P-172X FX Problems

Well, I just received my new Gateway® P-172X FX Edition today. On first boot, I got a Windows error message saying the machine had been improperly shut down. Not a good sign!

I then noticed that the system was not configured for RAID 0 and the two 160GB driver were sitting there seperately. So, I created the drivers and application and the factory restore DVD just in case. I turned on RAID in bios, went into RAID utility and set up RAID 0 and all looked well.

I began to install Vista using the supplied Vista SP1 DVD and no matter what I do, the system hangs during install and then finally reboots giving you the option to load safe mode or start normally. You can't complete an install in safe mode, so you have to continue normally but this just repeats the lockup / reboot process.

Anyone know what gives? I am thinking I have a bad machine here.

 

Sounds like you may have a hardf drive problem, I would call gateway, maybe they will send you one overnight if you complain enough. I would send it back.

 

Well, I am still on the phone with Gateway tech support. It's been 2 hours and now they have come to the conclusion that their notebooks don't come with a RAID option. Hmm... I wonder what this RAID controller is for then.

So, I've asked to speak to someone else and this time, level 2 support. He is telling me that while the machine can do RAID, they don't ship them that way. Well, OK, maybe but isn't that false advertising? The webside says 320GB in RAID 0 (2-160GB Drives).

Anyway, I asked if I set it for RAID should I be able to install Vista without it locking up and they said "yes". To which I said "But I can't do that. It locks up on the Vista install." To which he replied "Let me get back to you" and back on hold I go. *sigh*

I will continue to ride the merry-go-round and hopefully get a resolution soon...

 

Call your sells rep, it soulds weard, but maybe he/she can do something.

 

Now they have obtained a copy of my model. They are going to try to install Vista in RAID to see if it's a model problem or a problem unique to my system.

Yeah, I should probably just call my sales rep but the support people asked me to give them a chance to see if it's a ROM issue (to which they would send me a ROM update to fix I guess) or it's a problem unique to my copy.

 

Another person on this fourm had the same problem, my rep said they are working on it

 

Which post? I can't seem to find it and I'd like to read about their experience

 

I will look for it later, It was a guy in the Army

 

Heres the link

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=239853

 

Yeah, I did read that thread. He was given his machine without RAID enabled as I had been, but what's different was that he was able to install Vista on the RAID setup and I am not. It simply crashes out and reboots. I've tried the Vista SP1 CD I got with the Gateway and two other flavors of Vista CDs with no success. I've even tried using their restore CD, which will put a factory setup back on when not in RAID just fine, and it also crashes.

No matter what I do, it won't take Vista while the RAID is setup.

Basically, I went into BIOS and turned on RAID. Then I ctrl+I into RAID config and setup the two 160GB drives as a single RAID 0 drive. I then exit and boot into the Vista DVD and start the install. After the file copy screen is done and it reboots, the Vista installation starts. It begins with the Vista progress bar animation at the bottom, then switches to a text screen saying "Please wait while your system is configured" and about a minute into it, it freezes and ultimately reboots.

I should expect this thing to run Vista in RAID, right? They just called me back and while they say it will support RAID, they do not ship them with RAID. I find that interesting as well.

 

I run vista in Raid, so yes something is not write, I would have them send you a new one, way go though the hassle.