HighPoint HPT370 RAID Controller

[kickit2]

I have a Dual PIII Motherboard with Integrated RAID Onboard. ITs a HighPoint HPT370 RAID controller. I can get the thing to work fine underwindows with only a device driver so I know it is a true Hardware RAID controllerr card. I checked on the website, and they now have linux drivers. One question though. All these MFG's have the damn drivers, but nobody ever tells you have to install the damn things. I am new to this, I am honestly want to learn.. I have spent the last 4 nights looking all over the damn place for info on installing drivers. Nobody seems to have a good explantion on the web, and chat people get Pissed bigtime when you ask for help... CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME A HAND!?!

[Choozo]

The HPT370 is *not* a true hardware RAID controller. You need to have support for the HPT3xx chipsets in your kernel to make this work on Linux. The HPT370 have been known to work in RAID modes on RedHat 7.1 and Mandrake 8.1.

You also said that this was an integrated onboard controller, and then called it a hardware controller card in the next sentence? Those are two different things.

[kickit2]

Thats not really my concern... My concern is how to get the drivers installed without having to reload the OS. They say it can be done on the webpage, but what is the process or actually doing it ( up to the part of recompiling the kernal, which I have read alot about )

[furrycat]

It's hardly surprising people get annoyed at you if you behave like this.

Choozo just answered your question.

And I quote, "You need to have support for the HPT3xx chipsets in your kernel."

Now you just said "up to the part of recompiling the kernal, which I have read alot about."

So you know what needs to be done and you have already read up on how to do it.

Furthermore, as Choozo also points out, you call your RAID controller integrated one minute and a card the next. I have an integrated HPT370 controller myself although I don't use the RAID features; I just want loads of disks! I also have an HPT366 card (older, doesn't do RAID and only supports ATA66). I recently transferred my entire OS from the system with the card to that with the onboard HPT370. Happy day, it worked without requiring a recompile.

BUT such events are not generally likely. You really must get your facts straight and present them accurately. Imagine if you did need a different "driver" for the same chipset depending on whether it was onboard or on a card. How would anyone know what advice to give you?

When you've learnt the ropes you can start calling stuff "damn things" and complaining. Until then, present your questions clearly and unambiguously and consider carefully the answers you are given.

To paraphrase myself when talking to someone who was a lot more annoying than you, "feel free to ignore me. My RAID works."

[kickit2]

Ok, first... What I have read about recompiling your kernel delt with running commands on the machine to... recompile it. Same as if you were to change a few lines of code in a program under a programming language. Nowere have I read that I have to acuire a "newer kernal" that supports what I want.
Second of all. The controler chipset may infact not be a true taid controller. That I accept. However, That chipset is available integrated into motherboards, or you can get it on a PCI card. The drivers that come with each are identical, I have checked them( we sell both the motherboard and the card at work ) Now, really, what was the nead in badgering me all about if its integrated or on a card, as it dosent seem to make anydiffrence as for getting it working. So far no one in here has done anything really to help me. I installed Mandrake 8.2 on a similar machine, and yes it works, but that is not the solution I want. I want to get my current mandrake 7.2 to work.
So, is there a way to just install the driver, as any other current operating system would let you do, or do I have to download a whole new kernal?
Oh yeah, you forgot one thing. Your reply soulds alot like any other responce I get. Pointing out all the things I don't know, when as I admitted, I am green at this. All you need to add to make it closer is to call me a lamer.
I am a tech, and under a windows based machine, I can fix anything, and I can troubleshoot and fix damn near any hardware. I admit that I have gotten so into the MS drill thats its hard to back out. So in a manner of speaking, I kinda can call stuff "DAMN STUFF". So call me a DFU, tell me its an ID10-T error, or chuckel pebcak under yer breath, I don't care. The fact is that linux claims great support for their products by other "gurus" and so far all I've gotten is being told in stupid in a round about way.
So could we get past the name calling and telling me where my typos are, and try, if you can, to offer me some inforomation that might help.

[furrycat]

Try calling the manufacturer's support desk. They have people who are paid to listen to your ranting and give you the answers no matter how rude you are to them.