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    ATA vs AHCI

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Rahide, Dec 31, 2007.

  1. Rahide

    Rahide Notebook Consultant

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    The BIOS for my Latitude comes with the ATA set by default, but the option exists for the drive to use AHCI. What are the differences? What is quicker?
     
  2. Eleison

    Eleison Thanatos Eleison

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    AHCI is the "Advanced Hardware Control Interface," which enables support for Intel Robson Turbo Memory. If you aren't using Turbo Memory, there is no advantage, and if you're running Windows XP, AHCI will actually keep you from booting.
     
  3. duffyanneal

    duffyanneal Notebook Deity

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    If you load the correct driver when installing XP AHCI mode is possible. The driver can be loaded after install but it requires switching to ATA mode in the BIOS. After installing the correct driver the machine can be switched to AHCI mode.
     
  4. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    I tell you what, i used both on my vostro. While using the ahci mode i got constant sound skipping. Ata mode has no skipping. So i use ata mode now.
     
  5. yusky03

    yusky03 Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry for bumping an old topic but i have some questions. :D

    Does the vostro have the turbo memory installed? If not are you able to upgrade it? How big is the benefit?
    I have it set to ata right now and i get sound skipping when on power saver mode... is there any connection?

    Edit: This is the reason i came here looking for answers... hard drive is the weakest link in my system.
     
  6. LPTP-LVR

    LPTP-LVR Notebook Deity

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    What happened with switching to ATA? No probs with vista not booting or anything?
     
  7. akg7091

    akg7091 Notebook Consultant

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    I don't know why, but I am able to boot my notebook even if I switch the settings in the bios from AHCI to ATA.
    I have confirmed with Intel Matrix manager that my HDD is actually in AHCI mode when it is selected. In ATA mode I can verify it in the device manager. I never faced any problem.
     
  8. X2P

    X2P COOLING | NBR Super Mod

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    Please do not revive dead threads (6 months or older), if need be create a new thread please