Dell Vostro 420 RAID 5 upgrade request

[Jughead]

Hello, You guys modded the 1.1.4 BIOS for me a while back before this site moved and I was wondering if the new 1.3.0 Bios found HERE could also be modded with the upgraded/unlocked Intel RAID so I can keep my RAID 5 array working after the upgrade? This same BIOS is used in the Vostro 220/220s so once modded will work in all 3 systems.

Thank you!

[1234s282]

The v1.3.0 bios has Intel RAID For SATA v8.7.0.1007. The latest i have is v9.5.0.1037 but there are known compatibility limitations. For example because you have 8.7.xxxxxx the highest you may be able to go would be v8.9.1.1002.

In short , if you upgrade to v1.3.0 and you aren't having any problems with the 8.7.0.1007 RAID , stick with it!

If you DO encouter some problems then let me know and we will look at upgrading the RAID.

If it's not broken , don't fix it!

Regards
Admin

[Jughead]

The v1.3.0 bios has Intel RAID For SATA v8.7.0.1007. The latest i have is v9.5.0.1037 but there are known compatibility limitations. For example because you have 8.7.xxxxxx the highest you may be able to go would be v8.9.1.1002.

In short , if you upgrade to v1.3.0 and you aren't having any problems with the 8.7.0.1007 RAID , stick with it!

If you DO encouter some problems then let me know and we will look at upgrading the RAID.

If it's not broken , don't fix it!

Regards
Admin

Are you able to tell if RAID 5 is unlocked in that BIOS. Typically Dell only allows RAID 1 and sometimes RAID 0. I'm afraid to flash the 1.3.0 BIOS and lose my RAID 5 array because i'm not sure where my modded 1.1.4 file is. 3TB of marketing material would not be fun to lose

[1234s282]

Hmmm strange that i cant find my 1.1.4 file either!

Will get back to you on this one

Admin

[Jughead]

Hmmm strange that i cant find my 1.1.4 file either!

Will get back to you on this one

Admin

I finally got another computer and threw 3 hard drives in there and updated to the 1.3.0 BIOS and it will only let me do RAID 0/1 I wish I was able to find that old 1.1.4 BIOS you made me with the RAID 5 unlocked but that thread is gone since it was done when the website was on biosmods.com and I don't think you moved the archived forum.

Here's the email I received but since it cuts off the URL I can't find the file.

This was on 09/10/2009

Jughead,

1234s282 has just replied to a thread which you have subscribed to at Bios Mods Forums. This thread is titled Dell Vostro 220/220s/420.

Here is an excerpt of the message:
------------------------------------------
Dell Vostro 420 Unlocked With RAID

[url]http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/747181/Dell%20Vostro%20420%20U... (visit the thread to read more..)
------------------------------------------

[Dansolo]

If you want us to try and mod 1.3.0 then post the link to it to start... is it Award or Phoenix?

[Jughead]

If you want us to try and mod 1.3.0 then post the link to it to start... is it Award or Phoenix?

I'm hoping so. I'm pretty sure the BIOS is AMI but I have no way to confirm until at least Tuesday. Like posted above they already modded the 1.1.4 bios last year and that is still working but I can't find the modded version anymore and also if it was possible to get the 1.3.0 modded that would be great because this board has 7 SATA ports which makes RAID 0/1 silly.

I did just find the modded 1.1.4 if you guys would like me to upload it so you can see which Intel RAID is in it. Thank you!

[1234s282]

That would be helpful Thanks

Admin

[Jughead]

That would be helpful Thanks

Admin

Hope you don't mind I used Megaupload. I couldn't find a working 1.1.4 BIOS but I tested this 1.0.3 and it had RAID 5 and 10 enabled. Hopefully you're able to cook something up quick because I'm going to install my server tomorrow or Wednesday, I will definitely kick you some fiber again. I also attached to this post.

Thank you!

Link to file: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SQCSURK9

[1234s282]

OK well that mod had v8.5.0.1030

So i could take the latest 1.3.0 mod and use the RAID Rom that i extracted from the modded v1.0.3 (Intel v8.5.0.1030) but id honestly give the proper 1.3.0 a go first because no doubt it has bug fixes in it.

And seeing as it uses 8.7 theres no reason why it shouldnt support RAID. However i have downgraded the RAID in the original from 8.7 to 8.5 extracted from the mod if you want to try that too (At your own risk)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/747181/Dell%20Vo...34s282.zip

Regards
Admin

Try at your own risk!