Sata mode

[Wychwar]

I have an Acer 5338 laptop computer running Windows 7. I used to be able to switch the SATA Mode between AHCI and IDE but now, although I can carry out switching in the BIOS, the computer will only boot when set to IDE. If set to AHCI it begins the boot sequence then a very brief BSOD flashes by and the boot sequence begins again. Have changed the Registry Key settings as per Microsofts instructions, but still no change when booting in AHCI mode. When attempting to install the AHCI driver (aquired from my Acer Upgrade DVD, supplied by Acer when I upgraded from Vista to Windows 7) via Intel Installation Framework (all from the Acer Upgrade DVD) I get the message "This computer does not meet the minimum requrements for installing the software". Attempting to install the driver within Device Manager results in the message "Windows has determined the driver software is up to date"
I am at a loss to know what elese to try.
Anyone got any ideas?

Regards,

Wychwar

 

[whs]

Why do you want to run in AHCI ?

 

[Wychwar]

Hello WHS,
Thanks for the reply. I am attempting to change to a SSD. Have cloned the contents of the original Hard Drive to the SSD. When fitted into the laptop in place of the old HDD it is recognized in the BIOS but Windows will not boot. The screen just goes blank. Changing between AHCI and IDE has no effect.

Regards,

Wychwar

 

[whs]

AHCI is not a big advantage over IDE - just a bit more performance. But you probably would not notice the difference in real life.

As far as the failure to boot goes, that's another problem. Your cloning apparently did not work. What program did you use for cloning.

 

[Wychwar]

Hello again,

I used Easeus Todo Home Backup to clone the old HDD and to copy to the new SSD. Everything seems to be copied O.K. Although there is a very slight discrepancy in the size of the copied data compared to the original.

regards,

Wychwar

 

[whs]

If there is a discrepancy, I would suspect a problem. Why don't you try a direct clone (from HDD to SSD) with free Macrium. I know that works.

 

[Wychwar]

Hello WHS,
Sorry for the delay. Developments have occurred. Following your advice, I downloaded Macrium Backup software. The SSD was formated to remove all data then using the Macrium software the old HDD was cloned to the SSD. Fitted to the Acer laptop it worked fine for about three days. The laptop was booted up and used in the morning then turned off. When an attempt was made to boot up again, the message no operating system appeared and the laptop was useless until the old HDD was re-fitted. Placing the SSD in a usb caddy and a Startech USB to IDE SATA Adapter, and connecting to three different computers, proved that the SSD was dead.
I had purchased this OCZ SSD in August 2011, but as it was a SAT device it would not fit the laptop it had been purchased for. Although the SSD lasted only three days OCZ could offer no help.

Regards,

Wychwar

 

[Layback Bear]

Welcome to the forum Wychwar.

I think you got caught up in the quality problems OCZ was having back in 2011 but you fared better than many. You saved your data.

If it was me I would just buy another SSD and do as whs recommended and use Macrium.

I use mostly Intel SSD's and whs uses many brands and we both have very good luck.


OCZ files for bankruptcy, Toshiba to acquire assets but warranties could be lost | ExtremeTech

 

[whs]

That's too bad. Yes, in the earlier years OCZ had some problems. My 4 OCZs (the oldest from 2008) work well. But maybe I just was lucky.