xnmt2002 error/possible HDD failure/new storage solution

[Mr. Smith]

Summary of 'problem':

-xmnt2002 error.

-xp seemed to work fine so ignored it.

-Noticed RARE random resets.

-TONS of stability testing carried out (prime small ffts/blend etc, OCCT, memtest, rthderrytggrg lighting thing, ati artifact tool, whatever I could think of).

-System 'stable' according to all tests.

-Did a load of benching - 3dm03/5/6. Few freezes, hard locks figured it's due to pushing system hard.

-Got sick of seeing 'xmnt2002 not found skipping autocheck'.

-Removed xmnt2002 error using regedit. (partition magic line)

-Played crysis last night, cpu 3.6, ram 1066mhz 5-5-5-15, gpu stock. 1920x1200 x2 AA, NICE! Messing around. Hangs.

-Jon = sad panda.

-Tried C&C3 (not exactly demanding) but worked.

-Decided to go to bed.

Soooooo, multi-topic thread.

1. Solution/cause to problem above (that is where you lot chime in with your ideas)

2. IF the conclusion is duff file system THEN format HDD... I want new storage options. I have space for 3 HDD. Thought process is x2 250gb drives (have - though they are different makes) in RAID0 and buy a new 750gb 32mb drive for storage. May as well go Vista...

IF duff HDD THEN new HDD Raptors(waste of money?) OR 1 new matching 250gb - RAID0 and 750gb storage

3. Raid questions - do i need a raid card? I don't have a floppy for XP raid. Is it easier with vista etc.

Knock yo selfs out! :worship:

 

[Rastalovich]

I`ll chip in with some other thoughts l8r.

But I`ve had a system locking problem all week (Q6600/IP35pro/4g/8600gts/Vista64), since uninstalling Outpost and putting in Kasperskysky, it wanted to deleted the Nero tabbar.exe... so I let it. Calmed down all the clocks and done some testing, which it passed. Looking at the logs @ freezing point various Nero things were having issues - and it was always when playing music or a video, whilst using vlc or wmp. Sound through my hdmi was cracking too (haven`t checked back on that since). Uninstalled Nero 8, and we`ll see how it goes.

As to raptors, don`t believe in them myself. But then I`m anti-raid also, had too many issues over the years. Don`t like issues.

 

[Mr. Smith]

SO...

1. Do I need a raid card?

2. If I have 2 HDD's hooked up for Vista install will it sort out raid0 automatically for me?

3. How much faster IRL are 2 raptors in raid0 over 2 regular HDD's in raid0?

4. What tests can I run on my HDD to see if it is OK? Seems really slow these days...

 

[PV5150]

I don't think it's a HDD problem, but perhaps a corrupted file system (perhaps as a result of using Part Mag). Try re-installing Partition Magic and see if that fixes the problem. Could also try chkdsk and choose to repair instead of install.

Discrete RAID cards are the best for absolute high-end performance...but they aren't cheap. Hardware controllers offer certain advantages over software implimentations, not least of which is speed, as they boast dedicated logic for distributing the data to the drives at speed. Hardware controllers also benefit from onboard memory, which acts as cache to your HDD's and thus can significantly speed up many operations.

Vista will allow you to get RAID sorted on your HDD's without the use of a floopy drive, you just need the RAID driver on your mobo installation disk. Or prepare a slipstreamed version of Vista using V-Lite with the drivers embedded.

I find 2 x Seagate SATA II's (16Mb cache, 7200.10) more than ample.

Check your HDD manufacturers website for their available tools (Seatools etc) if you want find out the health of your drive.

 

[Mr. Smith]

I don't think it's a HDD problem, but perhaps a corrupted file system (perhaps as a result of using Part Mag). Try re-installing Partition Magic and see if that fixes the problem. Could also try chkdsk and choose to repair instead of install.

Discrete RAID cards are the best for absolute high-end performance...but they aren't cheap. Hardware controllers offer certain advantages over software implimentations, not least of which is speed, as they boast dedicated logic for distributing the data to the drives at speed. Hardware controllers also benefit from onboard memory, which acts as cache to your HDD's and thus can significantly speed up many operations.

Vista will allow you to get RAID sorted on your HDD's without the use of a floopy drive, you just need the RAID driver on your mobo installation disk. Or prepare a slipstreamed version of Vista using V-Lite with the drivers embedded.

I find 2 x Seagate SATA II's (16Mb cache, 7200.10) more than ample.

Check your HDD manufacturers website for their available tools (Seatools etc) if you want find out the health of your drive.

Thank you

 

[PV5150]

My pleasure mate

 

[Mr. Smith]

There doesn't seem to be any errors but my OS drive which is partitioned has quite a low HDtach score even after defragging. Do partitioned HDD's usually have a lower HDtach score?

I'm comparing my OS drive (partitioned) to my storage drive (not partitioned). They are diff brands but same size, cache and rpm (250gb, 16mb, 7200)

I want to raid0 them with vista (with a new 3rd drive for storage)... That will work won't it?

So, I googled 'raid controller' and saw some in the £20-£40 range. E.g this. Would that give benefits over mobo raid? Or should I just stick with the mobo controller?

If I set up raid using mobo drivers then change mobo will i lose my raid?

How would I back up my raid incase it fails? (i remember PV had an image or something?)

 

[Mr. Smith]

bumpage

 

[PV5150]

There doesn't seem to be any errors but my OS drive which is partitioned has quite a low HDtach score even after defragging. Do partitioned HDD's usually have a lower HDtach score?

HD Tach performs better with a completely fresh; that is, un-formatted, un-partitioned hard drive to run. Windows and various other software layers slow down the drive and adversely affect scores.

I'm comparing my OS drive (partitioned) to my storage drive (not partitioned). They are diff brands but same size, cache and rpm (250gb, 16mb, 7200)

Ideally they should be identical but I have RAID array here with 1 x 80GB WD SATA II (8mb cache) and 1 x 80GB Seagate 7200.10 (8mb cache) and the array has performed flawlessly for 8 months now.

I want to raid0 them with vista (with a new 3rd drive for storage)... That will work won't it?

Most definitely ^^

So, I googled 'raid controller' and saw some in the £20-£40 range. E.g this. Would that give benefits over mobo raid? Or should I just stick with the mobo controller?

At that price range they would probably be just SATA controllers and not SATA II. You will need to spend more money or just stick with the motherboard option. Personally, I'd just run with the mobo

If I set up raid using mobo drivers then change mobo will i lose my raid?

How would I back up my raid incase it fails? (i remember PV had an image or something?)

I use Acronis True Image for my XP machines...I'd endorse it for them if they paid me lol. It really is that good of a product. On my Vista machines however, I just use the built in backup facility. It works a treat and can back up to an external HDD (whole image or incrementally). It really is set and forget! If things go pear shaped...throw in your Vista disk and follow the wizard to show it where the backup image is. In around roughly the time it takes to install Vista in the first place, you'll have your system back up and running again.

 

[Mr. Smith]

Awesome Peevles, where would I be without you huh?

Think I'll order a samsung 750gb f1 hdd (backup/storage) and vista oem! Damn, that's like £170 :/

I'll use the mobo controller and Vista image backup utility then... Is that system restore because everywhere says to turn that off. I think I will take an image once I'm all installed and then set it to do a new image every month?

Might have to wait a week to order... See what Mr. HSBC is saying...

 

[PV5150]

Nah the system backup is different to System Restore



(Click image for a slightly larger pic)

 

[Rastalovich]

PV are those image things stand-alone ?

Or would u have to reinstall windows then apply the image from within ? (making it restart and build itself from dos I`d imagine)

 

[Mr. Smith]

PV are those image things stand-alone ?

Or would u have to reinstall windows then apply the image from within ? (making it restart and build itself from dos I`d imagine)

Not the fullest of explanations but just enough?

throw in your Vista disk and follow the wizard to show it where the backup image is

 

[PV5150]

PV are those image things stand-alone ?

Or would u have to reinstall windows then apply the image from within ? (making it restart and build itself from dos I`d imagine)

I have it do a full system backup first off and then it does incremental after that. I had my raid array go horribly pear-shaped ages ago and the backup rebuilt the array and restored everything as it was previous. All I needed to do was what Mr. Smith quoted in the previous post. I deffo didn't have to install Windows and then apply the image from within. It works really well, and is what XP's backup should have been imo

 

[Rastalovich]

Ah so I could say it would do a task u would use acronis for.

Nice.

Any idea if u can browse the image also, ala Ghost explorer ?

 

[Mr. Smith]

Also, how large are the images?