SSD and AHCI Issue

[swingking03]

So I just installed Windows 7 on a new OCZ Vertex 2 SSD and think I may have done something wrong. First, I did not switch the bios to ahci before installing and now when I try to switch it will not boot. Second, I did not unplug my HDDs while installing (is this an issue?). Also, I did not update SSD driver during install and when I go to OCZ webiste and use thier update tool, my drive does not appear. Does it matter which IDE drive number and master/slave the SSD appears on in teh bios? Can the AHCI issue be corrected? Given all of these issues, if I need to reinstall I could really use a step-by step. Thanks. PS - I am an idiot when it comes to this stuff.

 

[RetiredChief]

If you have not upgradded the Bios from F2 to F5, or F6, YES you should.

DO NOT USE WINDOWS UPDATE METHOD - not sure if they have improved their @bios program, but a Number of people have "Bricked" their MB using the windows based program.

Down load the latest firmware (NOT THE BATA one) and put it on a thumb drive.
Select in BIOS to update the firmware - Think Gigabye has a step-by-step procedure (ALSO should be in Manual). Never have messed up a bios update using this method.

Leaving work now.

 

[lardacus]

^ Right, I have been reading a lot about it recently and it seems that AMD is not stepping up, and won't even comment on the issue. They seem to be using the old "If I dont talk about it, it will go away" approach. Makes me feel good to be an AMD consumer!

Edit: I beleive I have the MS AHCI driver installed, however I am not sure and don't know how to check. I read somewhere that the ATI Catalyst Pack may install the AMD AHCI driver and that is what I used when I installed my new video card. I still have not determined if I need to update my bios and I believe that a new ATI video driver came out on Friday so I need to make sure I have the most current version there.

Does AMD or Gigabyte have a tool that tells you if you need to update bios/chipset drivers?

download AS SSD here: http://alex-is.de/PHP/fusion/downloads.php?cat_id=4
don't even have to run it just open it up and look at the line above the size on the top left; MSAHCI is the default, slower, trim enabled windows ahci controller

AMD SATA is the faster, trim DISABLED AMD controller

if it says IDE there then you are doing it wrong and need to change to AHCI in bios

 

[swingking03]

Thanks lardacus, it reads msahci, and thats what I will use since I want trim enabled.

RC, how do I determine if I need the F5 vs the F6 bios version?

 

[RetiredChief]

That's a hard one. When I do an ugrade on the firmware, I always select the Newest one - UNLESS I've seen neg feedback. Reason is that the Manuf, Gigabyte included, do not always tell you what they fixed. They do not like to publish their "goofs". They also do not normally identify minior tweaks, They just identify anything major, or if they've seen some negative comments.

So I guess what I'm saying is go with the F6.
Might try googling "your MB" and F6 bios to see if any comments.

 

[Shadow703793]

RC, how do I determine if I need the F5 vs the F6 bios version?

Download CPUZ. Look under "Mainboard" tab. That will list the BIOS version.

PLEASE do NOT use the BIOS flashing utility via Windows. This is just asking for trouble. Use the built in update feature of the BIOS (aka EZ Flash).

Here is a guide: http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20070215223109668&board_id=1&model=P5B+Deluxe%2FWiFi-AP&SLanguage=en-us&page=1

Note: You MUST use FAT.

 

[swingking03]

So after a small scare, I successfully updated the bios to f6 and updated the graphics drivers.

I have not updated the chipset driver RC posted here

On Gigabyte website, Chipset driver is dtd 08/14/09 (V8.641) and AMD SATA AHCI Driver (Preinstall driver, press F6) is dtd 05/11/09 (V1.2.0.125)
BUT on AMD web site:
http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downl [...] -64.aspx#3
They Show a southbridge driver 10.1 dated (10/10/10) and a AHCI driver Ver 10.10 dtd 10/22/10 THIS IS WHAT the other AMD poster used).

How do I find my current chipset driver and how did you find this is the one I need?

 

[RetiredChief]

For AMD chipset drivers, reread " Lardacus " post as he has a AMD system. I have Intel based system so His post carry more weight. Also Try reading the forums for both Vertex and Gskill, paying attention to systems using the AMD platform.

 

[swingking03]

Best answer selected by swingking03.