Gx660 - Installed Samsung 830 SSD - disable AHCI?

I recently installed a Samsung 830 SSD in my GX660. The laptop will NOT detect the drives presence unless I disabled AHCI in the BIOS. I was able to install windows after that. When I tried to go into the BIOS to switch back to AHCI, the drive disappears again. Does this laptop not support AHCI for this SSD? Intel driver copy right? I tried to install Rapid Storage Driver but it says its not compatible.

Any thoughts?

 

By default the os still sees your drives configured as raid. Whether or not you are actually running a raid. And honestly, there is no need to change the BIOS to ahci because raid already inherits the same features. Though, if you really want windows to use ahci then you'd have to modify the registry first and point your hdd drivers to ahci. Simply selecting ahci in the BIOS will render a non-boot. Windows has to know first. Just Google "change to ahci windows" and you'll find plenty of guides.

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I tried what you suggested in the registry with no success. You solution refers to if AHCI can be booted, but crashes. My issue is when I enable AHCI, the drive disappears from the boot list. I think its a BIOS issue. Wonder if there is a custom BIOS available for GX660 that will fix this.

 

Hmmm. So you have the BIOS set to raid right now? Or ide? And are you actually running a raid 0, or 1?

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Use my moded bios and it will be ok go to unlocked bios thread there are links and pictures .
http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi/524083-gx660-r-owners-lounge-144.html

 

majster, i did come across your modded BIOS, but couldnt find a working download link. Could you provide a link. Also I have the GX660 (non-raid) running 1.0L firmware (latest).

Thanks.

 

edit: problem solved!!


Yehaw!!

To all X7811 or GX740 users (maybe GX660 Users too)
Buy a Harddrive caddy for your Notebook, replace your dvd rom with it and VOILA!! It works in AHCI, you can boot from it, and everything!

 

d3s, I'm ready to try this. I have a caddy and I found that after I pulled it out, the optical drive works fine in the eSATA port of my Dell E6510. I plan to enter BIOS and select AHCI before I start my boxed Win7 64bit upgrade disk. Is this what you did? Did you have to name the 830 SSD after the new install in Disk Manager? Someone said after the install is complete, not to register Windows again. Is there a reason for this? I thought the Windows agreement was that it is for one OS for one computer. I didn't think they cared about how many times it had to be re-installed. Is there another reason not to re-register?

 

I did it and it does work. I did this exact same process with the SSD in the main computer bay and after I loaded the driver at the prompt, I could never reboot the drive. Using the Optical bay the exact same process worked without doing anything to the Registry or all the other major processes suggested for the AHCI drivers to load. I don't know why a drive bay would make a difference, but I have messed with this for over a week and it finally works. Now I have to figure out how to format the old C drive so I can use it. The SSD in the optical caddy has been named C drive.
Also, the removed Optical drive is connected to the eSATA port. I am very happy.

 

I was very happy. I now know why you disconnect all other drives before you install on the 830. The MBR stayed on the Seagate HDD in the main bay even though I installed Win7 on the 830 in the optical bay. I cannot format the Seagate because it provides the MBR. When I tried to format the 830, it says it has the MBR also, but Windows doesn't use it. As a temporary compromise, I deleted all the files off the Seagate I could. I think I could use my new 750 GB WD Black and place it in the optical bay by itself and install Win onto it. This would force the MBR to be on that drive only. Then, I think I could connect the 830 to an eSATA port and do a format. Then, put the 830 in the optical and do it again. It has been an education. I'm past frustration and I feel like I'm doing a monolog, but maybe it will help someone.