Intel Matrix Storage Manager question

For people who had/have this, did you guys uninstall it or keep it? For now, I just have the process disabled. I don't really think it's necessary to have but I'd like to hear what you guys think about it.

 

i still have it. i forgot the reason why you should keep it.

Intel Matrix Storage Manager
Release Date: 2008-05-01 Version: 8.0.0.1039 A

Description

This package contains the Intel Matrix Storage Manager for the supported notebook models and operating systems. It is used to install or update the Intel Serial ATA (SATA) Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) Controller Driver.

 

When I reloaded my Dell XPS M1330, I did not even install it. I slipstreamed the AHCI drivers into my XP disc.

The only time I've used the Intel Storage Manager is to monitor the health of RAID arrays from within the operating system.

 

From reading it on Intel's website it provides new levels of protection and performance...lol. I don't know what RAID is though. I have the process disabled so it's basically like I don't even have it and my laptop runs fine...few more opinions before I uninstall it.

 

RAID is multiple drive.

 

It also enables NCQ if the drive and OS support it.

 

Eh...I don't know. Will probably uninstall it.

 

Yup. Been away with it and the laptop still runs fine.

 

What is AHCI drivers used for and where did you get those. I heard AHCI boosts HDD performance a little bit.
Did you have to install Intel Storage Manager just to check the health of RAID arrays or can you check it w/o installing it??

 

I'm sure there are other apps that can check the health, not just intel storage manager

 

AHCI mode does not so much boost performance, what it does is allow the drive to perform fully. ATA mode hinders the drive's throughput to 100mbps, which is significantly slower than SATA 3's 3.0gbps. The AHCI drivers I used actually the ones from Intel Storage Manager. http://support.dell.com/support/dow...1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=41&fileid=205611
Just extract all the files, then take the .inf, .cat, and .sys files (forget the specific ones I used, so just do them all). Then use nLite to integrate the drivers for your specific chipset. Feel free to inquire farther about this if you're interested.

I clearly have no RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks, for whoever asked) in my M1330; there is only one hard drive. When I've built desktops on Intel boards though I've installed the intel storage manager because it really is a pretty nice management tool for multiple disks. Though... it's not necessary. If you're doing RAID 0 it won't help you, you'll know it when a drive fails (BSOD, won't turn back on). If you do a RAID 1, then Windows will still likely tell you that a drive has malfunctioned. I just prefer the Intel Storage Manager because with that, you can be sure.

 

Hmm. I'm not sure if I have RAID. I have a C and D(recovery) drive.
Do I still need Intel Matrix Manager? :X

 

RAID would make multiple disks show up as one disk. What you have is one disk showing as multiple disks (partitioned drive).

You do not need Intel Storage Manager.

 

Alright, awesome.

EDIT: I came across this. Do not know what it means though. ;o

Do I need the Intel® Matrix Storage Manager?

The Intel® Matrix Storage Manager is required if you have supported hardware and a supported operating system, and would like to enable AHCI features, high performance RAID 0, fault-tolerant RAID 1, high-capacity & fault-tolerant RAID 5, or high performance & fault-tolerant RAID 10 on systems with one or more Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives.

The Intel Matrix Storage Manager is not required for standalone SATA hard drive(s) to work properly (i.e. not configured for RAID or AHCI).

 

Is there a way to enable ACHI without installing Intel's storage manager?? I undertstand what Hep! is saying but is there a simpler way rather than extracting files and installing from those??

 

@McGrady - It means what I've been saying. Multiple disks in a special configuration (IE, a RAID) need Intel Storage Manager (actually that's an untrue claim of Intel, a RAID will function without it through hardware but I agree, it SHOULD be installed). Single disks do not need it unless you use AHCI. Read my next statement to understand how to use AHCI without storage manager installed.

@prabhg - Let's look at other hardware real quick to help you understand what I did. Say you buy a linksys wireless card. You can put in the CD and install it with their application, which will also install their crappy software... but this is not what is making the hardware work. What is making the hardware work are drivers. If you wanted to install the wireless card without the software (which is how I always do hardware) is through device manager. You right click the piece of hardware, do update driver, and navigate to where the drivers are located on the CD. This will install the new hardware without the manufacturers crap software.

Now compare linksys's wireless manager to intel's storage manager (though... wireless managers are COMPLETE GARBAGE, while intel's storage manager is not.) What I am doing when I extract and slipstream the drivers is basically the same as going into hardware manager, but since they are the hard drive's (well, drive controller's) drivers, you wouldn't be able to get into Windows without them and they must be installed prior to installation.

Because of how deeply rooted into the system the ATA vs AHCI is, there is no other way to do it. If you'd like some more info on extraction and/or slipstreaming I'd be glad to help you.

 

Ok thank you for clearing it up. I doubt i use AHCI since I don't even know what it is. I uninstalled it.

 

hi hep!, i heard that there is a method that uses a usb drive to load the driver prior to installation of, in my case, vista. how do i go about doing this?

 

one word of caution though. I'd installed this this intel matrix storage manager in my hp 8510p and got a BSOD whenever i run the hp health check. And for me this is of no use since i have a single drive and NCQ is not supported.

 

I could be wrong but I believe without the software, you will be not alerted to S.M.A.R.T. error messages should your hard drive show signs of going bad from within Windows.

 

if it's true, im surely gonna install em drivers when my exams are over

 

Is this software required to be install on a laptop at all?

Better hard drive performance?

My laptop is one drive and one partition.