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INTRODUCTION
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Congratulations on purchasing your new Adaptec AHA-3985 Multichannel PCI RAID
Adapter. This board provides RAID solutions at an unprecedented
price/performance.
NOTE: If you are having trouble booting your AHA-3985, please check if your
system motherboard provides PCI-PCI bridge support. The AHA-3985 will not
function in systems without bridge support. If you believe your system does
have bridge support, refer to the 'Troubleshooting Guide' at the end of this
readme.
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AHA-3985 DRIVERS AND RAID UTILITIES RELEASE V1.01
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AHA-3985 Drivers and RAID Utility V1.01 corrects the following problems:
Page Fault or server hang due to resource Depletion in ARDRVR under extreme
loads.
Server hang on load of reconstruct utility using "hot spare."
Improved reporting of array states via SNMP traps to CI/O.
Minor problems with keystrokes in ARUADMIN.
We recommend all V1.0 users upgrade to V1.01. To perform the upgrade, perform
the following steps:
1. Down the server.
2. Insert the V1.01 diskette in A:, switch to the A: prompt, and type:
install 3 to load NetWare V3.1X drivers or
install 4 to load NetWare V4.XX drivers
3. Copy the C:\AHA398X\NETWARE to the directory containing SERVER.EXE
4. Start the server
5. At the server : prompt, type
load aruadmin
6. Select "Change Array Configuration", then "Install Utility Suite"
7. When the file copying is complete, down the server and restart so that
the new versions are loaded in memory.
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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS TO USE THE AHA-3985
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To create an array on a NetWare server:
PCI motherboard with a system BIOS supporting PCI-PCI bridges, 64KB PCI
Expansion BIOS, and INT B as well as INT A.
A full-length PCI slot capable of bus-mastering.
NetWare V3.1X or V4.X
V3.11 users will need to upgrade CLIB.NLM. See Troubleshooting
below.
A SCSI or IDE boot drive containing a DOS partition. This same drive may
optionally contain a NetWare partition and the SYS volume.
Additional SCSI drives, a minimum of 2 for mirroring, and 3 for RAID-5
If CI/O is to be used, you will additionally need:
A network client running Windows V3.1 or V3.11 properly configured so
that it can log into the server.
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INSTALLATION
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This disk contains Adaptec's Novell and DOS Drivers and Utilities for the
AHA-3980/3985 RAID Host Adapter. The AHA-3980 has two SCSI channels and the
AHA-3985 has three SCSI channels.
DOS drivers are only necessary for connecting to a CD-ROM, typically used for
installation of NetWare. If you already have NetWare installed, or will be
installing NetWare from floppy, you do not need to install the AHA-3985 DOS
drivers.
NetWare drivers are used by the RAID driver and for connecting standard
NetWare devices to the AHA-3980/3985 host adapter. RAID Utilities are
included for creation and management of the RAID devices.
WARNING: The AHA-3980/3985 is currently not supported for operating systems
other than NetWare. If you attempt to install an operating system with
embedded driver support for the Adaptec AIC-7870, such as OS/2 2.1 or NT 3.5,
it will find the three AIC-7870 chips on the AHA-3985 and attempt to load
the driver. Although this embedded driver may load, it is untested and
unsupported for use on the AHA-3985 and WILL NOT provide any RAID
functionality.
All the files on the floppy are compressed except INSTALL.BAT, README.TXT
and EXPAND.EXE in the root directory. INSTALL.BAT will install the files on
the C: drive.
To install NetWare version 3.1x files type
install 3
at the a: prompt.
To install NetWare version 4.xx files type
install 4
at the a: prompt.
INSTALL.BAT will create C:\AHA398X and then copy DOS and the appropriate
version of NetWare files.
WARNING: IF PREVIOUS INSTALLATION EXISTS, THIS BATCH FILE WILL OVERWRITE
THE EXISTING INSTALLATION. IT IS USER'S RESPONSIBLITY TO BACKUP PREVIOUS
INSTALLATION.
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FILES COPIED TO C:\AHA398X
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c:\aha398x\readme.txt This file
c:\aha398x\dos\readme.txt Readme for DOS drivers
c:\aha398x\dos\config.sys Template for CD-ROM driver installation
c:\aha398x\dos\autoexec.bat Template for CD-ROM
c:\aha398x\dos\aspi8dos.sys ASPI driver
c:\aha398x\dos\aspicd.sys ASPI CD driver
c:\aha398x\dos\aspidisk.sys ASPI Disk driver
c:\aha398x\dos\afdisk.exe ASPI Partitioning utility
c:\aha398x\dos\afdisk.hlp
c:\aha398x\dos\afdisk.cwa
c:\aha398x\dos\3980cfg.exe SCSISelect executable
c:\aha398x\netware\readme.txt Readme for NetWare drivers
c:\aha398x\netware\aha3980.dsk
c:\aha398x\netware\aspicd.dsk
c:\aha398x\netware\aruadmin.nlm
c:\aha398x\netware\arumon.nlm
c:\aha398x\netware\aru.msg
c:\aha398x\netware\arulib.nlm
c:\aha398x\netware\arusched.nlm
c:\aha398x\netware\aruver.nlm
c:\aha398x\netware\arucvt.nlm
c:\aha398x\netware\arurec.nlm
c:\aha398x\netware\arufmt.nlm
c:\aha398x\netware\arudrv.def
c:\aha398x\netware\aha3980.ddi (NetWare 4.x only)
c:\aha398x\netware\mcim.dsk
c:\aha398x\netware\ardrvr.dsk
c:\aha398x\netware\aspitran.dsk
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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
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The PCICHK.EXE and CFBRIDGE.SYS files referred to are
available on the Adaptec Tech Support BBS.
AHA-3985 Supplemental Troubleshooting Guide
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This file contains additional troubleshooting tips that may not have been
included in the User's Manual. It is intended to assist those who are having
difficulties getting their system to boot up with the AHA-3985.
After you have installed your RAID adapter, you should be looking for the
following things as the system boots up:
Adaptec BIOS Header Message.
Inquiry information such as the make and model number of
SCSI devices that the Adaptec BIOS detected.
Message indicating whether or not the BIOS installed
successfully.
Here is an example of what you should be seeing on your screen as the system
boots up:
Adaptec AHA-3980/3985 BIOS v1.00
(c) 1995 Adaptec, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Press <Ctrl><A> for SCSISelect (TM) Utility!
AIC-7870/Sequencer Diagnostics passed
Ch A, SCSI ID #2 - Quantum Maverick 540S - Drive C: (80h)
Ch B, SCSI ID #0 - Seagate ST32550N - Drive D: (81h)
Ch C, SCSI ID #3 - Toshiba CD_ROM:XX3355
Ch C, SCSI ID #4 - Archive VIPER 150 21247
BIOS Installed Successfully!
Starting MS-DOS...
If you don't see the Adaptec BIOS Header Message at all, then:
System BIOS may not have PCI to PCI bridge support. Call your system
manufacturer.
System BIOS may not be properly assigning the I/O and memory space for
PCI agents and bridges. Call your system manufacturer for a possible
update on the motherboard BIOS.
The slot for your AHA-3985 may not be enabled; check your CMOS Setup
program to see if there is an option there to enable a PCI device in
slot X. If you are not sure which slot you have the host adapter in,
then just enable PCI device in all the slots displayed in your CMOS Setup
program. Note that on the Phoenix BIOS, only one slot is displayed at
a time. You can change the displayed slot on the screen by pressing a
key. Refer to the motherboard manual.
Try booting from a DOS bootable diskette. Insert the diskette containing
PCICHK.EXE and then type PCICHK at the DOS prompt. PCICHK.EXE is a DOS
program that will check for the most common PCI compatibility problems
found on motherboards. If PCICHK.EXE finds no PCI to PCI Bridge
initialized, then the AHA-3985 may not work at all in your system.
If you plan to use the AHA-3985 as a NON-BOOT host adapter, then you still
may be able to use the AHA-3985 in your system. If this is the case, then
locate the diskette containing CFBRIDGE.SYS. Copy CFBRIDGE.SYS to your
DOS boot disk. Create a CONFIG.SYS which will load CFBRIDGE.SYS as the
first device driver during boot up. The file, CFBRIDGE.SYS, is a DOS
device driver that will attempt to initialize and configure the PCI to PCI
Bridge and the 7870 devices behind it. If it loads successfully, then the
AHA-3985 can be used as a secondary host adapter. You will need to
install additional software necessary for your operating system to support
the AHA-3985 and your SCSI devices. Note that the CFBRIDGE.SYS driver
will work ONLY on systems where the motherboard BIOS is properly routing
all the PCI INTx# lines to the system interrupt controller.
If the Adaptec BIOS Header Message appears, but the message Host Adapter
Configuration Error comes up, then:
Check interrupt channel(s) assignment in your CMOS Setup program; make
sure the PCI slot for the AHA-3985 is assigned to an available IRQ.
(This is typically how you would configure interrupts if your system BIOS
is from Phoenix or Award.)
If your system has a combination of ISA or EISA boards and PCI boards, you
need to mark the IRQs used by ISA/EISA boards as USED so that the system
BIOS will not try to assign these IRQs to PCI devices. The other IRQs
should be marked as AVAILABLE. (This is typically how you would configure
interrupts if your system BIOS is from AMI.)
Check if there are interrupt jumpers on the motherboard. If so, then make
sure the IRQ setting in the CMOS Setup program matches the motherboard
jumper settings.
Check the documentation for your system if it supports interrupt channels
other than INT A#; if not, then only channel A on the AHA-3985 can be
utilized. Channel B on the AHA-3985 is routed to INTB# on the PCI bus and
channel A is routed to INT A# on the PCI bus.
All PCI interrupts must be level sensitive.
Try booting from a DOS bootable diskette. Insert the diskette containing
PCICHK.EXE and then type PCICHK at the DOS prompt. Check to see if the
interrupt test passed for the 7870 devices.
If you don't see the Inquiry information from the SCSI devices then:
Slot is not bus mastering.
Slot is not enabled for master; check CMOS setting and enable all slots
for bus mastering.
Check cabling, connections, and physical hardware setup.
Check if chipset is OPTI or SiS; if so, call Adaptec Tech Support for more
information.
If the Adaptec BIOS installs successfully, but hangs as the operating system
loads, then:
Check if there are interrupt jumpers on the motherboard. If so, then make
sure the IRQ setting in the CMOS Setup program matches the motherboard
jumper settings.
All PCI interrupts must be level sensitive.
Try booting from a DOS bootable diskette. Copy ASPI8DOS.SYS from the
EZ-SCSI diskette to your boot diskette. Create a CONFIG.SYS which will
load ONLY ASPI8DOS.SYS during boot up. Pay attention to the messages from
ASPI8DOS.SYS, especially the Inquiry information from the SCSI devices.
Run PCICHK.EXE to get more information and make note of all the tests that
passed or failed.
If the Adaptec BIOS installs successfully and finds all your devices, but
ASPI8DOS.SYS is not finding any 7870 devices, then:
Call Adaptec Tech Support or BBS for an updated version of ASPI8DOS.SYS.
Use EZ-SCSI 3.11 or later.
If ASPI8DOS.SYS loads successfully and you see the Inquiry information from
all of your SCSI devices, but are still having some problems, then:
Call your system manufacturer to verify if system has full PCI to PCI
bridge support.
Call Adaptec Technical Support. Prior to calling, please be sure to have
the following information:
Chipset manufacturer (e.g. SiS, Intel, OPTi, ALI, UMC, VLSI, EFAR, etc.)
and chipset number.
System BIOS manufacturer and BIOS version (e.g. AMI, Award, Phoenix,
etc.)
Processor and speed (e.g. Pentium, 486, etc.)
Video Card/Chip used.
Adaptec BIOS version. This is indicated in the Adaptec BIOS Header
Message.
All information reported by PCICHK.EXE.
If NetWare gives several errors when loading ARUADMIN for the first time
including "Loader cannot fine public symbol:UnimportSymbol" then:
Upgrade your CLIB.NLM by obtaining the LIBUP5 patch file from the NovFiles
forum on CompuServe.
If during loading ARUADMIN for the first time, the message "Scanning for host
adapter/drive information. Please stand by." never goes away then:
Switch back to the NetWare console by pressing the Alt key and the ESC key
simultaneously. If there is an error "MCIM not found", down the server and
copy the files in C:\AHA398X\NETWARE to the directory containing
SERVER.EXE.
Or
If the line LOAD MCIM.DSK is not complete its load, PCI interrupt INT B is
likely not enabled for the slot containing the AHA-3985. On many systems
using Award or Phoenix BIOS, this is done in the CMOS Setup by assigning
IRQ's to all PCI slots, even unoccupied ones.