Can't boot from SATA DVD in AHCI mode

RichBowman · 2 Aug 2010 at 20:20

Hi all,

Apologies if this is the wrong section to post in, but I suspect it's something to do with my motherboard (gigabyte GA-P55A UD3).

Basically, if i try to boot into a DVD (say Win7 install) It seems unable to do so - as if the drive isn't there. This is when I've set it up for AHCI mode in bios (as I have a SSD).

I can install windows in IDE mode, do some registry giggery-pokery to let windows know it'll be in AHCI mode on restart, change in bios, and then it's okay. Though is a bi of an annoying and inelegant solution.

If I just reboot in AHCI mode without the registry tweak, it BSODs during loading.

Now, my previous Gigabyte board was okay - so k don't think it's the DVD drive (though correct me if I'm wrong).

Am just thinking about what to do next time I have to reinstall win7.

If it's a new DVD drive needed, then so be it

Was wondering if te other option could be to copy win7 DVD onto external hdd and install from there? Any suggestions how that's done?

Cheers,

Rich

BigBruiserAl · 2 Aug 2010 at 21:29

Had the same thing when i was setting AHCI on mine as i just got a SSD too and was trying to install windows 7.
Turned out my cheapo dvd drive would not be picked up in the bios in AHCI only IDE, changed to my samsung dvd drive and no problems at all. There may be a better solution but for a change of DVD was the far better then messing

RichBowman · 3 Aug 2010 at 18:41

Cheers,

There's no rush to install - suppose I can sort myself out a new DVD is absolutlely needed. Is there any way of know if a DVD drive is supported in AHCI mode - or is it pot luck?

Cheers,

Rich

BigBruiserAl · 3 Aug 2010 at 22:12

RichBowman said:
Cheers,

There's no rush to install - suppose I can sort myself out a new DVD is absolutlely needed. Is there any way of know if a DVD drive is supported in AHCI mode - or is it pot luck?

Cheers,

Rich

When i was searching for an answer some one said you need to update the firmware of the dvd, didt even know you can do that but just swap't as i had a spare

HeX · 3 Aug 2010 at 22:56

Yup it's to do with the drive being able to read UDF disc's in AHCI mode. Pain in the behind.

Why I ended up making a bootable USB flashdrive win7 install.

RichBowman · 4 Aug 2010 at 09:47

I've gone the same route - had a spare old IDE hard drive, stuck it in a external enclosure, made it bootable and copied across the Win7 DVD.

Had a quick test - nice and quick!

It's good to recycle old kit. Gets a bit frustrating having to replace kit that isn't necessarily broken!

Rich