@Fernando,
when Intel RAID is enabled usually it shows at computer start informations about detected drives and information "Press CTRL+I to...."
This informations are showing when computer start at original BIOS 2101

In the case of BIOS modded by you informations isn't showing. Pressing CTRL+I not working too.

hello again,

I researched this a bit more since Spectre patching is an issue as well and found this posting on ROG.ASUS.com - an official ASUS site.

https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.ph...58-Motherboards
or try here if it does not work: https://rog.asus.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-103862.html

Specifically they list a patched BIOS for R2E: here: http://www.mediafire.com/file/tgsednwgyr...01-MOD.zip/file

These BIOSs are supposedly patched for Spectre (new microcode) AND with RAID 0 trim support. No idea what Intel RAID ROM version they are using, but it might be worth a try since it is from an ASUS site.


UPDATE:

A bit more research from the source of the Spectre patched BIOS which also handle RAID 0 with trim, I found a thread on TechPowerUp:

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threa...s.246101/page-7

This is the place to ask the author @Regeneration. There are also a few that have applied this R2E modded BIOS using his advice.

Good luck.

@Artur - after you flashed the BIOS, did you load optimal defaults, then enable RAID? If you don't enable RAID those options wont appear and you can break your RAID array too, so don't try to boot until you enable RAID

@Lost_N_BIOS - after flashing BIOS i load defaults values. I can't find a way to load optimal values. This is important to use optimal not defaults?

@build4fun - I tried bios from rog.asus.com before I tried BIOS modded by Fernando. Bios from rog.asus.com using old Intel RAID BIOS, and disks in RAID are visible as 2TB not 4TB... But thanks for contact to @Regeneration - I will ask him.

Thanks for advance!

Thank you @Fernando!
I'll test and inform!
Regards

@Fernando,

Thank you!

I also have a few R2E's that I need to mod to handle RAID0 and trim + overcome the Disk size limit + handle Spectre
From what I can read you have inserted the Intel RST v10.1.0.1008 which should overcome Disk size limit AND handle RAID 0 with trim, right?
I also understand it still contains all the original 2101 modules for JMicron storage controller (i do not use the JMicron so this does matter to me that much), the Intel ethernet controller (which I do use) and IEEE 1394 controller (which I still use).
However, from what I understand it does not cover Spectre vulnerabilities.

Assuming above to be the case, how easy would it be for me to use the Spectre patched BIOS for R2E: here: http://www.mediafire.com/file/tgsednwgyr...01-MOD.zip/file and modify it with the "best" IRST to handle:
- Spectre;
- Disk size limit (allow 4TB+); and
- RAID 0 with trim (off of the ICH10R obviously)

Is this even the best way to go about it?

Thank you once again for all your dedication and hard work!

@Fernando ,

Thanks for your prompt response!
Makes sense what you wrote.

I still have the requirements:

• a. I want to patch the CPU microcode using the intel released micro codes for 106A5 and 206C2 (since my CPU is a w3690 it should work, right?).
• b. enable RAID 0 with trim
• c. enable full 4GB size disks

1. I can start with your latest fresh BIOS from yesterday (Thank you) which I is version = v10.1.0.1008. I understand it covers RAID 0 with trim. Is this the best one? Should I try with v11 instead?
   and then patch with:
   - new microcodes for 106A5 and 206C2. They are listed here for instance: https://github.com/platomav/CPUMicrocodes/tree/master/Intel
   - add/update the IMEM stuff (have not read that yet)
OR
2. I can start with the already Spectre patched BIOS from over at https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threa...rboards.246101/
   (it has an older RAID module v8.5.0.1030) and change the RAID module to one that can do RAID 0 with trim and fits within the ROM. Is v10.1.0.1008 the right one or should I go with v 11. which got a lot of praise?

Ok I went ahead and modded the Spectre patched BIOS from posted on ROG https://rog.asus.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-103862.html and discussed here Techpowerup: https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threa...s.246101/page-7. The reason I started with that was because I could not update Ferdinand's BIOS mod from yesterday with the CPU PATCH (Micro code) for 206c2. It gave me a "not a valid patch file" error. So had to start with @Regeneration BIOS which have all relevant CPU micro code patches applied to it and updated the RAID ROM module using the MMTool 3.26

I did two versions:
- RAID ROM updated to v10.1.0.1008 - file:r2e10Spec.rar
- RAID ROM updated to v13.5.0.2164 - file:r2e13Spec.rar

Both BIOS ROMs have the Intel Spectre updates for106A5 and 206C2 applied with the two version of RAID ROMs.

I will try r2e10Spec first on the week end when I have more time.

Use at your own risk! This is especially true as this is my first BIOS mod ever lol :)

@Fernando:
Yeah you might be right about the v13.5.0.2164
that and that is why I also did the v10.1.0.1008 which is much smaller (less than 100K) and therefore should fit - this is the same one you choose.

I've read a lot in another thread about the Rampage III Extreme which is almost the same as the Rampage II Extreme (ICH10R X58 board) save for an extra Marvel SATA 6 controller and the use of a different Ethernet controller. And they are having those same issues - it does not load if they use too new/large modules. If you want to use all controllers on board and RAID you have to stay with RAID ROM v10.1.0.1008 and but some other modules can be updated. What I have read is that if you are only interested in using RAID and the Ethernet (do not need the other controlers = IEEE 1394, Jmicro SATA etc) you can get away with v13 otherwise stay with v10.

I've learned a lot the last week by reading all on the forum that I could come by and think I understand this better now and am ready to test.
A lot of ROM modules with different versions are available and the trick now is to combine the best once (or as good as I can) that others have had luck using in a way that the size limit does not blow up.

The MMTool 3.26 is really easy to use and your guide over here [Guide] AMI (non-UEFI) BIOS Modding is indispensable. Thank you!

Thank you also for all your support and hard work!

I'll experiment with v10 on the week end and see where it goes.

EDIT by Fernando: Unneeded fully quoted post removed (to save space)

@build4fun:
I tested both BIOSes modded by you
r2e13Spec - motheboard tries to enable Intel RST after boot, but freezes (size of RAID module is too big I think)
r2e10Spec - works ok, but Intel RST is not loaded, when I change storage settings to RAID. Therefore I can't create any RAID.

@Fernando:
I tested your's last BIOS RampageII-ASUS-Extreme-2101-modbyfern and Intel RST is not loading on start, after I change storage settings to RAID.

Of course every time I load default settings and change it after reeboot.

Have you any idea why RST is not loading when it is in version 10.1.0.1008?

When I start BIOS with RAID module v8.5.0.1030 RST is loadng and showing informations to press CTRL+I to create RAID. On every BIOSes with RAID module v10.1.0.1008 this information isn't showing.

Any help will be apreciated.

@Artur,

What modules do you have enabled? and what modules are disabled in the BIOS screen? JMicron? Marvell Ethernet?

I'll try to test my self later today. Sorry for not gotten to this earlier...

But so far, I've focused on getting my Rampage III Extreme BIOS updated (i got 2 PC with those boards) with a moded BIOS that actually works (moded with Spectre micro codes covering CPU 206C2, ICHR10 RAID 0 with trim and >4GB disks, JMicron "best" OROM, Marvel SATA 6G "best" OROM and Intel "best" ethernet OROM ). That was quite and adventure and what "best" is, is really difficult to say. I started with 1601 beta (last official Asus) and it turned out it was a bad base line BIOS. Once I changed to 1502 as a base line and patched from there I got everything to work - Everything as in moded with Spectre micro codes covering CPU 206C2, ICHR10 RAID 0 with trim and >4GB disks, JMicron "best" OROM, Marvel SATA 6G "best" OROM and Intel "best" ethernet OROM + and add in Marvell based RAID card. ALL running and accessible from the BIOS - super happy now!

So next up is my two Rampage II Extreme boards based PCs.

Give me a day or 2 and I'll get something working - we'll see what I can make work. I found that the combinations of OROMs you choose and enable (in the BIOS) can impact as well so it's quite a lot of trial and error. Small incremental changes (swapping in and our OROMS) is the key to figuring out what can be done. and R2E and R3E are very similar save for the extra Marvel SAT 6G and USB 3.0 on R3E.