M6600 Owners Thread

Kallias:

If everything is the way you like it except for this issue then create a W7 system image. From there you can dig into everything including (restore points: I don't think work to good for this problems) and restore the system image if things get really messed up.

Edit: Also create a signature telling what's in your system, that way there's a mental picture.

 

If you are not running a RAID setup, yes, AHCI should be manually set and the Intel rapid storage driver installed. All ports will still be avaiable.

Your Device Manager should should show the following for the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller -
Intel(R) Mobile Express Chipset SATA AHCI Controller

Scott-

 

Yes the Device manager shows the ATA/ATAPI Controller exactly as you have it.

Thanks for that information!

 

After much consideration with advice and discussion from everyone here, I decided to use the Windows 7 repair disc I burned earlier today. I selected a restore point that took me back to right after the system OS and drivers were initially installed.

And the usb balloon message is back and working as it should!

Now I have to start all over again installing stuff.

However I still notice that when windows explorer is open to the usb device contents that ejecting the usb device will close the explorer windows for the device and eject it. However the balloon notice that it is safe to remove the device still comes up as it should.

I wonder if that is normal?

Is there any specific indicators to check to ensure that things are really on track and operating correctly?

 

It may be helpful to try a utility like USB Safely Remove: USB Safely Remove - comfortable and reliable replacement for Safely Remove Hardware function (which has a free 30-day trial).

USB Safely Remove has some troubleshooting features to help isolate problems. And the same company offers a beta product called LockHunter that may be useful: LockHunter is a free 64/32 bit tool to delete files blocked by any processes

Similar to LockHunter, Unlocker is also free: UNLOCKER 1.9.1 BY CEDRICK 'NITCH' COLLOMB

Checkout HotSwap: HotSwap! and RemoveDrive: Drive Tools for Windows and USB Disk Ejector: USB Disk Ejector and EjectUSB: The Portable Freeware Collection - EjectUSB

Disabling write caching solved the problem in this thread: USB drives won't eject - Page 2 - Windows 7 Forums

Basic USB troubleshooting (written for Vista, but also useful for 7): Tips for solving problems with USB devices

Advanced troubleshooting with Process Explorer: Process Explorer and instructions: Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device

 

That also sounds like a Windows behavior and can probably be adjusted somewhere, sevenforums.com is a good place to hunt down those issues.

Did you actually change to AHCI and accept the warning message and then boot, just for the record?

 

Yes of course...that is what you said to do.

Now you have me wondering about why you asked that!

It does appear that all usb ports are working.

 

No, don't worry

For SSD: After a reinstall with a Dell Windows DVD you can't just switch that I know of - but can install either way RAID On or AHCI. With Standard Windows it is AHCI install only.

Glad it's working albeit you have to reinstall programs and see if it does it again.

Edit: Maybe the factory image setup allows a change. RAID On is Intels Technology IRST, not the typical RAID, although I think it performs both functions. Maybe someone can describe it better.

 

Sounds like you solved the problem!

Explorer (any process with access to the USB device) has to close, before the device can be safely shut down.

 

Thanks for the thumbs up...but I am not sure I am out of the woods yet. The Dell tech thought that the factory image might be flawed.

Although, I am not clear as to why he thought that.

If that is indeed the case then those flaws will manifest in some form at some point in time and unpredictably.