Summary:
The latest firmware/drivers (February 2008 beta) with 3Ware 9650SE (8LP) and Windows Server 2008 do not get along. The system gets to the boot screen with the progress indicator, then locks up.
The problem is resolved with older firmware version 9.4.0.1 with bootloader 3.05.00.002, using the latest beta drivers (3wareDrv.sys is version 3.0.3.108). I have Windows Server 2008 Enterprise running now.
Workarounds:
Known Issues:
Details:
January 13th 2008
I have a Tyan FT48 with a quad core Xeon E5335. I moved my 3Ware 9650SE (8LP) over to it this afternoon to do a Windows Server 2008 RC (Hyper V) install and discovered that the drivers provided for 3Ware are non-functional with Server 2008. The system hangs at start up, at the Server 2008 boot up screen. The green progress indicator locks up.
This is also happening with a 9550SX on a different system. But just to be safe: The system BIOS is the latest available, 2.00b, from Tyan.
The 3Ware 9.5.0 production driver, and the in-engineering drivers have been tested.Both cards have been updated to the latest firmware.
http://www.3ware.com/KB/article.aspx?id=14928 is not very helpful. Has anyone tried the 9650SE with Vista? Any boot problems?
My server remains on Server 2003 R2 x64 until this issue is resolved. I'm disappointed that 3Ware doesn't have functioning drivers, still.
January 15th 2008
My email to 3Ware was promptly replied to. They've sent me updated drivers, soon to be posted on their website under "In Engineering", I'm told. Bypassing the signature requirement is still necessary at this point, via http://www.3ware.com/KB/article.aspx?id=14928 I'm told.
I will get these tested the coming weekend.
February 2nd 2008
I got the 2008 RTM bits off Connect today - and I'll try to find some time to get this tested this coming weekend, using the latest engineering drivers.
February 6th 2008
I'm not checking the 3ware KB daily at http://www.3ware.com/KB/article.aspx?id=14928 , but some more 'information' has been posted: 64-bit Vista/Windows 2008 support is not currently available. A firmware upgrade for the 9550SX(U)/9590SE/9650SE is required. This will be officially supported with the 9.5.1 code set (due out August 2008), but a beta version will be posted to the 'In Engineering Phase' section of the 3ware web site soon (February 2008).
Later this month? This is surely a problem that became obvious in earlier builds. Perhaps I will dig up some older beta builds of 2008 that I have, and test. I'm curious as to why they've done so little. I'm very disappointed.
February 6th 2008 (again)
3Ware says they found the current bug last week (week of January 28th.) They say they should have updated code by the end of this week (week of February 4th) and testing will be done next week (week of February 11th). I'm told the code will be posted to the "in-engineering" section the week after (week of February 18th).
Pretty disappointing. But at least they respond to emails, with real answers, unlike Adaptec.
February 26th 2008
Tried this past weekend with latest beta firmware on the 9650SE with the latest driver. No boot. Argh.
March 2nd 2008
Success! I booted from a Windows 98SE floppy, and flashed my 9650SE (8LP) to 9.4.0.1 with bootloader 3.05.00.002 from http://www.3ware.com/KB/article.aspx?id=15103 .My RAID containers were a bit wonky in the BIOS after, so make sure you do a complete backup of your RAID containers first. I ended up re-creating the containers - and everything seems functional, so far. Using that firmware and bootloader, coupled with the latest beta driver (3wareDrv.sys is version 3.0.3.108) I'm able to get Windows Server 2008 x64 RTM booting.
Thank you to the person who left the comment! I have contacted 3Ware support, and they have updated the KB article to reflect this workaround.