How to get AMI F15 BIOS to see SSD

[GFujioka]

Greetings all, I've searched this question and found several variations but none that address my personal lack of understanding

I had a PC built locally (specs below) with an SSD to take advantage of Intel Smart Response and Intel Rapid Start. The system was initially unstable with plenty of BSODs. We think a driver conflict and an issue with Actual Multiple Monitors may have been the cause. In troubleshooting, the builder reinstalled the OS, replaced the HD and RAM, but also disconnected the SSD.

I've reconnected the power and data cables to the SSD, but I'm not sure the BIOS knows it's there, and I'm pretty sure the OS doesn't know it's there (but it's my understanding that it's supposed to be 'invisible' to the OS).

Might someone help me understand how to know if the BIOS sees it, and if not, how to make that occur and get the SSD back in service? If possible please explain it me like I'm a BIOS virgin (which I kind of am). The SSD is a 128GB Vertex. I have used EZ Install to turn "install" Smart Response and Rapid Start but it's still slow. It used to boot in about 40 seconds, now it takes about 2 minutes. Thanks in advance for any assistance. Here is the rest of the build:

Gigabyte Z77X-D3H motherboard
500W continuous, 600W peak Rocketfish gaming power supply
GeForce 9800 GT x 2

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name GARY-PC
System Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model To be filled by O.E.M.
System Type x64-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770K CPU @ 3.50GHz, 3701 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. F15, 8/22/2012
SMBIOS Version 2.7
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"
User Name Gary
Time Zone Pacific Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 32.0 GB (Kingston)
Total Physical Memory 32.0 GB
Available Physical Memory 26.0 GB
Total Virtual Memory 63.9 GB
Available Virtual Memory 56.8 GB
Page File Space 32.0 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys


Drive C:
Description Local Fixed Disk
Compressed No
File System NTFS
Size 1.75 TB (1,925,330,235,392 bytes)
Free Space 1.64 TB (1,803,049,578,496 bytes)
Volume Name 2TB HDD
Volume Serial Number 85B6D9D0
Drive D:
Description CD-ROM Disc
Drive F:
Description Local Fixed Disk
Compressed No
File System NTFS
Size 465.76 GB (500,105,216,000 bytes)
Free Space 230.32 GB (247,308,632,064 bytes)
Volume Name SimpleDrive 500GB
Volume Serial Number 62A60FFA
Drive G:
Description Removable Disk
Drive H:
Description Removable Disk
Drive I:
Description Removable Disk
Drive J:
Description Local Fixed Disk
Compressed No
File System NTFS
Size 69.81 GB (74,958,499,840 bytes)
Free Space 34.00 GB (36,502,237,184 bytes)
Volume Name Download Disk
Volume Serial Number 86FF5F60
Drive K:
Description Removable Disk
Drive L:
Description Local Fixed Disk
Compressed No
File System NTFS
Size 931.51 GB (1,000,202,240,000 bytes)
Free Space 92.04 GB (98,832,486,400 bytes)
Volume Name FreeAgent Drive 1TB
Volume Serial Number 34ABA65F

The external drives don't really comprise the 'build' per se. Thanks again.

 

[Emerald]

If I am not mistaken, you need to change the Bios setting from IDE to ACHI

 

[GFujioka]

I tried that and saw no sign, such as improved boot time, that it had turned the SSD on. Thanks.

 

[GFujioka]

Hi all, I just want to share how I finally got this resolved. As was suggested I changed the BIOS from IDE to ACHI and that did not help in this case.

What did ultimately resolve this problem was a full reset of the motherboard - taking out the battery and waiting for about 15 minutes.

Other thoughts: the Intel Smart Response caused general instability in my configuration. Ultimately I put the OS on the SSD, removed Smart Response, and the issues all happily went away.

The big takeaway for me is I love SSD drives. I bought the 128GB Vertex and now wish I bought a bigger one. The speed is awesome and to me results in a better computing experience. Thanks community.

Mod: pls mark this thread solved. Thanks.

 

[Emerald]

thanks for sharing your solution to the problem

 

[GFujioka]

Best answer selected by GFujioka.