HOW TO switch from IDE to AHCI mode without having to reinstall Win XP (GUIDE)

[Jack t.N.]

Problem:

If you forgot to activate AHCI-mode in BIOS before you installed Windows XP SP2 on one of your SATA drives you will encounter a serious problem if you attempt to switch to AHCI-mode after the installation is already completed:  Windows XP SP2 will not start properly anymore.

Why AHCI?

AHCI stands for Advanced Host Controller Interface. One of the main reasons for switching to AHCI-mode is to take advantage of the NCQ-Feature of your SATA harddrive.  NCQ (Native Command Queuing) allows ATA drives to accept more than one command at a time and dynamically reorder the commands for maximum efficiency. NCQ, when used in conjunction with a hard drive that supports NCQ, can increase storage performance on random workloads.

Solution:

The guide that I am going to reproduce here was originally posted on a German Gigabyte forum by JZ.
[ http://62.109.81.232/cgi-bin/sbb/sbb.cgi?&a=show&forum=1&show=450&start=0 ]

I figured it would probably not a bad idea to put up a thread about here as well.

I have successfully tested the whole thing on the following mainboards:

-P965 Platinum (ICH8R)
-P35 Platinum/Neo2-Series (ICH9R
-975X Platinum PowerUp Edition (ICH7DH)


First Step:

Open Windows Notepad and create a REG-file and name it as you like (example: AHCI.reg)

Copy and paste the following lines into that reg-file and save it (use the right content for your controller (ICH8R, ICH9R and ICH7DH)

ICH8R

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\pci#ven_8086&dev_2821&cc_0106]
"Service"="iaStor"
"ClassGUID"="{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"

[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 Controller"

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

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Enum]
"0"="PCI\\VEN_8086&DEV_2821&SUBSYS_B0051458&REV_02\\3&13c0b0c5&0&FA"
"Count"=dword:00000001
"NextInstance"=dword:00000001

ICH9R [THX @monographix  ]

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\pci#ven_8086&dev_2922&cc_0106]
"Service"="iaStor"
"ClassGUID"="{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"

[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 Controller"

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

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Enum]
"0"="PCI\\VEN_8086&DEV_2922&SUBSYS_B0051458&REV_02\\3&13c0b0c5&0&FA"
"Count"=dword:00000001
"NextInstance"=dword:00000001

ICH10R

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;
; Important: The File iastor.sys has to be present in the System32\Drivers folder.
;


[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\pci#ven_8086&dev_3A22&cc_0106]
"Service"="iaStor"
"ClassGUID"="{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor]
"Type"=dword:00000001
"Start"=dword:00000000
"Group"="SCSI miniport"
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"ImagePath"=hex(2):73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,44,00,\
  52,00,49,00,56,00,45,00,52,00,53,00,5c,00,69,00,61,00,53,00,74,00,6f,00,72,\
  00,2e,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,00,00
"Tag"=dword:00000019
"DisplayName"="Intel AHCI Controller"

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

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Enum]
"0"="PCI\\VEN_8086&DEV_3A22&SUBSYS_B0051458&REV_01\\3&13c0b0c5&0&FA"
"Count"=dword:00000001
"NextInstance"=dword:00000001

Now double-click on your reg-file to make the above changes to the Windows registry.

Do not restart your computer at this point.


Second Step:

Copy the iaStor.sys-File into the \Windows\System32\Drivers\-Folder if it isn't in there already. 

The file is part of the of the Intel Matrix Storage Manager-Packet (IATA621_CD.EXE) and can be retrieved manually:

\START\Run --> IATA621_CD.EXE -a -a

After entering this command the file should be in the following folder:

...\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Driver

...and ready to be copied.

Third Step:

Restart your computer, enter BIOS and switch to AHCI-mode.

Save, exit and load Windows XP which should now start properly, discover the SATA AHCI Controller and ask for a driver.

Abort the whole Windows-Driver-Installation procedure and run IATA621_CD.EXE instead to take care of the installation.

Restart your system.

-----------

Done. 



Sugestions and corrections are very welcome.

[Blazer]

good guide!

can someone confirm it works?

[Maesus]

pinned on top of the forum

[Viktor92]

Ok, it seems to be easy, but there is any improvement in the perfomance ??

[Maesus]

Do you mean AHCI vs IDE? you can't see it.

[Quadrifoglio Verde]

...
Why AHCI?

AHCI stands for Advanced Host Controller Interface. One of the main reasons for switching to AHCI-mode is to take advantage of the NCQ-Feature of your SATA harddrive.  NCQ (Native Command Queuing) allows ATA drives to accept more than one command at a time and dynamically reorder the commands for maximum efficiency. NCQ, when used in conjunction with a hard drive that supports NCQ, can increase storage performance on random workloads.
...

NCQ can increase performance when using a multi user config (a file server for example) and multi user software. Please note that when using your pc as a desktop (single user), NCQ can actually cause a performance penalty due to overhead. The NCQ penalty differs per make and model of a hard drive, but most hard drives in a desktop config will perform a couple percents better when NCQ is disabled...

[RemusM]

Please note that when using your pc as a desktop (single user), NCQ can actually cause a performance penalty due to overhead. The NCQ penalty differs per make and model of a hard drive, but most hard drives in a desktop config will perform a couple percents better when NCQ is disabled...

That's right.
In fact, for an ordinary user, switching from IDE to AHCI-NCQ is not a good idea.
Also, to get full AHCI-NCQ support you'll need a native SATA II HDD.

[Jack t.N.]

Advantages and disadvantages of AHCI and/or NCQ (although interesting to consider) did not really concern me here.  Someone has a reason to switch to AHCI and can't start Windows anymore?  The usual advice is "Reinstall Windows and integrate SATA AHCI drivers, can't be done any other way". The guide just tries to offer an alternative.

NCQ is not the only thing that requires the AHC Interface.

Here are a couple of other reasons:

-being able to install/use Intel Matrix Storage Mangager (requires AHCI or RAID mode to be installed properly)
-native hot plug capability
-staggered spin up to reduce power loads on machines with multiple drives

Further Reading:
- http://www.intel.com/technology/serialata/ahci.htm
- http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/matrixstorage_sb.htm
- http://cnscenter.future.co.kr/resource/rsc-center/presentation/intel/spring2003/S03USDSIS19_OS.pdf
- http://www.seagate.com/content/docs/pdf/whitepaper/D2c_tech_paper_intc-stx_sata_ncq.pdf
- http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/imst/sb/cs-012305.htm
- http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/imst/


Whatever the reasons may be for someone to switch to AHCI mode after Windows XP is already installed, the above guide proposes a way to do it without having to reinstall Windows XP.  Whoever does not have a good reason to enable AHCI doesn't need a guide anyway.

can someone confirm it works?

As I said, it tested it a couple of times on the P965 Platinum and the 975X Platinum PUE and it worked without problems so far.

[Quadrifoglio Verde]

I wasn't trying to disagree with you or your excellent guide. I just wanted to make people aware of the possible disadvantage of NCQ. Simply stated, for most desktop users NCQ is not worth enabling. Marketing is trying to make us believe otherwise...

[Jack t.N.]

I was aware of that.  And I am happy that you and RemusM made that point. Especially because until now I have not payed a lot of attention to actual benchmarks, technical backgrounds (and marketing).

[Vaniireq]

Here is an article that shows comparisons of various drives with and without ACHI activated:
http://www.behardware.com/art/imprimer/624/
One of the more interesting findings in the article is that some drives that do not have NCQ (like most Western Digital drives) still get performance boosts from ACHI.

I also want to point out something that some people may not realize.
With the newer Intel Raid Controllers, when you create a Raid using the Intel Panel, ACHI is automatically activated.

[GauchoDoyle]

I have tested with HDtach in all modes on my Maxtor-

SATA I in IDE/ENHANCED mode FORCE GEN I
Burst Speed:       121.6mb/s
Random Access:  19.5ms
CPU utilization:    2%
Average Read:    47.3mb/s

SATA II in IDE/ENHANCED mode Force GEN II
Burst Speed:       198.0mb/s
Random Access:  19.4ms
CPU utilization:    2%
Average Read:     57.9     

SATA II in AHCI mode Force GEN II
Burst Speed:       215.3mb/s
Random Access:  21.8ms
CPU utilization:    1%
Average Read:     59.0mb/s

Maxtor Diamond 80GB SATA II and 250GB SATA I = 150GB Logical RAID 0
Burst Speed : 320.9 mb/s
Average Read : 120.3 mb/s


Gaucho

[Viktor92]

Here is an article that shows comparisons of various drives with and without ACHI activated:
http://www.behardware.com/art/imprimer/624/

After looking at the page, I must confess that the AHCI numbers are very tempting (specially for my Samsung drive) to make the switch, but is possible a rollback to the IDE mode in the case things doesn't work as expected ??

[Maesus]

Viktor92, rolling back is as simple as changing the BIOS setting back to IDE. You don't need to explicitly remove the AHCI driver.

[Corleone]

its work on 965 neo?

[Viktor92]

Viktor92, rolling back is as simple as changing the BIOS setting back to IDE. You don't need to explicitly remove the AHCI driver.

Great, then I will try soon...

[Viktor92]

If I run the command  IATA621_CD.EXE -a -a it doesn't extract anything, simply run the setup program. Should I continue with the instalation, or should I extract the file in some way ??

[tnt1]

As mentioned Western Digital drives do not have NCQ. (If there are any that do I am not aware of them) I think on some drives that have NCQ you can disable it via a jumper or utility program. Also some SATA II drives are defaulted to SATA I and you have to change a jumper to enable SATA II.

[glenmorangie]

I have taken a look at the quoted German site in which I find a registry setup including "Raid". Is this correct??

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

[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 RAID Controller"

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

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\oromVersion]
"MajorVersion"=dword:00000006
"MinorVersion"=dword:00000000
"HotfixNumber"=dword:00000000
"BuildNumber"=dword:000003fe

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Enum]
"0"="PCI\\VEN_8086&DEV_2822&SUBSYS_B0001458&REV_02\\3&13c0b0c5&0&FA"
"Count"=dword:00000001
"NextInstance"=dword:00000001


Anyone able to clarify??

[Jack t.N.]

@Victor92:

If I run the command  IATA621_CD.EXE -a -a it doesn't extract anything, simply run the setup program. Should I continue with the instalation, or should I extract the file in some way ??

The important part is that you make sure the iaStor.sys-File is in the \Windows\System32\Drivers\-Folder.  It should be in in \Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Driver by now.  Using the "-a -a"-switch does not really result in an installation but only in an extraction of all the files.

@glenmorangie:

Yes, there is also a procedure for switching to RAID-mode.  It doesn't help you much though if you have Windows XP installed on a single drive. 

[glenmorangie]

Jack,

Thanks for the reply but I understood from your original senario you referred to SATA drives.
Now:- If you have two or more drives will it install "Raid function" without having the pain of re-installation of XP?
If so it would be an added bonus if people wishing to upgrade from IDE - Sata.

Thanks and sorry if I did not understand it was for a single drive.


 

[Viktor92]

@Victor92:

The important part is that you make sure the iaStor.sys-File is in the \Windows\System32\Drivers\-Folder.  It should be in in \Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Driver by now.  Using the "-a -a"-switch does not really result in an installation but only in an extraction of all the files.

I use the "-a -a" switch, but the setup program is started (that I've aborted), and no file is copied in the boot disk (I've searched for the iastor.sys file and it isn't in the boot disk). So, should I run the setup file and install the drivers or must I get only the iastor.sys file and copy to the boot disk as your guide says ??

[Maesus]

glenmorangie, "Now:- If you have two or more drives will it install "Raid function" without having the pain of re-installation of XP?"

This is ONLY true for RAID-1. This guide is only applicable IF you want to RAID-1 your current XP drive.

For RAID-0, this guide is Not Applicable because for sure your XP is NOT the RAID-0 drive; and you are adding another 2 more HDD and want to set them as RAID-0. This can be done by enable RAID in the BIOS, setup RAID-0 drive in the RAID setup screen, then boot to XP and install the RAID driver then.

[Jack t.N.]

I use the "-a -a" switch, but the setup program is started (that I've aborted), and no file is copied in the boot disk (I've searched for the iastor.sys file and it isn't in the boot disk). So, should I run the setup file and install the drivers or must I get only the iastor.sys file and copy to the boot disk as your guide says ??

Don't abort it if you use the "-a -a" switch.  Just let it run and extract the files.  It does not really install the drivers/files but rather "extracts" and copies them into the folder I mentioned.  And even if it would install anything it doesn't really matter.  Just make sure that the iaStor.sys-File is in the \Windows\System32\Drivers\-Folder before you make changes to the registry and restart to switch to AHCI-mode in BIOS.

must I get only the iastor.sys file and copy to the boot disk as your guide says ??

Exactly.  The File has to be in the \Windows\System32\Drivers\-Folder.

[glenmorangie]

Maesus,

Thanks

See if I have understood you correctly.


Senario: two sata hard drives both 200gb set up as IDE (C:,  E: and  D: ide dvd writer) not raid or achi and operating for a few months and you decide to change to achi the Jack the Newbies patches to the registry will be o.k. however if you wish to change to Raid 1 the patch I seen on the German site would be o.k (but one drive would be redundant) and all data on one drive non-exisiting ??
If you wish to have Raid 0 you have no alternative but to install the original xp (cd) installation process??

Again thanks for your reply

[Viktor92]

Jack I've finally extracted the file, copied in \windows\system32\drivers folder, loaded the .reg info in the registry, rebooted, changed IDE by AHCI mode in bios, rebooted again, and... get a BSD. What can be wrong ??

[Jack t.N.]

loaded the .reg info in the registry, rebooted, changed IDE by AHCI mode in bios, rebooted again

After executing the reg-file you have to restart the computer and switch to AHCI-mode before letting Windows XP start again. Otherwise you have to execute the reg-file again.

If you have done that, let me know and will I check the whole procedure again on my setup to make sure I made no mistake.

[Viktor92]

After executing the reg-file you have to restart the computer and switch to AHCI-mode before letting Windows XP start again.

I've done exactly that.

[Maesus]

I'm a bit confused about this:

\Windows\System32\Drivers\-Folder  is the folder name? or
\Windows\System32\Drivers\    is the folder name?

[Jack t.N.]

I'm a bit confused about this:

\Windows\System32\Drivers\-Folder  is the folder name? or
\Windows\System32\Drivers\    is the folder name?

\Windows\System32\Drivers\    is the folder name !

@Victor92:

I have just completed a fresh Win XP SP2-Installation on a SATA-HD on my 975X Plat. PUE.  To test the guide again I started in IDE-mode and switched to AHCI after installation without having any problems.

Try to run the reg-file, install Intel Matrix Storage Manager (without the -a -a switch) and try to switch to AHCI-mode again after that.  I read through the whole thread in which the guide I reproduced here was originally mentioned and saw that this was advised in a case where the guide did not work as it should as well.

[Viktor92]

Try to run the reg-file, install Intel Matrix Storage Manager (without the -a -a switch) and try to switch to AHCI-mode again after that.  I read through the whole thread in which the guide I reproduced here was originally mentioned and saw that this was advised in a case where the guide did not work as it should as well.

It seems that AHCI is not for me, this is the message the installer gave me:

The computer does not meet the minimun requirement for installing this software. Setup will exit.

Any idea ??

[Vaniireq]

@ Viktor92

In order to use the Intel Matrix Storage Manager, you must have a Raid...


ACHI works independent of Raid...

[Jack t.N.]

It works with RAID and AHCI. 

Here is a Screenshot (Sorry it is all in German but you will get the idea)...

[Vaniireq]

@Jack the Newbie

Maybe my explanation was a bit vague...

I will try to explain in a bit more detail...
I don't read German but do understand what I see...
There is some confusion about the new Intel Matrix Storage panel...
And I do understand why you are getting the message that you can not install it...
I will explain to you how you can use it...

When you are setting up your single drive, you are given 3 choices:
IDE
RAID
ACHI

The panel you are showing me, is a RAID panel...
It requires that you have (Intel) RAID activated in your bios...
So you must select the RAID option...
This works even if you have only a single disk drive...
If you have only one disk drive, you can still use the RAID option in the bios...
Now here is where most people get confused, so I will try to explain it in detail...

Intel wanted users that had one hard drive to be able to set up their system to be "RAID ready"
The Operating System had to be installed on a drive that was using the RAID drivers...
Notice the picture you posted
The drive is on the "Intel Serial RAID controller"

This is how you get a single Non-RAID drive on the RAID controller, so that you can install the Intel Matrix Storage Console..
Understand this will destroy all the information on your drive, since you will have to reinstall your Operating System...

First, connect your SATA drive to one of the Intel SATA connectors.
Start your computer, and get into the bios.
Go to the "intergrated peripherals" make sure that the Intel stuff is enabled
Then go to the SATA section and select RAID (also select your speed setting such as Force Gen II)
Make sure that your system is set to boot from your CD-DVD drive and that your Operatiing System disk is in the drive.
Also make sure that your floppy drive contains a disk with the Intel Raid Drivers on it...
Hit F10 to save your settings...
Your system should reboot and begin installing your OS, click F6 when instructed and then select the RAID drivers when asked to...
Leave the floppy disk in the drive, since the installation will use it again. DO NOT Remove it.
Install your OS and then after your OS boots for the first time, install the Intel Matrix software..
From that software you should be able to create and migrate your system to a RAID at a later time...

I am sure there are some reading this that think I am wrong or will panic since Control-I doesn't bring up the Intel RAID Control Panel during startup. The Panel will not appear because you don't have enough drives to create a RAID, for that you need at least two drives, We are using just a single drive, and the Intel RAID panel recognizes that and skips the screen.

I hope that is a bit clearer...

[Jack t.N.]

Vaniireq, I am not having a problem here.  AHCI is active in BIOS, installing the Intel Matrix Storage Manager was not a problem and there was no error message.  The picture I posted ealier was for illustration purposes only. I apreciating your explanations, but in this case I like to insist that it is possible to install the Program using AHCI mode as well.

The Storage manager works with AHCI and RAID enabled in BIOS:

In 2006, Intel Matrix Storage Technology continues its support of hardware storage features. 3Gb/s support doubles the hard drive to chipset transfer rate, providing additional responsiveness and headroom, the eSATA capability in ICH8R extends this high performance interface outside of the desktop. By including support for Serial ATA Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI), Native Command Queuing (NCQ) provides additional performance & faster boot times, hot plug capability to allow drives to be added or removed with the PC running, and staggered spin up to reduce power loads on machines with multiple drives.

http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/matrixstorage_sb.htm

@Victor92:

I have no idea, why the procedure is not working on your system.  I have done it a couple of times myself and it works.  The original thread in the German Gigabyte Forum indicates the same.  Only in a few cases there seem to be problems. I have recommended this method a couple of times in the German MSI Forum and the feedbacks were all positive so far.

I am not sure where the problem lies in your case.

[Vaniireq]

@Jack the Newbie

I am so sorry. I pasted the wrong name, I meant to direct the information to Viktor92

Truly sorry about my confusion....

And yes, you are correct, about ACHI and the Intel Matrix Storage Manager.

Here is Intel's official page for RAID and ACHI installation:
http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/imst/sb/cs-015988.htm

[Viktor92]

Thank you guys, I don't worry too much, because despite my curiosity to test the AHCI mode, I know the perfomance difference is minimal, and I don't want to try anything that involves reinstall the OS.

[kacang]

hi, not using MSI but ASUS p5b-e plus, but just used this procedure and it went all just fine. Did it on a Vista 32bit ultimate installation..

Note: eventhough vista seems unstoppable installing new drivers I installed the Intel Raid stuff, before doing a reboot anyway..


Thought I'd give some feedback,


Erick

[Viktor92]

Thank you guys, I don't worry too much, because despite my curiosity to test the AHCI mode, I know the perfomance difference is minimal, and I don't want to try anything that involves reinstall the OS.

Speaking about reinstall the OS, my actual XP installation was done with my Asus K8V SE Deluxe (VIA chipset), and was repaired for the 975x Power Up (a procedure that incredibly has worked OK), so this is not exactly a clean install, maybe this is the cause the procedure to change to AHCI didn't work.

[papubhai]

i have the following issue help me plz
The computer does not meet the minimun requirement for installing this software. Setup will exit.