Enabled the AHCI, now I can't start Vista and system restore isn't working!

[amy]

Hi,

I really hope someone can help. I am supposed to be fixing a friend's laptop. I enabled the AHCI in BIOS mode and now the Windows is not starting, I've tried system restore and it completes it sccessfully and says it needs to restart, so I restart it and the same thing happens again, Windows wont work and offers me system restore. Can anyone tell me a way of restoring the computer without losing all my friend's files? Or I may be losing a friend pretty soon lol

[Tootech]

Go back to the BIOS and disable ACHI.

 

You don't really need it for most systems, especially laptops.

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

 

System restore only restore Windows and NOT the BIOS, you will need to change that setting in the BIOS.

[amy]

You wouldn't know how by any chance? I pressed F2 to first get into BIOS but it doesn't work anymore. Can't seem to access it.

[Tootech]

What is the make and model of the lappy?

[amy]

It is an Advent 1115C

[zinglebarb]

ACHI needs a driver its already installed in vista but disabled. You need to alter this reg key

 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Msahci

 

value needs to be 0. However of course you need to sort your bios out first I take it it was F2 worked before?

[amy]

Yes I have had a mini breakthrough! I managed to get the BIOS up, and disabled the ACHI. Now do you reckon I could restore the system successfully?

[zinglebarb]

well it should just boot normally confused now. How far is it going

[Tootech]

It should just fire up and run Windows now.

[Tootech]

Sorry zingle, I'll leave you with it :)

[zinglebarb]

Sorry zingle, I'll leave you with it :)

 

 

why :( sob sob :)

 

Aint you watching the footie :)

[amy]

Well I have disabled the ACHI but windows is still refusing to work. A 'tech guys' menu comes up, I'm presuming thats to do with pc world, and I have 4 options. Start Microsoft Windows Repair Environment, Reinstall Windows, Advanced Options or Exit and Restart Computer.

[zinglebarb]

what was the brief when the machine was bought to you? why did it need fixing in the first place?

[amy]

Well basically, the problem is completely unrelated. I was told that the laptop wasn't loading any Cds or Dvds. You can hear the disk spinning but the computer isn't loading it, an icon doesn't even appear in 'My Computer'.

[zinglebarb]

do you have access to a vista dvd? what options are available in the recovery enviroment?

[amy]

I've managed to get windows back! I'm a fast learner lol I feel like I have wasted your time, I'm really sorry, youve been a great help though, I have been struggling for hours with this but I had a light bulb moment lol You wouldn't know how to fix the original windows not detecting the dvd/cd problem would you?

[zinglebarb]

so it does not show up at all ? is it in device manager?

[amy]

No I've checked there, its wierd.

[zinglebarb]

If its in device manager but not in my computer follw these instructions

 

The CD drive or the DVD drive does not work as expected on a computer that you upgraded to Windows Vista

 

once regedit is open select file and export and save the reg as a file somewhere safe

 

Edit does it show up at post? should be easy to remove on a laptop slide it out blow the contacts and put it back and see :)

[amy]

I will try that thankyou. I best go now, thanks for all your help, really appreciate it, I know where to come if I get in a pickle again lol

[zinglebarb]

let us know how you get on :)

[amy]

Thankyou I will, bye x