(AR31S) HOW TO FIX HDD RAID0 Error (Caused by Quicktime) - Without a reformat

[OriginalXOR]

RE-EDITED as I have found the solution...

PROBLEM:
After using Quicktime7 (or above) for watching video, the INTEL MATRIX STORAGE application shows an error in RAID-0, that appears to be unfixable without removing the partition and completely re-installing from scratch.

[OriginalXOR]

While the defaulted version on a freshly installed Vaio is actually earlier than what I am linking to here, it's interesting to note the following admission of this issue with Intel's driver and Release Notes info:

Intel® Matrix Storage Manager - Known Issues in Production Version 7.0.0.1020
2294301 - Timeouts, degraded RAID volumes when playing/transcoding video files in Apple iTunes* and QuickTime* software - Windows Vista

Taken from: http://downloadmirror.intel.com/df-support/13315/ENG/release%20notes.htm

So now the question, how do I fix this without the need to reinstall...???
Well read on...

[OriginalXOR]

Sorry for all these edits people, but simply re-writing the inital postings as not to create confusion for future readers, fundamentally the fix is in my next posting below...

Although for those who know a little about what they are doing, the fix can be found here, you need to download the latest 'Intel Matrix Storage Manager 7.5' from here:
http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/imsm/

If you don't know how to do this, then read the more in depth solution below.

[Blencogo]

Hi OriginalXOR,

Good work - you seem to have found the cause I hope the solution works!!

Let us know how you get on. This issue has come up a handful of times and has always been associated with i-tunes downloads. The only solution posted previously has required a re-format of the drives which is too much of a pain for most users.

Good Luck!

[OriginalXOR]

Whey it worked, so some quick detail for others that may experience this...
Pardon me if some of the things I mention appear slightly 'novice' in thier approach, but even I am new to Vista so was not aware of certain launching practice.

Problem/Cause:
When using Quicktime7* to say watch a movie trailer in HD, the machine begins to crawl, the video stutters and the computer appears to lock up resulting in a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). Upon reboot you find the 'Intel Matrix Storage Manager' now states you have an error with your RAID and you need to backup.
*Some have states iTunes in general causes this, although I only found this issue occured after running Quicktime Movie Player 7 itself while iTunes ran without a hitch.

Fix:
Okay, the problem ultimately lies in the 'Intel Matrix Storage Manager' & 'Apple Quicktime 7+' - probably something you'd use if wanting to view HD content.

The 'Matrix' software pre-installed on 'my' Vaio AR31S with Vista Home Premium was ultimately version 6.2, and the latest release is 7.5.

So... to fix this do the following, I initially didn't thus couldn't make the fix.

1) Click the START menu, and type 'Intel Matrix' into the search area.
2) When you see the 'Intel Matrix Storage Manager' RIGHT CLICK and select 'Run as Administrator'. Forgetting to Right Click will stop you being able to fix the error.
3) Within the 'Matrix' app itself, select 'Advanced view' and then RIGHT CLICK any RED coloured drives, and fix these according to your needs.
4) Now goto the Intel website to update your driver (this is a common link for any OS)
http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/imsm/
5) Select 'Get The Latest Driver - Version PV 7.5' and in the case of the AR31S now choose 'Windows Vista*', and on the next page I personally downloaded this, so can vouch for this to be a working fix:
'RAID/AHCI Software - Intel® Matrix Storage Manager (5596KB) 7.5.0.1017 6/4/2007' - Save this file to desktop or somewhere you can retrieve it soon.
6) Once downloaded STOP ALL RUNNING PROGRAMS, and simply launch the downloaded update, it's default name is 'iata75_enu.exe', you don't need to uninstall the previous drivers but do RIGHT CLICK the file and run it as an Administrator.
7) Even if you are not propted to after the install REBOOT.
😎 DONE

Now to test the theory, run the Quicktime Video that caused you all the heartache previously, there all good.

For those that wish to read the documentations to the 'Intel Matrix Storage Mananger' they can be found here: Readme.txt or Release Notes

Hope this has helped someone else out there, and hopefully Sony will realise this error and make a link to the Vaio Updates areas and include this much needed RAID driver update.

[Blencogo]

Thanks OriginalXOR,

This will hopefully help others to fix this problem without a reformat or a drive replacement.

Thanks you for posting your solution here for others.

[eaglesrest]

I didn't realise this was such a big deal. I just upgraded to the latest Intel Matrix Storage Manager when the problem occured and it went away.

There was never any question of reformatting the drive (?)

Maybe it behaves differently for some machines.

[SgtWhiskeyjack]

Awww man. I wish I could kiss both you and Blencogo, you especially. I had to send my AR31S away about 2 months ago inwhich i lost everything. I just had the Raid0 fail come up about 30 minutes ago and I was so gutted like you wouldn't believe. You have just saved me and have now risen like Blencogo, to a godly state, I'm worshipping you right now, i hope you ascend.
Seriously though, THANKYOU!

[KeithTrigwell]

I was trying to use quicktime the other day but it kept locking up. and I now have this raid error.

I have follwed the instructions on here but when I get to

3) Within the 'Matrix' app itself, select 'Advanced view' and then RIGHT CLICK any RED coloured drives, and fix these according to your needs.

the only option i see for repairing is "mark as normal"

Obviously I havent done this. I then ran the update but I still have a raid problem.

Any ideas.

PS this is an AR41S

[SgtWhiskeyjack]

I was trying to use quicktime the other day but it kept locking up. and I now have this raid error.

I have follwed the instructions on here but when I get to



3) Within the 'Matrix' app itself, select 'Advanced view' and then RIGHT CLICK any RED coloured drives, and fix these according to your needs.




 the only option i see for repairing is "mark as normal"

Obviously I havent done this.  I then ran the update but I still have a raid problem.

Any ideas.

PS this is an AR41S

Do it, mark it as normal. That's what fixes it.