RAID0 trim and SRT seems possible on 6-series and 5-Series

[Dufus]

Thank you for reminding me Fernando as it seems I forgot to put the copyright notices in. Please use this one. Should be self explanatory, no need for credits.

Sata ID

Also added a little extra to show Sata mode, for those who are not in RAID.

 

[Fernando 1]

Thanks, Dufus!

Best wishes
Fernando

 

[Engineer]

Thank you for reminding me Fernando as it seems I forgot to put the copyright notices in. Please use this one. Should be self explanatory, no need for credits.

Sata ID

Also added a little extra to show Sata mode, for those who are not in RAID.

Thanks for all you have done Dufus!

It's appreciated (and awesome)!!! :biggrin:

 

[MaxICH]

Thank you for reminding me Fernando as it seems I forgot to put the copyright notices in. Please use this one. Should be self explanatory, no need for credits.

Sata ID

Also added a little extra to show Sata mode, for those who are not in RAID.

Thanks for sharing your findings! Your work is much appreciated.

 

[organshifter]

Anyway, the reason for starting this thread was to show it's possible to have trim on 5 series and 6 series, which think I've done, so time for me to move on. Thanks to all those who showed their appreciation.

Cheers.

Intel handed out lemons, and you made lemonade. Instead of pouring only yourself a tall glass, you shared the entire pitcher with everyone.

Thanks for everything Dufus. Highly appreciated!

Kind regards,

-Shifter-

Motherboard:
ASUS P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3

SSD Drives:
2x 128GB SATA III Transcend SSD320 Premium RAID0 <--Fights me on everything concerning TRIM.
2x 60GB SATA II Patriot Inferno PI60GS25SSDR RAID0 <-- Pure joy to work with. Never lets me down. :biggrin:

2x Patriot Inferno 60GB RAID0

Trims perfectly

2x Transcend SSD320 128GB RAID0

Trims in weird patterns (if that's even the case here),
Or sometimes doesn't trim at all (w/ optimize, logout, or reboot).

^^Stubborn drive.^^

 

[Fernando 1]

Please use this one. Should be self explanatory, no need for credits.
Sata ID
Also added a little extra to show Sata mode, for those who are not in RAID.

Meanwhile I have repacked the tool, named the package "Dufus SATA ID Tool" and uploaded it to the win-lite.de FTP server.
>Here< is the direct download link to Dufus SATA ID Tool.
So there is no need anymore to get it via SendSpace.

 

[Makaveli]

Meanwhile I have repacked the tool, named the package "Dufus SATA ID Tool" and uploaded it to the win-lite.de FTP server.
>Here< is the direct download link to Dufus SATA ID Tool.
So there is no need anymore to get it via SendSpace.

Thank you that Sendspace site always looked kinda questionable to me

 

[Hellhammer]

2x 128GB SATA III Transcend SSD320 Premium RAID0 <--Fights me on everything concerning TRIM.

Have you installed the latest firmware? My Transcend SSD320 came with a firmware that doesn't have a working TRIM support but the new 5.0.3/4 fixes the bug.

 

[pyr0*]

I can confirm that TRIM works on my HM57 based 2010 Sony VAIO Z notebook running 4x128GB Samsung MMDPE56GQDXP-MVB SSDs in RAID0.

I replaced one of the IDs in the Option ROM's lookup table with my Alternate ID 3b2c as per Dufus' descriptions on page 1 and replaced my old 9.5 RAID option ROM with the patched ROM in my BIOS. I installed 11.6.2.1002 RST driver and TRIM is working perfectly. No recreation of the array was necessary. After deleting files, it takes about 20 seconds until sectors are zero'ed in HxD.

Short summary:

Intel RST Option ROM: 9.5.0.1037 (Stock) -> 11.6.0.1702 (put "2c3b000007" at Offset 1bb22)
Intel RST drivers: 11.2.0.1006 -> 11.6.2.1002 (with 11.2 driver TRIM did not work)

Chipset: HM57 Express (1st generation Core i7-620M)
Vendor 8086
SATA Dev ID 282A
LPC Dev ID 3B0B
Controller ID 282a
Alternative ID 3b2c

I will share the modded BIOS at notebookreview forums shortly.

Many thanks to all ingenious contributors here in the thread, especially Dufus!

 

[Makaveli]

I can confirm that TRIM works on my HM57 based 2010 Sony VAIO Z notebook running 4x128GB Samsung MMDPE56GQDXP-MVB SSDs in RAID0.

I replaced one of the IDs in the Option ROM's lookup table with my Alternate ID 3b2c as per Dufus' descriptions on page 1 and replaced my old 9.5 RAID option ROM with the patched ROM in my BIOS. I installed 11.6.2.1002 RST driver and TRIM is working perfectly. No recreation of the array was necessary. After deleting files, it takes about 20 seconds until sectors are zero'ed in HxD.

Short summary:

Intel RST Option ROM: 9.5.0.1037 (Stock) -> 11.6.0.1702 (put "2c3b000007" at Offset 1bb22)
Intel RST drivers: 11.2.0.1006 -> 11.6.2.1002 (with 11.2 driver TRIM did not work)

Chipset: HM57 Express (1st generation Core i7-620M)
Vendor 8086
SATA Dev ID 282A
LPC Dev ID 3B0B
Controller ID 282a
Alternative ID 3b2c

I will share the modded BIOS at notebookreview forums shortly.

Many thanks to all ingenious contributors here in the thread, especially Dufus!

Wow dude I got a 1 gen Vaio Z that I can do this on totally forgot about it.


*Update*

This 2010 Vaio Z has two 64GB toshiba SSD's in raid 0

 

[organshifter]

Have you installed the latest firmware? My Transcend SSD320 came with a firmware that doesn't have a working TRIM support but the new 5.0.3/4 fixes the bug.

Yep, Hellhammer, I did. My drives also came with the bugged firmware (v5.0.2). I immediately updated to v5.0.4 with the following files, "SSD_FirmwareUpdateUtility_V10.exe, 27187_TS128GSSD320_FW504.vic"

I don't know what's going on. I've re-created the array in the BIOS environment, as well as in Windows through RST 11.6.2.1002. Individually, TRIM is instantaneous on both drives. As soon as I configure them as RAID0, nothing.

I believe the screenshot from above, with the array showing a crazy pattern, was after resulting to a quick format. I'd hoped that would have triggered TRIM, but from the looks of the hex data, something else happened.

Not sure what to try next...:hmm:

Edit: I don't know if it matters or not but, when I first received the drives, my OS was located on the Patriot RAID0 array. The controller wasn't set to AHCI, but the updater didn't display any issues and flashed both drives accordingly.

 

[Sunburn74]

Can confirm that the modified OROM works for the GA-P67x-UD3-B3 motherboard. Used the latest orom posted by fernando (the one posted on 11/25). Modified the U1A UEFI bios available. Documented by hex editor trim test.

Did not need to recreate the raid array. Used the latest intel RST. SSDs are vertex 3's in raid 0.

Thanks! Great work guys!

 

[psfc_yojimbo]

Motherboard:
ASUS P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3

Hey organshifter, can I ask, what BIOS are you running on your P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3? Did you flash a new BIOS that already had the correct OROM version to allow TRIM in RAID0? Lastly, for this mainboard, did you have to recreate the RAID volume in order to get TRIM working? Thanks mate!

 

[organshifter]

WOW! I just browsed to my motherboard's main site, and ASUS released two new bios packages today. Both new bioses are version 3603, previously 3304. However, although both descriptions read the same, one package includes IRST_V11.5.0.1207, while the most recent (top) package includes IRST_V11.2.0.1006.

P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3 BIOS 3603

For proper operation, please ensure to update Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver to version 11.2.0.1006 and BIOS to version 3603 before enabling Intel Smart Response Technology.

Update procedure for users needing Intel Smart Response Technology:

(1)Enter OS, and ensure Intel Smart Response Technology has been turned off under Intel Rapid Storage Technology interface.

(2)Install version Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver to version 11.2.0.1006

(3)Reboot the system, and update BIOS to version 3603, then reboot.

(4)Enter the BIOS setup screen, press F5 to load BIOS default, then change the Intel SATA Port to RAID mode.

(5)Boot into OS, and re-enable Intel Smart Response Technology under Intel Rapid Storage Technology.

EDIT:

Hey organshifter, can I ask, what BIOS are you running on your P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3? Did you flash a new BIOS that already had the correct OROM version to allow TRIM in RAID0? Lastly, for this mainboard, did you have to recreate the RAID volume in order to get TRIM working? Thanks mate!

Hey psfc_yojimbo,

I'm currently running 3304. Nope, I didn't flash a ready-made BIOS. I followed Dufus's guide and modified the 11.6.0.1702 OROM myself. After which, I incorporated it into the original 3304 bios.

EDIT2
For this board, I'm not sure if re-creating the array is absolutely necessary or not. I can't get TRIM to work with my Transcend array at all, and this has been the case since before & after re-creating the array. Personally, I'd try it with the current array first. If TRIM doesn't work, make an image backup, re-create array, and then restore. That way, you won't lose anything.

 

[Makaveli]

I can confirm that TRIM works on my HM57 based 2010 Sony VAIO Z notebook running 4x128GB Samsung MMDPE56GQDXP-MVB SSDs in RAID0.

I replaced one of the IDs in the Option ROM's lookup table with my Alternate ID 3b2c as per Dufus' descriptions on page 1 and replaced my old 9.5 RAID option ROM with the patched ROM in my BIOS. I installed 11.6.2.1002 RST driver and TRIM is working perfectly. No recreation of the array was necessary. After deleting files, it takes about 20 seconds until sectors are zero'ed in HxD.

Short summary:

Intel RST Option ROM: 9.5.0.1037 (Stock) -> 11.6.0.1702 (put "2c3b000007" at Offset 1bb22)
Intel RST drivers: 11.2.0.1006 -> 11.6.2.1002 (with 11.2 driver TRIM did not work)

Chipset: HM57 Express (1st generation Core i7-620M)
Vendor 8086
SATA Dev ID 282A
LPC Dev ID 3B0B
Controller ID 282a
Alternative ID 3b2c

I will share the modded BIOS at notebookreview forums shortly.

Many thanks to all ingenious contributors here in the thread, especially Dufus!

How were you able to patch the OROM into the bios.

sony's bios comes in an executable file that has the bios and flashing program built in.

Do you know where I can find the bios file on its own for a VPCZ133GX Vaio Z bios file is called R3031C3?

*Update*

I found the correct tool on the notebook review site to dump the bios.

Now I can get to patching it.

 

[davidm71]

WOW! I just browsed to my motherboard's main site, and ASUS released two new bios packages today. Both new bioses are version 3603, previously 3304. However, although both descriptions read the same, one package includes IRST_V11.5.0.1207, while the most recent (top) package includes IRST_V11.2.0.1006.



EDIT:

Hey psfc_yojimbo,

I'm currently running 3304. Nope, I didn't flash a ready-made BIOS. I followed Dufus's guide and modified the 11.6.0.1702 OROM myself. After which, I incorporated it into the original 3304 bios.

EDIT2
For this board, I'm not sure if re-creating the array is absolutely necessary or not. I can't get TRIM to work with my Transcend array at all, and this has been the case since before & after re-creating the array. Personally, I'd try it with the current array first. If TRIM doesn't work, make an image backup, re-create array, and then restore. That way, you won't lose anything.

I also checked Asus support site and noticed the new bios but there is no mention of what has changed?! Wonder what raid rom module is in there? Or any other changes? I am going to pass upgrading as my system is perfect now thanks to trim support at last. So I'll pass on 3603...

Thanks

 

[garikfox]

Thanks to contributors in this post, I'd like to say that TRIM support for RAID is now available for all ASUS P67/Z68 motherboards.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1244232/dl-asus-asrock-msi-bioss-with-updated-raid-rom

 

[Brahmzy]

So, assuming we have the appropriate modded 11.6.0.1702 OROM, are we supposed to use RST 11.2.0.1006 or RST11.6.0.1030? I thought, thus far, we were supposed to be using the 11.2.0.1006 driver...

 

[organshifter]

I also checked Asus support site and noticed the new bios but there is no mention of what has changed?! Wonder what raid rom module is in there? Or any other changes?

My thoughts exactly. I'm also wondering if TRIM is incorporated now?

Thanks to contributors in this post, I'd like to say that TRIM support for RAID is now available for all ASUS P67/Z68 motherboards.

Garikfox,

Did you have to modify ASUS's P8Z68 DELUXE/GEN3 BIOS 3603 in order to get TRIM working? If so, do you know which OROM it originally contained?

Awesome work BTW.

So, assuming we have the appropriate modded 11.6.0.1702 OROM, are we supposed to use RST 11.2.0.1006 or RST11.6.0.1030? I thought, thus far, we were supposed to be using the 11.2.0.1006 driver...

I've seen mixed results. In post #24, MaxICH reports that RST 11.2.0.1006 and 11.6.0.1030 both worked fine. Pyr0* says RST 11.2.0.1006 didn't work for him in post #159. I can confirm that RST v11.6.2.1002 is working great.

 

[ney2x]

My thoughts exactly. I'm also wondering if TRIM is incorporated now?

I've seen mixed results. In post #24, MaxICH reports that RST 11.2.0.1006 and 11.6.0.1030 both worked fine. Pyr0* says RST 11.2.0.1006 didn't work for him in post #159. I can confirm that RST v11.6.2.1002 is working great.

Latest ASUS P8Z68-V Pro/GEN3 and Deluxe BIOS 3603 has an OROM version of v11.2.0.1527, so no TRIM-enabled yet.

Based on my experience:

IRST 11.2.x.xxxx is a hit-and-miss driver if you're using a modified TRIM-enabled 11.6.0.1702 OROM. If I say hit-and-miss, you need to logged of, reboot or wait a minutes for the TRIM to kicks-in.

IRST 11.6.x.xxxx is the best pair of modified TRIM-enabled 11.6.0.1702 OROM because when you delete or format, TRIM kicks-in immediately, I think because it has a iaStorF.sys Filter driver.

 

[davidm71]

We got to get Raja to comment on 3603. FWIW I'm not upgrading from my 11.6.1702 modded 3404 bios. Works just fine with RST 11.6.2.1002. Station drivers has download links. Just be careful you don't download the previous version that had the memory leak issue...

 

[Fernando 1]

Now it is time for a résumé:

1. On the basis of Dufus' tests and publications we now know,
   • which hex code pairs of the actual Intel RAID ROM modules are responsable for the "TRIM in RAID0" support,
   • for which Alternate DeviceIDs the "TRIM in RAID0" feature has been implemented into the RAID ROM module,
   • for which Intel SATA RAID Controllers (Z77 and X79) the option "TRIM in RAID0" has been enabled by Intel and
   • for which Intel SATA RAID Controllers (all 6-series) the option "TRIM in RAID0" has been locked by Intel.
2. Meanwhile we got the certification, that it is possible to enable "TRIM in RAID0" for Z68, P67 and maybe even for other 6-series (or 5-series) SATA RAID Controllers by a simple replacement of just one hex code pair within the RAID ROM module.

In consideration of all these facts there is one very important question unanswered:
How is it possible, that Intel developed an amazing feature like "TRIM in RAID0" to full functioning, but enabled it just for their newest chipsets?

 

[Brahmzy]

How is it possible, that Intel developed an amazing feature like "TRIM in RAID0" to full functioning, but enabled it just for their newest chipsets?

To sell new chipsets.

You guys are great. You extended the life of my main mainboard by 6 months. Haswell will be out in April and Ivy offers me NOTHING, so buying a Z77 would have been flushing cash down the toilet. Thank you again!

 

[Ourasi]

@Fernando:
The reason: To make you buy new hardware, imoral and cowardly and shitty support of almost new hardware... The excuse about validation costs, is lame beyond belief, the controllerhardware is basically the same, and they developed TRIM in Raid0 mostly on 6-series chipsets anyway...

They did the same to SSD Gen. 1 owners, I was one of them, no TRIM on Gen. 1 SSD's to force you to buy new SSD's with the exact same performance, just with TRIM-firmware... The really ugly thing about this one, is that they hinted and spoke about TRIM-firmware as the holy grale to keep Gen. 1 sales going strong despite the degradation issues, and left us hanging when they decided not to give TRIM to boost sales for Gen. 2 SSD's.. The sad part is that most people actually did just that, they went out and got a Gen. 2 SSD...

Intel in a nutshell, they are not alone, but they are among the worst... IMHO..

This time however, we got the last laugh...

 

[Sunburn74]

So, assuming we have the appropriate modded 11.6.0.1702 OROM, are we supposed to use RST 11.2.0.1006 or RST11.6.0.1030? I thought, thus far, we were supposed to be using the 11.2.0.1006 driver...

I would just use the latest driver (the 11.6). With my gigabyte board, all I really did was flash my motherboard with the updated bios and then install the latest intel Rapid storage raid driver and trim was fully working.

Didn't need to recreate the array. Didn't even need to switch from ahci to raid to be honest in the bios.