Switching to ahci windows 7. Switching from IDE to AHCI. How to switch AHCI to IDE in Bios

Each hard drive in a modern computer is connected to the system through a controller. This controller can usually communicate with the hard drive through a number of different protocols. For maximum compatibility, many computers are configured in their BIOS to use the older IDE interface for interaction with modern SATA hard drives.

This option is acceptable for the average computer user, but the IDE lacks support for new technologies such as Native Command Queuing (NCQ). Command queuing) and hot plugging of hard drives (add or remove drives without restarting the computer).

Intel invented a new controller interface known as AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) that supports modern SATA hard drives. If you have a hard drive that supports NCQ, it's worth trying to change the interface to increase drive performance

The main issue preventing users from changing the storage protocol from IDE to AHCI in the past has been blue screen, which can only be resolved by reversing the BIOS changes and reinstalling Windows. The cause of the problem is the driver. Window only had IDE drivers included and AHCI drivers are missing and therefore Windows cannot read from the hard drive and gives BSOD with error code 0x0000005B.

Now there is a simple solution that will allow you to switch between IDE and AHCI in the BIOS and Windows will boot without any problems. The idea is to load the AHCI drivers into Windows before making any settings changes in the BIOS.

Enabling AHCI in the registry

Enable mode AHCI in BIOS in the following way:

• Press the F2 key on the computer logo screen and enter BIOS.
• In the BIOS utility dialog box, select Advanced -> IDE Configuration.
• From the IDE configuration menu, select Configure SATA.
• In the SATA menu options
  AHCI for a system using SATA drives (no RAID).
• Press F10 to save changes and exit

One of the main elements of any computer device, as you know, is the hard drive on which information is stored. In relation to hard drives of any type, the term AHCI is used. But many users not only know how to enable AHCI, but have no idea what it is. Let's consider the meaning of the main term and the actions required to activate this mode on Windows systems.

What is AHCI?

Modern hard drives connected to the motherboard through operation can use two modes: IDE (compatibility with legacy equipment) and AHCI - the latest standard, designated as Advanced Host Controller Interface, which allows you to significantly increase the performance of the device itself and the installed operating system due to faster reading data.

Almost all modern SSD drives show an increase in performance when accessing them precisely when the AHCI mode is set. But this is not the most important thing.

What is AHCI mode for?

Let's leave for now the question of how to enable AHCI mode in Windows, and let's look at the benefits that a user of a modern computer can derive from activating this mode.

First of all, when AHCI mode is activated, you can change or install additional hard drives, as they say, “on the fly” (even without turning off the computer or reinstalling the operating system). This is undoubtedly a huge plus for servers.

The second aspect is related to the fact that when this mode is installed, a special NCQ technology comes into effect, which allows you to reduce the number of movements of the read heads, while speeding up the simultaneous use of access to the hard drive by different applications, programs and services. Finally, activating AHCI is believed to have a beneficial effect on overall system performance. Of course, as evidenced by reviews from experts and users, at home there will not be a significant increase in performance, however, if you install an SSD hard drive, it is still better to enable this mode.

What not to do and what to pay attention to initially

But the most important misconception of most users is that they try to use exclusively the settings of the primary BIOS system for activation (at least, this can be read in most reviews of emerging problems). It is strictly forbidden to do this without performing preliminary actions in the operating system.

You can activate the mode in the BIOS only if you install the OS on a “clean” hard drive. If you perform this procedure with an existing OS on board, Windows will generate an error at startup and go into constant reboot mode. Then the complaints begin, saying that the user enabled AHCI mode in Windows, but nothing good came of it. What to say? Basic rules may have been violated, since different modifications of the system require different actions.

How to check if AHCI mode is active?

But first you should check if the mode is enabled. Perhaps its additional activation will not be needed.

In the simplest case, when starting a computer terminal or laptop, you need to go to the BIOS settings and access the SATA Mode section.

In the operating system itself, you can use the “Device Manager”, called from the “Control Panel”, administration or the “Run” console with the command devmgmt.msc and go to the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers section. When this mode is enabled, the AHCI controller will be displayed in standard devices. If it is not on the list, you will have to decide how to enable AHCI in the system. Again, the decision depends on which version of Windows is installed on the computer.

How to enable AHCI mode in Windows 7

So, first, let's look at the "seven". For the seventh and tenth versions, the actions look somewhat similar, but for Windows 8 they are quite different.

• The first step is to call the registry editor (regedit in the Run console).
• Expand the HKLM thread.
• Through the SYSTEM, CurrentControlSet directories and the final Services directory, reach the msahci folder.
• On the right, call up the menu for editing the Start parameter and set its value to zero.
• Now in the Services directory you need to find the IastorV directory, in which, for the Start parameter, actions similar to those described above are performed.
• Only after completing these procedures, the question of how to enable AHCI in the BIOS without catastrophic consequences for the system will cease to be a problem.

Actions in Windows 8/8.1

For Windows 8, the above method will not work, since there is a simpler solution. In this case, you first need to set the system to minimum boot mode in safe mode. How to enable AHCI? Simple enough.

• To do this, first call the command line (necessarily as an administrator), and enter the combination bcdedit /set (current) safeboot minimal.
• After this, you need to reboot, at the very beginning of the restart, enter the BOIS settings and then switch the mode from IDE to AHCI.
• After saving the settings, a reboot follows again, the command console is called, and the line bcdedit /deletevalue (current) safeboot is written in it, after which another restart of the computer follows.

In principle, the question of how to enable AHCI in the G8 can be resolved by using a special utility from Intel (of course, if you have a processor from this particular manufacturer).

• First, you need to download the driver in the form of the f6flpy file and the SetupRST.exe customizer from the official resource.
• After this, the desired hard drive is selected in the “Device Manager”, the driver update procedure is applied, and the downloaded f6flpy file is manually specified as the driver itself.
• This is followed by a reboot, and after the system starts with the AHCI mode already activated, the SetupRST executable configuration file is launched to complete the computer setup.

How to enable AHCI on Windows 10?

As already mentioned, for the tenth version of the system the actions are somewhat similar to those performed in Windows 7. The only difference is the selection of folders and parameters.

• In the system registry we find the Services directory. Here, the storahci directory is used for the Start parameter.
• Next, zero values ​​are set for parameter 0 in the storahci/StartOverride and iaStorV/StartOverride directories.
• After this, you can begin to activate the primary value in the BIOS primary input/output system settings.

By the way, in the eighth version of the system, editing similar parameters can also be done. But why, if there is a simpler rational solution to the problem?

Activating AHCI in BIOS

To enter settings on desktop computers, the Del key is most often used, and for laptops - F2, F12, combinations with the Esc and Fn keys, or special buttons on the panel like ASSIST in Sony VAIO.

Here you need to find the AHCI mode section or settings. How to enable the required parameter in the BIOS? Just use the enter key on the SATA mode setting line, and select a parameter using the arrows with confirmation in the form of another press of Enter. When exiting, don’t forget to save the changes (F10 + Y) and reboot the system. When you restart, the system will automatically install the necessary drivers.

Possible problems

Unfortunately, sometimes unexpected errors may occur when switching to AHCI mode. Perhaps the hard drive itself does not support this mode of operation. In this case, there is no point in trying to activate AHCI.

On the other hand, if the system boots, but some errors are displayed or crashes occur precisely after switching from IDE to AHCI, you can try to troubleshoot using a specially developed utility from Microsoft called Fix It.

If neither one nor the other helps, you will have to call up the BIOS settings again and change the operating mode of the hard drive. Please note: if AHCI was activated without performing the preliminary steps in the system registry described above, these methods may not work. The solution is either a system restore using removable media or a complete reinstallation of Windows. So be careful. However, I would like to hope that it will not come to this (of course, provided that the entire sequence was completed exactly in the order that was given in the description).

When repeating or clearing, you can initially enable this mode in the BIOS, so that later you don’t have to rush around looking for a solution to activate it or troubleshoot problems and malfunctions in your computer or laptop.

Instead of a total

In conclusion, it remains to add that inexperienced users who are not familiar with the intricacies of setting up the primary BIOS system and Windows operating systems should not activate this mode unless absolutely necessary. All the same, on modern computers with powerful processors and large amounts of RAM, the performance increase will not be particularly noticeable. On old terminals or laptops there is no point in using this mode at all. Basically, as already mentioned, such settings are more suitable for servers when the hard drive is accessed by several dozen child terminals on the local network.

Modern hard drives are connected to the motherboard of computer devices via the SATA interface, which allows operation, in particular, in IDE and AHCI modes. IDE is an old mode, it is necessary to ensure compatibility with outdated components and programs. The AHCI mode is also not a new development in the IT field; it appeared back in 2004, but it is a current mechanism for connecting hard drives via the SATA II and SATA III interface. AHCI has a number of advantages over IDE:

• the ability to connect more devices to the motherboard;
• operating hard drives at their highest possible speed;
• so-called “hot swapping” of hard drives, that is, disconnecting and connecting without having to turn off the computer;
• support for NCQ technology, which improves hard drive performance under multitasking conditions.

SATA mode is set in the BIOS. On modern laptops, AHCI mode is usually set by default. But new motherboards for PC builds may come with IDE mode active for hardware compatibility purposes. You can change IDE to AHCI (or vice versa) at any time in the BIOS of computers that support both modes. Not all computers support AHCI, but most do, since this mode has been around for 12 years. The minority includes rare vintage devices that were released onto the market, respectively, before the advent of AHCI. But even if the computer is less than 12 years old, if it supports AHCI, switching to this mode may still cause problems due to the lack of the appropriate setting in the outdated BIOS version. In such cases, you must first resolve the issue of updating the BIOS.

1. How to find out which mode – IDE or AHCI – is currently installed

You can find out which mode - IDE or AHCI - is currently active on your computer in Windows Device Manager. Expanding the thread:

• “IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers” in Windows versions 8.1 and 10;
• "IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers" in Windows 7.

If your computer's hard drives are connected via AHCI mode, the list of devices will include a SATA AHCI controller.

If IDE mode is active on the computer, the list of branches will contain an entry, respectively, about the IDE controller.

An alternative way is to use the AS SSD Benchmark utility to test the speed of hard drives. If hard drives can operate in AHCI mode, but the BIOS is set to IDE, the utility will notify you of this with the red value “pciide BAD”.

If the computer is running in AHCI mode, in the utility window we will see the green value “storahci - Ok”.

These two methods will make it possible to understand which mode is currently set. But to determine whether support for AHCI mode is implemented in the BIOS, you need to enter it and find the option to enable AHCI. The selection of SATA operating modes in different BIOS versions may be located in the “Advanced” or “Main” sections. For example, in the BIOS UEFI of the Asus motherboard, this is the “Advanced” section, in it you need to enter the “SATA Configuration” subsection and expand the options for the “SATA Mode” parameter.

Another example is the BIOS AMI (V17.9) of the MSI motherboard, here everything is more complicated, and not everyone will be able to immediately figure out where the AHCI setting is. In the “Integrated Peripherals” section, you must select the “On-Chip ATA Devices” subsection, and in it – “Raid Mode”, which provides a choice of hard drive connection modes.

2. Consequences of switching to AHCI mode for Windows operation

So, you can change the IDE mode to AHCI at any time in the BIOS settings. But for Windows, such a move will not result in a slight delay at startup due to the automatic installation of the necessary drivers, as when replacing some computer components. In this case, even getting rid of the connection to computer components using the standard Windows Sysprep utility, as is the case with replacing the motherboard or processor, will not help. Changing the IDE mode to AHCI leads to serious consequences - Windows simply will not start again. As a result, we will get either a blue screen of death or a cyclic reboot of Windows with a notification that the system has not started correctly.

The fact is that IDE and AHCI modes when installing Windows are registered at the registry level. To operate hard drives in AHCI mode, a special driver is required, which is automatically installed with versions of Windows starting with Vista. Since the AHCI mode appeared later than Windows XP, the AHCI driver must first be integrated into the distribution of this version of the system, taken from the motherboard driver disk or downloaded from the Internet.

Ideally, switching to AHCI mode should be done before installing or reinstalling Windows. But there are ways to activate AHCI without having to reinstall Windows - by starting safe mode or editing the system registry. Below we will consider these methods for versions of Windows 7, 8.1 and 10.

3. Mandatory measures and procedures

In principle, any experiments with Windows can lead to undesirable results, but methods for adapting the operating system to AHCI mode must be taken with particular seriousness. Because in this case, settings that affect the system's ability to boot will be affected. It is strictly forbidden to proceed with the instructions below without having previously prepared emergency means. You must either write down or create and prepare Windows installation media. Using the latter, you can log in or, as a last resort, start the process of reinstalling Windows.

The procedure is as follows:

• Step 1 – check the AHCI enable setting in the BIOS;
• Step 2 – preparation of emergency means;
• Step 3 - depending on the chosen method, either configure the next system startup in safe mode, or edit the system registry;
• Step 4 – reboot, enter BIOS and enable AHCI mode;
• Step 5 – start the computer.

4. Windows Safe Mode

The first method is designed so that when you enter Windows Safe Mode, the AHCI driver will be installed automatically. But, unfortunately, this will not work in every case. On a running system, you need to configure the next startup in safe mode, reboot, enter the BIOS and set the AHCI mode. After starting the computer in safe mode, the AHCI driver should in theory be installed. If everything goes well, all that remains is to reboot the system in normal operation.

A universal way to enter safe mode the next time you boot Windows for all current versions of the system is to use the msconfig utility, called using the “Run” command.

5. Editing the Windows Registry

If the safe mode method does not work, you can avoid reinstalling the system by editing its registry. To launch the Registry Editor, in the “Run” command field, enter:

4.1 Editing the registry Windows 8.1 and 10

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

In this branch, look for the “iaStorV” folder, click on it, open the “Start” parameter and set its value to “0”. Click "Ok".

Expand the “iaStorV” folder, select the “StartOverride” subfolder, open the “0” parameter and set its value to “0”. Click "Ok".

We go down alphabetically and find the “storahci” folder. Click on it and open the “ErrorControl” parameter. We remove the preset value “3” and enter “0” instead. Click "Ok".

4.2. Editing the Windows 7 registry

In the Registry Editor window, expand the branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services

In the branch we find the “iaStorV” folder, click on it, open the “Start” parameter and set the value to “0”. Click "Ok".

After editing the registry, reboot the computer, go into the BIOS, activate the AHCI mode and start the system.

6. If Windows won't boot

If none of the methods helped adapt Windows to work in AHCI mode, the system will have to be reinstalled. But the current Windows can be started if, for example, you need to remove the settings of installed software or save some important files stored on drive C in a safe place. To do this, you need to enter the BIOS again and set the active IDE mode setting back.

However, it may also happen that the system will not be able to boot in either AHCI or IDE mode. If there is no blue screen of death, but versions of Windows 8.1 and 10 reboot cyclically, giving a screen that says “Automatic recovery,” click “Advanced options.”

Going to the “Select Action” menu, follow the path indicated in the screenshot below and roll back to the restore point.

If a blue screen of death appears when you start your computer, boot from the Windows installation media and at the system installation stage, select the “System Restore” option at the bottom.

Once in the “Select Action” menu, we follow the steps described above.

Those who choose the backup method using third-party software use the bootable media of the backup program.

Have a great day!

Before you start searching and thoroughly studying information on how to enable AHCI in Windows 10, it is important to understand what AHCI is, why you need to connect such a technology, and whether all users, regardless of any other circumstances, need to subject their PC to such manipulations.

AHCI allows you to reorganize disk space to improve performance

Take the time and read a little theoretical information regarding the emergence of such a new mode as AHCI in the computer environment.

The specified theoretical knowledge will allow you to correctly make a responsible decision related to enabling this mode on your personal computer.

Focus of new technologies

If you are a prominent representative of PC users who cannot imagine performing work tasks without computer equipment, if you are trying to find time in the evening to “wander” the World Wide Web and get acquainted with the latest news, play cool games, you have certainly heard a lot about that over the past years, developers have focused their efforts on upgrading disk space.

AHCI mode allows you to increase hardware performance

Over time, the hard drive has grown in size, so it was very important to find ways to increase the performance of the disk subsystem.

Only after the new interface and SATA standard appeared, the user was offered three unique technologies.

The first “Hot Plug” technology allows the PC user to instantly perform actions with the drive, including turning it off without turning off the electronic computer itself.

Yes, this technology is only useful to those who have several hard drives installed on their computer. The new technology significantly saves time on performing these tasks.

The second technology “NCQ” is responsible for the order of execution of service tasks. It is this that helps increase the performance of hard drives. This technology also speeds up the SSD, which also helps to quickly solve problems associated with an incredibly huge queue of incoming commands.

The third technology “TRIM” is focused only on modern SSD drives. It contributes to significant acceleration, as well as an increase in the service life of SSDs.

But specifically AHCI is aimed at using the capabilities of SSD, SATA and HDD. To experience the incredible speed increase, it is important that the SATA controller operates in AHCI mode.

Checking for AHCI

Having plunged headlong into a theoretical vacuum, convinced that AHCI mode for Windows 10 is important, many will express a desire to enable it as soon as possible.

It is important to understand that new computer equipment on which Windows 7 or 10 is installed is already accompanied not only by automatic activation of the mode, but also by automatic installation of drivers. If you still have doubts as to whether the specified mode is supported, whether it is installed on your PC or not, you can use useful tips and find the answer to this question yourself.

Mode checking algorithm

Checking AHCI mode in Windows 7 or 10 is easy. Initially, you need to open the “Device Manager”, you can do this in two ways.

First of all, click on the “Start” menu and go to the “Control Panel” menu. In the window that opens, in the first rows of the general list there will be such an important “Device Manager” for you.

You can also open it by entering the phrase “Device Manager” in the search bar.

In the “Device Manager” that opens, you can easily find the line IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers. Click on it so that this section opens and displays its contents.

If the AHCI mode in Windows 7 or 10 is installed, and the corresponding drivers are installed at the same time, in the sublist that opens you can find something resembling one of the entries:

• Standard AHCI1.0 Serial ATA Controller;
• Intel(R)5 Series6 Port SATA AHCI Controller.

Note that the key in both of these entries is the presence of the word "AHCI" itself. Unfortunately, the absence of this word indicates that this mode is disabled and not installed.

In particular, if the word “IDE” flashes in this line, it means that you can confirm that the desired mode is not installed; you will have to work hard to remove “IDE” and install AHCI.

If you really want to change everything, then direct your efforts to familiarize yourself with how to enable AHCI mode in Windows 7 or 10.

Enabling the mode

If your smart machine already has Windows installed, you will have to make important changes to the registry of the system itself. By following the recommendations of experienced users, you will definitely succeed and be crowned with great success.

The main thing is not to make your own fantasy adjustments, especially in cases where you are little familiar with this kind of manipulation.

Mode connection algorithm

First of all, you must understand that the AHCI mode must be enabled before installing the operating system, otherwise the operating system simply will not boot upon a subsequent reboot.

Launch registry editor, to do this you can also type the phrase “RegEdit” in the search bar.

In the registry that opens, you will have to carefully review all available branches to find “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msahci”.

On the right side of the open window you can find the “Start” key, which you will have to edit; accordingly, click on the “Modify” parameter.

A new window will open in front of you again, in which you will need to set a numeric parameter. Most often, by default, when the mode is disabled, you will be able to find the number 3 there, and you should change it to 0.

This completes the work with the registry, close all windows and restart your PC.

When the operating system starts, call BIOS. This needs to be done to make some changes to enable AHCI on the motherboard.

It’s not difficult to figure out how to change the BIOS IDE to AHCI. Immediately after loading the BIOS, go to the “Advanced” tab, and then in the list that opens, find the “SATA Configuration” line, click on it. A small window will immediately pop up with only two choices: IDE and AHCI. Select the second option.

If you have done everything as prescribed by the algorithm, then upon startup the operating system will detect new hardware and automatically install drivers.

There are times when the user has to do the opposite, look for ways to disable AHCI in the BIOS.

It’s easy to guess that to implement your plan, you will have to go the same way as described above, only in reverse order. It is advisable to start by switching the new mode to IDE in the BIOS, and then making all the changes to the registry. So, you can easily figure out how to disable AHCI even on your own.

So, the desire to enable AHCI mode is justified by the emergence of new successful opportunities and technologies. It is not difficult to carry out these actions if you have patience, attention and the appropriate algorithm for how to do it all.

What to do if you have a hard drive with a SATA interface installed in your computer, and before installing the OS you forgot to switch the option in the BIOS "SATA Mode" from the meaning IDE to the value SATA(the name of the option in the BIOS may differ)? Usually, an already installed Windows displays a blue screen after switching the value of this option. Some people find nothing better than reinstalling the OS again. But there is another way.

I recently had this problem. I tested the hard drive in the client laptop using the mHDD utility, having previously switched the “SATA Mode” option in the BIOS to IDE mode. After testing, I forgot to switch back and installed the operating system. I discovered my error already at the stage of installing drivers on the installed system, when I did not want to install the Intel AHCI driver. Fortunately, the problem was solved without reinstalling the OS, just by digging into the Windows registry. Read on to find out how to do this.

First of all, call up the “Run” dialog box. It can be called up through the Start menu or the Win+R key combination. In the Run dialog box, enter and execute the command "regedit"(without quotes).

In the registry editor that opens, we find the following section:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\msahci

In this section, we need to change the value of the "Start" key to 0.

Now we find the following section:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\iaStorV

And also change the value of the “Start” key to 0.

After the steps described above, reboot the PC. When rebooting, enter the BIOS and change the value of the “SATA Mode” option from IDE to AHCI. Save the changes to the BIOS settings and reboot the computer.

After rebooting, Windows will find new hardware and install its driver. After this, you can safely download the Intel AHCI driver, because now our hard drive will operate in AHCI mode.