You can turn your onboard UDMA controller into a RAID controller for the cost of a 150ohm resistor!! It is very simple, you simply replace the embedded BIOS for the UDMA controller with the correct RAID BIOS and stick a resistor in your cable! I have already done the BIOS part for you! I edited the latest BIOS, so it now uses your Promise IDE controller as a RAID controller. All you need to do is flash with this BIOS and stick a resistor in the slave connector of the cable plugged into IDE1.
I have completed hacking the latest BIOS for MSI BXMaster (a.k.a. 6163 v3.0)! I used the techniques as described at www.tweakhardware.com, plus I updated the logo. The MSI BIOS version is v5.50, and the Promise BIOS version is ft66130.bin
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!! I take NO responsibility for any damage that may occur. I have tested this BIOS on my own system (am using it now, though I am waiting for my second HD to arrive), and am currently using it.
It includes an updated Readme.txt, and a backup BIOS in case you need to revert back to the original non-RAID setup. It also has nifty batch files for install and restore (though you may need to edit the path depending on where you store it when flashing). That's all. If I get many requests for this, I will put in on the web, otherwise I will probably e-mail it to anyone who wants it. Please do not edit and redistribute this BIOS in any way. I give full credit to CrazyApe over at www.tweakhardware.com for pioneering this BIOS hack. To read the guide by CrazyApe, click HERE
This hack requires that a slight modification be done to your IDE1 port. It is possible to simply do it through the cable, but it might not be as sturdy as soldering the resistor to the underside of the IDE1 port. I currently have a resistor "plugged" into the slave port of my HD cable. The easiest way in my opinion is to shorten the ends of a 150ohm 1/4 - 1/2watt resistor and stick the wires into pins 36 and 24 (or any of the other ground wires) of the slave connector of a UDMA/66 cable. You may want to tape or somehow fasten it more securely so it doesn't fall out or get loose. This is ALL you need to do to have a fully featured RAID controller on your motherboard!! When my second 30Gb 7200RPM drive arrives, I'll let eveyone know how it works. If you have any special requests for compatibility or benchmark tests, I'll try to help you out as much as I am able to. Good Luck!!
Colin
If you are a BXMaster owner, email or ICQ me to get my hacked BIOS v5.50 (latest as of March '01)
colinm@3dmail.com
92952029
NOTE to non-BXMaster owners: This BIOS is for the BXMaster ONLY! Other motherboards that have an additional onboard hard drive controller are likely to be hackable. Click HERE to learn how to do this with other boards.
I have completed hacking the latest BIOS for MSI BXMaster (a.k.a. 6163 v3.0)! I used the techniques as described at www.tweakhardware.com, plus I updated the logo. The MSI BIOS version is v5.50, and the Promise BIOS version is ft66130.bin
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!! I take NO responsibility for any damage that may occur. I have tested this BIOS on my own system (am using it now, though I am waiting for my second HD to arrive), and am currently using it.
It includes an updated Readme.txt, and a backup BIOS in case you need to revert back to the original non-RAID setup. It also has nifty batch files for install and restore (though you may need to edit the path depending on where you store it when flashing). That's all. If I get many requests for this, I will put in on the web, otherwise I will probably e-mail it to anyone who wants it. Please do not edit and redistribute this BIOS in any way. I give full credit to CrazyApe over at www.tweakhardware.com for pioneering this BIOS hack. To read the guide by CrazyApe, click HERE
This hack requires that a slight modification be done to your IDE1 port. It is possible to simply do it through the cable, but it might not be as sturdy as soldering the resistor to the underside of the IDE1 port. I currently have a resistor "plugged" into the slave port of my HD cable. The easiest way in my opinion is to shorten the ends of a 150ohm 1/4 - 1/2watt resistor and stick the wires into pins 36 and 24 (or any of the other ground wires) of the slave connector of a UDMA/66 cable. You may want to tape or somehow fasten it more securely so it doesn't fall out or get loose. This is ALL you need to do to have a fully featured RAID controller on your motherboard!! When my second 30Gb 7200RPM drive arrives, I'll let eveyone know how it works. If you have any special requests for compatibility or benchmark tests, I'll try to help you out as much as I am able to. Good Luck!!
Colin
If you are a BXMaster owner, email or ICQ me to get my hacked BIOS v5.50 (latest as of March '01)
colinm@3dmail.com
92952029
NOTE to non-BXMaster owners: This BIOS is for the BXMaster ONLY! Other motherboards that have an additional onboard hard drive controller are likely to be hackable. Click HERE to learn how to do this with other boards.