Switching SSD from IDE to AHCI mode

jecann

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Dec 7, 2016
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I just installed a new copy of Windows 10 on my new SSD and just Killdisk (wiped) my previous HHD to use as secondary HDD and storage.

My question: Is it important to change my SSD from IDE to AHCI mode in the BIOS? I haven't got to far with reinstalling programs and configuring my PC after the Windows 10 install, so I don't mind doing it again if it is much easier to change the mode to AHCI now and reinstall Windows.


Thanks!
 
Hey there, Jecann.

You can switch it to AHCI even after you've already completed the Window 10 installation. I believe this should help with that: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2795928/switch-ide-ahci-windows.html.

It should work, but if you get into any sort of issues you could simply make a fresh install of Win 10 if it's not a big deal for you. Just remember to set the SATA mode to AHCI before you start the installation process. Oh, also make sure that you don't have any secondary drives connected to the motherboard during the installation process. This should prevent future booting issues.

Hope that helps.
Boogieman_WD
 

jecann

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Thanks Boogieman_WD!

Also, what are the steps to rediscover the HDD that I just wiped (it isn't showing up), so I can format it and use it. Do I need to keep it set to IDE? Will SATA port number on the motherboard have an effect on operation of the drives? (i.e. do I need to switch the SDD to SATA port #1 and the HDD to SATA port #2 or can I leave them alone and just make sure the boot order is correct in the BIOS?


Thanks again
 
Sure thing!

No, the SATA ports don't really matter unless they have different interfaces e.g. SATA II and SATA III. Just make sure that your drives are connected to SATA III ports.

As for the wiped HDD, I assume you've low level formatted it. If this is the case, you should open Disk Management and initialize it (use GPT if the drive is larger than 2TB in order to be able to use its full capacity), before you're able to partition and format it so that it shows up in Windows Explorer (This PC, My Computer).
Here's how to do that: How to initialize or write a signature to a secondary hard drive or Solid State drive in Windows
How to partition and format a drive on Windows and macOS.

Cheers!
 

jecann

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Thanks again,

I have not low level formatted it. Is there a step I should do before to do this?