Tech Tip of the Day: How to configure a RAID volume on an Intel motherboard

Description: This guide will walk through how to create a RAID volume on an Intel motherboard. Most Intel motherboards will support RAID 0 or RAID 1. RAID, or Redundant Array of Inexpensive/Independent Disks is a technology that provides storage reliability through redundancy, combining multiple hard disk drives in to one logical unit wherein data is stored in multiple copies across multiple hard drives.

There are many types of RAID but the two most common are RAID 1 and RAID 0. RAID 1 is a duplicate drive, essentially Drives 1 and 2 will be exactly the same. This is done so that if either of the two drives fail, an exact copy of that drive is readily available.

Example:
Drive 1: File A, File B, File C, et cetera.
Drive 2: File A, File B, File C, et cetera.

RAID 0 is in fact not really RAID at all because it is not redundant. RAID 0 splits a file in to pieces and puts some of the pieces on Drive 1 and some on Drive 2, to increase speed. The theory is that if Drive 1 reads the first part of File A, and Drive 2 reads the second part of File A, the information is actually read twice as fast and thus the computer is twice as fast. The major downside is that this actually doubles your susceptibility to hardware failures as if one drives fails, all of the information is lost.

1. Make sure two hard drives are connected to the motherboard and are connected to the power supply.
2. Enter the standard BIOS by pressing the F2 key repeatedly on POST.
3. Once in the BIOS go to the Configuration tab, then select SATA Drives
   
   


4. Within the SATA Drives heading set the Chipset SATA Mode to <RAID>
   
   


5. Save changes and Exit.
6. After the settings have been saved, power down the machine
7. Power on the machine and immediately begin tapping the Ctrl key and the I key repeatedly. This will access the RAID BIOS.
8. The RAID BIOS will show both drives connected to the system. In this menu select Create RAID Volume
   
   


9. Select a Name for the volume and press the Tab key
   
   


10. Select the RAID type (0 or 1) using the up or down arrow keys and press Tab again.
    
    


11. Press the Tab key through the rest of the options until you get to the Create Volume option and press the Enter key.
    
    


12. A data loss warning will appear when creating a new volume: All data will be lost on both drives. Press the Y key to create the RAID volume.
    
    


13.  The two drives will show in a RAID once this is complete. Press ESC then Y to Exit the RAID BIOS then install your operating system on your drives which are now in RAID.
    
    

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to Determine the Type of and Maximum Supported Memory for Your Computer

Upgrading the amount of memory installed on your computer often improves system performance. However, installing the wrong type of memory will usually result in the computer not functioning at all. If you install more memory than the system can support, it may result with the same issue.

There are two important features to look for when upgrading the memory: what will your hardware support and operating system limitations. With regard to operating system limitations, Windows and Mac 32-bit operating systems will not support more than approximately 3 gigabytes of memory. Linux 32-bit will support more than 3 gigabytes of memory, but requires recompiling the kernel.

For Windows and Mac operating systems, it is a limitation of the operating system and can only be overcome by changing to a 64-bit operating system. Windows XP uses a 32-bit operating system, with very few exceptions. (Reference: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions) Windows Vista and Windows 7 can be either 32-bit or 64-bit. Mac OSX 10.5 (Leopard) and above are 64-bit operating systems but earlier versions are 32-bit.

To determine if Windows Vista or Windows 7 is 32-bit or 64-bit:

1. Left-click the Start button.
2. Right-click Computer.
   
   
   
   
3. Left-click Properties. The System Properties are displayed and will show the version of the operating system.
   
   
   

Make note of the Installed Memory (RAM) immediately above the System Type. This will tell you how much memory the system recognizes. NOTE: This information can be affected by memory used for the video.

Once you know what your operating system is the next step is to determine what your hardware will support. There are different ways to do this:

• If you know the manufacturer and model of the computer or motherboard, you can look the information up on the manufacturer’s web site. The information is typically in the technical specifications for that model. Below is an example of the information from Hewlett Packard’s web site:
  
  
  
  
  Note that it shows the memory that came installed on the computer and the type of RAM that is compatible (in this case PC3-8500 and PC3-10600), how many slots are available, and that it is Dual channel. Dual channel memory should be matched for best performance, although it is not required for the computer to operate.
  
• An alternative to the manufacture site or user’s manual is to use a system scanning utility. An example of this is the Crucial memory scan utility available at www.crucial.com. Below is an example of the output from using the Crucial utility:
  
  
  

Once you know your operating system, the type of memory you have, what the maximum supported is, and whether it is dual channel or not, you can purchase your memory.For information on physically installing the memory go to Micro Center Tech Support's Tech Center for more helpful resources: "How to Install RAM Memory", http://www.microcentertech.com/tech_center/DB/read_article.php?faqid=./HowTos/HOW6000032B.htm

How to Install an Add-In Card

Increasing the productivity and functionality of your desktop computer doesn’t have to be limited to how many devices you can plug into the ports. Many motherboards and cases provide expansion slots that can be used to install additional capabilities like updated Graphics, TV-Tuners, Hi-Def Audio cards, and Video capture.

This guide will show you how to install an add-in card to your computer.

Note: Opening up a computer is not without some risk. Before beginning, make sure to completely power off and disconnect your computer from the wall and all other devices including the monitor, mouse and keyboard. Also remember to use an anti-static wristband, or mat to avoid Electro Static Discharge (ESD) which can damage your components.

1. Locate the slot in which you want to install the card. The diagram below shows a general location for PCI slots, and it may vary by motherboard. There may also be PCI-Express slots on the system, which will be labeled on the motherboard and in the manual.

2. Remove the metal expansion slot guard from the back of the case. Some are attached by soft metal and can be bent and removed, while others are attached with a screw at the top and will need to be removed that way. For more information, consult the manual that came with your computer case.
3. Align the card with the notches in the slot and insert the card vertically in to the slot, with the external ports aligned with the expansion slot on the back of the case. Moderate force may be necessary to get the card all the way in to the slot.
4. Screw in the metal bracket on the end of the card using the notch on the top aligned with the hole in the computer case. Some computer cases use a plastic latch system to hold the card in place. If this is the case, consult the manual that was attached with your computer case.

That’s it! Your add-in card is now installed.

Remember to consult the card manufacturers information on installing any software that came with the add-in card when you get back in to Windows.

How to Install RAM Memory

All computers require some amount of memory or RAM (Random Access Memory). Many motherboards provide slots for as much as 16GB of RAM. Adding more memory can improve performance, allow more multi-tasking, and reduce the time required for intensive processes like video or audio editing.

This guide will show you how to install memory in your motherboard.

Note: Be sure to use proper precautions including an anti-static wristband or an anti-static mat to avoid hardware damage. Before beginning, make sure the memory is the correct type for your motherboard. Avoid touching the metal contacts or chips.

1. Locate the memory slots on the motherboard as shown in the figure below. Note that your motherboard may have two or more slots, and the exact location may differ.
2. Determine which slots you intend to install the memory into. If you are installing one module, it will typically go in to DIMMA1 or a similarly named slot. For more modules, consult the motherboard manual for additional information.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Push the retaining clips outward to allow installation of the memory module.
4. Align the memory module with the slot by using the off-center notch as shown in the figure below.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Insert the memory module and vertically and firmly in to the slot until the retaining clips snap on to the memory module.
   
   
   
   
   

That’s it! Your memory module is now installed. Repeat for additional memory modules if necessary.

What is CrossFire?

CrossFire, also known as CrossFireX is a platform innovation that allows intelligent scaling graphics performance by combining multiple graphics cards in to a CrossFire specific motherboard. CrossFire only works with ATI based cards that are manufactured for CrossFire use.

CrossFire uses proprietary ATI software and a dedicated logic board in each graphics card to render the on-screen graphics or display using two cards with parallel processing, this can increase performance in games or video editing by a wide margin.

Current CrossFire configurations use a ribbon-like connector attached at the top of each graphics card inside the computer to allow communication and data transfer between the two cards.
To use CrossFireX, you need a CrossFireX certified motherboard and CrossFireX Capable graphics cards. It is also necessary to have a power supply capable of supporting the graphics cards.

Example of CrossFire compatible Video Card by Visiontek

Reference:
Visiontek. http://bit.ly/gCPnsO

How to Install an AMD Processor

Disclaimer: Before performing any upgrades on your computer, be sure to take the proper precautions to prevent electrostatic discharge and read the manufacturer’s recommendations carefully.  Avoid touching the metal contacts on the processor, or the pins on the motherboard.

The CPU or Central Processing Unit is the brain of the computer. All commands for data or calculations pass through the CPU. The current AMD form factor is called AM2 or AM3. This article will show you how to install an AMD CPU and heatsink:

1. Locate the processor socket on your motherboard. The color and exact placement of your motherboard may differ slightly.

2. Lift the lever attached to the side of the socket.

3. Look at the CPU to locate the alignment mark. This is a gold colored triangle located in one of the corners. This mark will point to another triangle located on the socket and the motherboard to help you align the processor properly.

4.  Gently place the CPU in the socket lining the triangle on the processor with the triangle in the socket. When the processor is correctly placed, it should drop easily into place. The CPU should be flat and stable in the socket.


5. Push the lever down towards the motherboard and slide it into the retaining tab to lock the processor into place.

The CPU is now installed in the socket. The next steps will show how to add a heatsink to keep it cool.

The Heatsink is vital to the overall health of your CPU. The heatsink is designed to take the heat generated by the processor and dissipate it to keep the CPU running cool and efficiently. There are a number of different styles and types of heatsinks. This section of the guide will reference a stock AMD heatsink.

1. Check the CPU for thermal compound. Thermal compound is necessary to create a tight bond between the heatsink and processor. AMD heatsinks have compound pre-installed.

2. Set the heatsink on the processor and hook the solid end of the retention arm over the tab on the socket.

3. Move to the other side of the heatsink and hook the movable end of the retention arm over the other tab. Then rotate the locking arm to put pressure on the retention mechanism.

4. Connect the fan cable to the CPU fan connector on the motherboard. This is normally labeled CPUFAN or something similar.

That’s it! The CPU and heatsink are installed and ready to go.