Vista user. Should I switch to AHCI mode or stick to IDE?

Castout · 01-29-09, 09:18 PM

Will I get noticeable performance boost if I switch to AHCI mode?

Should I switch to AHCI mode or should I stick to IDE mode?

I'm aware that Vista users could switch to AHCI mode even after Vista installation by simply following the following procedure:
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Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322756 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ ) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows
To resolve this issue, enable the AHCI driver in the registry before you change the SATA mode of the boot drive. To do this, follow these steps:

Exit all Windows-based programs.
Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
If you receive the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Msahci
In the right pane, right-click Start in the Name column, and then click Modify.
In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor.

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AVGWarhawk · 01-29-09, 09:36 PM

First I have heard of this. Personally, I do not do a darn thing to my registry. I use Auslogic for registry cleaning and that is as far as I go.

Castout · 01-29-09, 10:22 PM

Hi Warhawk.
I use Advanced system care. It's acceptable.

I assume you're still running on IDE mode? why the hesitation to switch to AHCI?

AVGWarhawk · 01-30-09, 08:46 AM

The hesitation is that I do not know what these are

CaptainHaplo · 01-30-09, 07:20 PM

AHCI is used in SATA configurations - if your currently use IDE then you can't switch to AHCI as your drives are not SATA - they are EIDE.

The first question (provided you have compatible hardware) that needs to be answered is why do you want to switch? Is there some indication you have that you will get a performance or reliability increase?

In the case of AHCI - you are already using your OS. Switching to AHCI after the OS is installed is a real pain in the arse. About the only way to do it reasonably still requires an OS "repair" to be run to allow the OS to see your drives once you swap to an AHCI mode on the controller.

Honestly - this is one of those times that "new technology" (though it isn't really new) just isn't worth the hassle. Next time your doing a full system rebuild, make sure you have AHCI ready drivers for your controller and then enable it. Until then - I have to advise against it.

Your not really missing any "bang for the buck" in reality without it.

Castout · 01-31-09, 05:36 AM

Hi Haplo switching to AHCI for Vista user is done merely by making modification to a registry value. I've posted the procedure I took from official Microsoft database.

For Vista it's not a pain in the ass to switch to AHCI mode after OS installation unlike in XP. So I thought it might be worth switching for.

01-29-09, 09:18 PM	#1
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	Vista user. Should I switch to AHCI mode or stick to IDE? Will I get noticeable performance boost if I switch to AHCI mode? Should I switch to AHCI mode or should I stick to IDE mode? I'm aware that Vista users could switch to AHCI mode even after Vista installation by simply following the following procedure: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 322756 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ ) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows To resolve this issue, enable the AHCI driver in the registry before you change the SATA mode of the boot drive. To do this, follow these steps: Exit all Windows-based programs. Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. If you receive the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue. Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Msahci In the right pane, right-click Start in the Name column, and then click Modify. In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK. On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/

01-29-09, 09:36 PM	#2
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	First I have heard of this. Personally, I do not do a darn thing to my registry. I use Auslogic for registry cleaning and that is as far as I go. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

01-29-09, 10:22 PM	#3
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	Hi Warhawk. I use Advanced system care. It's acceptable. I assume you're still running on IDE mode? why the hesitation to switch to AHCI? __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/

01-30-09, 08:46 AM	#4
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	The hesitation is that I do not know what these are __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

01-30-09, 07:20 PM	#5
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	AHCI is used in SATA configurations - if your currently use IDE then you can't switch to AHCI as your drives are not SATA - they are EIDE. The first question (provided you have compatible hardware) that needs to be answered is why do you want to switch? Is there some indication you have that you will get a performance or reliability increase? In the case of AHCI - you are already using your OS. Switching to AHCI after the OS is installed is a real pain in the arse. About the only way to do it reasonably still requires an OS "repair" to be run to allow the OS to see your drives once you swap to an AHCI mode on the controller. Honestly - this is one of those times that "new technology" (though it isn't really new) just isn't worth the hassle. Next time your doing a full system rebuild, make sure you have AHCI ready drivers for your controller and then enable it. Until then - I have to advise against it. Your not really missing any "bang for the buck" in reality without it. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

01-31-09, 05:36 AM	#6
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	Hi Haplo switching to AHCI for Vista user is done merely by making modification to a registry value. I've posted the procedure I took from official Microsoft database. For Vista it's not a pain in the ass to switch to AHCI mode after OS installation unlike in XP. So I thought it might be worth switching for. __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/