M700 Intel matrix Storage manager

[MindSteps]

On another thread it was written that removing the Intel matrix Storage manager from the M700 will improve the performance of the tablet. As a novice/newby, I have a few questions about this:

1. What is the function of the Intel matrix Storage manager?

2. Are there any negative consequences to removing the Intel matrix Storage manager?

3. What is the best way to remove the Intel matrix Storage manager?

[SimsHsia]

1.) Software that allows management of RAID (redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks) hard drive setups through SATA with a specified Intel IO controller hub. This is ideal for desktops or servers that use RAID0, 1, and 5, however for a Tablet PC with only one hard drive, it isn't useful at all. Unless if one manages to have a slimbay hard drive to have, effectively, two hard drives in the tablet would this be useful -- if and only if the owner decides to create a RAID array among the two hard disks - ideally RAID0, RAID1, or RAID0+1 - RAID5 requires at least three hard drives.

Particularly, it's useful when you have two or more hard drives (and as well as supporting AHCI [Advanced Host Controller Interface]) for these benefits:

From: http://www.intel.com/support/chipset.../CS-012304.htm
The key benefits of AHCI include lower power consumption and increased system performance via two technologies: Link Power Management (LPM) and Native Command Queuing (NCQ). LPM, when used in conjunction with a SATA hard drive that supports this feature, enables lower power consumption under certain workloads. NCQ, when used in conjunction with a hard drive that supports this feature, can increase storage performance on random workloads.

2.) I don't see why it would negatively affect a Tablet PC with only one hard drive that isn't in a RAID setup. If you don't use RAID or have two or more hard drives, why have it installed?

3.) To uninstall it go into Add/Remove Programs (or navigate to Start, All Programs, Intel Matrix Storage Manager, Uninstall) then uninstall.

You may also need to check your system's BIOS settings to disable Intel RAID Technology and (possibly) SATA AHCI, as noted in this similar Lenovo article describing the uninstall process. However, I'd recommend only uninstalling the software utility and not disabling anything in the BIOS.

[MindSteps]

Many thanks SimsHsia. I have ordered the M700, but it has not yet arrived. How noticeable is the performance difference after removing the Intel Matrix Storage manager and why is it on the device in the first place?

[SimsHsia]

I think it's on there because either: a.) it comes bundled with the Intel TurboMemory driver; or b.) it's Toshiba's default factory image, thus it's included as a just in case (more on this below).

Like TurboMemory, the Intel Matrix Storage driver has its problems, there are some folks over at our sister site, NBR, that have had BSoD's and upon removing IMSM, the problems never came up again. In addition, if one were to enable AHCI in the BIOS (not sure if the Toshiba has this option), one member over at NBR claimed that, when running HDTune, the difference is 10 Mb/sec of performance between not using AHCI+IMSM and using AHCI+IMSM.

However, another reason of why it's there, is if a user would rather run in AHCI rather than in ATA mode, IMSM is there so that the user can switch the mode from ATA to AHCI. It seems that IMSM + ATA don't cooperate/play well together; unless if you are going to run your hard drive in AHCI mode, IMSM must be and should be remain unremoved. There's a great deal of discussion about this over at our sister site NBR that you can read up on for more information.

Vista supports AHCI out of the box, and thus IMSM is just there because of the driver. The included Vista AHCI driver is, at times, buggy; sometimes it's the other way around.
For XP, the IMSM must be slipstreamed into the OS during installation, I believe that Toshiba has already included IMSM in the factory image to allow the switch from ATA to AHCI mode.

[daledude]

Thanks for that explanation. I'll be removing it tonight myself (I thought incorrectly it had to do with the SATA hard drive/drivers... like, when you reinstall Windows and have to hit a certain key to install additional things... can't remember exact terms atm... I thought that this was the actual drivers).

[SimsHsia]

The RAID/SATA drivers (press F6 before the Windows Installation when prompted) are only needed when a.) you are installing Windows XP (these drivers must be slipstreamed or ready to go on -- oddly enough -- a floppy disk); or b.) those drivers are required to be installed because of special functionality. Windows Vista, however, supports SATA right out of the box.

But, yeah, if you don't see any use for RAID or running your drive(s) in AHCI, it's safe to remove it, unless you really need it.

[plasmo]

Originally Posted by MindSteps

Many thanks SimsHsia. I have ordered the M700, but it has not yet arrived. How noticeable is the performance difference after removing the Intel Matrix Storage manager and why is it on the device in the first place?

MindSteps-
Did you get your M700 yet?
If you could, can you run a Benchmark test before and after you remove the program, and let us know if you notice any speed difference also?
thanks!

[MindSteps]

When I attempt to remove the Intel Matrix Storage Manager from the Add/Delete Programs utility, I get a message that states:

"Warning-The computer is currently using the Intel Matrix Storage Manager, driver to manage the Serial ATA RAID/AHCI controller; therefore the driver cannot be uninstalled. However, you may choose to uninstall the non-critical components of this software such as the user interface, start menu link, and event monitor by clicking Next".

[plasmo]

Mindsteps-
I take it that you just received your M700-
Did you do a benchmark on your virgin Tablet yet without any modifications yet?

[GeekStarPilot]

@plasmo,

I am in the process of preparing a performance review of a M700 with various Vista builds (e.g. RTM vs SP1, with and without IMSM driver, etc). I am also going to do some tests with and without crapware.

I should have done soon.