Switch from SATA to AHCI

[prakharsingh95]

I have a Pavilion dv6 laptop. The default drive configuration is RAID. I recently upgraded to an SSD, and after reading from the Internet and using Samsung's software, I found that AHCI is better than RAID for single SSDs. How do I change this?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

That can't be done.

As long as you install the latest Intel RST driver from your notebook's support page, or get it from Intel, TRIM support is enabled in RAID mode since your notebook has a mobile Intel series 7 chipset.

You may find this discussion if interest to you, as your notebook is in the same status...

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/How-to-enable-AHCI-for-HP-ENVY-...

This RST driver should work for your notebook...

VERSION: 11.6.5.1006

OPERATING SYSTEM(S):
Microsoft Windows 10 64
Microsoft Windows 8 32 Edition
Microsoft Windows 8 64 Edition
Microsoft Windows 8.1 32 Bit
Microsoft Windows 8.1 64 Bit

This package contains the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver for the supported notebook models and operating systems. The Intel Rapid Storage Technology is designed to provide functionality for the Intel Storage Controllers. The driver improves Serial ATA (SATA) disk performance with Native Command Queuing.

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp63501-64000/sp63947.exe

[prakharsingh95]

Hi,

Thanks for replying. I tried the driver you provided the link to, but it gave me this warning:

 

Should I still install it?

[Huffer]

Just leave it alone. The RAID includes all the instructions that are found in ahci so there is no need to change anything. Your SSD will function optimally, and there is no way to change it from RAID to AHCI anyway. 

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

OK.

Windows 10 already has a newer driver included, so you are fine as Huffer stated.

If you go to your apps>Windows Administrative Tools>Defragment and Optimize Drives, you should be able to optimize your drive and the program will report the drive being trimmed.

That will let you know that your SSD is working as it should.

[prakharsingh95]

Ok. It's just that Samsung's software  was highlighting this issue, so I was wondering if I could get AHCI.  Thank you for clarifying! Also ran a benchmark, and the RAID controller seems to be doing OK. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, the Samsung program is unforgiving (and misleading).  If it isn't AHCI, then that's no good, is what it reports.

They should update it to include 'everything is OK in RAID' for notebooks with the Intel series 7 or newer chipsets.