Can I Safely Change My SATA Mode?

[DesertDryDock]

I started installing XP Pro 64b bit as a second OS for a dual boot and had a BSOD as soon as the drivers finished loading from the (F6) portion of the install. So I did some reading and found out that the SATA controller needs to be in IDE mode. My SATA controller is currently in AHCI mode. Is it a bad idea to change the SATA mode in reference to my current installation of Windows 7 Pro 64 bit. Will I screw something up by changing the mode?

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

You'll have to re-install Windows if you change the SATA mode now, because existing installation won't be able start.

 

[DesertDryDock]

You'll have to re-install Windows if you change the SATA mode now, because existing installation won't be able start.

Thanks for the reply! But I'm hoping it's not the best answer. I found this post last night after making my post here http://www.overclock.net/t/1227636/how-to-change-sata-modes-after-windows-installation I've read over it several times and looked around and found this post that refers to it and endorses it http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/148080-sata-mode-ahci-ide.html

For now I need to decide if I'm willing to give up the AHCI functions or see if there is a way to run both with this motherboard. I've read "somewhere?" that some motherboards are capable of running both IDE and AHCI so I need to further research that. I don't see anything on my motherboard's specifications and haven't seen it mentioned in any other motherboard specifications to my recollection. Nothing comes easy 😉

 

[RealBeast]

It is a different process to change to AHCI from IDE SATA mode for XP than for later OS versions. THIS is the best tutorial that I've come across specific to XP and used it several times without issues.

You cannot use IDE and AHCI mode on the same controller though. If the board has a second controller you could run that in IDE. RAID mode will also work (even with no drives in a RAID array) as AHCI is a subset of the RAID commands, but SSD toolbox type software usually will not work on a drive attached to a controller in RAID mode.

All of that aside, why would you want to dual boot when you can download and install the free Windows XP Mode free from Microsoft since you are running Pro? Far easier and less hassle.