Cannot install IRST

[JimL]

Full disclosure:  noob here.

I have a desktop built on a Gigabyte B460 Aorus Pro AC MB.

The system has a RAID 1 array for the OS and those drives need to be replaced as they're too small.

I want to use the Intel Rapid Storage Technology app to rebuild the drive, but I cannot install the IRST application.

1.  I believe the BIOS setup is correct:  running in SATA Mode

2.  The IRST app is not present in the App menu.

3.  BIOS shows the Intel RAID driver installed:

3.  Device Manager does not show IRST installed:

4.  I've tried to load the IRST Driver 18.7.0.1002.  The .exe file begins running, then a window with (I assume) a virtual drive F:\ appears, then it disappears, then the dialog window states installation is complete.  The app does NOT appear after rebooting.

5.  Here's a shot of my Intel storage screen dashboard.

 

Any thoughts on installing the IRST application or on the overarching question of how to replace OS drives in a RAID 1 array?

Thanks in advance for your patience.

[Kiriakos-GR]

Gigabyte website, Gigabyte page about your motherboard, at support section it will have of what you need.

[JimL]

Thank you for the suggestion:  I've checked the Gigabyte support site:  I've tried installing the recommended Intel driver referenced in point 4 of my original post and still no solution.

[Jose_Intel]

Hello @JimL

Thank you for posting on the Intel️® communities.

We understand you are having difficulties with the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST), we will be more than happy to assist you.

Please check this information: Move a RAID 1 Volume to Larger Hard Drive

Also, in order to have more information about your system, please download, install and run Intel® System Support Utility for Windows. Make sure you check “Everything” before you scan, then save the report and attach it to your response.

Best regards,

Jose B.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[JimL]

Hello Jose -

Thank you very much for the response.  

Regarding your points:  This is the overarching problem - the IRST program is not shown as an available Windows app.

1. Open the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology user interface (Start > All Programs > Intel > Intel® Rapid Storage Technology).

Attached is the SSU report from my system.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Best,

Jim

[Jose_Intel]

Hello JimL

Thank you for your reply and the report.

We noticed that the BIOS is not up to date, please download the latest version from here: F8 (for further instructions regarding the installation, please contact the system manufacturer).

Also, we would like to know how you created the RAID initially.

Best regards,

Jose B.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[JimL]

Hi Jose,

I was able to successfully update the BIOS to F8.  The system is running properly.

I've re-run the SSU and attached an updated report.

Also attached are excerpted pages from the MB User Manual regarding RAID set-up.  I've highlighted the EZ RAID section that I belive was used when the system was built 3 years ago.

BTW: after updating the BIOS I tried to again install the IRST 18.7.0.1002 driver.  According the dialog boxes, the installation failed due to compatibility issues.  Any thoughts on this?

Again, your continued assistance is very much appreciated.

Best,

Jim

[JimL]

UPDATE:

After the BIOS update, I attemped to switch the SATA Mode setting from AHCI to Intel RST Premium with Inel Optane Acceleration.

Windows crashed and the system no longer boots to Windows, even after trying Recovery.

Could you point me to an article on how to create a RAID 1 array using the correct Intel driver/apps?  When the new drives arrive, I'll do a clean install on those disks.

Best,

JIm

[JimL]

UPDATE #2:

I was finally able to restore Windows, however the RAID array is gone as well as all Intel apps.

Windows now sees a C:\ and D:\ physical drive.  

Are the Intel apps/drivers able to create a RAID array through Windows?

Best,

Jim

[Kiriakos-GR]

The choice of using AHCI OR Intel RST this is something to be made prior installing the operating system.

Its not a car gearbox so to switch gears freely.

When RAID selected at BIOS, AHCI controller deactivates, INTEL RST activates.

Then we setup two HDD or SSD media as RAID ARRAY.

At operating system installation, the OS loads appropriate drivers, and then it boot.   

Its forbidden to load back AHCI when there is a formed RAID Array this serving the operating system.

Intel RST this is to be used from the ones having active one RAID Array at least.

RAID Array = Two volumes set as RAID Pair.

At six port SATA controller, you may deploy up to three RAID Array.

One for the Operating system.

Two for storage.

And or One RAID Array and four SATA ports available for Non-RAID storage media. 

Non RAID : HDD or DVD drive.

Then Intel RST this will happily control RAID and Non RAID media.

[JimL · Accepted solution]

Closing this thread now.

I appreciated Intel's repsonse to my noobie problem. 

However, the intial steps to fix the problem - a BIOS update - ultimately crashed my system.  While I had done a full OS system BU, the restoration resulted in the SATA config being reset to AHCI.  The old array was gone.  I probably should have researched reconfiguring the array after the BIOS update, but I'm thinking the OS still would not have booted anyway.  

[Jose_Intel]

Hello JimL

Thank you for your letting us know.

We sincerely regret that issue was not resolved. We will proceed to close this thread, please keep in mind it will no longer be monitored by Intel. Thank you for your understanding.  

Best regards,

Jose B.

Intel Customer Support Technician