How can I enable AHCI mode after Windows Vista install in IDE mode and before/for Windows 7 clean install? [duplicate]

How can I enable AHCI mode after Windows Vista install in IDE mode and before/for Windows 7 clean install? [duplicate]

I just purchased a 2 TB Fantom USB 2.0/eSATA external hard drive. Unfortunately it revealed my oversight when my first custom system was built last summer. I installed Vista Home Premium 64-bit in IDE mode (default in BIOS) instead of the ACHI mode, which would not only provide Native Command Queuing, but also hot plug of external hard drives I need now.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 408

Total answers/comments: 2

Comments display order:

Guest [Entry]

"Upgrade to Windows 7 first (as it supports newer hardware).

Then enable the AHCI driver in the registry before you change the SATA mode of the boot drive. To do this, follow these steps:

Exit all Windows-based programs.
Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
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
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.
On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor.

After this you’ll have to restart your computer, go to BIOS, and enable AHCI. When you log in to Windows again, you’ll notice the installation of drivers for AHCI. Another restart will be required to finish the driver installation.

Source: MSKB

You should also check the motherboard manufacturer's website for the latest controller driver."

Guest [Entry]

"I would recommend doing a full backup of your Vista files and doing a clean install of Windows 7. If you choose this route make sure you change the disk configuration from IDE to AHCI in your BIOS before beginning the Windows 7 install.

When you begin the Windows install, you have 2 choices with regards to the AHCI drivers:

Go to your motherboard's website and download the ""F6"" AHCI drivers and copy it to a USB stick or a floppy (if you are still using those). During the initial Win 7 install, you can point to the AHCI drivers on this USB stick/floppy so they canl be installed.
Just let Microsoft install the default AHCI drivers but be sure to upgrade them after the Windows 7 install completes. Usually the motherboard manufacturer will have a version of Intel's Matrix Storage drivers (for RAID and AHCI) on their website for download. If you forget to upgrade the drivers you might find that your internal Hard Drives are being treated like external drives which are removable."