I did a fresh install of Windows 10 and still had the same problem. I finally narrowed it down to the AHCI driver Windows 10 installs for the AMD SATA Controller. Reboot once more and Windows will automatically start with AHCI drivers. SOLUTION: Switch Windows 10 from. Again after a clean install of Windows.

If you want to use updated drivers during OS install, first download the drivers from Intel's web site and put them on media that you can access during the install process, such as on a USB memory key if you have a modern computer, or a floppy if you don't. Early in the OS install process you will have an opportunity to install additional drivers. For updateing after the install you can use device manager to update drivers. Some motherboards have a secondary storage controller that requires installing drivers such as my motherboard that has the Intel ICH10R SATA RAID controller as well as an additional JMicron Controler that adds additional support for legacy PATA CDRom and hard drives, as well as a couple of extra SATA ports, and one eSATA port.

At least with Windows 7RC, I had to download and install drivers for the JMicron controler in order to get AHCI to work with my external eSATA drive, which I did after installing Windows. If you want to use updated drivers during OS install, first download the drivers from Intel's web site and put them on media that you can access during the install process, such as on a USB memory key if you have a modern computer, or a floppy if you don't. Early in the OS install process you will have an opportunity to install additional drivers. For updateing after the install you can use device manager to update drivers.

Some motherboards have a secondary storage controller that requires installing drivers such as my motherboard that has the Intel ICH10R SATA RAID controller as well as an additional JMicron Controler that adds additional support for legacy PATA CDRom and hard drives, as well as a couple of extra SATA ports, and one eSATA port. At least with Windows 7RC, I had to download and install drivers for the JMicron controler in order to get AHCI to work with my external eSATA drive, which I did after installing Windows. Here are more information for you: After installing Intel Matrix Storage Manager from the F6, you can then download and then update it from the User Interface. Here is the installation instruction: For more information, you can contact the Intel support.

Hope it helps. Vivian Xing - MSFT The F6 method is not for Vista or Windows 7, so I don't know why you put that there. I am confused on what to download for AHCI driver from Intel. I have a floppy but would like to know which driver for x64 Windows 7 and when to install updated Intel driver for AHCI. Forgot to mention I have the X38 Express chipset, which I believe is also known as series 3 chipset.

Now, can someone point me to Intel's driver for AHCI? I don't need the Intel Matrix Storage Console because I am not doing RAID, unless that is the only way to get the AHCI driver. I believe there should be a driver download to floppy that would be for AHCI--but I don't know which driver, and how to install during Windows 7 installation.

I guess I could let Windows 7 install Microsoft driver for AHCI but I still want to know how to update with Intel's latest driver for AHCI. Hi, I am sorry for the incorrect information. However, from the Intel website, we can find that in order to install an operating system onto a single Serial ATA hard drive when the system is in RAID mode or AHCI mode, the Intel® Matrix Storage Manager driver need to be installed during operating system installation. For Windows Vista and Windows 7 installation, click Load Driver when you see a screen titled Where do you want to install Windows? The correct method should be one. If you only need the AHCI driver file, you may need to contact Intel directly. Hope it helps.

Vivian Xing - MSFT. Cavicchi, Intel.com>Support>Product Support>Chipsets>3 series>software and drivers Set the BIOS sata mode to AHCI, then during the install use the custom installation, select add drivers, and point it to theIntel files (Win 7 64-bit), then continue.(As Vivian mentioned above) Although, you may not use all of the Matrix storage manager features, it provides the AHCI drivers. Check out the read me( ) for the Matrix Storage manager for install instructions to extract the files. If your board has a TurboMemory slot and you use it, you will need the Matrix storage manager. After, Win 7 is launched, you can check for updates from device manager, system devices, I/O controller, right-click update drivers. Intel will provide updates to MS. If you don't install the Matrix Storage Manager during the OS installation you cannot install it later on the 3 series chipsets.

It would require a new clean install of the OS. You may want to build a RAID later. There's the Intel scoop.

Good Luck and Best Regards. I believe I do know how to pre-install with floppy from Intel, but it seems like people are having a problem doing that, so maybe I should just let Windows 7 install its driver and I can update after installation. 'Try the install without using an additional driver. Windows 7 has a preinstalled driver for the Intel chipset.

When I tried using a driver from a floppy or USB stick, the install failed. With the preinstalled driver, it worked fine. ' http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itprohardware/thread/c2279570-bf87-44f2-b656-8c4ef2e90afc. I downloaded the 64-bit directly to the root C: IATA89ENU.exe from. Or just move it there if you already have it. I then clicked Start>Accessories>Run and entered this in the run box: c: IATA89ENU.exe -a -a -pc: The contents of the folder are what is to be copied to the usb stick or floppy and the point the add drivers there during the custom installation process. Notice that it includes the iaAHCI drivers.

Yeah, you can set BIOS AHCI and Vista or Win 7 will install the msahci, but then you can't try RAID later. So, if all you wanted was the AHCI, then you have that already. I hope that helps. I have all those files copied to a Floppy, the files for Drivers64-bit. Now which one do I install during Windows 7 installation? IaAHCI.inf would seem logical, but I read somewhere the iaStor.sys is for AHCI so I am a bit confused there.

I know that presently I have Intel Matrix Storage Manager installed in Vista and the driver for controller is iaStor.sys. Perhaps both would work, or the iaStor.sys is for Intel Matrix Storage Manager and iaAHCI.inf is just for AHCI?

Oh, yes, I only need AHCI, not doing RAID. However, I prefer to use Intel driver for AHCI or at least update to Intel AHCI driver.

Ctrl-select both during the add driver dialog. Yes to iaSTOR and NO to iaAHCI.

IaSTOR needs iaAHCI, and AHCI only needs it.(same as msahci) Intel most likely provides the driver to ms, so that may be what is there(named ms). You can go to device manager>system devices>select the I/o controller>right click>update driver tab>let me choose>point to iaAHCI on the floppy and see if it takes. It will update all of the system devices if it does. Intel version 1023 Again, if you already have an installation with msahci, try that method first, as that was your original question.

You really didn't want the raid,correct? Having fun yet?;-). Yes, I am not doing RAID. But you still have me a bit confused on which driver to pre-install for AHCI. Is it the iaStor.sys and iaAHCI.inf or just the iaAHCI,inf for BIOS set to AHCI? I know Windows 7 comes with a driver for AHCI, as does Vista, but I want to know which Intel driver to pre-install for Windows 7 AHCI. On the other hand, suppose Intel comes up with a new driver for AHCI and I want to install it?

I would assume that should be easy by clicking update driver under the AHCI controller in Device Manager. I now have an Intel driver for I/O in Device Manager and don't know if I should mess with it--I have Vista Ultimate x64 installed now and waiting for Windows 7, which I pre-ordered. Under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers is listed Intel (R) ICH9R/DO/DH SATA AHCI Controller Driver is Intel 6/4/2009 version 8.9.0. 1023 Under Driver Details C: Windows System32 DRIVERS iaStor.sys According to what I read, the above verifies AHCI mode. For I/O is Intel 8.4.0. 1018 There is no AHCI under Storage controllers in Device Manager--I believe that is under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers: Intel (R) ICH9R/DO/DH SATA AHCI Controller Driver is Intel 6/4/2009 version 8.9.0. 1023 By the way, I installed AHCI after Vista x64 installation.

I do backups both full and partial to separate internal hard drives, so I don't see a need for RAID 0 or RAID 1 as the new SSD drives, which I have, are fast enough. I am definitely looking forward to Windows 7, pre-ordered with next day shipping, so you know I am anxious.:) I did run the Update Advisor and have everything pretty much under control with new drivers ready, except for my Canon flatbed scanner that I think will have a driver included in Windows 7 or an update on Canon's website. I didn't get any information about my Nikon digital camera from the Advisor, so will have to see what happens. As for the security software, I was using NOD32 AV and Look 'n' Stop firewall until today, but downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials and using that now to see how it works, and I am now using Windows firewall. Both Nod32 and Look 'n' Stop were uninstalled.

I can always switch back if MSE doesn't work out for any reason. I Just don't like the idea of parity because if a virus, trojan, etc.

Gets on one disk, the same will happen to the other aside from other possible issues, which is why I prefer doing manual full images to a separate disk. I also do manual partial backups of specific data, including pictures, in case of a disaster. From all I read, seems like the SSD will be fast enough, and it will do away with the worries from RAID 5 or any other RAID configuration. It truly is amazing how hard drive technology has evolved, SSD being both fast and silent. Ctrl-select both during the add driver dialog.

Yes to iaSTOR and NO to iaAHCI. IaSTOR needs iaAHCI, and AHCI only needs it.(same as msahci) Intel most likely provides the driver to ms, so that may be what is there(named ms). You can go to device manager>system devices>select the I/o controller>right click>update driver tab>let me choose>point to iaAHCI on the floppy and see if it takes.

It will update all of the system devices if it does. Intel version 1023 Again, if you already have an installation with msahci, try that method first, as that was your original question. You really didn't want the raid,correct? Having fun yet?;-) I tried to load the iaAHCI.inf during Windows 7 installation at Load Driver screen but it does not work, same problem as others have. You state above Yes to iaStor but No to iaAHCI and say iaStor needs iaAHCI--that has me confused. Please guide me to the correct iaStor--iaStor.sys or iaStor.inf? Can you again provide the link to the required drivers?

First update the BIOS Hmmmm.updates AHCI rom, that's interesting. At this point Gigabyte is only showing a Vista 64-bit raid drivers. So, we'll have to try the Intel version Go and download the floppy setup for the Intel Matrix Storage Manager.

Then from the location saved to -right-click the zipped folder and select extract all. Take the default location and folder name.

Then view that folder. The contents are what you will copy to the flash drive to add.

Add both for match with BIOS, even though you don't want RAID now, you may. So, hopefully that gets you installed. After installation you should run the chipset.inf update.

Download it and follow the instructions in section 9f of the Read Me. I also noticed that Gigabyte had a specific Win 7 64-bit audio driver and lan driver. So, in the BIOS, you'll set on the Integrated peripherals page the Sata mode to AHCI. Review the F11 and F12 functions to save a BIOS profile with a name, to enable you to switch between for future use. For instance, save the current setting as Vista, than make the changes for the Win 7 install and call it Win 7 AHCI or something.

Just a suggestion as it appears to be a nice feature. OK, Good luck, let me know how it goes. First update the BIOS Hmmmm.updates AHCI rom, that's interesting. At this point Gigabyte is only showing a Vista 64-bit raid drivers. So, we'll have to try the Intel version Go and download the floppy setup for the Intel Matrix Storage Manager.

Then from the location saved to -right-click the zipped folder and select extract all. Take the default location and folder name. Then view that folder. The contents are what you will copy to the flash drive to add. Add both for match with BIOS, even though you don't want RAID now, you may. So, hopefully that gets you installed.

After installation you should run the chipset.inf update. Download it and follow the instructions in section 9f of the Read Me. I also noticed that Gigabyte had a specific Win 7 64-bit audio driver and lan driver. So, in the BIOS, you'll set on the Integrated peripherals page the Sata mode to AHCI. Review the F11 and F12 functions to save a BIOS profile with a name, to enable you to switch between for future use. For instance, save the current setting as Vista, than make the changes for the Win 7 install and call it Win 7 AHCI or something. Just a suggestion as it appears to be a nice feature.

OK, Good luck, let me know how it goes. The F6C Beta Bios screws up a few fan headers. What that update AHCI ROM is the AHCI BIOS screen loads faster.

I did download that suggestion you made to a floppy and at the Load Driver screen it gave me only the iaAHCI.inf option which I selected and Windows 7 would no longer install. The only way to get it to install is not trying to Load that driver. I have a sound card. I have the BIOS configured for AHCI correctly, no problem there. I ran AHCI in Vista. I have AHCI installed with Microsoft driver--but I did want Intel's driver. Win 7 is installed now?

If so, you can update it by device manager, look for a storage controller, right click and select update driver>let me choose and point it to the intel file. Check the properties of the controller first-you want Intel driver version 1023 or maybe 1019. E-mail Gigabyte support an advise them of them fan header problem and help them correct it. I reported that fan header issue on Gigabyte's forum and the moderator said the board is discontinued and the beta F6c is the last of development for it. I could get around the fan header issue if it was really important, but I tried that BIOS and all I saw was a few seconds faster for loading AHCI BIOS screen.

But which driver are you suggesting I use? IaAHCI.inf--the one that caused problems installing Windows 7?

The iaStor.sys is the driver for Intel Storage Manager. I could install Intel Storage Manager and get that driver in with a different AHCI controller than what Microsoft put in. However, the Intel Storage manager does run in the background and would do nothing for me without RAID except use some resources.

Asus Vs247h P Driver Windows 10 there. Yes, I installed Windows 7 64-bit and still looking for a decent email program to integrate my ISP mail account. Windows Live Mail does not offer the account settings we had in Windows Mail--they really should have left Windows Mail in. By the way, I am very surprised Windows 7 had scheduled defragment automatically when I have a SSD drive--they should not be defragged. Good, your up and running. I'll bet it's fast. Well, at this stage of the game, you can check your driver versions and determine if you need updates from Intel or Gigabyte. Did you try installing the chipset.inf update?

Perhaps that is why the iaAHCI would not install as it did not match. E-mail clients seem to be a personal piece of software. From viewing comments and issues in the forum and testing a few, Thunderbird (now v.2) seemed to preferred and stable in Win 7. Anti-virus software integrates with it also. I liked it. I use Outlook as I have ms office.

I have read the white papers from Intel on their deployment of ssd drives, etc. And if I recall, defragmenting is still of some benefit.

It has more to do with how the OS finds the data than the where it is on hardware. With today's SATA II drives and now the ssd, it's not something that needs to be done frequently. As far as damage or wear on the Intel ssd, they rate the X18-M about the same has a new high-end SATA before failure, regardless of use (defragging). Well, that discussion will continue and I am sure you have your own opinions. Anyway, there's a lot of research they make available for review. AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) enables native command queuing and hot-plugging through SATA host controllers (Serial-ATA) for your hard drives. In many scenarios it enables more efficient multi-tasking.

Vista was the first Windows OS to support AHCI out of the box, where as Windows 7 does the same. But an issue with AHCI is that if you install the OS without enabling AHCI in the BIOS, enabling it after installation will render your OS unusable.

This is because Windows disable the AHCI driver since it is not needed during the installation. There is one way to fix this, although you need to have knowledge of registry editing. The detailed steps from Microsoft are as follows: To resolve this issue, enable the AHCI driver in the registry before you change the SATA mode of the boot drive. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Exit all Windows-based programs.

Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. If you receive the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue. Locate and then click the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SystemCurrentControlSet Services Msahci HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE System CurrentControlSet Services IastorV 5. In the right pane, right-click Start in the Name column, and then click Modify. In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK. On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor. After this you’ll have to restart your computer, go to BIOS and enable AHCI.

When you log in to Windows again, you’ll notice the installation of drivers for AHCI. Another restart will be required to finish the driver installation. I’ve simplified the steps by Microsoft by exporting the registry key. Just download the following file and run it. You’ll still need to go through the steps of restarting your computer and enabling AHCI in the BIOS.

Hopefully, you’ll find a somewhat noticeable improvement in multitasking, specially if you’re a notebook user. Of course with the variety of PC hardware, experience many vary.