"Configure SATA As..."

[3xploit]

I just installed a new SATA drive, and in the bios there's an option to configure SATA as "IDE", "AHCI", or "RAID".

Which option should I use?

[JrRacinFan]

Without any possible implications: IDE.

[xvi]

If you don't have data to loose, try this. Install the drive, set the BIOS option to "IDE", boot to windows, install manufacturer's IDE/SATA controller drivers, restart, set the BIOS option to "AHCI".

AHCI stands for Advanced Host Controller Interface. There are rumors that setting AHCI without manufacturer's drivers will give you a BSOD. I'm not sure if you can recover it by switching back to "IDE", but it should be worth a shot.

[3xploit]

Thx to JrRacinFan and xvi.

I'll try setting it to AHCI, but what's the difference between AHCI and IDE?

[panchoman]

thats a question, i'd like to know the answer as well.

[3xploit]

I tried the AHCI setting and my computer reboots everytime I load windows.

[panchoman]

i believe that you'd have to reinstall windows when you turn achi on or off.

[panchoman]

this is from another forum that i work at, it is quite informative and looks good!:

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=444831

[largon]

Dunno why the guide at pcper.com is so complicated when you can do the same simply by installing AHCI drivers in Windows then enabling AHCI in BIOS. Nothing else is required.

I've done this in XP and Vista.

[Graogrim]

Simply installing AHCI drivers and then switching the setting in the BIOS is not a reliable method across all manufacturers' hardware and drivers. Some will take care of adjusting related settings in the registry while others won't. So the general method that works in every case is more complex.

But yes, 3xploit, that behavior is to be expected if your BIOS AHCI setting is not aligned with the OS settings and drivers. You won't necessarily have to reinstall Windows to enable AHCI and get the benefits of features like command queueing, but that may require you to roll up your sleeves and go mucking about in the registry. It might be desirable to just reinstall anyway if you really want to pursue this. Or you could just leave it as is. For most applications the difference isn't even really noticable.

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

AHCI is faster?

[Graogrim]

Yes, AHCI is faster. In a server environment with lots of competing disk accesses happening frequently it's worth enabling. A drive in a single-user PC environment will see much less benefit. Commonly the difference is negligable.

To explain, AHCI includes support for features like Native Command Queueing, a SCSI-like feature in which the drive reorders data requests into an optimized pattern which minimizes seeking, thereby improving performance. Though the drive handles the donkey work internally, the feature does require some special communication with the host. Hence the need for supporting controller hardware and drivers.