Why does Windows 7 freeze when I try to switch to AHCI mode?

I changed the appropriate setting in the registry. (msachi > start: 0) Then I changed the setting in my motherboard and Windows froze upon starting up, and my system rebooted.

The thing is, I changed it to AHCI before. It worked fine! I then switched back to IDE while trying to fix a problem with eSATA detection (turned out to be a faulty cord), Now I can't switch back! Sigh. I really would like my eSATA to be plug and play.

Thanks.

Did you follow these steps? AHCI : Enable in Windows 7 / Vista

You may need to do a clean reinstall in AHCI mode following these steps to get it perfect: Reinstalling Windows 7

Then capture an image so you don't have to reinstall ever again.

yeah those are the steps I followed. As I said in my first post, I got it working fine this time the first time I switched to AHCI mode. Then I switched to IDE while addressing a hard-drive issue. Now in AHCI mode, Win 7 freezes when booting up

These SATA modes can be fussy and shouldn't be counted upon to switch back and forth.

What I would do is capture an image in IDE mode labeled IDE, then clean reinstall in AHCI and after setup capture an image labeled AHCI. Then use the images if you need to change modes going forward.

Okay. I'll do that if I decide that ACHI is worth having to reinstall all my programs and shit again. Thanks!