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    Raid on the P-7811

    Discussion in 'Gateway and eMachines' started by Jakamo5, Aug 14, 2008.

  1. hydra

    hydra Breaks Laptops

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    Wow. Interesting thread. With the new chip sets, it will be interesting to see how lack of Gateway support will fare for the new machines. As mentioned by many, the lack of RAID imaging was the only reason, I have not gone RAID. I have to work, ): ,so all my work files are on second drive and backed up on external. If work file drive fails, swap out with external Passport. If C: drive fails, re-image external. YMMV.

    While RAID certainly helps with loading times, your game frame rates are not changed..but you know that.
     
    hydra, Sep 9, 2008
    #151
  2. tallan

    tallan Notebook Deity

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    Or just running format on the disk should do it, I believe; that will delete all partitions and data.
     
    tallan, Sep 9, 2008
    #152
  3. Syngensmyth

    Syngensmyth In All Seriousness

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    Actually format will only delete the partition you are on and not the entire disk. The partition is hidden so you can not get to it by traditional means in order to format it.

    I'm willing to take correction on this point but be kind because I'm emotionally tender ATM. :p
     
    Syngensmyth, Sep 9, 2008
    #153
  4. tallan

    tallan Notebook Deity

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    No, you're right. Vista help suggests "Restart your computer using the Windows Vista installation disc (this is commonly known as booting from the installation disc). During the Setup process, you can repartition and reformat your hard disk and then reinstall Windows. The process will erase your files and programs, so be sure to make backups of your data and have your program installation discs or files saved before you begin." which is what I did as I wanted a clean install. Back in the DOS days there was a format command that wiped out all partitions, I must have been thinking of that ;) .
     
    tallan, Sep 9, 2008
    #154
  5. Syngensmyth

    Syngensmyth In All Seriousness

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    LOL, in re-reading my post I see something screwy. I said format will delete the partition it is on (or some crazy thing). This is not right. I meant to say Windows boot disk format can only delete the partitions it can see. It can't see the hidden partition. Maybe Vista is different and I have not done it with the Vista disk and a hidden partition.
     
    Syngensmyth, Sep 9, 2008
    #155
  6. Dook

    Dook Notebook Virtuoso

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    That time of the month? :D
     
    Dook, Sep 9, 2008
    #156
  7. Syngensmyth

    Syngensmyth In All Seriousness

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    Mid life crisis/Male menopause/Nervous Breakdown and I'm hungry.

    Plus criticism sometimes sends me into a flaming frenzy and I prefer to maintain the furry little fuzzball posture (just for looks). :p
     
    Syngensmyth, Sep 9, 2008
    #157
  8. Dook

    Dook Notebook Virtuoso

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    Right on..
     
    Dook, Sep 9, 2008
    #158
  9. Jakamo5

    Jakamo5 Tetra Vaal

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    ! plzthanks lol... sorry it's just that everytime someone posts here I click it like OMG DID THEY GET RAID I WANT and then its just a discussion about something else lol
     
    Jakamo5, Sep 9, 2008
    #159
  10. tallan

    tallan Notebook Deity

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    OTOH if nobody posts anything here it drops down so far nobody new can find it and we get yet another "RAID on the 7811" thread and have to deal with that, so...

    6 of 1, 1/2 dozen of the other? But I see your point.
     
    tallan, Sep 10, 2008
    #160
  11. Syngensmyth

    Syngensmyth In All Seriousness

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    Very good Mr. Tallan ... a dead thread is just that ... DEAD. (unless stickied)
     
    Syngensmyth, Sep 10, 2008
    #161
  12. Dook

    Dook Notebook Virtuoso

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    Jackamo did say please and does have a bit of a point, so there's no need for me to be a jerk. But my thinking is definitely inline with tallan and Syn. As long as I (or anyone else) aren't completely steering the topic into the swap somewhere, a few "off" comments here and there don't hurt. Plus it has the added effect of keeping the thread out of the barren wasteland.

    This being said, I'll oblige your request somewhat and after this post will not reply again about this particular subject in an effort to keep it on topic. However, this doesn't mean random other bits won't be posted by myself or others on occasion.
     
    Dook, Sep 10, 2008
    #162
  13. Eurasianman

    Eurasianman Notebook Evangelist

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    Bottom line, P-7811 FX does not have RAID support as of now

    /thread close :p
     
    Eurasianman, Sep 10, 2008
    #163
  14. tallan

    tallan Notebook Deity

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    Translation: we're WAITING, Gateway: TICK TOCK!!!
     
    tallan, Sep 10, 2008
    #164
  15. Eurasianman

    Eurasianman Notebook Evangelist

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    Careful there, Intel might sue you for using that phrase since you don't quote it :p
     
    Eurasianman, Sep 10, 2008
    #165
  16. Jakamo5

    Jakamo5 Tetra Vaal

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    w/e post what you want, I guess I can deal with checking it and sorting through minimal offtopic posts for the sake of your enjoyments ;)
     
    Jakamo5, Sep 11, 2008
    #166
  17. pocketprotector

    pocketprotector Newbie

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    well, i have discovered that there is a bios update. Look at this auction on EBay.
    ebay Item #: 300260201918

    Does this mean that there is hope?

    Brian
     
    pocketprotector, Sep 21, 2008
    #167
  18. Syngensmyth

    Syngensmyth In All Seriousness

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    Old news. :p
     
    Syngensmyth, Sep 21, 2008
    #168
  19. pocketprotector

    pocketprotector Newbie

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    what? which serial number do i need or let best buy know while exchanging computer systems? link?
     
    pocketprotector, Sep 21, 2008
    #169
  20. Syngensmyth

    Syngensmyth In All Seriousness

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    The batch #'s are in this thread somewhere in an E-wrecked post in the later pages.
     
    Syngensmyth, Sep 21, 2008
    #170
  21. pocketprotector

    pocketprotector Newbie

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    a little help here? ive searched all over.
     
    pocketprotector, Sep 21, 2008
    #171
  22. Syngensmyth

    Syngensmyth In All Seriousness

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    Syngensmyth, Sep 21, 2008
    #172
  23. pocketprotector

    pocketprotector Newbie

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    So I just exchanged my old version for a newer laptop.
    batch #h261290

    I have not opened the box yet, but the display model from the same batch has the newer BIOS version, however the "RAID" option didn't come up in the BIOS screen under "SATA" in the advanced menu. Does "RAID" option only appear when there is another disk present?



    Brian
     
    pocketprotector, Sep 21, 2008
    #173
  24. Dook

    Dook Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yes. You have to have both drives present.
     
    Dook, Sep 21, 2008
    #174
  25. pocketprotector

    pocketprotector Newbie

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    ok cool. Well i hope my drive gets here before the 14 day period expires.

    On a side note,
    I returned my older P-7811 FX at Best Buy with the argument that the computer system's manual says in it "Your computer has the capability to do RAID0 and RAID1" - they RMA'd the system as a manufacturing defect. The Computer was open during the time of the return. As per their policy, this is a valid return.

    I explained the batch numbers and the differences. The manager was a gamer and immediately was all "***, im a gamer and that is just plain BS!"


    Well best of luck to me and everybody else out there. I have found an identical drive on ebay for $77.

    I have found a group of good people and hope i can contribute as much as i have taken from this forum in the future.
     
    pocketprotector, Sep 21, 2008
    #175
  26. Dook

    Dook Notebook Virtuoso

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    Also, FYI the drives don't have to be identical. They don't even have to be the same size, but it's always nice to pair them up.
     
    Dook, Sep 21, 2008
    #176
  27. Jakamo5

    Jakamo5 Tetra Vaal

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    They don't have to be the same size but I thought the Raid array will only allow you space for double your smallest drive. I.E. if you raid a 200gb and a 320gb, your raid array size will be 400gb. Am I wrong?
     
    Jakamo5, Sep 23, 2008
    #177
  28. edi_2

    edi_2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    yesterday i was chatting with tech support. I asked why some p-7811 fx gateway's have that function . they told me that some models are using different chip.

    I also asked abut common problem when updating the bios.( erroe meassge that file is missing ) I was told to send my beauty to be serviced.

    Guys what do you think ?
     
    edi_2, Sep 23, 2008
    #178
  29. tallan

    tallan Notebook Deity

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    I >think< it was anything 26000 & above, definitely the 28000 batch are new with the new BIOS.
     
    tallan, Sep 23, 2008
    #179
  30. tallan

    tallan Notebook Deity

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    I think you got typical tech support manure. They can't just "change the chip" on the motherboard without advertising that change, even if it was technically possible, which in this case (new CPU and wifi which with the controller chipset makes up "Centrino 2") it is not.

    Eventually the newer BIOS should be available to us "early adopters" via a Gateway update. If not one of the more technically adept here, like E-Wrecked, may figure out a way to copy the new BIOS and post it for the rest of us.

    To be clear: the hardware in the P-7811FX totally supports RAID, and the hold up is GATEWAY.
     
    tallan, Sep 23, 2008
    #180
  31. Syngensmyth

    Syngensmyth In All Seriousness

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    You posted the same question in 2 threads ... thereby interrupting the highly organized nature of the 7811 thread system. This is normally frowned upon in forum communication.

    Welcome to the forum.
    -- Church Lady --
     
    Syngensmyth, Sep 23, 2008
    #181
  32. Dook

    Dook Notebook Virtuoso

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    Correct. I wasn't suggesting anyone do this, per se. But instead an example of how flexible the Intel RAID solution is.
     
    Dook, Sep 23, 2008
    #182
  33. Syngensmyth

    Syngensmyth In All Seriousness

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    Dook, I'm liking that search avi.

    Good job dispelling RAID myth.
     
    Syngensmyth, Sep 23, 2008
    #183
  34. Dook

    Dook Notebook Virtuoso

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    LOL. Thanks! Your current one is definitely one of my favorites! :)
     
    Dook, Sep 23, 2008
    #184
  35. NoDecaf

    NoDecaf Newbie

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    NoDecaf, Sep 27, 2008
    #185
  36. Dook

    Dook Notebook Virtuoso

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    Dook, Sep 27, 2008
    #186
  37. Syngensmyth

    Syngensmyth In All Seriousness

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    Welcome Decaf, thanks for keeping us up to date. :p
     
    Syngensmyth, Sep 27, 2008
    #187
  38. NoDecaf

    NoDecaf Newbie

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    lol.. just thought it was funny to have 20 pages *****in about no raid and no one bothered to finish the thread with a "problem solved" post ;)

    and thanks for the welcome.
     
    NoDecaf, Sep 27, 2008
    #188
  39. Syngensmyth

    Syngensmyth In All Seriousness

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    There are more 7811 threads than can's in bag lady's cart. Many on the same subject ... it's totally hopeless but wonderfully interesting it an interstate accident sort of way.
     
    Syngensmyth, Sep 27, 2008
    #189
  40. Amazed

    Amazed Notebook Enthusiast

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    Gosh, I hope this happens soon. I've got the 2nd drive ordered and one of the reasons I chose this notebook was for RAID; which I inquired as to this feature when I purchased it and was told, s-u-r-e. My batch number is H238482 which seems a bit early from what I'm reading here!

    Ack! :cool:
     
    Amazed, Sep 29, 2008
    #190
  41. Quadzilla

    Quadzilla The eye is watching you

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    Amazed you will be amazed to know that the bios update for the early adopters has been available for a few days now thanks to E-wrecked .
     
    Quadzilla, Sep 29, 2008
    #191
  42. Amazed

    Amazed Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yeah! Please excuse my ignorance; I didn't take the time at that sitting to finish the thread. I am very appreciative of all those here and am excited to see such a wonderful following to a very affordable gaming "desktop replacement" notebook.

    Will share my experience with the RAID when the drive arrives.

    BTW, does anyone know where to get the screws for the OEM drive?

    Thanks in advance!
     
    Amazed, Sep 29, 2008
    #192
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