Solved I need a simple way to monitor RAID status

perkinwarbeck · Sep 7, 2023

When I purchased my Windows 11 PC from Dell, I opted for RAID 1 SSD's for the boot drive. After several months without problems, I had to hold the powerbutton to shut down the PC. When the PC restarted, I wanted to check the status of my RAID drives. From past experience, I know that rebuilding RAID can take a long time, and I don't want to shut down again until I know the RAID is rebuilt. Unfortunately, checking RAID status turns out to be devilishly complicated -- at least for a novice.

I did a Google search and found this powershell script, which I copied and saved as checkRAID.ps1. Then I found this article on how to RUN a powershell script. The article explained that the powershell execution policy must be changed to AllSigned, which I was able to do by running powershell as administrator. However when I ran the script, I got the error "the script is not digitally signed."

Checking RAID status is something I will need to do periodically, and I need it to be easy. I had a program on Windows 10 called Intel Rapid Storage Technology. It displayed RAID status with a nice graphical user interface. As far as I know it is not installed on my Windows 11 PC. The instructions for installing it are full of caveats about bricking your computer, so I'd prefer to go the simple script route.

Scannerman · Sep 7, 2023

perkinwarbeck said:
When I purchased my Windows 11 PC from Dell, I opted for RAID 1 SSD's for the boot drive. After several months without problems, I had to hold the powerbutton to shut down the PC. When the PC restarted, I wanted to check the status of my RAID drives. From past experience, I know that rebuilding RAID can take a long time, and I don't want to shut down again until I know the RAID is rebuilt. Unfortunately, checking RAID status turns out to be devilishly complicated -- at least for a novice.

I did a Google search and found this powershell script, which I copied and saved as checkRAID.ps1. Then I found this article on how to RUN a powershell script. The article explained that the powershell execution policy must be changed to AllSigned, which I was able to do by running powershell as administrator. However when I ran the script, I got the error "the script is not digitally signed."

Checking RAID status is something I will need to do periodically, and I need it to be easy. I had a program on Windows 10 called Intel Rapid Storage Technology. It displayed RAID status with a nice graphical user interface. As far as I know it is not installed on my Windows 11 PC. The instructions for installing it are full of caveats about bricking your computer, so I'd prefer to go the simple script route.

I concur and I'm with you in this regard. So far nothing I've attempted works for me either. I have one thing that kinda sorta works in the way of a graphical user interface called Intel Optane Memory and Storage Management. Alas, because I pulled my Optane NVMe I now get error messages but the interface still works and I can read any rebuilding from my OS. Intel has dropped support for IRST. I grow weary of putting the link up as so many have adamantly insisted that it isn't true. They can go tell Intel that Intel is mistaken. Intel states IRST is EOL. For that matter so is Optane. If you do find something that works for you please share. I'm still looking myself.

perkinwarbeck · Sep 7, 2023

I thought RST might have been discontinued. The script that I linked to is just a fancy wrapper for

"list volume" | diskpart

and the output doesn't contain any information about RAID status

Scannerman · Sep 7, 2023

perkinwarbeck said:
I thought RST might have been discontinued. The script that I linked to is just a fancy wrapper for

"list volume" | diskpart

and the output doesn't contain any information about RAID status

View attachment 70327

Yeah. Don't need a script for that. It's already part of the system. Best I can offer is the Intel Optane Memory and Storage Management app. Can you still get the pre-boot interface with the coloured text?

perkinwarbeck · Sep 7, 2023

Do you mean the BIOS screen? On Windows 10, it showed briefly during the boot sequence and it had the RAID status. But I don't see that screen when Windows 11 boots. Even if it's possible to get Windows 11 to show it, It's not a great solution because you have to restart the computer to see it.

Scannerman · Sep 8, 2023

perkinwarbeck said:
Do you mean the BIOS screen? On Windows 10, it showed briefly during the boot sequence and it had the RAID status. But I don't see that screen when Windows 11 boots. Even if it's possible to get Windows 11 to show it, It's not a great solution because you have to restart the computer to see it.

Yes. That is what I mean. It will show in Win 11 too but it takes some tweaking to make it appear. I didn't intend it to be a solution but if you can get to the interface at least you'll be able to access your RAID arrays. As I stated earlier, the Intel Optane interface is the only "solution" I know of.

garlin · Sep 8, 2023

Try installing the Intel Memory and Storage Tool CLI for Optane storage.

intelmas show -sensor -intelssd

Firas · Sep 8, 2023

garlin said:
Try installing the Intel Memory and Storage Tool CLI for Optane storage.

intelmas show -sensor -intelssd

Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Driver Installation Software with Intel® Optane™ Memory (10th and 11th Gen Platforms)

The Intel® Rapid Storage Technology (Intel® RST) Driver (18.7.6.1010.3) supports the configuration and enabling of multiple features.

www.intel.com

Scannerman · Sep 8, 2023

Here's what it looks like:

INTEL OPTANE MEMORY AND STORAGE MANAGEMENT.png

You don't have to have any Optane memory for it to work. The only reason I'm getting errors is because I pulled my NVMe.

Firas · Sep 9, 2023

Scannerman · Sep 9, 2023

The reason I labelled my RAID 0 array "Intel - Hyper X" is because I use other RAID as well on the same PC. Not all of the RAID I use is being run via IRST. Something pulled my IRST on my Win 7 recently too, even though I have updates turned off. Seems like Intel really doesn't want us to use IRST at all anymore despite the fact that Optane is also EOL.

perkinwarbeck · Sep 10, 2023

Scannerman said:
I have one thing that kinda sorta works in the way of a graphical user interface called Intel Optane Memory and Storage Management.

I already had the Intel Optane Memory and Storage Management "app" on my PC, and it does what I wanted. I was confused by the name change. I had been looking for Rapid Storage Technology. Thanks!

perkinwarbeck · Sep 10, 2023

Firas said:
View attachment 70555

Yep, that's the one. I just discovered it was already installed on my Windows 11 PC. I was confused by the name change (no longer Rapid Storage Technology). It's just what I was looking for. Thanks!

Scannerman · Sep 10, 2023

perkinwarbeck said:
I already had the Intel Optane Memory and Storage Management "app" on my PC, and it does what I wanted. I was confused by the name change. I had been looking for Rapid Storage Technology. Thanks!

Luvvit when a plan comes together!

Personally, I rather liked the old app better. Maybe it's because I'm a stick in the mud, old, and set in my ways. Still, with the old one if you dug deep you could find a ton of support and info in there and there seemed to be more features than you get with this replacement app. Also the whole idea of Optane after it went EOL well, need I say more?

I suppose we should mark this thread SOLVED.