AHCI Mode without reinstalling Windows

[Kent10]

The following is the trick I will use to go from IDE mode to AHCI mode without reinstalling windows XP. Is this trick going to give me results just the same as if I had enabled it when installing Windows XP or is it a compromise with less desirable results. Do you find that speed is faster with AHCI enabled. I am mainly doing it for the Hot Swapping feature but an increase in hard disk speed would be nice too. Can you think of any disadvantages to using AHCI mode. Thanks, Kent

Below link to ready pack with patch and latest Intel Matrix Storage Manager v7.6.1.1002 WHQL

http://rapidshare.com/files/68377915/AHCI_...WS_XP_PATCH.zip

or patch only

http://rapidshare.com/files/68378092/AHCI_...ge_Manager_.zip

How install AHCI driver:

1) Make sure AHCI is not enabled in your BIOS, otherwise this guide is pointless for you.
2) Open \\PREPARE\IMSM_PRE.inf in Notepad
3) Replace any instance of XXXX with the following, according to your southbridge:

* ICH6M - 82801FBM (Mobile) -> 2653
* ICH7R/DH - 82801GR/GH Serial ATA AHCI Controller -> 27c1
* ICH7M (ICH7-M Mobile Family) Serial ATA AHCI Controller -> 27c5
* ICH8R Intel® ICH8 Serial ATA AHCI Controller -> 2821
* ICH8M (ICH8-M Mobile Family) Serial ATA AHCI Controller -> 2829
* ICH9R Intel® ICH9 Serial ATA AHCI Controller -> 2922
* ESB2 - Intel® 631xESB/6321ESB Serial ATA AHCI Controller -> 2681
* EP 80579 - Intel® EP 80579 SATA AHCI Controller -> 5029

4) Save the file and close Notepad.
5) Run INSTALL.CMD in PREPARE directory.
1) Enable AHCI in your BIOS and save.
6) Start Windows XP, The Found New Hardware wizard will start automatically.
7) Click Cancel
8) Download latest Intel® Matrix Storage Manager from Intel® Matrix Storage Manager - Intel® Matrix Storage Manager support
9) Go to Intel Matrix Storage Manager directory and run Setup.exe
10) Reboot windows and enjoy.

[screwballl]

question.... do you use an IDE/PATA drive or CDROM of any sort?
When I spoke with Gigabyte support recently about my RMA'd board, they said sometimes AHCI or RAID being enabled can disable the IDE channel.
In my case that was not the issue but it is something I remembered so I am passing it on.

[Kent10]

Thanks Screwball:

I believe all my drives are SATA but I will check to be sure.

[screwballl]

if all your drives (CD and hard drives) are SATA then this should not be an issue.

Also, I am very leery of anything on rapidshare or from a non-trusted site.

[Kent10]

I know what you mean about the rapidshare patch. What I will do (I tried this once before and it worked, but I didn't test it long) is download the latest Intel Matrix Storage Manager from Intel's site and then manually change that file as they describe, instead of using the patch. Of course the manual changes could cause problems too. Please let me know if there is a better way of getting AHCI without reinstalling Windows. Reinstalling Windows would probably be best but I have way too much stuff and settings to want to fiddle with that right now. Thanks!

[screwballl]

I would say leave it as it is and the next time you redo your system, back everything up and then reinstall windows with AHCI.. I have not heard enough to know if there is any significant increase in HD performance with it on.

[Kent10]

Yes I don't think there is much of a speed difference from what I have read and from what I saw in the short time I tested it when I tried it. The main reason I want AHCI now is for the hot swapping. I need to buy a new external drive and I want to use eSata.

[Kent10]

Here is another method I found for changing to AHCI. One thing I am not clear on... It says to download the registry fix. There doesn't seem to be anything to download. Clicking on the link, shows a bunch of registry words. Do I copy that exactly into notepad and then give it a name ending in .reg and then I can run that. Also, does anyone have an idea which fix is best--this one or the one in my first post. Thanks.

Edit: I think I got it. I did a "save as" for the reg file and it saved the reg file on my desktop. I think I am getting somewhere. Thanks.



Activating AHCI/RAID mode for mainboards with ICH9(R) southbridge

If you are using a 32-bit Windows XP AND want to use RAID on ICH9(R), please scroll further down.
Everyone else, either AHCI or RAID mode and for all other Windows versions, read on.


What you need:

- Intel Storage Manager Software (Version 7.5.0.1017 iata75_cd.exe)
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/down...ems&lang=en g

- Registry fix for ICH9(R): http://www.jzelectronic.de/jz2/Download2/ICH9R-AHCI.reg

Follow this step by step:

1. Go to Start, Run, iata75_cd.exe -a -a
This will appear to run as normal setup, but will actually just extract the needed files to \Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Driver
Note: For 64-bit Windows versions, chose the iaStor.sys from \Driver64\ instead of \Driver\.
Copy the iaStor.sys from there to \Windows\System32\Drivers\

2. Double-click the downloaded ICH9R-AHCI.reg file. A safety question should pop up, answer yes.

3. Now reboot your system. Go directly into the BIOS menu, change SATA controller mode from IDE to AHCI or RAID. Exit & save changes.

4. Boot into windows. It will detect new hardware now, cancel that wizard.
Instead start the downloaded Intel Storage Manager Software (iata75_cd.exe), this time without any paramaters.
When it is done installing, reboot once again.

5. Now in your device manager Intel (R) ICH9 SATA AHCI Controller (or RAID) should show up.

6. Enjoy.

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by Kent10

Here is another method I found for changing to AHCI. One thing I am not clear on... It says to download the registry fix. There doesn't seem to be anything to download. Clicking on the link, shows a bunch of registry words. Do I copy that exactly into notepad and then give it a name ending in .reg and then I can run that. Also, does anyone have an idea which fix is best--this one or the one in my first post. Thanks.

Edit: I think I got it. I did a "save as" for the reg file and it saved the reg file on my desktop. I think I am getting somewhere. Thanks.



Activating AHCI/RAID mode for mainboards with ICH9(R) southbridge

If you are using a 32-bit Windows XP AND want to use RAID on ICH9(R), please scroll further down.
Everyone else, either AHCI or RAID mode and for all other Windows versions, read on.


What you need:

- Intel Storage Manager Software (Version 7.5.0.1017 iata75_cd.exe)
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/down...ems&lang=en g

- Registry fix for ICH9(R): http://www.jzelectronic.de/jz2/Download2/ICH9R-AHCI.reg

Follow this step by step:

1. Go to Start, Run, iata75_cd.exe -a -a
This will appear to run as normal setup, but will actually just extract the needed files to Program FilesIntelIntel Matrix Storage ManagerDriver
Note: For 64-bit Windows versions, chose the iaStor.sys from Driver64 instead of Driver.
Copy the iaStor.sys from there to WindowsSystem32Drivers

2. Double-click the downloaded ICH9R-AHCI.reg file. A safety question should pop up, answer yes.

3. Now reboot your system. Go directly into the BIOS menu, change SATA controller mode from IDE to AHCI or RAID. Exit & save changes.

4. Boot into windows. It will detect new hardware now, cancel that wizard.
Instead start the downloaded Intel Storage Manager Software (iata75_cd.exe), this time without any paramaters.
When it is done installing, reboot once again.

5. Now in your device manager Intel (R) ICH9 SATA AHCI Controller (or RAID) should show up.

6. Enjoy.

That's the way I always used for my Windows installs when I couldn't be arsed loading the drivers beforehand.

[Kent10]

Great. I'll give it a shot sometime. BTW I ordered the following and think I got a pretty good deal on both with the rebates.

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