Yet another RAID problem

[amp88]

I posted near the middle of December about getting some components to build a RAID array and now I'm back. To cut a long story short, I bought some components but the controller card I first bought didn't support port multiplying so I had to order a new card. A few cards later (got sent the wrong card twice, once the fault of the reseller and once the fault of the manufacturer (how can you put the wrong card in a box?)). So, I got the correct card today. But...

I'm having problems. For a bit of background, the components I have are:

EnhanceBox E8-PM enclosure.
8 * 750GB Western Digital 7500 AAKS
and
MRI eSATA controller

I installed the card and drivers then connected the array. It was recognised correctly and all the drives show up. However, when I try to create a new RAID group through Silicon Images SATARAID5 Array Management software, I get the following error:



I've tried searching for this error on google and on Silicon Image's website but haven't come up with any answers. I'd appreciate any help or advice you folks could give me.

Other relevant system information:

Windows XP Pro
ASUS A7N8X-D

P.S. Also, Windows won't boot with all 8 drives connected, it hangs at the loading screen with the scrolling bar. To boot I have to either hot plug the array or start the PC with only 2 drives connected (one on the first bay of each port) then add the others in. I don't know if this is related to the main problem or not?

 

[curtcheese64]

Have you tried to create the array with 2 drives installed per channel. I have an older RAID card that requires all of the channels to be used before secondary drives are added.

 

[drizzt81]

have you tried it with four or less drives?