Read, how to determine in what mode the computer controller works. As well as, how to activate AHCI mode sATA interface on the computer with already installed windows . Many people will have a question: why do I need an IDE mode for a SATA drive if the AHCI mode is "native" and that SATA disk will work adequately with its characteristics and purpose. Moreover, many maternal manufacturers by default install PATA compatibility mode on them - IDE.
The SATA interface can operate in two modes, IDE and AHCI:
- IDE is a compatibility mode with old equipment and software. In fact, SATA's capabilities in this mode do not differ from the capabilities of their predecessor, the ATA (or PATA) interface;
- AHCI - new regime Working with storage devices in which the computer uses all the benefits of SATA, the main among which are: higher hard speed and SSD DiscoV (technology Native Command Queuing or NCQ), as well as the possibility of "hot" replacement hard disks. AHCI Mode Activation facilitates accelerate access to files stored on storage devices, and positively affects the overall performance of the computer.
Many people will have a question: why do I need an IDE mode for a SATA drive if the AHCI mode is "native" and that SATA disk will work adequately with its characteristics and purpose. Moreover, many maternal manufacturers by default install PATA compatibility mode on them - IDE.
The thing is that the operation of the controller in the AHCI mode began maintaining operating systems from Vista. That is, if the controller of which works in AHCI mode to connect a disk with Windows XP, the user will receive a bsod error (" blue screen of death"). And on the other hand, any SATA drive can work freely in IDE mode. And many users, not knowing about it, do not even make any difference. So manufacturers of computers are trying to avoid possible problems Computer compatibility and user software.
Another important difference IDE and AHCI concerns working with SSD discs. Keep in mind that on an SSD disc is not possible operating system In IDE mode, this will necessarily need AHCI activation.
How to determine what mode does a computer controller work?
It is likely that the AHCI mode is already activated on your computer. You can check this in several ways:
Method 1
- Go to
- Open section "IDE ATA / ATAPI" controllers "
- If in this section there is a device with the word "AHCI" in the title, as in our case, then the AHCI mode on the computer is already used.
Method 2.
Keep in mind that in the BIOS of some computers the ability to change the mode on AHCI is missing. In this case, the problem is sometimes possible to solve the update (flashing) version of the BIOS.
How to activate the AHCI SATA interface mode on a computer with already installed Windows?
Activate the AHCI SATA interface mode on a computer with already installed Windows, while maintaining it can be in several ways:
FIRST:
If for some reason the first method did not work, pay attention also to second option. But first, if you have errors when you start Windows with AHCI mode, return the IDE mode and turn on the computer.
Thereafter:
As you could see, the actions described in theory may lead to undesirable consequences, such as the inability to start the operating system. Therefore, you will be thrown for them only if you know what they do, you will be able to go to BIOS or UEFI and are ready in case of something to correct the unforeseen consequences. For example, by way reinstalling Windows From the very beginning in AHCI mode.
It is quite natural that the owners of desktop computing systems and laptops seek those or in other ways to increase their performance. To solve this problem, the so-called overclocking (acceleration) of the components are used, the other - making settings through the possibilities provided by the developers. When choosing any way it is important to understand what is required to get, and well understand the features of the selected method.
"Bottleneck"
It is known that one of the most slow components of the modern computing system is based on a classic spindle system. Today there are SSD-analogs, but they have not yet received a mass distribution due to too high cost.
Therefore, ordinary HDDs are installed almost every computer. As a result, it turns out that the memory of the DDR3 standard easily transmits 20,000 MB / s; Inner tire central processor allows you to process ten times more data; And the Winchester with the standard SATA-3 only in ideal conditions "accelerates" to the real 100 megabytes per second. Not accidentally recommended at least for system files Use productive SSD models. Of all the above, a simple conclusion should be: it is the HDD that slows down the modern system, thereby being a "bottle neck." And since the user can easily make changes to the method of processing the disk subsystem commands, to a certain extent affecting the speed, then it is often possible to hear the question of which mode is better: AHCI or IDE.
Standards
The disk interaction with the other components of the computing system occurs through a special control controller. This chip serves as a kind of command translator, the converter. Until recently, the only "language", understandable controller, was the IDE protocol.
It originated at the dawn of the computer industry and was upgraded several times. With the advent of high-speed SATA disks, the cardinal alteration of the protocol was required. So it has arisen easily copes with the increased data stream (interface), supports the fashionable queue of NCQ commands and implements the ability to turn off the device "on the go". So what is AHCI? IDE in which some new features have been added. So everything is simple, at first glance.
Opportunities and prospects
Since the standards are back compatible (the SATA device works perfectly on the IDE protocol), then an item is almost always present in the BIOS, which allows you to select the desired mode.
In many cases, only due to this it is possible to achieve the normal performance of the computer. The mode selection function is only present in software Motherboards that provide work with SATA. It's all modern systems. However, it can also be attributed to hybrid solutions that allow you to connect both classical IDE devices (ration, wide combing connector) and SATA (compact connector). So, AHCI or IDE? What's better? To make it easier to figure it out, we give a list of "bonuses" that the user receives, activating more modern mode:
1. On the internal electronic circuits, the disk controller - the board controller reaches from 1.5 GB / s (gigabit) for the SATA-1 to 6 modification in the third revision. Recall that the UDMA-6, in which the old hard drives can work, provides only 133 Mbps.
2. Speaking about what is better - AHCI or IDE, you can not specify the support of NCQ technology. Its essence is that the hard drive can "interfere" in the queue of flow stream, rebuilding them to improve the efficiency of work.
3. The possibility of "hot" replacement of the device at which the entire system is not required.
4. Parallel appeal to all disks, without using alternate switching.
This is such a very tempting list of features. It is not surprising that the question is: "AHCI or IDE: What is better?" It is perhaps one of the most painful. Many computer owners, as amazing, still believe in the "magic button".
Theory and practice
So after all, Ahci or IDE - what is better? From the above list, we can conclude that the outdated protocol loses significantly to the new one. However, this is not quite true. Consider this moment more. Yes, indeed, the data transfer rate has increased ten times, however magnetic discs In Winchesters, both rotated at the speed of 7,200 revolutions (the most popular solution) and rotate. Accordingly, in the process of reading no revolutionary breakthroughs occurred. In anything hDD test The user will not see 6 GBP transmission. Even 200 Mb is unattainable! Exception - solid-state drives. If such a device is present in the system, you can not understand the question: "AHCI or IDE: What is better?", And immediately activate the updated protocol. However, as we indicated, due to the cost, such drives have not yet become massive.
Very often in debates that better - AHCI or IDE, as the main argument in favor of the first indicates the ability of the protocol to support NCQ. Indeed, with the active handling of several programs at the hard disk this feature Allows you to rebuild the query flow with the most optimal way. However, in the average computer, more than two-three programs are rarely addressed to the disk, so it is impossible to talk about the complete absence of acceleration, but it is obtained within the error.
IDE or AHCI - what is better? Windows 7 When activating the last mode, it supports the connection / disable SATA device "on the go". Pretty convenient, especially in server systems, where it is unwanted off. Nevertheless, it is recommended to use internal connectors to use the "hot swap", but the SATA modification enclosed.
And finally, the protocol allows multiple hard drives on the bus to work at the same time, rather than expect queries. Exactly at this case The potential NCQ is completely disclosed. For the average computer is not relevant.
As a result, it turns out that although the AHCI protocol, from the point of view of technologies, is more interesting, nevertheless, from its inclusion, the bulk of users will not receive anything other than moral satisfaction. Just two exceptions from general rules: Server system and using SSD.
Nuances use
Although you can switch to BIOS modes in a few seconds, one should consider important moment. It consists in the following: if the operating system has been installed, for example, with AHCI, then after translating to the IDE, the download may be impossible. It is not a rule, but most often everything is happening. Therefore, before installing the distribution, it is necessary to decide with which protocol of the disk subsystem is planned to work.
AHCI drivers began to integrate into the system only with Vista. All previous solutions from Microsoft do not have built-in support, so you need to either use the "assemblies" or before installing to prepare a medium with the appropriate driver. With the new standard, Windows 7 works fine. SATA switching from the IDE mode in AHCI should be carried out from the BIOS (CONFIGURE SATA item). In very rare cases, it may be necessary to make changes to the registry.
Switching method
In order to get into the BIOS, immediately after switching on the computing system, you need to press the Delete button several times in a row. personal computers) or F2 (laptops). Depending on the implementation, the necessary item may be in any sections. For example, it may require a BOOT MODE to activate it in CSM instead of UEFI, after which a compatible (IDE) and AHCI appears. The desired item may be in the SATA Enhanced section. You need to carefully view the entire existing list. After switching, you should press ESC and agree with the preservation of changes.
RESULTS
The decision on how exactly the protocol to give preference depends on several factors. First of all, from the operating system used. From compatibility at the "iron" level. And of course from the load on the subsystem. What it is higher, the most preferable AHCI. If you analyze all the feedback, it can be said that both protocols work perfectly, with proper setting Without causing any failures. Nevertheless, it is more advisable to use the updated version. This, so to speak, hurt "for the future", for example, to buy an SSD.
Where they mentioned that for its normal operation, AHCI mode is needed. This mode discloses the possibilities of storage devices floating, which greatly improves productivity. We are talking about memory drives - SSD, HDD. Next, you will learn what AHCI is, whether it is enabled, and if not, then turn on.
What is AHCI?
Previously, the computers had the so-called PATA interface to which all storage devices were connected, but the time was passed and the SATA interface came to the replacement, which will be discussed.
SATA has two modes of operation:
IDE Integrated Development Environment) - This mode is needed to create compatibility with outdated devices that are still connected via the PATA interface, which we can say that the SATA interface with IDE mode is almost the same as PATA.
Ahci. ADVANCED HOST CONTROLLER INTERFACE) is SATA mode that discloses all the features of memory drives. It has several interesting features: "hot" disabling and connecting hard drives, that is, you can do it when the computer is turned on. Another possibility is NCQ technology that reduces the number of displacing heads in hard drives, and also improves the performance of the drive.
The use of this mode will have a positive effect on, in practice it is not so noticeable, to be honest, but still, there is something, so I would recommend to enable this mode if it is turned off, especially since there is nothing complicated.
AHCI availability on computer?
There is an opportunity in two ways to know the AHCI mode on a PC or a laptop if you have a pretty new one, then most likely you have it.
First method : We must go to the Device Manager where you disclose the tab. ATA / ATAPI IDE controllers, or something like that and if the word AHCI is present in the title of the controller, then this mode is used.
Second method : The presence and use of AHCI mode can be viewed. There you have to find SATA MODE, or something like something and check that there is worth it if AHCI can be calm.
I want to remind you that instead of the AHCI item can stand IDE, but you should not immediately switch this mode, below you will learn why.
How to enable AHCI mode in the operating system?
The inclusion of AHCI goes through the BIOS. Most likely, you have SATA interfaces on your motherboard, but it is impossible to activate the AHCI function in the BIOS. Most likely the case in the firmware of the BIOS, and it needs to be updated, but without special knowledge it is not worth doing this.
If you have modern windows versionYou have already installed the AHCI driver, it is required. It is built-in, starting with Windows Vista.. In this case, you can easily activate AHCI.
What to talk about Windows XP, then in this period of time the AHCI mode has not yet been, and the SATA interface was only developed. But required driver You can find on the Internet and use in Windows XP.
That's all, I told you about the features of the AHCI mode, now you know how to check it out, and how to turn on.
Hello dear readers! Today you will find out how to enable AHCI mode in windowsAnd in general what it is.
The article promises to be volumetric and not useless for almost all users of the computer, if you do not take into account the proceeds at all :).
Ahci. (ADVANCED HOST CONTROLLER INTERFACE AHCI Translated from English. Advanced host controller interface) - Connecting the drives on the protocol Serial ATA. This mode allows the computer to use the advanced features and functions when connecting hard drives, which leads to an increase in their performance.
Modern drives (HDD and SSD) are connected to the computer motherboard via the interface (connector) SATA. (Serial ATA), which displaced an outdated interface PATA (Parallel ATA). In the picture number 1, the PATA is depicted on the left, and on the right SATA. 
Display in device IDE and AHCI mode device manager
SATA interface can work in 2 modes:
- IDE Integrated Development Environment with English parallel drives interface) - Old mode that is used for compatibility with old software and equipment.
- Ahci. ADVANCED HOST CONTROLLER INTERFACE) - a new mode that expands connectivity and allows you to use all the advantages of the SATA interface. For example:
- Hot replacing hard disk, that is, the drive can be changed without turning off the computer. This feature Mostly valuable for servicing server administrators.
- NCQ. (Native Command Queuing from English - built-in shades of teams) - a function that allows you to reduce the number of displacement of the HDD reading head, which leads to optimization of the data reader when using the drive with several programs simultaneously.
Inclusion AHCI Turns to accelerate reading and access to the data on the drive and accordingly increases the overall performance of the computer.
Now that we learned that this is for aHCI modeIt's time to think about how to turn it on. Maybe it is already included. You can check this way:
- Click on the keyboard our favorite combination of the Win + R buttons and enter the MMC DevmGMT.msc command. Then press the ENTER button. Run Dispatcher windows devices .
- In Windows Device Manager, open the section IDE ATA / ATAPI Controllers. If a device has seen, in whose name is the word AHCI, then the mode you need is activated.
If you did not see the word AHCI, then it is disabled. Include it can be in BIOS "E.. But its inclusion may be accompanied by some problems that will be announced below.
Turning on AHCI. FEATURES OF ACTIVATION AND POSSIBLE PROBLEMS.
To enable AHCI mode and find a point there SATA MODE. Or something very similar to it. The name of the point in different versions of the bios may be a little different. IN this section You can switch the mode SATA. of IDE in Ahci. and vice versa. If you have IDE, do not rush to switch to mode Ahci.since for its correct work requires a special driver Windows Ahci.. In Windows 7/8/10 and Vista, this driver is built into the OS itself. With this driver is automatically installed in the system. If the system is already installed and you want to switch the SATA mode from IDE in AHCI, you will have to drive into the system registry. But I will write about it in other articles, separately for Windows 7 Windows 8 and. I recommend that you wait for these publications. It is enough for you to know that it is easy to turn it on it. If you simply switch the mode to AHCI in the BIOS, then you will receive an non-working OS.
At Windows XP, I do not recommend even trying to turn it on, because the AHCI driver for this OS differs depending on each computer.
Modern hard drives Connect to the motherboard computer devices Through the SATA interface providing for work, in particular, in IDE and AHCI modes. IDE is an old mode, it is necessary to ensure compatibility with outdated components and programs. AHCI mode is also not a new work in the field of IT, it appeared in 2004, but this is currently currently the mechanism for connecting hard disks by the SATA II and SATA III interface. AHCI in front of IDE has a number of advantages:
- the ability to connect to the motherboard more devices;
- work hard drives at their maximum possible speed;
- the so-called "hot replacement" of hard drives, i.e. shutdown and connect without the need to turn off the computer;
- support NCQ technology that improves hard disk performance in multitasking conditions.
SATA mode is installed in the BIOS. On modern laptops, AHCI mode is usually set by default. But new motherboards for PC assemblies can be supplied with an active IDE mode for equipment compatibility. Change IDE on AHCI (or vice versa) at any time in BIOS computerssupporting the work of both modes. Not all computers support AHCI, but most of them, since this mode has been for 12 years. The minority includes rare rare devices released to the market, respectively, before AHCI appears. But even if the computer is less than 12 years old, if it supports AHCI, with switching to this mode anyway, problems may arise due to the lack of appropriate settings in outdated version BIOS. In such cases, it is necessary to resolve the issue with updating BIOS.
1. How to find out what mode - IDE or AHCI - installed now
Find out which of the mode - IDE or AHCI is active on a computer in this momentYou can, in Windows Device Manager. Reveal the branch:
- "IDE ATA / ATAPI controllers" in Windows 8.1 and 10 versions;
- IDE ATA / ATAPI controllers in Windows 7.
If the hard drives of the computer are connected via the AHCI mode, the SATA AHCI controller will be present in the list of devices.
If the IDE mode is active, the branch list will contain a record, respectively about the IDE controller.
Alternative way - Using the AS SSD Benchmark utility to test hard disk speed. If hard drives can work in AHCI mode, but an IDE is displayed in the BIOS, the utility will notify the red "PCIIDE BAD" value.
If the computer works in AHCI mode, in the Utility window we will see the value of the green "Storahci - OK".
These two ways will make it possible to understand which mode is currently set. But to determine whether the support of the AHCI mode is implemented in the BIOS, it is necessary to enter it and find the possibility of using AHCI. The selection of SATA modes in different versions of the BIOS may be in the "Advanced" or "Main" sections. For example, in Bios UEFI motherboard ASUS is the "Advanced" section, it is necessary to enter the "SATA Configuration" subsection and disclose the options of the "SATA MODE" option (SATA mode).
Another example - BIOS AMI (V17.9) Maternal mSI cardsHere everything is more complicated, and not everyone can figure out where the AHCI setting. In the "Integrated Peripherals" section, you must select the "On-Chip ATA Devices" subsection, and in it - "RAID MODE" (RAID mode), which provides for the selection of hard disk connection modes.
2. Consequences of switching to AHCI mode for Windows
So, changing IDE mode on AHCI can be at any time in bIOS settings. That's just for windows work Such a move will not have a consequence of a minor delay at launch due to automatic installation The desired drivers, as when replacing some computer components. Does not help in this case even getting rid of the binding to the computer component using the standard windows utilities Sysprep, as in the case of the replacement of the motherboard or processor. Changing the IDE mode on AHCI leads to serious consequences - Windows is simply no longer starts. As a result, we obtain either a blue screen of death, or a cyclic Windows restart with the notification of the incorrect start of the system.
The fact is that the IDE and AHCI modes are windows installation registered at the registry level. For hard drives in AHCI mode, a special driver is required, which is automatically installed with Windows versions, starting with Vista. Since the AHCI mode appears later Windows XP, the AHCI driver in the distribution of this version of the system must be previously integrated by taking it from a disk with the motherboard drivers or downloading from the Internet.
Ideally, switching to AHCI mode must be carried out before installing or reinstalling Windows. But there are ways to activate AHCI without the need to reinstall Windows - by starting a safe mode or edit system registry. Below will consider these methods for versions of Windows 7, 8.1 and 10.
3. Mandatory measures and procedures
In principle, any experiments with Windows can lead to undesirable results, but to the methods of adapting the operating system to the AHCI mode, it is necessary to take a special seriousness. Since in this case the settings affect the ability of the system will be touched. It is strictly forbidden to start executing the instructions outlined below without pre-prepared emergencies. You must either write down, or create and prepare the Windows installation media. Using the latter, you can log in or in the extreme case, start the Windows Resetting Process.
The procedure for action is:
- Step 1 - Check Settings inclusion AHCI in bios;
- Step 2 - Preparation of emergency tools;
- Step 3 - depending on the selected method or configure the next system launch in safe mode, or edit the system registry;
- Step 4 - reboot, input to the BIOS and turning on the AHCI mode;
- Step 5 - Starting a computer.
4. Safe Windows Mode
The first method is designed for the fact that when entering safe mode Windows Driver AHCI will be installed automatically. But, unfortunately, it will work not in each case. In a working system, you must configure the next start in safe mode, perform a reboot, log in to the BIOS and set the AHCI mode. After starting the computer in secure mode, the AHCI driver must be installed in the idea. If everything goes successfully, it will only remain to restart the system in the usual mode of operation.
Universal way input to safe mode next download windows for all actual versions Systems - Use the MSCONFIG utility called using the "Run" command.
5. Edit Registry Windows
If the S. method safe regime It did not work, it is possible to avoid reinstalling the system by editing its registry. To start the registry editor in the Run command field, enter:
4.1 Edit Registry Windows 8.1 and 10
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \\ SYSTEM \\ CURRENTCONTROLSET \\ SERVICES
In this branch, we are looking for the "IASTORV" folder, we make click on it, open the "Start" parameter and set it to "0". Click "OK".
We reveal the "IASTORV" folder, select the "StartOverride" subfolder, open the "0" parameter and set it to "0". Click "OK".
Sunday below alphabetically and find the folder "Storahci". We make a click on it, open the parameter "ErrorControl". We remove the preset value "3" and instead fit "0". Click "OK".
4.2. Edit Registry Windows 7
In the registry editor window, we reveal the branch:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \\ SYSTEM \\ CURRENTCONTROLSET \\ SERVICES
In the branch we find the "IASTORV" folder, make the click on it, open the "Start" parameter and set the value "0". Click "OK".
After registry edits, we restart the computer, go to the BIOS, activate the AHCI mode and run the system.
6. If Windows does not load
If none of the ways helped adapt Windows to work in AHCI mode, the system will have to reinstall. But the current Windows can be started if, for example, it is necessary to remove the settings of the installed software or save in a safe place some important files stored on the disk of C. To do this, log in to the BIOS and set back to setting the active IDE mode.
However, it can also happen that the system will not be able to boot in any AHCI mode or in the IDE. If there is no blue screen of death, but the version of Windows 8.1 and 10 is cyclically reboot, giving out the screen with the inscription " Automatic recovery", Press" Extra options».
Going in the "Select Action" menu, we pass the path specified in the screenshot below, and roll back to the recovery point.
If a blue screen of death appears when the computer starts, you load from the installation windows media And at the installation stage of the system, select the "Restore System" option at the bottom.
Once in the "Selecting action" menu, we do the steps described above.
Choosing a way reserve copy Using third-party software, use, respectively, the bootable beacher software carrier.
Excellent day!