Again, M1015 flash -step-by-step- HELP

[kosmic]

Hi everyone,

I want to use RAID 1 for my two WD blue 1TB and max speed out of my SSD Corsair Force GT 120GB (OS), WD black 1.5TB. They are all SATA3.

I read everything from mobilenvidia at servethehome and I had PM back-and-forth in 2012 but I'm still not sure what to do. I suck bad with software.

I read quite a lot on the subject but man I can't make sense of all the info about MEGAcli, MEGArec, sas2flash, MEGAraid storage manager (MSM), etc, etc

If you don't mind I would like to ask a few Qs

1. I need RAID so I have to flash the M1015 to IR mode. Am I using LSI 9240-8i or LSI 9211-8i firmware/driver or stay with IBM M1015 softwares?

2. mobilenvidia link --> SAS2008 (LSI9240/9211) Firmware files - Projects, Tools, Utilities & Customized INFs - LaptopVideo2Go Forums is it up to date firmware/driver because on LSI and IBM software download page, everything have been updated in 2014.



ATM the M1015 is installed in my rig with no HDD/SSD connected to it. I want to flash first.

Here's what I have on boot and in windows.

My USB key DOS bootable is ready, what do I need to put on it? all of mobilenvidia files and do the cross flash like in part-4 of his tutorial?

I have now idea in what direction to go! IBM M1015, LSI 9240-8i or LSI 9211-8i

I only need SATA3 speed and RAID 1

Thx for your help.

 

[kosmic]

System specs:

Windows 7 64bit
CPU Intel i7 930 3001A125 @ 4.0 GHz HT
Mobo Asus Rampage III extreme 1208 BIOS
GPU Asus GeForce GTX 770 DirectCU II
RAM G.Skill Ripjaws F3-16000CL9T-6GBRH DDR3-2000 (6x2GB)
SSD Corsair Force GT 120GB SATA3
HDD WD Caviar black 1.5TB SATA3
HDD WD Caviar blue 1.0TB SATA3 (2x)
HDD WD Caviar 250GB SATA2 (2x)
HDD WD Raptor 74GB SATA
Storage controller IBM M1015 SATA3 RAID controller
CPU Block Koolance CPU-370
Radiator Phobya G-Changer 360 (3x Panaflo FBA12G12U 120mm)
Radiator HardwareLabs Black Ice GT Stealth 420 (3x Yate Loon D14SM-12 140mm)
Pump Swiftech MCP650 (2x)
Case MountainMods Pinnacle 24
PSU Enermax Evo Galaxy 1050w
Sound SB X-fi titanium Fatal1ty

 

[Chuckleb]

If you are looking for raid 1, you could use the stock firmware and go into the webbios by hitting control+h on boot up. I just configured a dozen of m1015 cards using stock firmware and a pair of 60GB SSDs in RAID1. If you wanted to get fancier, you could install the 9211 IR firmware but I am not sure of you gain much.

 

[kosmic]

Finally flashed the card with 9211-8i-IR mode firmware. thx

 

[kosmic]

mmmh! can't access LSI BIOS when I hit Ctrl + C when prompted.

My keyboard is working (Logitech G15). I can press "del" to enter ASUS Rampage III extreme BIOS and when the LSI card prompt me to press "ctrl-c" it does load up and then after "successful" it load Windows 7-64 without entering LSI BIOS!!

Q: What is the downside to use ASUS BIOS to set-up RAID or megaRAID storage Manager (MSM) within Windows.......besides cpu usage?

RAID 1 will only be used for my important stuff (pictures-videos-MP3) and rarely ever used. And my SSD (OS) and WD black will be in "Pass through mode".

Q: Is there a way I can stop LSI boot up BIOS texts so I can take a picture?

Thanks guys.

 

[Chuckleb]

Interestingly, I've got a few systems that this is happening for me as well. Both on 9280-4i4e cards and m1015/9211 cards. We are finding that if it's the only card in the case and no hard drives attached to MB, it works. I'll have to investigate more next week when I'm in the office and see if I can figure out what is wrong.

 

[kosmic]

Sounds good. Please keep me posted. In my case, I don't have any HDD or SSD attached to the M1015 but 3x HDD to the MB on the Intel SATA2 controller.

 

[Stanza]

Q: Is there a way I can stop LSI boot up BIOS texts so I can take a picture?

Thanks guys.

press the pause key?