XPS 13 9360, IRST issue due to SATA configuration

Question

Yesterday I did a system reset on my new Dell XPS 13 9360. However, after this, it was stuck in an endless PC restart loop due to some Windows 10 problem. I fixed this by doing a clean reinstall booting from a USB. I disabled the secure boot and enabled legacy options rom & UEFI network stack.

Even then, I ran into another problem during the Win10 reinstall where it couldn't recognise or find a drive to install it on. After looking through some forums, I changed the SATA operation from RAID to ACHI and it finally worked.

I managed to redownload all the lost dell drivers from the support page, except for the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver. After doing some more research, it turns out this is because I had changed the SATA operation to ACHI. I experimented with switching it back to RAID but this results in the laptop not booting at all.

So I left it on ACHI, changed back all other bios settings back to default and it boots normally again. I realise the problem is most likely the ACHI setting. However, does anyone have a solution on how to switch back to RAID after an os install so I can install the Intel driver or at least a reinstalling boot method that works in RAID configuration?

PlsHelpMeDell · Accepted Answer

Yeah I see your point, Techgee.

After posting this, I wondered if there was any point to switching back to RAID at all so I did some reading and stumbled across this thread.

Dell M.2 FAQ regarding AHCI vs RAID ON, Storage Drivers, M.2 Lanes, Performance and more

Turns out that there is basically no performance difference between using ACHI or RAID regardless of specific drivers. As for the special benefits of each SATA configuration, I don't think they really apply to my setup anyway.

However, ACHI vs RAID for the Dell XPS has been discussed frequently on the Dell subreddit.

A Closer Look at AHCI vs RAID

In this thread, it seems that many users report no performance differences as stated previously but there may be a difference in power consumption with ACHI not being as efficient as the preconfigured RAID for the Dell XPS. Although this is all just speculative, I have no reason to doubt why Dell chose to preconfigure new units in RAID as logically it would be in their best interest to optimise battery and performance efficiency for their high-end ultrabooks.

So in the end, I chose to switch back to RAID using this Dell XPS Win10 Clean Install guide. I just had to load the RST driver during the Win10 setup but before the actual installation. In my particular case, I switched back to RAID in the BIOS and entered boot mode during the load screen to start the guide. My Dell XPS works perfectly now and all the drivers install without a problem, including the RST driver. Although obviously, this will erase everything so if you have data you want to save, just back your system beforehand.

I hope this helps someone in the future who is having problems with switching from ACHI to RAID or someone who is stupid enough to not first look up a clean install guide for their Dell XPS like me.

PlsHelpMeDell · Answer

Thank you but Im trying to switch from ACHI to RAID, not RAID to ACHI.

JOcean · Answer

Try this method. http://support.thinkcritical.com/kb/articles/switch-windows-10-from-raid-ide-to-ahci

Techgee · Answer

The solution is really simple. You're in AHCI mode (a good thing if you don't use RAID) and so don't need a RAID driver, which is what Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology) is.

So, do nothing. Done.

Note there's no harm in installing Intel RST, but you really don't need it.

I make it a point when I get a new machine to turn off RAID and set BIOS to AHCI (requires using Safe Mode to do the switch). Why? Because as you discovered, it's a hassle - the Windows install doesn't have Intel RST drivers (yes, the driver can be injected using the F6 method and all that, but what for?). I don't need/use RAID, and it's one less driver to mess with. And, if I want to use Samsung's M.2 NVMe driver for one of their 950, 960, or 970 series SSDs, then I must be in AHCI mode.

Saltgrass · Answer

The procedure mentioned in the link provided above is the basic procedure but no need to use a command prompt and bcdedit, just use Msconfig.exe in a run box.

Overall, set your system to boot into Safe Mode using Msconfig.exe. Let it reboot and enter the Bios to change the SATA controller. Then let it reboot into Safe Mode and use MSconfig to change back to a normal boot. After rebooting again the system should be back to normal.

Techgee · Answer

If you really want to switch to RAID mode with a Windows system already set up in AHCI mode, the quandary is: you need the Intel RST driver installed before you can boot into RAID mode, but the Intel RST driver usually doesn't install in AHCI mode. Catch-22.

I haven't done this on the Dell XPS 13 9360, but the following might work:

From a Command Prompt and an Administrator account run the install .exe with "/s /f /driveronly" options. (Note to see all available options without actually installing you can use "/?" or "/h".)

So, with the latest (as of today) Intel RST driver for the 9360:

Intel-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Driver-and-Management_66MG5_WIN_15.7.5.1025_A03 /s /f /driveronly

Reboot, then try using Safe Mode to switch from AHCI to RAID as outlined above.

If that doesn't work, there are other things that can be tried (do it from within Safe Mode, maybe with RAID on in BIOS, extracting driver only and updating via Device Manager, possibly using "Add legacy hardware", etc.).

Techgee · Answer

That will work.

Good links.

The performance and other differences between NVMe drivers has narrowed over time. I and other tested various drivers when the Dell XPS 15 9550 was first introduced - lots of switching between RAID and AHCI. (Can't believe that was over 3 years ago.) There were differences in performance and problems (Sleep related) that could be gotten around by switching drivers. Now, I don't think it really matters.

For Dell, it's easier to install and use RAID everywhere - both for support reasons and if you want RAID functionality it's there. As you've discovered, it's hard to add it if Windows has been installed without it.

XPS

XPS 13 9360, IRST issue due to SATA configuration

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