Intel AHCI Not Available on Z77 Extreme4 Running Windows 8.1

[john243]

I've tried installing AHCI drivers for Intel 7 Series(C216?) chipsets multiple times during the Windows 8.1 install, made sure AHCI is set in BIOS, tried registry fixes to enable AHCI, made sure I'm using the right Intel port (SATA3_0 I believe), disabled the Asmedia ports altogether as I've heard I need to be using the Intel controller.

So far every SSD program I've tried (Samsung Magician for example) indicates I'm still running in IDE mode and I don't even see an AHCI driver listed under IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers. I do see the Asmedia AHCI driver if I enable that controller but the Intel controller doesn't even show up in generic form.

I'm reaching the point at which I'm wondering if I should just settle for using the ASmedia slot to get AHCI. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[john243]

Huh. Seems I'm able to get AHCI just fine in port 3_0A using the Asmedia controller. I've seen half a dozen threads saying to use the Intel port/controller though, but Asmedia seems to work just fine without adjustment.

 

[john243]

Other notes:

While both controllers are set to AHCI in the BIOS (fully updated) I notice under boot options that when I connect the drive to the Asmedia controller the boot option is listed as "AHCI SAMSUNG PRO 840" or similar, but with the Intel 3.0 port it still says "SATA SAMSUNG PRO 840". Could the problem be with my BIOS? I've been working on this for most of 2 days and am thoroughly confused.

 

[Dereck47]

I've tried installing AHCI drivers for Intel 7 Series(C216?) chipsets multiple times during the Windows 8.1 install,

You really shouldn't pre-install drivers unless you need to.
If Windows 8.1 does not see your SSD as a drive to install itself to then yes, you would need to pre-install drivers; if it sees your SSD then just continue the installation and let Windows install its own default AHCI drivers. After the install is complete you can then install Samsung Magician and see if it recognizes that your SSD is in AHCI mode.

Once Samsung Magician sees your SSD in AHCI mode you can then install Intel's latest AHCI drivers (version 12.8.0.1016).
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%20Extreme4/?cat=Download&os=Win8a64

If you have to pre-install the drivers then use the drivers from the above link.

Page 13 of your motherboard manual will show you where the Intel 6Gb/s SATA ports (SATA3_0 & SATA3_1) are located.

 

[john243]

I am already using SATA3_0 with AHCI set through the BIOS.

Per Samsung Magician I am connected to a SATA3 port but have low speeds and am not using AHCI.

Under Device Manager I see the following listed:
IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers-
ATA Channel 0
ATA Channel 0
ATA Channel 1
ATA Channel 1
Intel 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family 2 port Serial ATA Storage Controller - 1E08
Intel 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family 2 port Serial ATA Storage Controller - 1E00
Using the atapi.sys ataport.sys pciide.sy pciidex.sys drivers

Under Storage Controllers-
Microsoft Storage Spaces Controller - running spaceport.sys

There are no hidden devices in either section.

 

[john243]

I get a platform not supported message when attempting to install the 12.8 AHCI Drivers. End of the log is as follows:

2014:12:29 15:11:44:342: E Win32 exception occurred!!
2014:12:29 15:11:44:347: Error code: 0x4E24 (20004)
2014:12:29 15:11:44:347: Error text: ''
2014:12:29 15:11:44:347: Extended error text: 'Error in device matching'

 

[Dereck47]

That's strange; the link for those drivers are from your motherboard manufacturer's website.
Just to verify, your motherboard is a ASRock Z77 Extreme4?

 

[john243]

I just checked the receipt and then physically checked the motherboard. It's definitely an ASRock Z77 Extreme4. So far as I can tell my system is ignoring the AHCI bios setting, booting with the pciide driver instead, and cannot see the AHCI controller once Windows starts.

 

[john243]

Does anyone have suggestions for how I might resolve this? Based on the available information I assume the issue is with the BIOS but if so I do not know how to fix it.