm a bit unfamiliar with RAID5.

[idata]

Hello,

Firstly, no need to apologies for anything.

A question is a question.

Yes, the easiest way to do that:

- Connect your three hdds that you will have your RAID 5 on it.

- Create your RAID 5 and save and exit

Install your OS.

Install all the latest drivers from the website.

Install the Intel Matrix Storage Manager software.

Connect your 4th drive.

It should be a non-raid drive. Format the hdd in disk management from windows.

In Intel Matrix Storage Manager, you will see your drive as a nonraid drive, right click and mark it as spare.

It did it for a RAID1 configuration.

See picture below:

All the best,

Kind Regards,

Aryan/

[idata]

This is actually going to be a Debian box. Will I run into any additional issues because of that?

EDIT: Also it will be a nonGUI install, so everything I do program wise will be through the command prompt.

But I will try setting up the initial RAID and loading the OS anyways, then figuring out the rest from there.

[idata]

Well, I've run into an entirely new issue. I need drivers, and have spent the past few hours trying in vain to find them. Any way anyone knows where to find some for this mobo that work with Debian? I can't even load the OS without them.

Seems like this motherboard favors Windows a great deal.

[idata]

Hello,

Unfortunately, i have never tried Linux. I cannot suggest anything.

Yes, there is limited Linux Support for Linux.

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-028648.htm

May be you can check with him.

http://communities.intel.com/message/76297# 76297

All the best,

Kind Regards,

Aryan.