OptiPlex 360 DT, SSD, AHCI?

Thanks

My concern is with the chipset, I have read mixed "facts" through searching of whether or not ICH7/R actually supports RAID or AHCI.

I already have installed Win7 on the current SATA HDD I have in the machine, was going to just edit the value data for msahci and try activating AHCI as it now to test and save myself from excessive writes to the new SSD... but I didn't want to go through all the trouble without trying to confirm if my chipset/mobo actually even support AHCI to begin with.

Writing to your SSD should be kept to an absolute minimum

You have to install windows 7 in ATA mode.

Then run the microsoft fix.

support.microsoft.com/.../922976

After you use the BIOS setup of a Windows 7-based computer or a Windows Vista-based computer to change the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) mode of the boot drive to use either the Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) specification or redundant array of independent disks (RAID) features, you receive the following error message when the computer is restarted:

STOP 0x0000007B INACCESSABLE_BOOT_DEVICE

Then Reboot.

Then shutdown and Restart CMOS Set to AHCI

Then Reboot.

Then install the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology drivers.

downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx

Then make changes.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2727880

1. Install Chipset Drivers
2. Disable System Restore
3. Disable Drive Indexing
4. Disable Disk Defragment Schedule
5. Turn Off Windows Write-Cache Buffer Flushing
6. Turn Off Page File
8. Turn Off Hibernation

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/920730

Disable hibernation on Windows
Microsoft Fix it 50466

9. Disable Windows Search and Superfetch
10. Disable Recycle Bin
11. Disable ClearPageFileAtShutdown and LargeSystemCache

12. Disable Most Logging.  An error that writes to the event log every few seconds can WRITE your drive to DEATH.

13.Disable Thumbnail Cache for folders.

INTEL Retail Drives have a Utility that takes care of Many BUT NOT ALL of these.

www.intel.com/.../cs-020644.htm

The chipset must use one of the following Intel controller hubs:

   Intel® PCHM SATA RAID/AHCI controller hub

   Intel® PCH SATA RAID/AHCI controller hub

   Intel® ICH10R/DO SATA RAID/AHCI controller hub

   Intel® ICH10D SATA AHCI controller hub

   Intel® ICH9M-E SATA AHCI/RAID controller hub

   Intel® ICH9M AHCI controller hub

   Intel® 82801IR/IO controller hub (ICH9R/DO) - RAID and AHCI

   Intel® 82801HEM I/O controller hub (ICH8M-E) - RAID and AHCI

   Intel® 82801HBM I/O controller hub (ICH8M) - AHCI only

   Intel® 82801HR/HH/HO I/O controller hub (ICH8R/DH/DO) - RAID and AHCI

   Intel® 631xESB/632xESB I/O Controller Hub - RAID and AHCI

   Intel® 82801GHM I/O Controller Hub (ICH7MDH) - RAID only

   Intel® 82801GBM I/O Controller Hub (ICH7M) - AHCI only

   Intel® 82801GR/GH I/O Controller Hub (ICH7R/DH) - RAID and AHCI

The files below contain the Intel® Matrix Storage Manager.

Note: This is the last version available for platforms with the Intel® 82801FBM I/O controller hub (ICH6M).

This driver provides support for AHCI on chipsets in the Intel® 910/915 Express Chipset family with an Intel® ICH6M controller hub.

• Intel® 82801GBM I/O controller hub (ICH7) - Intel® Matrix Storage Manager v7.8
• Intel® 82801FR I/O controller hub (ICH6R) - Intel® Matrix Storage Manager v7.0
• Intel® 82801ER I/O controller hub (ICH5R) - Intel® Matrix Storage Manager v5.5
• Intel® 6300ESB I/O controller hub - Intel® Matrix Storage Manager v5.5

Hmmmm... so I'm not able to use AHCI on this board as I was afraid, since it uses the 82801GB ICH7R controller

**Although after reviewing the Intel ICH7 family Data Sheet it lists controller hubs 82801GB ICH7, or 82801GR ICH7R... but not 82801GB ICH7R that is on this PC.

The bios should have a Native / Legacy SATA operation.  Combination is also fine.

The Newest RS Drivers do not support ICH7 I think they dropped this as early as 11.3 the Intel® Matrix Storage Manager drivers were for VISTA.  Not sure why you feel that ICH7 is not working with AHCI.  

The Optiplex 620 has AHCI as does the 320.  I don't have one to look in the bios and the manuals don't show this either.  The 360's did ship with vista however.

Intel Chipset Driver This package provides the driver for Intel Chipset and is supported on the Latitude, Optiplex, Dimension and Precision models running the following Windows Operating Systems: XP and VISTA.

Recommended

9.1.0.1007

12/24/2008

Windows Vista 64-bit Windows XP Windows Vista 32-bit Windows XP x64

Dell OptiPlex 360 System BIOS A07

Recommended

A07

1/3/2013

BIOS

Dell System Software, v.7.0.1, A01 Dell System Software is a utility that provides critical updates and patches for your operating system. Dell System Software is necessary for correct operation of your Dell computer. The program automatically detects your computer and operating system and installs updates appropriate for your

Urgent

7.0.1

4/12/2010

Windows 7 64-bit

From DELL's site:

"The Dell OptiPlex 360 is the upgrade to the Optiplex 330. The Optiplex 360 can accomodate a wider range of processor types. The 360 does not have RAID or AHCI support on board. The 360 offers basic systems management capabilities, low-end and mainstream Intel processors, embedded graphics and a PCI-E x16 graphics slot."

The latest Bios version listed by Dell is A06 from 2011 when I use the service tag ID from the PC, which I have installed.

Don't normally like to flash BIOS unless needed, and a little uncomfortable installing A07 as they do not list it on the Tag lookup updates.

I do, it is presently occupied by a graphics card though.

I considered going that route but if I really can't get AHCI to work with the chipset/mobo then I will probably just leave it as IDE. TRIM is still enabled by WIN7 even without AHCI, so I just may have to deal a slight loss in read/write speeds.

Thank you for your help

Unfortunately the 360 does not seem to have a PCI-E X1 slot  so you cannot go with a Controller for your SSD and get AHCI that way.

http://www.apricorn.com/velocity-solo.html

Apricorn Velocity Solo Solid State Drive Upgrade Kit for ... - Dell<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

The Velocity Solo - SSD Upgrade kit from Apricorn provides an easy way to add the speed of Solid State and SATA III to your desktop. Easy to install, the Velocity Solo is an ideal PCIe 2.0 card designed to add a 2.5 inch Solid State Drive (SSD) via a super fast SATA III connection. It provides an additional SATA III data connection that can be used to connect to another SSD or HDD to provide unparalleled capacity and performance. The Solo is bundled with Apricorn’s EZ Gig Cloning software with Data Select. Data Select provides a simple method to deselect data folders from the cloning process which is helpful when migrating from a large HDD to a small SSD and perfect for creating a Boot Disk. Upgrade your system to the SATA III interface (6Gbs) and add a high speed SSD to boost the performance to the max.

Manufacturer Part# : VEL-SOLO
Dell Part# : A5274986