AHCI bios option

Nov 26, 2005
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Major issue with one of my systems.

EVGA 760 A1
Win7 64
SSD boot and storage drive

I've been using AHCI with this system. Installed the OS with it enabled. I keep getting 'SATA port Error' I've just got done re-flashing the latest bios and with AHCI I keep getting the same port error. I think this system is on it's last legs. I don't have the money to buy a new platform and even if I had the money I wouldn't anyways with the rig's purpose and gaming load (UE3 engine games mostly)

Can I switch to IDE mode with an SSD and Win7 already installed?
 
Nov 26, 2005
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Does your MB have two different Sata controllers?

I think it has a JMicron SATA controller aside from the Intel SATA support.

EVGA 760 A1 motherboard

EDIT: I use to run it with that controller disabled. I've been leaving it enabled while in AHCI mode and it seems to have done something that is helping the system out. I now can boot into windows. I'm currently making minimal adjustments in the bios then rebooting. So far so good. AHCI mode enabled with JMicron chipset enabled now.
 
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MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
Give this a try.
Back up your registry.
Locate and then click one of the following registry subkeys
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Msahci
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\IastorV
In the pane on the right side, 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.
 
Nov 26, 2005
15,194
403
126
Give this a try.
Back up your registry.
Locate and then click one of the following registry subkeys
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Msahci
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\IastorV
In the pane on the right side, 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.

What does this do?
 

vailr

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,365
54
91
The latest Intel RST driver version designed for the X58 chipset is: 11.7.4.1001:
http://www.station-drivers.com/inde...-Storage-Technology-Version-11.7.4.1001-WHQL/
Install that driver, then clear out any "ghost devices":
Run from Admin DOS prompt:
set DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1 (enter)
devmgmt.msc (enter)
Device Manager will start, then click: View/Show hidden devices
Then go through each device listing and right-click Uninstall any (non-present) greyed-out devices.
 
Nov 26, 2005
15,194
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The latest Intel RST driver version designed for the X58 chipset is: 11.7.4.1001:
http://www.station-drivers.com/inde...-Storage-Technology-Version-11.7.4.1001-WHQL/
Install that driver, then clear out any "ghost devices":
Run from Admin DOS prompt:
set DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1 (enter)
devmgmt.msc (enter)
Device Manager will start, then click: View/Show hidden devices
Then go through each device listing and right-click Uninstall any (non-present) greyed-out devices.


Do those drivers have to be installed to view non present devices?
 

Burpo

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2013
4,223
473
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It's your SSD, not the port.. One of your drives is failing (probably the Vertex)..

I'm running Windows 10 on an SSD that fails smart. I get the same error at boot.

Disconnect or use different drive=error gone..
 
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Nov 26, 2005
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It's your SSD, not the port.. Your drive is failing..

I'm running Windows 10 on an SSD that fails smart. I get the same error at boot.

Use different drive=error gone..


I've read some people have RMA'd a few drives and still got the same error. And currently sometimes the port will work sometimes it won't. I've updated the firmware for each SSD drive and am currrently waiting for the next Samsung EVO firmware to come out OCT 15th.

With JMicron enabled it seems to be happy. As soon as I make a few changes in the bios it flakes out again. And I'm making changes and rebooting one change at a time and there is no consistency to one setting failing the ports. The one thing that is helping is having JMicron SATA support enabled, and in AHCI mode. JM has an option for either RAID, IDE, AHCI, AHCI + IDE.
 

vailr

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,365
54
91
Do those drivers have to be installed to view non present devices?
No. The idea is: install the latest drivers appropriate for your hardware. Then clear out any old "ghost" devices that may be affecting proper operation. Also: I would double-check which ports are JMicron and which are Intel. If no JMicron ports are connected to anything, then there should be no influence at all of how the JMicron ports are configured in bios, and of how any of the Intel ports operate.
Additionally: make sure that your optical drive (if present) is connected to the highest numbered Intel SATA port. If your optical drive uses the older IDE connector, then it requires using the JMicron controller. In that case, I would recommend replacing the IDE optical drive with a SATA optical drive, so that the JMicron controller could be disabled completely in bios setup.
 
Nov 26, 2005
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I would disconnect the Vertex & see if it still happens.


I've swapped ports between the Evo and Vertex and the same port will flake out. So I'm concluding it isn't the drives but you never know. So far so good with JMicron enabled but like I said changing any setting in the bios can make both ports flake out and return that 'Port Error..'

btw the 24 multi is niiiiice! 150BLCK is 3.6GHz, weeeee :)
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
Right click the "channel" line, select properties, advanced settings tab, enable DMA if not already.
 
Nov 26, 2005
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No. The idea is: install the latest drivers appropriate for your hardware. Then clear out any old "ghost" devices that may be affecting proper operation. Also: I would double-check which ports are JMicron and which are Intel. If no JMicron ports are connected to anything, then there should be no influence at all of how the JMicron ports are configured in bios, and of how any of the Intel ports operate.
Additionally: make sure that your optical drive (if present) is connected to the highest numbered Intel SATA port. If your optical drive uses the older IDE connector, then it requires using the JMicron controller. In that case, I would recommend replacing the IDE optical drive with a SATA optical drive, so that the JMicron controller could be disabled completely in bios setup.


I haven't used Intel RST in a long while. I was reading conflicting reports about it: it's good, it's not good, there are issues with the current version, etc.

I don't have any IDE devices installed. No CD Rom. For a CD Rom I use a portable one between machines. Saves on buying 2 CD roms and the finicky IDE troubles


With JMicron enabled in bios it seems to be helping. I think the Red SATA ports are the JMicron but I've never used those. Just the Intel ports.

I understand. That's why I say this board is flakey, or this particular one they gave me. It make no sense that JMicron has any influence on the functionality over 2 different individual SATA controllers.
 
Nov 26, 2005
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If you were to install the correct Intel RST driver, all those separate channels in Device Manager get replaced with a single Intel device.


Ok, I might try that. But the problem is somewhere in the bios I think. Is there an official place to download Intel RST?