mikey59

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mikey59

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March 24th, 2022 23:00

Switching from RAID to ACHI?

XPX 15 9560
Win 10 Pro
32 GB RAM

I upgraded my SSD to a 2 TD Samsung NVMe & cannot install the driver for it. I understand I need to change BIOS setting from RAID on to ACHI, but certainly do not want to re-install.

Can (& if so how) can I do this?

Thanks!

  • AdrianG001

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    Posted March 25th, 2022 01:00

    Some systems will have the Windows operating system installed using RAID drivers including the Intel Rapid Storage Technology. SSD drives typically perform better using AHCI drivers.  There is in fact a way to switch operation from either IDE / RAID to AHCI within Windows 10 without having to reinstall.  Here are the steps:

    1. Click the Start Button and type cmd
    2. Right-click the result and select Run as administrator
    3. Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal (ALT: bcdedit /set safeboot minimal)
    4. Restart the computer and enter BIOS Setup
    5. Change the SATA Operation mode to AHCI from either IDE or RAID
    6. Save changes and exit Setup and Windows will automatically boot to Safe Mode.
    7. Right-click the Windows Start Menu once more. Choose Command Prompt (Admin).
    8. Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot (ALT: bcdedit /deletevalue safeboot)
    9. Reboot once more and Windows will automatically start with AHCI drivers enabled.
  • mikey59

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    Posted March 25th, 2022 09:00

    I had seen basically the same answer on another site, but being an admitted command line dummy, I figured I'd try here. Is that syntax exactly how it should go? Nothing specific to my computer that would replace whats in brackets, parenthesis, etc?

    This came from Dell with that RAID on setting, with only one SSD, why would it be set that way?

    Thank you!

     

  • ejn63

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    Posted March 25th, 2022 11:00

    It is simpler for Dell to install the software image on a base of different models all using the same RAID driver than it is on a base of models with different makes and models of SSD.

    While it IS possible to switch from RAID to AHCI, make absolutely sure you have a full system backup that's been verified before you try.  Things can and do go wrong.

    Then see

     

    https://superuser.com/questions/1280141/switch-raid-to-ahci-without-reinstalling-windows-10

    This does not require using the command line at all.

     

  • mikey59

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    Posted March 26th, 2022 09:00

    Ok, right outta the gate, I get this:

    C:\WINDOWS\system32>bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal (ALT: bcdedit /set safeboot minimal)
    Invalid command line switch: /set
    Run "bcdedit /?" for command line assistance.
    The parameter is incorrect.

  • mikey59

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    Posted March 26th, 2022 11:00

    Would this be installing the right driver before changing from RAID to AHCI?

    My current storage controller driver shows as Intel Chipset SATA/PCIe RST Premium controller.

    What driver would I need?

    Or, from reading other posts regarding RAID vs AHCI, it seems that I can make the change in the BIOS settings, boot in safe mode (hold shift key while booting, etc.) windows should load driver, then reboot normally?

    I could always change BIOS settings back, right? Nothing in all this will render computer un-bootable, right?

  • mikey59

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    Posted April 1st, 2022 10:00

    What driver would that be?

  • addyman10

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    Posted December 21st, 2024 11:58

    The faster easier way of getting into safemode is via msconfig. As it's rebooting mash F2 to enter bios>system config>change the sata operation>apply/exit/reboot>go back into msconfig and uncheck safemode>reboot. Done. You have now changed from RAID to AHCI

  • Peter_Pan_7

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    Posted March 10th, 2025 07:27

    A third option to reboot a Windows 10 system in safe mode without typing any CMD command is to go Start Menu > Settings > Recovery > Advanced start. On reboot you will be offered options to start in safe mode with or without network capabilities or even directly to a CMD console. Of course, you will have to change to SATA mode in BIOS/UEFI as mentioned above. The accurate sequence to reboot in safe mode this way might have beeen slightly different for versions of Windows 10 prior to 22H2 but as simple. This feature is also available in Windows 11 through a slightly different path from Start Menu.

  • electric maple

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    Posted July 5th, 2025 02:35

    @AdrianG001​ This only results in a screen which says my pin is unavailable, and I am stuck in a Boot loop. If I boot in with an installation thumb drive then I can use Repair My PC to get to bcdedit and get out of Safe Mode. As far as I can see the only way to install the correct driver is to set the BIOS to AHCI and reinstall Windows.

  • electric maple

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    Posted July 5th, 2025 02:36

    @addyman10​ That led me to the same Boot Loop problem as AdrianG001's method.