Intel Rapid Storage Technology RAID 5 slows OS boot time after first write

[AMass4]

Hi All,

My Current configuration is:

OS; Window 7 Pro with all the latest patches installed.

PC: Dell XPS 8700

Intel Rapid Storage Technology Ver 15.9.0.1015

Drive Configuration:

OS Drive: SSD 447 GB (Samsung)

3 X 4 TB Drives (Western Digital)

My system reboot cycle time (until you get the Window Login Screen) is usually around 25 seconds.

I noticed that once I build a Raid 5 (3 x 4 TB Drive) with Intel Rapid Storage Technology, after the first write on the Raid-5 whenever i reboot my system in takes up to 4 minutes to get the Window Login Screen.

I did the following trouble shooting:

1. I build the raid-5 and reboot. No issue. Reboot time is around 30 Seconds.
2. I initialized the raid-5 (takes around 2 days) and reboot. No issue. Reboot time is around 30 seconds.
3. I start using/writing to the raid-5 . Reboot now takes 4 minutes.
4. Delete the raid-5 . Reboot goes back to 30 seconds.

Anyone know what could be affecting the reboot once the raid-5 is written to ? And how to fix this so that reboot time reverts to normal.

Many Thanks

Alex

[idata]

Hello Alex-NYC,

I understand that the RAID 5 configuration made with RST is increasing the boot-time considerably, I apologize for any inconvenience.Regarding this problem, after reviewing and checking some of the information sent I was able to see that the version of RST is 15.9.0.1015 which is a version that does not support your version of chipset. This being the case, is recommendable to download either the one provided by the OEM(Dell) or the generic version provided by us. You can get the one provided by the OEM from here:http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/xps-8700/drivers http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/xps-8700/drivers*Please be aware that the content on that site is not controlled by Intel*. This information is offered for your convenience and should not be viewed as an endorsement by Intel* for the merchants or services offered there.* If you would like to try the generic version of RST you can find it here: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26759/Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Intel-RST-User-Interface-and-Driver?product=55005 https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26759/Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Intel-RST-User-Interface-and-Driver?product=55005 If that solution does not help, please provide us with the Intel ® RST System Report, you can follow the steps in the link below: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000006351/technologies.html https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000006351/technologies.htmlAlso, if the issue still persists, please provide us with the System Support Utility file which you can get by running our Intel ® System Support Utility program, refer to the link below: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility-for-Windows- https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility-for-Windows-Regards,David V

[AMass4]

Thanks David,

I removed the current version of RST (15.9.0.1015) and installed the generic version you had recommended (14.8.16.106) as the OEM version was giving the same problem.

I am still facing the same slow boot time with the generic version.

Attached are the RST System Report and System Support Utility you have requested.

I appreciate your assistance in trying to resolve this.

Regards,

Alex

[idata]

Hello Alex-NYC,

Thank you for your response,I was checking some information about the issue we are attempting to fix and I would like to try a few things. First I would like you to uninstall the Intel ® Rapid Storage Technology from your system and then reboot. After this, I would like you to check the time it takes to boot.If the previous step does not make a difference then I would like you to try to update the BIOS of your system. Upon some research I was able to find the latest BIOS for your system and see that the "Fix" is related to an " Intel ® Boot" issue, so this would be another step that could solve the problem. Please refer to the link below: http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/xps-8700/drivers http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/xps-8700/drivers*Please be aware that the content on that site is not controlled by Intel*. This information is offered for your convenience and should not be viewed as an endorsement by Intel* for the merchants or services offered there.*The BIOS version that has this fix is the version "A12". After this let us know the outcome please, if you need assistance to install the BIOS version then I would recommend you to get in contact with Dell. Regards,David V

[AMass4]

Hi David,

I have done the following:

1. Removed Intel ® Rapid Storage Technology software from the PC and rebooted it. Same problem with reboot time at 4 minutes.
2. Installed the new BIOS A12 from Dell. Reboot time now is 26 minutes. This is not a glitch as i rebooted the machine a couple of time just to make sure. So whatever Dell did to fix the " Intel ® Boot issues" it actually made the problem worst.
3. I reinstalled Intel ® Rapid Storage Technology.
4. I deleted the raid-5. Boot time down to 30 seconds.
5. Recreated the raid-5 without using it. Boot time is 30 seconds.
6. Initialized the raid-5 without using it. Boot time is 30 seconds.
7. Start using the raid-5 by writing data on it. Boot time is 26 minutes.

Obviously, there is something wrong in the BIOS between the Intel Chip set and the code that Dell has released.

Let me know how you would like me to proceed before I go back to A11 BIOS as 26 minutes boot time is not going to work for me .

Thanks again.

Alex

[idata]

Hello Alex-NYC,

Thank you for your response,Upon review of the details and the troubleshoot followed so far I can tell that the problems seems to be more related to hardware than software. This is because when you uninstalled the RST the raid was managed by Microsoft's RAID driver and if it still took a long time to boot then that means that the problem is more related to hardware.I would strongly recommend to get in contact with your system manufacturer (Dell) and request them to test a system with your same details so that they can replicate the problem and assist you in the best way.I apologize for any inconvenience.Regards,David V

[idata]

Hello Alex-NYC,

I am following up with your case and see that we have not heard back from you.If you need more assistance do not hesitate to reply.Regards,David V

[AMass4]

Hello David,

I have reached out to Dell and it looks like their latest BIOS A12 to supposedly fix the "Intel Boot Issue" has degraded the PC performance of many users.

See following link on Dell Community: https://www.dell.com/community/XPS-Desktops/XPS-8700-A12-BIOS-sluggish-performance/m-p/6008219# M10320 XPS 8700, A12 BIOS, sluggish performance - Dell Community

I think it is about time for both Dell and Intel to seat down around a table and figure out how to solve this for all their users once for all.

As of today I am still facing the same slow boot time and was forced to delete my Raid to be able to use my PC.

Best

Alex

[idata]

Hello Alex-NYC,

Thank you for your response,Regarding this issue, I would like to know if you have downloaded the chipset driver update that dell has in their website? If not, it is highly recommended to download and install it. Regarding the BIOS version not working fine I apologize but we provide the information needed and the OEM (Dell) are the ones who implement it.I hope updating the chipset driver solves your problem.Regards,David V

[idata]

Hello Alex-NYC,

I am following up with your case and see that we have not heard back from you.If you need more assistance do not hesitate to reply.Regards,David V

[AMass4]

Hi David,

I do have the latest chipset driver installed. Dell has still not provided a solution yet.The A12 BIOS made the problem worst and currently there is no way to revert back to the old BIOS. So i am waiting until someone comes up with a fix.

Thanks

Alex