5-1-3 Making a SATA RAID/AHCI Driver Diskette

(Required for AHCI and RAID Mode)

To successfully install operating system onto SATA hard drive(s) that is/are configured to RAID/AHCI mode, you need to install the SATA controller driver during the OS installation. Without the driver, the hard drive may not be recognized during the Windows setup process. First of all, copy the driver for the SATA controller from the motherboard driver disk to a floppy disk. For installing Windows Vista, you first have to copy the SATA controller driver from the motherboard driver disk to your USB flash drive and then extract it (see instructions on the next page). See the instructions below about how to copy the driver in MS-DOS mode(Note). Prepare a startup disk that has CD-ROM support and a blank formatted floppy disk.

Step 1: Insert the prepared startup disk and motherboard driver disk in your system. Boot from the

startup disk. Once at the A:\> prompt, change to your optical drive (example: D:\>). At the D:\> prompt, type the following two commands. Press <Enter> after each command (Figure 1):

cd bootdrv

menu

Step 2: When the controller menu (Figure 2) appears, remove the startup disk and insert the blank formatted disk. Select the controller driver by pressing the corresponding letter from the menu. For example, from the menu in Figure 2:

•For Intel ICH10R SATA controllers, select 7) Intel Matrix Storage Manager 32 bit for Windows

32-bit operating system or 8) Intel Matrix Storage Manager 64 bit for Windows 64-bit.

•For GIGABYTE SATA2 SATA controller, select E) GIGABYTE SATA-RAID Driver 32Bit for

Windows 32-bit operating system or F) GIGABYTE SATA-RAID Driver 64Bit for Windows 64-bit. Your system will then automatically zip and transfer this driver file to the floppy disk. Press <0> to exit when finished.

Figure 1Figure 2 (Note) For users without a startup disk:

Use an alternative system and insert the motherboard driver disk. From your optical drive folder, double click the MENU.exe file in the BootDrv folder (Figure 3). A command prompt window will open similar to that in Figure 2.

Figure 3

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Appendix

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Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P user manual Making a Sata RAID/AHCI Driver Diskette, Required for Ahci and RAID Mode
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GA-EP45-UD3P specifications

The Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P is a motherboard that gained popularity for its superb balance of performance, features, and price, particularly catering to enthusiasts, gamers, and mainstream PC users. Launched in the late 2000s, it is built on the Intel P45 chipset, making it compatible with Intel's Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, Pentium, and Celeron processors, providing a versatile foundation for various computing needs.

One of the standout features of the GA-EP45-UD3P is its excellent support for overclocking. The motherboard comes equipped with robust voltage regulation, providing stability when pushing CPUs beyond their standard clock speeds. Additionally, its user-friendly BIOS includes extensive options for adjusting CPU and memory settings, making it an appealing choice for those looking to maximize performance.

The GA-EP45-UD3P supports DDR2 memory up to 1200 MHz, and it features four DIMM slots for dual-channel memory configuration, facilitating high memory capacities and bandwidth. With a total of 16 USB 2.0 ports and a pair of IEEE 1394 FireWire ports, connectivity is abundant, ensuring that users can connect multiple peripherals without issue.

In terms of storage, the motherboard offers six SATA ports with RAID support, allowing for flexible configurations ranging from data redundancy to performance enhancements. Furthermore, it also includes one IDE connector, which provides compatibility with legacy devices.

Another key characteristic of the GA-EP45-UD3P is its durable construction, incorporating Gigabyte's Ultra Durable technology. This includes high-quality capacitors, solid capacitors, and a 4-layer PCB design that enhances thermal performance and reliability. The motherboard is also equipped with an advanced thermal management system that features enlarged heatsinks for effective cooling, ensuring that thermal throttling doesn't hinder performance.

For audio, the GA-EP45-UD3P features a Realtek ALC889a audio codec offering eight-channel sound output, delivering a rich audio experience for gaming and multimedia applications.

In summary, the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P stands out with its robust overclocking capabilities, ample connectivity options, extensive storage support, and durable construction, making it a solid choice for those building a powerful and reliable system. Whether for intensive gaming, content creation, or general computing, this motherboard provides a well-rounded performance that still resonates with tech enthusiasts today.
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