[Sticky] Running Big Sur (beta) on Intel Macs

Thanks for the feedback.

Attach a SoftRAID tech support file. I can see if there is something obvious.

Maybe the problem is not initializing it, but creating a volume? that would indicate the driver is not loading.

You can try these steps:

https://srforums.wpengine.com/pages/support/5.8_Volumes_Not_Mounting.pdf

A quick question. I see the current beta version I am running (6.0.1 b42) on a Big Sur machine says it will expire in around 3+ weeks. Should I check the URL for the beta manually, or can the beta version update itself through Check for Updates?

the beta version auto checks for new updates.

@softraid-support TechTool Pro claims to be able to repair APFS drives. Is this not true?

@smayer97

I will have to investigate. I was not aware.

@smayer97

I will have to investigate. I was not aware.

How does one get a beta invite?  I've been waiting for GUI support for my thunderblade and thunderbay since upgrading to Big Sur months ago.  Thanks.

you can download the beta now at:

https://www.softraid.com/sr_beta

We are on beta 42, and the next release is due any day now. I am expecting M1 support, but that is on a day by day basis. if not, B43 will be adding back support for 10.12 through 10.14, which is missing from this beta release.

Is the beta 42 stable on a 2019 mac pro?  Debating whether to update to Big Sur.

thanks,

mike

The 6.0 beta driver is solid. The application is in beta, and will be for some time, as it needs a complete user interface overhaul. but you can install the drive with confidence. 6.0 is actually bundled with Big Sur (a limited version) and passed all Apple QA tests also.

@softraid-support I downloaded b43 and briefly got excited because I saw it was a universal app. But I got the error message about not being supported on Apple silicon so I assume this may come in the next release...

@mushbuddygoose

You are correct it is a Universal app in b43. But there is a (stop ship) issue we need to resolve before we are confident to release it. Its very close.

Just noticed b43 has been released. The release notes known bugs could be written a bit better. It appears the first two are only for older macOS, correct? Do the other three apply to all versions of macOS?

Any resolution on whether enabling Safeguard will allow disks to be mounted? I'd have to look back several pages to remember what was going on.

I validated my four disks before creating a RAID 5 volume. Should I go ahead and validate the RAID?

Safeguard has nothing to do with mounting. It only prevents the SoftRAID application (and user) from doing a mistake by deleting a volume accidentally.

Yes the other notes are for all OS versions. We made B43 compatible with all supported OS versions now, i.e, 10.12.

If your volume does not mount, you have either a directory problem, or a driver loading problem.

Look in the expanded volume tile for the disk identifier. If it is -, then the driver is not loading.If it has a number like disk6, then it is a directory problem. You may need Disk Warrior to repair the directory.

Feel free to contact support  at Softraid for more detailed assistance. Its slow doing that over a forum.