actually use AHCI, the OS (whether that's Windows, Linux or even Ghost) has to have an AHCI driver. Windows Vista and 7 include the driver, but don't install it if the boot drive's controller doesn't have AHCI enabled. Similarly, the IDE driver doesn't get installed if the IDE controller is disabled. That's why you can't just toggle the setting in the BIOS on an already installed Windows system.
I got several old build drives that I can just reach up grab one and stick them in as needed weather its windows or Linux and retrieve files from them . not have a dang it moment cause now the drive is a ahci and I'm set up on ide or what ever ... it all inline set up the same get what I need when I need it