[Solved] How to get adaptec 29160 working?

[dspahn]

I have done some reading on my problem and have seen others with this problem (https://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-214170-highlight-29160.html). It appears that version 7 of the Adaptec driver doesn't work right with my Adaptec 29160 (I'm using 2.6.18-gentoo-r5) The SCSI drive is my boot drive, and I'm compiling the driver into the kernel (not as a module). I had no trouble accessing the drive from my 2006.1 minimal disc. my knowledge of linux is limited enough to allow me to ask the following questions:

1. Is it possible to get the method the OS on the CD is using to transfer it to my OS? I'm assuming not.

2. I read that the problem does not exist in earlier kernel versions (2.6.13-r5). How do I patch the kernel to work, or how do I obtain that old of a kernel version (emerge doesn't list it as being available)? I appreciate any insight on this. I'm also open to any kernel options I may have overlooked when I compiled it. Thanks![/url]

[dspahn]

In order for the Adaptec 29160 to work in Gentoo (I used 2.6.18-gentoo-r3), here is what must happen:
Update the card's bios to the most recent version (3.10 is the most recent, and I don't think there will be any future updates)
The computer will need to reboot at least twice. Just keep rebooting until you don't get any more errors from the card's bios.
Reboot one last time and go in <CTRL>-A to the card's bios. Select the adaptor and reset the bios settings to their defaults. Save and exit the card's bios setup, then reboot.
You should be able to boot off the card now. Hope this helps- I didn't find anything else like this on this forum or Adaptec, or the rest of the web.