Changed Sata settings in BIOS now disk is invalid

[goodjob1]

My laptop wasn't running games as it should so instead of troubleshooting the problems we decided to do a clean install of windows 7. None of the drives would show up so we looked it up and used the driver cd that came with the laptop and they weren't on the disk. then we tried to boot from the OS to find the drives. We were able to find the drives but couldn't format them or delete any. We read through the options and it said files would be moved to windows old and we wouldnt be able to boot from it and we would be able to delete the partitions later. Windows wouldn't reboot after the installation and i had to choose which windows 7 to boot from so i restored the original to factory and tried again and it still didn't work. now there's a windows setup option and two windows 7 options during the boot screen. We did more research and we found out we had to change the sata settings in the bios to find the drives. I changed from the default intel settings to AHCI and booted from the cd. We were able to find the drives but couldnt delete any of the partitions. instead of formatting the disk and reinstalling they reinstalled again on the current copy of windows now theres three windows 7 options and one windows setup option and all of them go to blue screen. i tried to do it again but theres just an unallocated space disk that's about 100 gb. the 500 gb disk drive can't be found. while booting from the cd i ran diskpart and it says disk 0 is invalid. the computer had a RAID setup and i think changing the options in the BIOS is why. we've tried changing it back and no luck. would clearing the drive with diskpart and doing a clean install fix it? if not can someone please explain how to fix what's happened to this computer

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals,

Boot into BIOS setup, reset to defaults, save changes. (If an EFI BIOS you'll need to decide if you want UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS. If UEFI follow these special steps for Install, otherwise enable Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module to proceed with normal install.) Set DVD drive first to boot, HD second, set SATA controller to AHCI, Save changes and Exit.

Then boot into Windows 7 installer DVD or flash stick burned or written using tool and latest ISO for your licensed OS version here. The prompt for drivers normally means a bad installer, so try another if it repeats.

At first installer screen Press Shift + F10, or enter System Recovery Options to open a Command Box, type:

DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK 0 (after confirming Windows 7 target HD #)
CLEAN
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
FORMAT FS=NTFS LABEL="WINDOWS 7"
ACTIVE
EXIT
EXIT

Next click Install Now, then Custom install to Clean Install Windows 7 to the partition you created. If it fails then report back at which step and the verbatim error message.

In addition read over these steps to understand the tools and methods which work best to get and maintain a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. The steps are the same for retail.

After install you can adjust partition size or Create new partitions for data, etc. in Disk Mgmt. You are creating the partition here for the purpose of wiping the HD and marking Active which overcomes certain install failures.

 

[theog]

the computer had a RAID setup

Do you have the Dell IRST acceleration cache, mSata 32gb drive?

 

[gregrocker]

To know for sure look in BIOS for Intel Rapid Storage Technology as a SATA option.

Once you set the BIOS to defaults and then SATA controller to AHCI, the 32gb MSATA would show up in Diskpart and also on the drive selection screen shown in Step 7 of Clean Install Windows 7.

 

[goodjob1]

it has 32 bg msata drive

 

[gregrocker]

Then if IRST is not giving you problems (which it can) I would keep IRST enabled in BIOS and reinstall to the HD to see if problems persist.

If so then I'd change the SATA controller setting to AHCI and disable IRST in BIOS to abandon the 32gb SSD used for cache acceleration since it doesn't provide enough benefit in that case for the trouble it causes.

Once you disable IRST and enable AHCI in BIOS the SSD chip should show up on the drive selection screen during install. Once it shows up there it can be formatted to use as storage or even for the OS though most would think it is much too small to install the OS and many programs - which benefit most from SSD speeds. However we have helped users install the OS to the 32gb SSD chip before successfully so maybe you'll want to try it to sample the speed difference.

 

[goodjob1]

The clean reinstall worked great. It's still set to ahci, should i turn ISRT back on? if so do I go to bios and change it or would that break it again?

 

[gregrocker]

Good job, Goodjob1!

You can try turning IRST back on in BIOS setup to see if it re-establishes the 32gb paging cache. This is what's worked in the past.

If not we'll consult an expert on IRST as we have several around.

It will be interesting to hear how having the SSD caches affects performance. Many believe it is not worth it, or more trouble than it's worth.

 

[goodjob1]

I tried changing to IRST in the BIOS. It goes to blue screen after the loading windows screen and restarts

 

[gregrocker]

You'll need to install the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver from the Dell Support Downloads webpage for your tag number.

What other drivers are missing in Device Manager now? Have you run all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates, after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3) ?

How is overall performance otherwise?

 

[theog]

You will need to install the Intel software before changing the BIOS.

IRST acceleration cache
Solved System Builder Install/HP 32GB mSSD HDD Acceleration Cache

Intel links.
IRST acceleration cache
Intel® Cache Acceleration Software
New and Innovative Caching Solution

 

[goodjob1]

I can't notice a difference between when IRST was on and now, besides booting quicker. The install didn't change any performance with games. After about two minutes frame rates drop to 2-10, from 100+, and the games aren't very graphics intensive at all. I've been looking around and apparently the computer can't keep itself cool. It gets pretty hot, especially while it's closed for some reason. Should it be heating up like that or is this computer just bunk?

 

[goodjob1]

I don't have an ultrabook so I went to the dell website, put in my sevice tag and was sent to a page with the driver. I installed the driver. after it was done it required a restart, then after the restart windows said a new device was installed and required a restart. after all that i checked the bios and it's still set to AHCI so i changed it to IRST, and it went to blue screen again. The two links posted below the drivers are sent to a page for a trial request, i filled out the required fields and I was redirected to a page where i was told my request for a trial was accepted. Windows was already set to automatically update drivers as well.

 

[gregrocker]

Is the IRST driver installed and has no error (!) in Device Manager?

How does the games performance compare to when you had the SATA controller set to IRST in the previous install?

I've asked some IRST experts to look at your thread.

Meanwhile there are steps for dealing with overheating in Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 . Install Core Temp to give variable fan speed and monitor temps from System Tray, compare temps with max for the CPU to see if it needs fans cleaned and possibly CPU repasted, elevate rear or consider a cooling pad, don't close top as it traps heat.

 

[Arc]

Hello goodjob1. Greg told me have a look at your thread ... actually I just try to help, not that much expert as Greg thinks

With Intel Smart Response (accessible as SATA controller option with IRST enabled), the computer is supposed to boot a bit faster, as SCSI responses quicker. But as you can see, it is problematic as Greg stated earlier. And your observation that it does not increase performance visually is also correct. So the logical trade-off is to keep away from it.

But if you post it following the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Posting Instructions, it will be easier to have a detailed look at what is going on there.

 

[theog]

I replace my 32gb mSata's with 128gb mSata & do reinstall.
May work better with Windows 8, but for me I would still replace.

 

[Anak]

Greg also asked me to weigh-in on your situation goodjob and I'll admit I struggled with how was the best way to help, and after researching for the last two days, I've decided this is the best course of action.

First, you need to supply us with better information, specifically, the model of your Dell laptop, there are many Dells out in the field that already come with or without the mSata Drive capability, some already have the mSata installed, but it sounds in your case that you went out and purchased one.

If that is the case it has to be IRST compatible, and we need to know the make and model number of the mSATA Drive.

it has 32 bg msata drive

This description is not good enough. Even with Intel mSATA drives there may have to be a BIOS upgrade depending on your model of Dell, it could be anyone from A01 to A17. I would help you find it, but I don't have enough information.

The new IRST driver, has to be version 10.5 or later or this won't work. If you did not see the Acceleration Button in the Manage IRST software window then you do not have the proper version.

There can also be Motherboard limitations, did you have to install a Daughterboard?

If yours isn't that early of a model it should be mSata Drive capable, and if this is the case the instructions to install should be included in your Owners manual, if you didn't get one with your laptop you will have to find one at the Dell site. If you do find it, please, supply us with a link to it.

There are some caveats with Dell's.

• Encryption: Systems configured with a Dell Data Protection Encryption accelerator card do not support Rapid Start.
• Some software encryption vendor guidelines may recommend using Windows® hibernate in place of Windows® sleep. If sleep is disabled, Rapid Start state will be disabled automatically.
• Dell does not support Self-encrypting HDD’s or SSD’s with Rapid Start.
• Passwords: Some Dell systems do not support Rapid Start when HDD (ATA security) or system BIOS passwords are enabled.

Source: Dell Whitepaper: Intel Responsiveness Technologies Setup Guide - Direct2Dell - Direct2Dell - Dell Community

Keep this link in mind if you encounter the same problem after changing the SATA controller: Error message occurs after you change the SATA mode of the boot drive

I am going to ask another member I know that has experience with Dell's to stop by, I hope you can get back to us with the needed information before he arrives.

 

[SandeepP]

Hi goodjob1,

I understand that you have been assisted by one of the most experienced professionals available here on the forum.

However, as Anak suggested I am pitching in to provide any information that I would have as you are using a DELL system.

I believe after reading both the pages that either you have not installed windows correctly or there is a hardware failure.

First of all kindly provide us with the detailed specification of the system. Kindly update your system specs here by following this.

There are two ways you can install windows on the system with MSATA drive either you install windows on MSATA and use SATA for storage.

Other way is you install windows on the SATA drive and use MSATA as cache device or what we call as ISRT technology.

Please check these tutorials below which might would help you understanding the same:

How to clean install Windows 7 or 8 on MSATA(SSD) drive

Clean install Windows on system with MSATA and ensuring ISRT

Please check the same and do reach to us with required information so we can suggest further if required.

 

[gregrocker]

Thanks SanDeep for the valuable links which I have bookmarked. These make the choices very clear and accessible.

 

[SandeepP]

Thanks SanDeep for the valuable links which I have bookmarked. These make the choices very clear and accessible.

Hi gregrocker,

I am honored to have these kind words for you. And I appreciate the Rep as well. Hope this helps OP many other users as well.