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Would you leave your SATA drive in IDE mode?

Discussion in 'Storage and Networking' started by Dominik, Jan 24, 2009.

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  1. Dominik Newcomer, in training Posts: 22

    I’m doing a clean install of Windows XP, Media Center Edition 2005, SP3. The question is, what (if there are any) are the consequences of leaving your SATA drive in IDE mode? Would you do it? Are there any drawbacks? What is the best option for a SATA drive, IDE or AHCI? And why? If left in IDE mode, will performance suffer/will I only be using a portion of my systems potential?

    The three options to choose from in my BIOS are:
    1.) 4P(IDE)+2S(IDE)
    2.) 4P(IDE)+2S(RAID)
    3.) 4P(IDE)+2S(AHCI)

    HDD I’m using: Samsung Serial ATA, 500GB/7200rpm/16M, Model: HD501LJ

    Thanks! Looking forward to your replies!

    Dominik
    Dominik, Jan 24, 2009
    #1

  2. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter Posts: 18,353

    Well this gets a little tricky, because even though your Harddrive is Sata, your DVD Drive can still be ATA (or IDE connection)

    If you do not have any IDE connected devices, then just disable IDE (if there is an option to do so)
    But normally there will be no ill affect either way, enabled or not. (in system performance)

    Now, in saying that, there has been many reported issues with certain configurations relating to Harddrives in system setup (or CMOS or BIOS setup)
    Where the computer will not work properly, or that Windows and plug and play devices have been affected (ie they don't work, or cause blue screens errors)

    It would be best to refer to your Motherboard manual on what settings to choose, if it's any consolation, I usually run "Setup Defaults" then go from there (ie disabling not-required areas in CMOS setup).
    kimsland, Jan 24, 2009
    #2

  3. Dominik Newcomer, in training Posts: 22

    Hey kimsland! Thanks for responding!

    Maybe the 4P(IDE)+2S(AHCI) setting would allow you to use both a SATA hard drive in conjunction with an IDE DVD drive without any problems. I'm not sure, but what else could the "4P(IDE)+2S(AHCI)" mean?

    I don't have the option to disable IDE (I don't think). I will double-check though.

    I've read through most of my motherboards user manual and it talks about settings in there that I simply don't see in my BIOS. It's translated into English rather poorly, so that may have something to do with it.
    Dominik, Jan 25, 2009
    #3

  4. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter Posts: 18,353

    I'd probably go:
    4P(IDE)+2S(IDE)

    But I don't like Sata running in IDE mode
    kimsland, Jan 25, 2009
    #4

  5. Dominik Newcomer, in training Posts: 22

    How come?
    Dominik, Jan 25, 2009
    #5

  6. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter Posts: 18,353

    Sata should be in Sata, and IDE off, or disabled on the Harddrive
    It's just one motherboard driver, that's not required
    kimsland, Jan 25, 2009
    #6
     

  7. Dominik Newcomer, in training Posts: 22

    True dat!

    I'm not sure what you mean. If you don't like Sata running in IDE mode, then why go with the 4P(IDE)+2S(IDE) setting?
    Dominik, Jan 25, 2009
    #7

  8. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter Posts: 18,353

    Doh! make that

    kimsland, Jan 25, 2009
    #8

  9. Dominik Newcomer, in training Posts: 22

    That makes more sense, :)!

    Ok, so I double checked whether or not I can disable IDE in my BIOS, and there's no "Disable" option there. So I figure the only way to disable it is to simply switch it to either "4P(IDE)+2S(RAID)" or "4P(IDE)+2S(AHCI)" as you can only have one of the three selected at any given time..
    Dominik, Jan 25, 2009
    #9

  10. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter Posts: 18,353

    Raid requires 2 or more Harddrives, and needs to be setup in Raid# Number like Raid0
    kimsland, Jan 25, 2009
    #10

  11. Dominik Newcomer, in training Posts: 22

    RAIDing the kitchen!

    You can have 2 SATA drives without setting up RAID though, right?
    Dominik, Jan 25, 2009
    #11

  12. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter Posts: 18,353

    That's right

    kimsland, Jan 25, 2009
    #12

  13. CCT Newcomer, in training Posts: 3,556

    CCT, Jan 25, 2009
    #13

  14. Dominik Newcomer, in training Posts: 22

    Great article! Short and sweet. Looks like AHCI is the way to go when it comes to SATA! Otherwise it would seem that you'd just be shortchanging yourself.

    Does this look right to you guys (see link)? This is what my Standard CMOS Features Menu looks like when I have my drive set to IDE mode.

    http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/ind...dID=75594228&albumID=2645700&imageID=42626219

    Or just browse over to my "picture uploads", it's in there too, it's the one entitled "Standard CMOS Features Menu".
    Dominik, Jan 25, 2009
    #14

  15. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter Posts: 18,353

    ooo A myspace link, I don't click on those
    You can attach the pic to a new reply attachment if you like
    Or use the normal free servers too.
    kimsland, Jan 26, 2009
    #15

  16. Dominik Newcomer, in training Posts: 22

    Just out of curiosity, how come you wouldn't click on a myspace link? Btw, its only a link to pictures/screenshots of my BIOS settings on my personal profile.
    Dominik, Jan 26, 2009
    #16

  17. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter Posts: 18,353

    It has the ability of checking users IP, and also howmany users have viewed it, and where from
    kimsland, Jan 26, 2009
    #17

  18. Dominik Newcomer, in training Posts: 22

    :) Is that bad?
    Dominik, Jan 26, 2009
    #18

  19. kimsland Ex-TechSpotter Posts: 18,353

    kimsland, Jan 26, 2009
    #19

  20. Dominik Newcomer, in training Posts: 22

    It's OK, I like jokes of all ages! :)

    In reference to the photo, I just uploaded it to my "picture uploads" here on TechSpot, it's the "Standard CMOS Features Menu" one.

    Microsoft collecting secret files, interesting stuff.....
    Dominik, Jan 26, 2009
    #20
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