Can't change SATA from RAID to AHCI mode in BIOS.

[d1ad1a]

Hi, I'm using Pavilion p6142p Desktop, WIN7, one harddsik.  The BIOS's  SATA mode was set to RAID by the factory default.

I'm going put two new harddisk in this desktop, they have different size and different RPM speed, I don't want RAID them.  So I tried to change the BIOS SATA mode to AHCI, then I can't start the win7, win7 gave me only two choices:  repair or restart, the repair failed too.  After I change BIOS back, everything OK.

But I do need put all three harddisk in this desktop. So my question is :

Do I have to use RAID in this PC? 

Do I have to re-install win7?

....

Anyway, what should I do?  Thanks.

[Big_Dave]

When you boot your system do you see RAID menu briefly?  Sometimes the ctrl-i at boot time will get you into the RAID menu. If yes, then you can reset the RAID definition which should allow you to go to ACHI mode.

BACKUP EVERYTHING BEFORE DOING THIS!  Be sure that your recovery disks work!

[d1ad1a]

YES , I can see RAID menu after the HP BIOS logo.

Should I change BIOS sata mode first then CTRL+I,  OR reverse ?   Thanks

[Big_Dave]

Boot and enter ctrl-i to get into the RAID menu. Reset the RAID. Reboot and go into the BIOS and change the sata controller to ACHI and save.  Reboot.

[d1ad1a]

I enter the Raid menu,by crtl+N,   there's only a "RAID mode" I can change,   there are several choices:

mirror   (  the factory setup, I'm using right now)

stripe

span

stripe mirror

raid 5

Which one should I change to?

I can NOT find any place to disable raid in the raid menu. 

Thanks.

[d1ad1a]

I can NOT find any place to disable raid in the raid menu.

[Big_Dave]

I may have a differnt version of the RAID utility and I have dual HDs.  However, option #3 at the top of the screen says:

Reset Raid to non-Raid.

Do you see that option?

Your system may be configured for RAID pass-thru.  That may be what you have to live with.

P6142P specs

[Big_Dave]

Will your recovery disks boot up when you set the sata bios to ACHI mode?

If your are going to replace your hard drive and install another then you should be able to remove your existing HD and install the two new HDs.  Then switch the bios to ACHI and use to recovery disks to restore your system back to factory fresh state.  Just be sure that your new boot HD is equal or bigger than your current one.  Backup your programs and data before using the recovery disks!

[d1ad1a]

No, I don't have the "disable" option in the raid menu.  I can ONLY enter it by ctrl+N, so maybe different than yours by ctrl+i.

I didn't try the recovery disk yet, i really don't want to touch the win7, so much pain.  I'll re-install the win7 if nothing worked out.

One question: what about I install three HDD and do NOTHING, I mean, don't set them up in the raid menu.    Now my bios is sata raid, my raid menu is mirror.

Are they going to be set to Raid 1 automaticlly,  or  just three seperate HDD??

I can live with that as long as the system don't RAID them.  Thanks.

[squid13]

I have a d5200t Pavillon Elite and the only way I was able to change from Raid to AHCI was to change it in the Bios from Raid to AHCI then shut down and rebooted with my Windows 7 disk and did a clean install. Long way around but I had tried everything else with no success.