Hello,

I am trying to activate the AHCI controller on my comp. I have read several places that my southbridge, Intel ICH9R, supports AHCI. However, when I go through the bios to change the SATA controller there are only two options: IDE and RAID. I guess dell did not add this option to their condensed version of the BIOS. I was playing around with the 'Add Hardware' utility in the control panel and came across something I think may be relevant. I navigated through the add hardware wizard like this:

1. Selected "install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced)"
2. clicked "next"
3. From the list of "common hardware types", I clicked storage controllers.
4. I scrolled through the manufactures and selected "Silicon Integrated Systems Corp".
5. There was only one option under model and that was "SiS Storport AHCI Controller" I selected this and clicked next on the bottom.
6. The wizard stated "To install your new harddware, click next". I did so.
7. After installing it the wizard read this "The software for this device is now installed, but may not work correctly. The device cannot start. (Cody 10)
8. I went to device manager and expanded the Storage Controller tree. Listed in it is the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator, which seemed to be working fine, and the newly installed SiS Storport AHCI Controller. This had the yellow triangle with the exclamation mark inside.

Would installing this correctly allow me to use the AHCI controller? If not, does anyone know how I could activate it?



Specs:
Dell Inspiron 530s
Vista Home Premium x64
Intel Core Duo
Motherboard:
Manufacturer Dell Inc.
Model 0RY007 (Socket 775)
Chipset Vendor Intel
Chipset Model P35/G33/G31
Chipset Revision A2
Southbridge Vendor Intel
Southbridge Model 82801IR (ICH9R)
Southbridge Revision 02

Anyone know anything about AHCI?

Originally Posted by Lottiemansion

Hi,

Look here & procede with caution!


How to enable AHCI/RAID mode without reinstalling windows (P35/ICH9/ICH9R) - HEXUS Community Discussion Forums

I tried installing the intel maxtrix storage manager, as the instructions said. Half way through the instillation it said my system did not meet the minimum requirements. I have the ICH9R southbridge though. Know what could be wrong?

It says my chipset driver is valid. The only thing it recommends I update is my network controller. Is it possible to download an AHCI driver?

Originally Posted by Lottiemansion

Hi,

Well that is strange!

If you have the AHCI stuff onboard & your drivers are up to date, I am not convinced you need them?

What is the exact make, model & version of Vista (Including SP) etc. do you have.

Vista x64 Home Premium SP 2 OEM. I would not be surprised if it had AHCI drivers. However, the 'readme' file imbedded the link you sent me stated that not having the proper AHCI drivers would cause it to fail at installation.

Originally Posted by Lottiemansion

Hi,

Have a look here & see if the information helps?

NOTE: RAID is not supported on Inspiron 530sb/530sd.

Documentation

My bios also has an option for RAID. I'm pretty sure it is for RAID 1 though. What does this have to do with AHCI? I'm also pretty sure the 530sb and 530sd have a different motherboard than my 530s.