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    Win7 AHCI

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by Garandhero, Sep 9, 2009.

  1. Garandhero

    Garandhero Notebook Deity

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    Just installed WIN 7 -

    Should I change settings in my BIOS to use AHCI? Then follow these instructions? (to avoid having to re-install the OS?)
    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

    Will this allow me to install the Intel Matrix Storage Drivers? (Are they even nessacary?

    Currently in my BIOS in order to change the AHCI setting, it also automatically enables some stuff refering to robson technology, despite me not having intel turbo memory. Can you please explain that?

    The BIOS Page looks like
    Intel Robson - Disabled
    SATA - Device 31, Function 2 Compatible
    AHCI Configuration: Disabled
    DFOROM(robson) Support: Disabled

    When I change it it looks like

    Intel Robson - Enabled
    SATA - Device 31, Function 2 High Performance Mode (or something)
    AHCI Configuration: Enabled
    DFOROM(robson) Support: Enabled


    Please advise. Thanks.
     
    Garandhero, Sep 9, 2009
    #1
  2. LaptopNut

    LaptopNut Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you did an install without first enabling the AHCI, changing the bios settings after wards will give you a crash and a blue screen. You will first have to do the registry edits, install the Intel Matrix drivers and then enable the Bios settings.

    You might need to download the floppy disk versions of the Intel Matrix drivers.
     
    LaptopNut, Sep 9, 2009
    #2
  3. Garandhero

    Garandhero Notebook Deity

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    O.K. so reg edits, intel matrix drivers THEN bios settings?

    I was planning to do reg edits, bios settings, then intel matrix drivers. Is the intel matrix storage manager the driver itself? or do I need a seperate driver as well as that utility?

    Why do I need the floppy disk versions? MY laptop doesn't even have a floppy drive....
     
    Garandhero, Sep 9, 2009
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  4. madpoet

    madpoet Notebook Evangelist

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    Why should you change to AHCI.
     
    madpoet, Sep 9, 2009
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  5. Garandhero

    Garandhero Notebook Deity

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    heard it gives performance boost, lowers temps, and increases longevity of the hard drive.

    Confirm?
     
    Garandhero, Sep 9, 2009
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  6. LaptopNut

    LaptopNut Notebook Virtuoso

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    All the information you need to know can be found here http://tinyurl.com/lwf883


    Look at post 25 and if you have any doubts, the rest of the thread will have more details.
     
    LaptopNut, Sep 9, 2009
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  7. LaptopNut

    LaptopNut Notebook Virtuoso

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    Switching to AHCI mode lowered my HDD idle temps by 10C and my load temps by 5C.
     
    LaptopNut, Sep 9, 2009
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  8. Garandhero

    Garandhero Notebook Deity

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    Cool but it looks like you don't need to do any of that other stuff now in device manager according to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976 . You can just make the change, restart and windows automatically will install the driver.... at least thats what it seems like.

    Also here
    http://www.ithinkdiff.com/how-to-enable-ahci-in-windows-7-rc-after-installation/

    says after restart installation of AHCI drivers happens automatically... if thats the case, do I even need to install the intel matrix storage manager seperatley? Thanks
     
    Garandhero, Sep 9, 2009
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  9. Garandhero

    Garandhero Notebook Deity

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    AHCI is O.K for single drive systems too right?
     
    Garandhero, Sep 9, 2009
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  10. theriko

    theriko Ronin

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    AHCI is fine for single drive systems, and no you do not need intel msm, but it is recommended as it is the manufacturer specific driver, rather than the microsoft generic driver (think microsoft vga driver versus nvidia one...)
     
    theriko, Sep 10, 2009
    #10
  11. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    I never heard of AHCI effecting temps, just enabling some features that are good for servers.

    Did you test your temps before/after with the same ambient temp on the same place with the same load? (let it sit for a long time to make sure it settled)
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Sep 10, 2009
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  12. Win3K

    Win3K Notebook Consultant

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    enable AHCI mode in Bios first and then install Win 7
     
    Win3K, Sep 10, 2009
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  13. Garandhero

    Garandhero Notebook Deity

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    I just did it via the registry hack here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

    restarted... windows installed some updates, then I installed the intel matrix storage manager. seems to be fine.
     
    Garandhero, Sep 10, 2009
    #13