Switch from RAID to AHCI on Acer Nitro 5 AN515-54

KolayNe · March 2020

I have just bought the laptop Acer Nitro 5 AN515-54. I have Windows running on it at the moment and want to install Linux instead or nearby. The problem I encountered is that Linux (Mint 19.3, a "fork" of Ubuntu 18.04) doesn't see my SSD. Google says I have to switch from RAID to AHCI mode to make everything work, but I find it very difficult...

Firstly I've tried to change my BIOS settings, but I couldn't find any line corresponding to SATA mode (you can see my Main tab below). I've found something looking similar to what I was looking for in the Information tab (screenshot 2), but I'm not able to edit it.

On the internet, there're some tutorials on how to do this, editing registry. I've tried this too, but it didn't work (BTW, after reboot my HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci\StartOverride "0" parameter becomes 3 again)

How do I switch to AHCI mode?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/wh/5fzxmqvb3mcx.jpg

batmalin · March 2020

Hello,
Go to BIOS screen, move to Main tab, press Ctrl+S buttons together, press F10 to save and exit, AHCI option should be available in Main tab. In case that you want to use windows after you switch to AHCI perform the steps below first:

Click the Start Button and type cmd
Right-click the result and select Run as administrator
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal (ALT: bcdedit /set safeboot minimal)
Restart the computer and enter BIOS Setup
Change the SATA Operation mode to AHCI from either IDE or RAID
Save changes and exit Setup and Windows will automatically boot to Safe Mode.
Right-click the Windows Start Menu once more. Choose Command Prompt (Admin).
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot (ALT: bcdedit /deletevalue safeboot)
Reboot once more and Windows will automatically start with AHCI drivers enabled

batmalin · March 2020

Hello,
Go to BIOS screen, move to Main tab, press Ctrl+S buttons together, press F10 to save and exit, AHCI option should be available in Main tab. In case that you want to use windows after you switch to AHCI perform the steps below first:

Click the Start Button and type cmd
Right-click the result and select Run as administrator
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal (ALT: bcdedit /set safeboot minimal)
Restart the computer and enter BIOS Setup
Change the SATA Operation mode to AHCI from either IDE or RAID
Save changes and exit Setup and Windows will automatically boot to Safe Mode.
Right-click the Windows Start Menu once more. Choose Command Prompt (Admin).
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot (ALT: bcdedit /deletevalue safeboot)
Reboot once more and Windows will automatically start with AHCI drivers enabled

KolayNe · March 2020

LOL
1. Thank you a lot, this worked. Didn't yet check if Linux now works, but this helped me to switch SATA mode
2. This solution looks a lot like an eastern egg of my BIOS 😅. Is there any kind of documentation for my bios with a list of these "interesting" keyboard shortcuts?

batmalin · March 2020

Well maybe in the service manual but Acer is not giving them up.

Aldrin23 · June 2020

Hello just a question. Why is that the bcdedit command was not found in my system?

batmalin · June 2020

The below only!

bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal

OR

bcdedit /set safeboot minimal

caugustomaia · October 2020

batmalin said:

Hello,
Go to BIOS screen, move to Main tab, press Ctrl+S buttons together, press F10 to save and exit, AHCI option should be available in Main tab. In case that you want to use windows after you switch to AHCI perform the steps below first:
Click the Start Button and type cmd
Right-click the result and select Run as administrator
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal (ALT: bcdedit /set safeboot minimal)
Restart the computer and enter BIOS Setup
Change the SATA Operation mode to AHCI from either IDE or RAID
Save changes and exit Setup and Windows will automatically boot to Safe Mode.
Right-click the Windows Start Menu once more. Choose Command Prompt (Admin).
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot (ALT: bcdedit /deletevalue safeboot)
Reboot once more and Windows will automatically start with AHCI drivers enabled

Dude, you just saved me. Thank you so much!

Commodore_1995# · October 2020

This tip is easier to perform:

a) press windows + r and type msconfig;

b) go to system startup and activate safeboot;

Now, if you intend to install windows and ubuntu in dual boot, disable fastboot in the bios and fast startup in the power options as well.

Pgriffygriff · November 2020

Aldrin23 said:

Hello just a question. Why is that the bcdedit command was not found in my system?

Bcdedit is case sensitive

Simo998 · November 2020

Noob question, do I need to enable AHCI if both my drives are nvme? I am planning to dual boot and install linux in one nvme and keep windows on the other.nvme ...because my old laptops i always had AHCI enabled when I was running dual boot linux windows on two sata ssd's... .

batmalin · November 2020

Yes, Linux doesn`t support RST.

Simo998 · November 2020

batmalin said:

Yes, Linux doesn`t support RST.

good to know . I am able to boot into Ubuntu Live usb in my Nitro 5 without switching to AHCI , Ubuntu booted straight out the box, but Im guessing I will hace problem if I dont switch t o AHCi mode then from what you guys are saying.

BTW wondering is there any performance loss running nvme in AHCI mode in bios?

Commodore_1995# · November 2020

You can check the performance on the crystaldiskmark, with the rst with premium optane mode and then check with the ahci mode. Now, the performance increase would only be noticeable, if you use two ssds configured in raid. If you choose not to activate the raid, the difference in performance between ahci mode and rst with premium optane will be imperceptible.

To change sata mode to ahci, do this:

a) press windows + r, type msconfig, go to system startup and activate safeboot;

b) restart windows;

c) go to the device manager and uninstall and delete the sata ahci controller driver;

d) restart windows;

e) access the bios, go to the main tab, press ctrl + s and change the sata mode to ahci.

Simo998 · November 2020

egydiocoelho said:

You can check the performance on the crystaldiskmark, with the rst with premium optane mode and then check with the ahci mode. Now, the performance increase would only be noticeable, if you use two ssds configured in raid. If you choose not to activate the raid, the difference in performance between ahci mode and rst with premium optane will be imperceptible.

To change sata mode to ahci, do this:
a) press windows + r, type msconfig, go to system startup and activate safeboot;
b) restart windows;
c) go to the device manager and uninstall and delete the sata ahci controller driver;
d) restart windows;
e) access the bios, go to the main tab, press ctrl + s and change the sata mode to ahci.

thanks alot. great clear steps. I understood we are changjng sata mode to ahci in bios to get linux installation working, but can you help me understand why if both my drives are not sata and are pcie nvme drives? Is it only because linux install need us to switch to ahci, and nothing to do with having an nvme drive at at all? or because the USB drive? just curious.

Simo998 · November 2020

batmalin said:

Hello,
Go to BIOS screen, move to Main tab, press Ctrl+S buttons together, press F10 to save and exit, AHCI option should be available in Main tab. In case that you want to use windows after you switch to AHCI perform the steps below first:
Click the Start Button and type cmd
Right-click the result and select Run as administrator
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal (ALT: bcdedit /set safeboot minimal)
Restart the computer and enter BIOS Setup
Change the SATA Operation mode to AHCI from either IDE or RAID
Save changes and exit Setup and Windows will automatically boot to Safe Mode.
Right-click the Windows Start Menu once more. Choose Command Prompt (Admin).
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot (ALT: bcdedit /deletevalue safeboot)
Reboot once more and Windows will automatically start with AHCI drivers enabled

great this worked for me also. thanks!

DarkInc · November 2020

Hey can someone help me i have nitro 5 an515-42 i know nvme is not supported but at the same time i cant find raid mode in bios i mean i went to sata configuration the hdd1 was not detected when i tried to change sata mode the only option available was raid

batmalin · November 2020

Amd models doesn`t have RAID controller enabled so the only option available for you would be the AHCI. You have to look for an issue elsewhere e.g. faulty drive, loose connection and so on

Thouhid · January 2021

Great post and thanks for the help

CuriousCat92 · February 2021

batmalin said:

Hello,
Go to BIOS screen, move to Main tab, press Ctrl+S buttons together, press F10 to save and exit, AHCI option should be available in Main tab. In case that you want to use windows after you switch to AHCI perform the steps below first:
Click the Start Button and type cmd
Right-click the result and select Run as administrator
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal (ALT: bcdedit /set safeboot minimal)
Restart the computer and enter BIOS Setup
Change the SATA Operation mode to AHCI from either IDE or RAID
Save changes and exit Setup and Windows will automatically boot to Safe Mode.
Right-click the Windows Start Menu once more. Choose Command Prompt (Admin).
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot (ALT: bcdedit /deletevalue safeboot)
Reboot once more and Windows will automatically start with AHCI drivers enabled

Thank you for this. It worked for me. Now, would it also be possible to change back from AHCI to RST? Do you know how to?