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Changing BIOS RAID to AHCI mode

Anonymous
2009-11-20T19:13:32+00:00

Hi,

Before I install Win 7, I had a RAID-0 with Vista. I wanted to keep my current installation so I got an Intel SSD.

I installed Win 7 with the BIOS in RAID mode.

Everything is working fine and can access my RAID. I could also transfer my data.

Now, knowing I will not be able to use the TRIM (once the firmware is debugged and available) because of being in RAID mode (is it true?), I want to switch to AHCI mode.

I do not care of loosing my RAID. Will Win 7 load if I change the BIOS? Will it install proper drivers (AHCI)? I'm a little bit scare to try it and take a chance to screw up my installation.

Thanks

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-10-26T01:23:25+00:00

    Is this an Intel motherboard?  If so, the Intel onboard RAID implementation include AHCI.  If you have the Bios set to RAID for the SATA mode, then you already have full support for AHCI and shouldn't need to switch modes.  In fact, Intel recommends just leaving it in RAID mode, as this gives you the most flexibility going forward.

    BTW, Win 7 will install with it's on drivers to either Intel RAID or Intel AHCI.  The big problem comes when you have Win 7 installed to a system set to IDE mode and then later change to RAID or AHCI.  That's a problem.

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-11-20T20:19:44+00:00

    I found this but not exactly my case, which is from SATA to AHCI. Could it work too? Do not want to try it and take a change to crash my OS...

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-11-20T20:16:44+00:00

    Hi Tom,

    No, Win 7 is installed on my physical single drive SSD (non-RAIDed).

    So I have my RAID-0 (Vista) wich is 2 HDD and my SSD.

    The only difference is the BIOS was in RAID mode and not AHCI when I installed Win7.

    Why? So I can access my RAID and transfer all the data on my Win 7 SSD.

    Also, each OS are independant when booting has I use the BIOS to select which on to use when booting.

    Thanks

    Allen

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-11-20T19:41:06+00:00

    If the Windows 7 operating system is set up on a logical drive on the RAID (as set up using the BIOS facilities), you cannot change the drive controller mode of operation without losing access to the data, including the OS, previously stored on the RAID.

    You can back up the data, reconfigure and restore the data. It is a pain to do but it can be done. Be sure to back up all your user files including email stores, multi-media files, documents and can reinstall all of your apps in addition to disk images.

    I am not familiar with the requirements of TRIM use with SDD drives and so should not comment. Is it not implemented in Windows 7?

    http://www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-solid-state-drives-ssd,7717.html

    Tom

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