Official GIGABYTE Forum
At The Very Beginning => FAQ => Topic started by: absic on September 07, 2011, 12:16:24 pm
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If you installed Windows Vista or Windows 7 in IDE Mode you can't just change the SATA controller to AHCI Mode. As you may have discovered, this will result in a BSOD and the PC will just reboot. This is due to the way that Windows is installed but you can change to AHCI Mode without reinstalling the OS though, so all is not lost. But it requires a registry tweak to get things working properly.
AHCI stand for Advance Host Controller Interface. AHCI is a hardware mechanism that allows software to communicate with Serial ATA (SATA) devices (such as host bus adapters) that are designed to offer features not offered by Parallel ATA (PATA) controllers, such as:
• Hot-Plugging
• Native Command Queuing (NCQ) -might improve computer/system/hard disk responsiveness, especially in multi-tasking environment
• If you are running an SSD then AHCI passes the TRIM commands to the drive to keep it clean and healthy.
The detailed steps from Microsoft website for switching to AHCI Mode after an IDE install are as follows:
• Exit all Windows-based programs.
• Press [Win] + R or take the RUN option from the start menu.
(http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5096/ahcitweak001.th.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/32/ahcitweak001.png/)
• Now type regedit there and press Enter Key to open up the Registry Editor Window.
(http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/388/ahcitweak002.th.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/842/ahcitweak002.png/)
• If you receive the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
• Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\msahci
(http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6343/ahcitweak003.th.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/231/ahcitweak003.png/)
The menu here is quite long and you have to scroll down the list about halfway to find what you're looking for.
(http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/529/ahcitweak004.th.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/843/ahcitweak004.png/)
• In the right pane, right-click Start in the Name column, and then click Modify.
(http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/9596/ahcitweak005.th.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/200/ahcitweak005.png/)
• In the Value data box, type 0 [3 is default], and then click OK.
(http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7163/ahcitweak006.th.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/ahcitweak006.png/)
• On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor.
• Restart your computer
• Go to BIOS and enable AHCI, Save & Reboot
• Another restart will be required to finish the driver installation.
If you are running Windows XP things are a little trickier but here is a really useful guide that shows you the steps you need to take: http://www.bootbeta.com/blog/guide-enable-ahci-in-windows-xp-after-installation.html
EDIT: 24/01/2013
To change Windows 8 from IDE to AHCI Mode check here: http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,6721.msg78596.html#msg78596
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Excellent idea doing a FAQ on this absic and nicely prepared too.
+1
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Thanks DM your comments are appreciated.
I know there are a couple of other methods and that you can also download a registry file from Microsoft for making the necessary changes but this is the method that I have found to be the best way of switching things around.
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I agree, stick to what you know and works. 8)
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Nice format Absic.... well done...
Aussie Allan
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tried this trick but i don't have that registry entry. running winxp pro sp3
do i need to install driver?
tia
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Taken from the foot of the original post:
If you are running Windows XP things are a little trickier but here is a really useful guide that shows you the steps you need to take: http://www.bootbeta.com/blog/guide-enable-ahci-in-windows-xp-after-installation.html
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Hi absic, :D
Just add infos about procedure:
Do not forgot to modify this key in Register Base:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\IastorV
Like you said, after...
In the right pane, right-click Start in the Name column, and then click Modify.
In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
Gloup_Gloup
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Hi again, :P
Oupse , i do not have a possibility to modify my precedent post... so I add here...
Just a give a idea :
Make a exportation of Registry Key iaStorV, like this : AHCI_iaStorV_value_0.reg and AHCI_MsAhci_value_0.reg
Next time with this Windows (like Win7_64x, for me), you have a possibility to change a value more speedly.
Keep this *name*.reg files in the usb key, for next install of Window, by exemple.
Gloup_Gloup.
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Hi Gloup_Gloup.
What you say makes sense in as much as it will save a bit of time and effort but hopefully you won't need to have to change it again as next time you will have it all set up for AHCI in the BIOS before Windows installation.
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Hi Dark Mantis,
For me is not a problem, because before installing Windows, I make a change in Bios for AHCI parameters.
But for the inverse situation, like this topic, it is good to have informations.
In the precedent post, I have write this :
Do not forgot to modify this key in Register Base:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\IastorV
Just add : IastorV is for RAID situation. If the system have hard disk in Raid situation the value is O.
Is the situation is not RAID, like single hard drive or multiple single hard drive, the value is 3.
Now he exit too:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Iastor
This is about Drivers AHCI too. So is important then value is 0 like a Key msahi.
I hope this help is util for this Topic.
Gloup_Gloup
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Yes I see what you are getting at Gloup_Gloup and in that respect it does have validity. As you say it might help someone further on anyway. ;)
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Soooo:
Since I had Raid0 configuration which now is changed for a SSD - should I follow Gloup_Gloups directions?
Both my SSDs works nicely with "raid" selected in the BIOS, but as soon as I selects AHCI in the BIOS it just reboots at the Win7 logo.
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Soooo:
Since I had Raid0 configuration which now is changed for a SSD - should I follow Gloup_Gloups directions?
Both my SSDs works nicely with "raid" selected in the BIOS, but as soon as I selects AHCI in the BIOS it just reboots at the Win7 logo.
From the little bit of info that you have just imparted to us there why would you want to select AHCI in the BIOS over RAID ?
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*
without registry hack i use with all motherboards
if you have 2 different ports to your motherboard ex : INTEL & Marvell
connect your disk to INTEL in IDE mode ( change Marvell in RAID with BIOS )
boot
install the Marvell RAID driver
stop your computer and move your disk to the Marvell RAID port
restart , modify in your bios the INTEL port in RAID or AHCI
reboot
install INTEL Raid driver
reboot your computer
because at this time your hve the 2 * RAID / AHCI drivers installed you can start with the 2 * ports in RADI / AHCI mode
Pierre
* if your motherboard has only one sata port , you can but with an add-on bootable sata card
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I have just spent several hours trying to switch Windows XP (SP3) from IDE mode to AHCI on the AMD platform without success. I can install XP in AHCI by using F6 to load the AHCI Driver but I can't find a way to switch it to AHCI after installing in IDE. Even the known working AHCI driver is rejected when trying to manually install it with the message "No supported hardware".
If anyone knows how to do this on an AMD system (all the How To's that I have found are for the Intel Platform) could you post details as, for the moment I am stumped by this one.
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Hi Absic,
I am not sure, but I find this:
If you read section:
Installation Instructions and Manual Install
I view then is very special....
So maybe this webpage help you....
http://support.lenovo.com/en_TH/detail.page?LegacyDocID=MIGR-74324
With ajustments about drivers for your motherboard or chipset for amd AHCI .... and use Win xp (SP3 ???) ....
Gloup_Gloup
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Hi Absic,
I find too : http://forum.tt-hardware.com/topic-98099--Instal-pilote-ahci-sur-AMD-sans-reinstal-XP.htm
il faut d'abord configurer une partie des ports sata en ide et l'autre en ahci
en general il y a toujours 2 groupes de ports discossiables ca les lecteur dvd sata ne supportent pas encore tous le mode ahci et on doit les laisser en ide donc j'ai plugge mais dd sur deux port en ide a l'instal et laisse active l'autre groupe de ports en ahci sans rien de branche dessus
j'ai verifié la presence dans le gestionnaire de periph l'onglet controleur SCI et RAid puis j'ai reboote passe dans le bios pour tout passer en ahci et ho miracle tout a marche
TRADUCTION:
Must first configure some of the SATA ports in IDE and the other in ahci.
In general there are always two groups of ports discossiables because the sata dvd drive does not yet support all the ahci mode and must leave the IDE.
So I plug in my hard drive on two IDE port for the installation and leaves the other group of active ports in ahci without connecting on it
In Windows, I have verified the presence, in the Device Manager, the SCSI and Raid controller. If yes ok.
Finally I reboot into the bios, change a setting for all to ahci and ho miracle it all works.
I hope this infos help you, Absic,
Gloup_Gloup
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Hi Gloup_Gloup,
Thanks for the help but I did try that link, along with quite a few others, during my efforts yesterday, but sadly it didn't help.
I also tried the translated version that you have posted but sadly on the AMD system it wouldn't install any AHCI Drivers or the XP Raid drivers whilst in IDE Mode. These drivers worked perfectly when using F6 but threw up the error I mentioned earlie, of "No supported hardware", which is obviously not true as everything works perfectly in AHCI mode with Windows Vista and Windows 7.
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Hi Absic, ;)
What is exact Type of bus and SouthBridge. About your AMD computer....
Gloup_Gloup
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Hi Gloup_Gloup
the motherboard I tested on was the GA-990FXA-UD5
The Southbridge is AMD SB950 and Northbridge is the AMD 990FX.
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Hi Absic,
I find this, Extract : If I took the SB950 out of RAID mode and booted from a single AHCI volume on ports 4 or 5 I was OK and the Marvell controller behaved correctly.
source : http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/07/12/gigabyte_990fxaud7_motherboard_review/4
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Hi again,
The Method B, page 89 of manual is not funtionnel?
You must install the drivers manually by going to the. Inf file on the USB key or DVD or other media.
Gloup_Gloup
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Hi Gloup_Gloup,
thanks for the link but sadly this doesn't actually address the problem of switching Windows XP Service Pack 3 from IDE to AHCI mode after installation on the AMD platform.
In my testing of this issue, I only had the one HDD drive attached to the AMD SATA3_0 port and a DVD/CD drive attached to one of the Marvell Ports. I installed the OS in IDE Mode but then could not switch to AHCI mode as nothing I could do would allow me to install the AHCI Drivers from either AMD or Microsoft. I am not concerned about using the Marvell ports here, just the AMD SATA ports.
You must install the drivers manually by going to the. Inf file on the USB key or DVD or other media.
I tried this but it only works if you are doing a clean install in AHCI Mode not if you want to switch from IDE to AHCI afterwards.
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Hi absic,
I understands... you not concerning by marvell....
But i have a idea:
First of course... in bios not choose AHCI before finish install Win.
Second install Marvell drivers... go to windows , check in Device Manager if you have a AHCI installed... , if necessary go to step 4.
3e : Install drivers for southbridge ahci , go to windows ... check in Device Manager if you have AHCI installed
4. active AHCI
5. connect your device in sata_ port.... southbridge..
6. check a result....
7. delete , remove marvel drivers... normaly AHCI, now is ok for southbridge.
Have you tried it ? so you have a experience (many hours) .... maybe my step is not perfect... but this is my idea...
Gloup_Gloup
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Hi Everyone
Right i used the above ide work around sucsessfully on my old GA-M68SM-SL2 mobo
When i installed my new mobo i installed Win7 with only my SSD installed as i was having problems with Win 7 installing ( but thats another story ).
ACHI mode was selected in the BIOS and all went ok. Installed in ACHI mode and i was happy.
I then plugged in my other 3 drives and started machine and now searched for on drives. Must take about 5 mins before it loads and then hangs at Verifying DMI pool data.
After several unsucessful attempts, i change the BIOS to IDE mode and machine boots ok.
No big deal, but i would like AHCI mode for my SSD.
Any advice?
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It is probably findiong conflicting data in the CMOS so try clearing the CMOS first and then selecting AHCI mode.
Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.
Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least one hour before replacing it.
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Optimised BIOS Defaults.
Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self like disabling the floppy drive, disabling the full screen logo and making the HDD the primary boot device and then press F10 to save and exit.
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Hi Everyone
I follow the step in register for change my Gsata6-7 to AHCI mode beacause i use a C300 64GIG on my GA X58A UD3R rev 2. (Bios FH)
But now my disk data tranfer rate drop down to 5.9 ( in IDE i have 6.9 ). Windows 7 64bits .Do you know why ?
Thank
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WINDOWS 8 tweak
You can change Windows 8 from IDE to AHCI Mode and once again it is a simple registry tweak that you need to apply. The only difference is that Windows 8 uses a different location for this now.
To change the registry so that you can run in AHCI Mode use the following steps:
Exit all applications
Go to the start screen and type in regedit, or press the Windows key and r on your keyboard to bring up the run command.
If you see the UAC (User Account Control) dialogue box, just click continue.
Locate the the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci\
Locate the Error Control entry which should have a value of 3. Right-click on the entry name, select Modify, change the value from 3 to 0 and click OK.
Open the StartOverride folder and locate an entry named 0 with a value of 3. Change the value to 0 by following the procedure in step 5.
Restart and enable AHCI in your system BIOS
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Hi, I did what you posted at first, and it works really fine. Easy and fast :D
Thanks