How to Change SATA from RAID to AHCI: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to switch SATA from RAID to AHCI mode with this simple step-by-step guide.

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To switch from RAID to AHCI: 1. Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI settings (commonly by pressing F2 or DEL). 2. Locate the SATA configuration menu. 3. Change the SATA mode to AHCI. 4. Save changes and exit. 5. Boot into Windows and run Command Prompt as administrator. 6. Type `bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal` and restart. 7. Enter BIOS/UEFI again and confirm AHCI is set. 8. Save and exit, then boot into Windows. Finally, run `bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot` in Command Prompt to restore normal boot.**

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the difference between RAID and AHCI modes? RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) combines multiple drives into a single unit for improved performance or redundancy, while AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) allows for improved performance and features like hot swapping on a single SATA drive.
  2. How do I access BIOS/UEFI settings? To access BIOS/UEFI settings, restart your computer and press the designated key, typically F2, DEL, or ESC, immediately as the computer starts up. Check your motherboard's manual for the exact key.
  3. Will changing from RAID to AHCI affect my data? Switching from RAID to AHCI can lead to data loss since RAID configurations often rely on specific data layouts. It's essential to back up your data before making this change.
  4. What should I do if Windows doesn't boot after changing to AHCI? If Windows fails to boot after switching to AHCI, ensure the BIOS settings are correctly configured. You can use recovery options or command prompts to fix boot issues, such as running 'bcdedit' as described in the video.