I have been running a stable Intel x58/ICH10R chipset motherboard with Windows 7 64-bit OS on a 1TB RAID 1 mirror and a second 2TB RAID 1 mirror data drive. Option ROM is v.9.6.0.1014 and the Intel RST software is v.10.6.0.1022.

I am looking at upgrading the OS to Windows 8.1 (clean install) on a single SSD drive, but still keeping the 2TB RAID 1 mirror data drive.

Should I update the Intel RST software to v11.2.0.1006 or do I stay with my current Option ROM/Intel RST software combination within Windows 8.1? TIA

Right now I am having ICH10R with the UEFI Intel ROM option 10.8.0.1303 and Windows drivers+RST 13.2.4.1000 (modded by Fernando to install on ICH10R). With a RAID5 (3HDD), while Win7 booting from a SSD.
It works OK.
I think that the BIOS software is functional until Windows drivers overtake the control, after that it doesn't matter anymore. So as long as the RAID is recognized at start-up BIOS, I would think that your RAID will work under Win 8 too, with the newer drivers.

Zitat von Fernando im Beitrag #2

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If I were you, I would try to update the Intel RAID ROM to v11.2.0.1527. This way you will have a better basis for a good RAID driver/OROM combo on Win8.1/10.

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Zitat

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This way the RAID ROM and the RAID Drivers & Software Set belong to the same RST development branch, which uses the "classical" RST driver named iaStor.sys.

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You told me too that, but I didn't understand why it matters. Windows does not use the UEFI firmware/BIOS once booted up. Maybe we should discuss it on another thread?

Zitat von Fernando im Beitrag #5

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In this case I would update the Intel RAID ROM to v10.1.0.1008.

Zitat

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Which Intel RST drivers/software should I be running with either v.9.6.0.1014, v.10.0.0.1046 or v.10.1.0.1008 Option ROMs?

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In the case, that Win8.1 will allow it, I would use the RST v11.2.0.1006 RAID driver and the related RST software. This way the RAID ROM and the RAID Drivers & Software Set belong to the same RST development branch, which uses the "classical" RST driver named iaStor.sys. If this should not be possible, I recommend to install the Intel RST v12.9.4.1000 Set.

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Fernando, many thanks for the excellent advice.

Should I use the original Intel RST v11.2.0.1006 driver and software set or the modded version as at 08/26/2014?

Zitat von Fernando im Beitrag #7

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Let me explain:
The Intel RAID Controller is initialized by the OS at each boot-up procedure by using the related "Firmware" (Intel RAID ROM/EFI RaidDriver). That means, that the Intel RAID Controller loads at the beginning of each (re)boot all the features, which are given by the loaded "Firmware" version (examples: TRIM in RAID0, support of >2TB sized RAID Volumes etc.), and uses them continuously - until the next shutdown or reboot.
That is the reason, why Intel recommends to use "pairing" Intel RAID ROM/driver combos, which both come from the same development branch.

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