topic SSD & AHCI Installation Win7 in Archive

SSD & AHCI Installation Win7

idata — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:21:18 GMT

hello ! Tommorow I am gettin brand new Intel G2 80GB and wonder how to install Windows 7 in AHCI mode... Do I need to load Intel Matrix Storage Manager Driver during OS installation ?? Thanx for info.

Re: SSD & AHCI Installation Win7

DZand — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:33:45 GMT

It depends on the Southbridge of your mainboard.

If your mainboard has an AHCI suppording ICH7-10 chipset, you will be able to get Win7 installed onto your SSD without loading any drivers.

Just connect your Intel SSD with the Intel SATA port 1. Then set the Intel SATA Controllers to "AHCI Mode" and the DVD-ROM drive as first bootable device within the BIOS. At last step install Win7 by booting off the OS DVD.

Re: SSD & AHCI Installation Win7

idata — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:13:44 GMT

Set your BIOS to AHCI and install Windows 7. If you want to install Intel drivers, you would have to run TRIM manually or via a schedule from the SSD Toolbox that is not available at this time. The Intel Storage Manager does not pass the TRIM command at this time. So, no need to install Intel Matrix Storage Manager during Windows 7 installation. The firmware update has instructions how to burn firmware update onto a CD--read the readme.

Re: SSD & AHCI Installation Win7

idata — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:59:06 GMT

Installation of Win 7 x64 in AHCI , without any external Intel Matrix Storage Manager drivers, will support TRIM automatically ??

Re: SSD & AHCI Installation Win7

DZand — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:10:11 GMT

nonamed schrieb:

Installation of Win 7 x64 in AHCI , without any external Intel Matrix Storage Manager drivers, will support TRIM automatically ??

Yes, if the OS is on the SSD and the SSD has been flashed with the Trim supporting Firmware.

Re: SSD & AHCI Installation Win7

idata — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:09:45 GMT

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Host_Controller_Interface# cite_note-1 this article on Wikipedia:

"Intel recommends choosing RAID mode on their motherboards (which also enables AHCI) rather than the plain AHCI/SATA mode for maximum flexibility, due to the issues caused when the mode is switched once an operating system has already been installed."

I'd assume this would come in handy if you want to use RAID in the future. I plan on using my storage drives in RAID1, so this is what I'm attempting. However, I'm stuck right now. If any of you fine gents can lend some advice to me in /message/76641# 76641 this thread, I'd greatly appreciate it.

GBot

Re: SSD & AHCI Installation Win7

idata — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:16:57 GMT

If you use RAID 1 you will lose some performance. Another way to utilize a second drive is doing a system backup image to the other drive periodically--and you do not lose performance. The other issue with RAID is one drive dropping from the array and bingo! Not only that, but if you get a virus, trojan, or something that wipes out one drive--it will also wipe out the other drive.

Re: SSD & AHCI Installation Win7

idata — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:42:57 GMT

I suppose I should have just emphasized the part about Intel recommending RAID mode on their mobos, but yes you make some good points. Not really relevant for me since I don't have my SSD working at all anyway...

GBot