How do I enable AHCI on my X48?

[mhouck]

So I've ordered a x25-m and can't wait for it to get here. I've been reading over what I have to do to set it up properly. From what I've read, I need to enable AHCI for trim but I'm not sure how to go about doing that.

I'm assuming that I go to my BIOS and under SATA mode and switch it to AHCI. Is there anything else I need to do to enable AHCI?

EDIT: I am going to run vista x64 HP on it for about 3 weeks until I receive my copy of Windows 7.

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: mhouck
So I've ordered a x25-m and can't wait for it to get here. I've been reading over what I have to do to set it up properly. From what I've read, I need to enable AHCI for trim but I'm not sure how to go about doing that.

I'm assuming that I go to my BIOS and under SATA mode and switch it to AHCI. Is there anything else I need to do to enable AHCI?

EDIT: I am going to run vista x64 HP on it for about 3 weeks until I receive my copy of Windows 7.

correct. there is nothing else you need to do, this is really how simple it is, just switch bios to ahci and save changes

 

[mhouck]

Thanks taltamir. I thought that I had to be missing something. It seems like nothing is ever that easy.

Tomorrow is D-livery day. Can't wait!!

 

[shabby]

Originally posted by: taltamir
correct. there is nothing else you need to do, this is really how simple it is, just switch bios to ahci and save changes

If you're installing a new os then yes, its that simple. If you're not then read this how-to http://www.intelforums.net/sho...d87379bac33ea&t=444831

 

[taltamir]

well, he did say he will be installing windows 7 on it...

yes you have to reinstall your OS when making the change... luckily, you are.
Intel recommends installing in RAID mode (it makes windows install the drivers for ahci AND raid at the same time)...
if you install in IDE mode, then you can only use IDE mode without serious work
if you install in AHCI mode, then you can only use AHCI and IDE without serious work. (switching between the two requires no extra effort if you installed in ahci mode)
if you installed in RAID mode, then you can freely switch between AHCI, IDE, and RAID without any extra work.

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: taltamir if you installed in RAID mode, then you can freely switch between AHCI, IDE, and RAID without any extra work.

Did not know that, thanks for the tip!

 

[mhouck]

Originally posted by: taltamir
well, he did say he will be installing windows 7 on it...

yes you have to reinstall your OS when making the change... luckily, you are.
Intel recommends installing in RAID mode (it makes windows install the drivers for ahci AND raid at the same time)...
if you install in IDE mode, then you can only use IDE mode without serious work
if you install in AHCI mode, then you can only use AHCI and IDE without serious work. (switching between the two requires no extra effort if you installed in ahci mode)
if you installed in RAID mode, then you can freely switch between AHCI, IDE, and RAID without any extra work.

Ok w/ that in mind, I would install in RAID mode in the bios but not running RAID so that TRIM will still be supported?!?

See, it's getting more complicated. :frown:

Of course I could just go w/ AHCI and not have to worry about it. I am going to do a clean install for vista tonight and format the drive again when I upgrade to W7. No problems w/ this approach?

 

[mhouck]

OK. I ran into a problem.

I enabled AHCI in the BIOS. Reformatted my existing hard drive a WDC WD2500YD, (Caviar RE) and installed vista x64 on the x25-m. Everything is fine in the BIOS as far as I can tell. Both drives are recognized. After installation I get to desktop and I can not find my old HD in my computer. Only the SSD is showing up. However Intel Matrix Storage Console shows both drives.

Did I miss something? I'm thinking of checking for firm ware updates. Any advice.

as an aside, every on the x25-m loads like a dream. No complaints w/ the purchase. Just want to get my storage space back on the old drive.

 

[t0n1k]

Hi

Does the drive appear within Computer Management? (Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Computer Management, then go to Storage / Disk Management).

 

[mhouck]

Originally posted by: t0n1k
Hi

Does the drive appear within Computer Management? (Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Computer Management, then go to Storage / Disk Management).

Yes. Thank you. It was listed as unallocated and I was able to right click and format as NTFS. Now it's recognized and running.

:thumbsup:

 

[t0n1k]

Awesome - you are welcome

 

[taltamir]

Originally posted by: mhouck

Originally posted by: taltamir
well, he did say he will be installing windows 7 on it...

yes you have to reinstall your OS when making the change... luckily, you are.
Intel recommends installing in RAID mode (it makes windows install the drivers for ahci AND raid at the same time)...
if you install in IDE mode, then you can only use IDE mode without serious work
if you install in AHCI mode, then you can only use AHCI and IDE without serious work. (switching between the two requires no extra effort if you installed in ahci mode)
if you installed in RAID mode, then you can freely switch between AHCI, IDE, and RAID without any extra work.

Ok w/ that in mind, I would install in RAID mode in the bios but not running RAID so that TRIM will still be supported?!?

See, it's getting more complicated. :frown:

Of course I could just go w/ AHCI and not have to worry about it. I am going to do a clean install for vista tonight and format the drive again when I upgrade to W7. No problems w/ this approach?

it would be no problem, set to raid mode, reformat, then set to ahci mode and it will just work, no extra messing about.
Or just set to ahci mode and it will just work too , but if you ever decide you WANT raid you will have to do some extra work.

 

[Cavicchi]

Since NCQ does not offer any performance increase and may decrease performance--see quote below--why use it unless one needs hot swapping? Do these new SSD drives need AHCI enabled?

"Just a quick reminder for everyone on NCQ. It provides no performance benefit whatsoever in a typical desktop PC. In fact having it enabled usually imposes a small performance penalty, although it too is pretty small. It is only in enterprise environments, in which access patterns are far more random than in windows, and spread out all over the surface of a drive, that any real-word benefit is derived."

http://www.intelforums.net/sho...p=4137199&postcount=11