Q210 - AHCI problem when installing Vista32

Hi.

I always prefer my HDD space C 1/3 - D 2/3 , So the 50/50 has been niggeling me.

I decided to re-size my partion in Vista Storage manager, but it would only let me reduce my C drive so much, and would not let me expand my D driver to use the extra space.

So i decided to re-install Vista from the Samsung supplied Visa SP1 DVD.

So i booted the DVD and got to the part were you can select the install drive, but i got a message "windows is unable to find a system volume that meets it`s criteria"

After some research i diabled AHCI in the BIOS and now Vista will allow me to delete both C and D partition and create new ones to my new sizes.

Now every thing worked great, Vista Installed like a dream.

But as soon as i change AHCI from disable to auto and boot my notebook, I get a BSOD straght away as soon as the OS starts to boot.

So i disabled AHCI and Vista boots normaly and everything is fine.

But i think the problem is the new BIOS 07LE , As i had installed Vista32 on this notebook with the previous BIOS without having to disable AHCI.

Now i dont know much About AHCI , but i thought it had to be enabled for Vista and Disabled for XP? , so why does AUTO not work? , and why does enable not allow me to install Vista?

thanks

John.

 

AHCI doesn't really make a huge difference in performance, but anyway, do you have Vista running now ?

If so, first follow the instructions in the article, then in the BIOS, and enable native AHCI mode.

 

Hi.

Yes, it`s working great, but only with AHCI disabled, as soon as i change it to Auto and boot Vista i get a BSOD within seconds.

As i said i did not have this problem with the previous BIOS version? only since 07LE.

But why could i not install Vista at all with AHCI on Auto, why did i have to disable it before i could install.

I think it`s a BIOS fault?

EDIT : I have just run Windows Experience Index and i get 4.4 exactly what i got with AHCI enabled.

Regards

John.

 

Hi.

I have tried to load the Intel ICH9M-E/M drivers at the select install drive selection screen at the beggining of the Vista32 instalation.

They are loaded, but nothing changes and i still cannot install Vista32 with AHCI enabled.

"windows is unable to find a system volume that meets it`s criteria"

Does anybody know how to get round this???????

Thanks

John.

 

Alright, what happens when you install Vista with:

• AHCI on Auto ? (Error ?)
• AHCI on manual, and Native AHCI Mode Enabled ?
• AHCI on manual, and Native AHCI Mode Disabled --> Loads with HDD in IDE mode ?

Have you tried reverting to the previous BIOS ?
Have you notified Samsung/BIOS developers regarding this 'bug' ?
What were the fixes/enhancements in this BIOS release ?

*phew* too many questions

 

Hi.

I have only tried Auto or manual disabled , not manual enable.

Can you run a SATA HDD in IDE mode????? , the HDD light does flash like it is being accessed.

My main point is i installed Vista32 before the firmware upgrade, but now it will not install, was it the firmware upgrade?

Regards

John.

 

Yes, SATA HDDs can run in IDE/Compatibility/Legacy Mode.

Try with manual - enable, and if running Vista, try enabling the AHCI driver manually - linked above.

Can't say about the firmware upgrade, probably a fellow Q210 owner, or Samsung can help.

 

Hi.

The Samsung update software installed the BIOS, it was a fix for screen flickering.

I run ran HDtune and i get max 59mb/s same as before, so i think Vista has AHCI enabled.

It`s just the problem with haveing to diasble AHCI to get Vista to install that the problem.

I suppose Samsung will figure it out and issue another Firmware updrade.

My Vista is running fine no problems.

Thanks for the help

Regards

John.

 

Go into Device Manager > IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers > Apart from the ATA Channels, check which driver/s are installed.

 

Hi.

I did the regedit, changed value from 4 to 0, I did not see any difference on re-boot.

see the picture.

 

After changing the regedit to 0, did you enable AHCI manually in the BIOS ?

AHCI is disabled atm....

(Is AHCI important for you ? )

 

Hi.

I have just changed the BIOS to manually enable AHCI , and Vista detected new SATA controller and installed the driver.

I then went back into the BIOS and changed the ACHI to full auto, and Vista loads fine now no BSOD, so it look like the registry mod did the trick.

So i wonder what caused the problem?

thanks for all your help +rep

Regards

John.

PS. I read the Microsoft link you gave, but it mentions the BSOD being caused by changing the AHCI in the BIOS before editing the registry.

But i was installing a fresh OS on a formatted driver, so my case is different, still trying to understand why this happen in the first place.

 

AHCI on auto is OS-controlled.
The manual AHCI is more like a force-enable.

'Cause you didn't change the AHCI setting manually on the first reg mod, the driver did load, but the BIOS did not change the HDD mode. The AHCI driver (msahci.sys) was loaded, but found no HDD in AHCI mode, so it stayed kinda silent.
When you changed the HDD mode to AHCI in the BIOS, Vista found the AHCI-enabled HDD, and installed the msahci driver for it.

Now, since you have enabled AHCI, best to install Intel MSM (Matrix Storage Manager for the PM45) for full AHCI functionality.

(You could try out the Vista Install now with the "manual-enabled AHCI" option )

 

Hi.

I just downloaded the Q210 chipset drivers from the INTEL website and installed them, and i now have the correct SATA driver.

thanks

John.