How to enable AHCI/RAID mode without reinstalling windows (P35/ICH9/ICH9R)

[Toobad]

By the way, I'm sure I read on the Asus site that AHCI doesn't work with ICH9, can anyone confirm that?

Cheers,
M

Back at the end of August I breathed life into a new system. The BIOS supplied with my P5Ke-WiFi caused my new Vista 64 Home Premium installation to fail if I enabled AHCI. I EZ-flashed to the 0503 version of the BIOS and found that Vista installed quite happily with both AHCI and "Robson" Technology enabled. All has been well since then. I know even later BIOSes have now been released but I'm firmly in the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" camp on this one. Good luck with your "no re-install conversion" efforts.

[Marmot]

Toobad,
Thanks for the reply.
In the absence of any feedback on this fix, I've taken a floppy out of a PC in use and taken the 'make disk' route and complete re-install. I now have a properly set up system with the rear esata ports working, and know which controllers are for which ports.

[badass]

Thanks very much fore the guide - worked fine on an XP 32 machine using an ASUS P5k-E Wifi/AP

The thank user button isn't where it usually is though

[DugongTrainer]

This method worked great on a new rig I just built for a mate! Cheers!

I installed XP Pro with the ICH9R sata ports in ide mode. After installing the P35 chipset drivers, audio chipset drivers & ATI graphic card drivers, I followed your method to enable AHCI. Everything worked as was described.

The ICH9 SATA AHCI controller now shows in the Device Manager. The Intel Matrix Storage Manager reports the HDD is being controlled by the ICH9 SATA AHCI controller too and is NCQ capable.

How do I know for sure that the HDD is operating in NCQ mode, please? Is there a switch to turn NCQ on /off? I look into the properties of the HDD via the Device Manager but it isn't there, nor is the option available in the Intel Matrix Storage Console.

I did however notice a startup time improvement of abt 2secs. As mentioned above, this is an almost 'clean' installation of XP Pro w/SP2.

Asus P5KR (Intel P35 + ICH9R)
Seagate 250GB 16MB cache SATA2 (NCQ capable model)
XP Pro SP2

[crazy]

nice guide
only if i had found it earlier, found out the hard way (but still without reinstalling windows )

[OldRoy]

Hi
As if I'm not having enough trouble - just trying to understand this - already, the Intel links in this post find nothing. Searching for the app in question returns nothing either.
REoy

[Supershanks]

OldRoy,
Only because the Intel drivers get updated periodically gLk*zaP links were to the current drivers at the time of posting. Shouldn't t be that hard to look through the Intel downloads & get the current driver ??

[OldRoy]

OK found the downloads - the first time I tried, nothing. Finds it when I search the downloads page though.

Roy

[heijnders]

This is what I did: for Vista 64

- Intel Storage Manager Software (Version 7.5.0.1017 iata75_cd.exe)
check

- Registry fix for ICH9(R):
changed this to: ICH9R-RAID.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\Driver64
Copy the iaStor.sys from there to \Windows\System32\Drivers\
check

2. Double-click the downloaded ICH9R-RAID.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 RAID. Exit & save changes. check

- systems reboots
- windows boots, but after a few seconds blue screen, error 0x0000007B



When I change SATA conroller back to IDE windows works normal, but no RAID ...

EDIT
I solved the problem STOP 0x0000007B INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE

This problem is caused when the AHCI-driver (Msahci.sys) or RAID-drive (Iastor.sys) in Windwos 64 is disabled. You have to enable this driver before you change the SATA-modus.

Solution
1. Close all Windows applications
2. Click on Start, type regedit in the textfield and press Enger
3. Click on the registersubkey(s):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Msahci
or
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Iastor
4. Click in the right pane with the right mouse on Start en klik Change ..
6. Change Value from 4 (?) to 0 and click OK
7. Close register editor

After I change this, Vista was able to boot with no errors and I could use RAID
The Mtarix storage manager was now also able to install.

[eliprand]

my own experience as of 4/20/08:
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4
BIOS: whatever came with it, no upgrade
Intel Matrix Storage: 7.8
OS: Vista Ultimate 64-bits edition

I first installed Vista 64-bits edition on my primary drive (10K WD-150GB).
I did not plug my 2x160GB HDDs at this time.
Fully installed the OS, not hick-ups.

I followed the instructions on this forum to first enable AHCI, just to see how it went.
I did enable the AHCI setting in BIOS after I installed the drivers (including the registry key thing).
Rebooted.
OK.

Connected the 2x160GB HDDs (after power-off, no hot-plugging here...) and they were recognized by the system.
I tried to simply flip the BIOS setting to RAID but Vista wouldn't boot.

At this point, I did install the full fledged Intel Matrix storage v7.8, just in case...
The install did work and everything was good, but still no RAID.

So I went around and while looking at the previous post, I came across the iaStorV entry, labeled "Intel RAID Controller Vista".
I thought it was a good bet!
So I went on and set "iaStor" Start to 0x4 and switched "iaStorV" to Start=0x0
Rebooted, switched the BIOS to RAID and all worked.
I let Vista go through all its updates and all and went on to configur my array(s).

Hope those steps will be helpful to others. I must admit that I was kinda nervous when I performed the final step to enable iaStorV instead of iaStor... so, don't be!

[Taz]

I used the Registry method to change from IDE to AHCI yesterday on my Vista 64-bit system. It worked fine for me. In fact Microsoft has the instructions and more information here:

Error message when you start a Windows Vista-based computer after you change the SATA mode of the boot drive: "STOP 0x0000007B INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE"

You need to carry out this Regedit procedure, reboot, go into your BIOS, switch from IDE to AHCI and things should work fine. All the usual disclaimers apply!

[mizaring]

If you have installed Windows when your mainboard SATA controller was set to native IDE mode,
you usually cannot switch later to AHCI or RAID mode, without completly reinstalling windows.
But there is a way...

Here's the update for Intel ICH10 on Windows XP to enable BOTH AHCI & RAID at the same time. So if you installed Windows XP in IDE mode (without AHCI or RAID) or you installed Windows in AHCI mode and would like to switch to RAID (or from RAID to AHCI) here's what to do :

- Download the storage manager 32 bits floppy zip file and "RAID/AHCI Software - Intel® Matrix Storage Manager" on Intel website. (Sorry 1st post, can't post URL)

- Extract iaStor.sys to "C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers"

- Create a file named iastor-ahci+raid.reg and copy this content into it :

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\pci#ven_8086&dev_3a22&cc_0106]
"ClassGUID"="{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"
"Service"="iaStor"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\pci#ven_8086&dev_2822&cc_0104]
"ClassGUID"="{4D36E97B-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"
"Service"="iaStor"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor]
"Type"=dword:00000001
"Start"=dword:00000000
"Group"="SCSI Miniport"
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"ImagePath"="system32\\drivers\\iaStor.sys"
"tag"=dword:00000019
"DisplayName"="Intel AHCI+RAID Controller"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters]
"queuePriorityEnable"=dword:00000000
"BusType"=dword:00000003

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port0]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000000
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port1]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000000
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port2]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000000
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port3]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000000
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port4]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000000
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port5]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000000
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Enum]
"0"="PCI\\VEN_8086&DEV_3A22&SUBSYS_B0051458&REV_00\\3&13c0b0c5&0&FA"
"1"="PCI\\VEN_8086&DEV_2822&SUBSYS_B0001458&REV_02\\3&13c0b0c5&0&FA"
"Count"=dword:00000002
"NextInstance"=dword:00000002

- Merge the registry file iastor-ahci+raid.reg

- Reboot and change the mode to IDE, AHCI or RAID in the BIOS. If you were using a RAID to boot make sure that you know what you do before rebooting, taking apart a RAID will likely break your windows installation.

- When you're back in Windows, install the "RAID/AHCI Software - Intel® Matrix Storage Manager" to finish the process.

Please note that I haven't tested this on any other hardware than my GA-EP45-DS4P motherboard from Gigabyte, but any P45 + ICH10 motherboard should work, as usual make a backup of your data before trying this!!! Changing the registry (particurarily the part that is responsible for the drivers required to boot) can lead to an unbootable OS, you've been warned!

Before you do this if you are booting in AHCI or RAID mode you should have one of the following registry key :

------------------------AHCI------------------------
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\pci#ven_8086&dev_3a22&cc_0106]
"ClassGUID"="{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"
"Service"="iaStor"

------------------------RAID------------------------
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\pci#ven_8086&dev_2822&cc_0104]
"ClassGUID"="{4D36E97B-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"
"Service"="iaStor"

If you don't have one of those keys and you're using AHCI or RAID you don't have the same ICH10 chip as me and should try to replicate my changes with the right ClassGUID and PCI Ids.

Good Luck!

[lancia]

Wow it worked. I thought i would have to reinstall to do this.. Changed to AHCI no problem.. These forums are great.. Thanks..

[oralpain]

Going from IDE to AHCI on my IHC9R was as simple as forcing the AHCI driver to install over the "Standard Dual-channel PCI IDE controler", restarting, changing to AHCI in the BIOS, Pressing F10, and booting into Windows.

Windows redetected everything without fail, then I removed all extraneous non present devices, and there was no evidence I had ever not used AHCI.

[lancia]

Hmmm. I will try that on my dad's PC hehe (not going to wreck mine) if it worked for you i don't see any reason it won't for him..

[tetsuo000]

i have an ASUS P5E with X38 / ICH9R chipset, i installed windows without realizing the SATA controller was emulating IDE. when it came time to rebuild my RAID i had a great deal of difficulty, windows XP would blue screen before it completed loading. there is very little info on the net about this problem right now, and there was no way i was going to install windows again. it is very frustrating that the RAID driver does not install properly with device manager / add hardware.

mizaring, i followed your procedure and it worked perfectly. i can't thank you enough! you saved me a lot of time and effort.

how were you able to find those registry keys?