XPS 8960, Inteltacd errors solved

Question

I've been chasing the source of the daily multiple event id 7000 Inteltacd errors without any success until a couple of days ago. With my 8960 being a year old and out of support I decided to uninstall all the Dell support software as I don't make use of any of it (I prefer to apply updates etc manually). The errors (along with many other spurious errors in the log) stopped immediately. I don't want to criticise these applications at all, but this can't be coincidence?

ispalten · Answer

Hmm, another one from 2 days ago, different h/w, https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/latitude/latitude-5330-2-in-1-windows-11-system-error-inteltacd-service-start-failed/68a0848441e110648fd0db3b and if you Google the error, AI comes up with this:

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Event ID 7000 for "The IntelTACD service failed to start" indicates a problem with the Intel Rapid Start Technology service, often caused by a missing or corrupt inteltacd.sys driver, improper IRST configuration after a memory upgrade, or general driver incompatibility. To fix this issue, you should first update the system's BIOS and Chipset drivers from your PC manufacturer's website, run the sfc /scannow and dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth commands in an administrator Command Prompt, and ensure Intel Rapid Start Technology is correctly configured for your system's memory size

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So it isn't Dell's Support program, but it does probably use the Intel RST or access it.

Might want to try the commands above and also go to Intel's site and get the latest RST?

Chimaera450 · Answer

Thanks for the reply.

I've been researching this issue for a good few weeks and already tried all the suggestions (and more) to resolve it with no success.

I was a bit surprised when deleting all the Dell support apps cured it completely.

As you say, it comes down to an application referencing a service file that is not there (inteltacd.sys).

ispalten · Answer

@Chimaera450​, Interesting... I don't have that file either? ========= C:\Windows\System32>dir intel*.sys /s /p Volume in drive C is OS Volume Serial Number is 9A97-C0F4  Directory of C:\Windows\System32\drivers 08/30/2025  08:52 AM            58,752 intelide.sys08/30/2025  08:52 AM           641,424 intelpep.sys11/22/2024  11:01 AM            65,536 intelpmax.sys03/28/2025  08:42 AM            87,648 IntelPMT.sys08/30/2025  08:52 AM           300,432 intelppm.sys               5 File(s)      1,153,792 bytes  Directory of C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\cpu.inf_amd64_1f88627a90d71ab9 08/30/2025  08:52 AM           300,432 intelppm.sys               1 File(s)        300,432 bytes  Directory of C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\intelpep.inf_amd64_bb0262b3fa919a23 08/30/2025  08:52 AM           641,424 intelpep.sys               1 File(s)        641,424 bytes  Directory of C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\intelpmax.inf_amd64_c95a6ea270b0d061 11/22/2024  11:01 AM            65,536 intelpmax.sys               1 File(s)         65,536 bytes  Directory of C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\intelpmt.inf_amd64_cbf83f9ef8911603 03/28/2025  08:42 AM            87,648 IntelPMT.sys               1 File(s)         87,648 bytes  Directory of C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\mshdc.inf_amd64_f3b2224b803b0ed4 08/30/2025  08:52 AM            58,752 intelide.sys               1 File(s)         58,752 bytes      Total Files Listed:              10 File(s)      2,307,584 bytes               0 Dir(s)  148,516,761,600 bytes free ========= and search from the root: ============= C:\>dir intelta*.sys /s /p Volume in drive C is OS Volume Serial Number is 9A97-C0F4File Not Found ============= Dell Support Assist was updated to V4.8.2 sometime ago. Wonder if you have the latest version? You can see the version as you start it. If you do not have the latest, can get it here ---> https://www.dell.com/en-us/lp/dt/supportassist-for-home-pcs but even that page doesn't show the Version??? I am on a XPS8940 though but I do not have that issue? Odd? However it seems I don't have the Intel RST installed? Might have taken it out a long time ago. Interestingly, my wife's new Dell Pro Max Tower does have the RST installed and can be run, but no inteltacd.sys either? Not sure what to make of this other than somehow something is calling for it? Does Intel RST even run on your PC?

Chimaera450 · Answer

I don't have Support Assist installed any more, it was immediately after uninstalling it I realised the Inteltacd issue was cured. However, I suspect it was the latest version as it's not long ago that it updated itself.

I think you are right that it is related to Intel RST.

I can't be sure, but I think the issue started when I added a second 2Tb M2 for storage and swapped from RAID to AHCI to facilitate this.

Anyway, all sems to be fine now and. may be subjective, but my 8960 seems to be running better than ever.

ispalten · Answer

@Chimaera450​, Ahh, adding in that second M.2 on the motherboard probably put you into true Raid by Intel RST. I had some 'serious' problems using the 'normal' method posted here how to go from RAID to AHCI on my wife's Dell Tower Plus. When it was powered up for the first time, MS's Windows required a PIN to be created. Worked fine, and then I changed from RAID to AHCI. Windows booted fine, right up to the screen to read the PIN... entered it and Windows said it couldn't match the PIN or read the stored PIN, not sure which.  So I put it back in to RAID mode but it didn't help. Forced me to RESTORE the C: drive to be able to boot into Windows... I'd suspect going to AHCI might have triggered that as well? Oh well, you have 'solved' it and are happy about the PC performance, that is all that matters.

goldengate1 · Answer

I am having this same issue and uninstalled Support Assist and its support programs. The problem persists. Did you also uinstall Dell Core Services? Thanks.

Chimaera450 · Answer

I just uninstalled any Dell related stuff.

Cured the issue right away.

As I said, since doing this the PC seems to be running much better.

Might be subjective but Task Manager now 'idles' at 0% rather then the 4% with the Dell stuff installed.

jakster51 · Answer

@Chimaera450​ Thank you very much for your posts.  Had the exact same problem with a Dell Inspiron 3520.  This afternoon I uninstalled Dell apps one at a time until the IntelTACD Event errors went away: Control Panel uninstalled (and checked Events again after each restart) 2:11 PM: Dell SupportAssist, restart at 2:17 PM 2:25 PM: Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery Plugin for Dell Update, restart at 2:26 PM 2:30 PM: Dell SupportAssist Remediation, restart at 2:38 PM 2:43 PM: Dell Connected Service Delivery and Digital Delivery, restart at 2:45 PM 2:48 PM: MyDell, restart at 2:56 3:09 PM: Dell Core Services, restart at 3:11 PM The errors finally went away after uninstalling Dell Core Services.  I have now restarted the computer a number of times since uninstalling Dell Core Services and System Events now shows no errors at all.  Furthermore, the computer seems to be noticeably more responsive.

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XPS 8960, Inteltacd errors solved

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