Dell Vostro 200 v1.0.16 Experimental Unlocking & Upgrading Project

[cyberpark]

I'm in AHCI mode now.
after AHCI mode on, I switched to RAID to show the screen shoot.

Either AHCI, or RAID, it required register set to windows7 boot-up properly, unless it will make blue screen.

If you want, I will with be RAID mode for the test.

[Dansolo]

If you're on AHCI mode now, can you verify in Windows Device Manager that you're running AHCI?

If you wanted to switch Windows to RAID mode, by the way, it's easy using the RAIDFix link in my sig. I don't need you to do that, though, because your picture shows RAID mode obviously working.

[cyberpark]

I'm attaching the screen shot for AHCI.
it show AHCI mode correctly.

I have changed to AHCI to RAID mode with your RAID fix.
after RAID mode, it won't allow to booting from CDROM, F12, or CMOS boot sequence. it don't show up for CD/DVD booting.
I guess it is something missing setting from CMOS, like as standard CMOS standards.

I'm attaching screen shots the device manger for RAID mode.
one of IDE show up unknown, bu it is available.
I'm not sure RAID is working fine if It have RAID harddisk.
it is strange.

[Dansolo]

Hmm, okay, that's good to know. The second BIOS that I attached may possibly work better, but I'm not sure. I don't think the AHCI ROM in the first one's working right. By the way, after running RAIDFix, you can still use IDE (and AHCI if your computer was configured for it or if you do the registry edit to enable it). You're not locked into using RAID.

[cyberpark]

I flashed the second bios.

on ACPI mode, it show all sata information from standard cmos features, F2 after logo.
and It has shown ACPI boot rom... in advance of Windows7 started, which it doesn't show up the first bios.

on RAID mode, but I can't be booting at all, also I can't go ACHI iSc for more RAID setting, so I can't give the screen shot.
but it allowed to boot from CD/DVD rom.

[Dansolo]

hmm... okay, well, thanks for trying that. I'm not sure at the moment how to make it all work together, but if I think of something, I'll post another update.

Edit: Actually, here's one more to try for now... if you want to. This has exact AHCI ROM from another ICH9 board (EP35DS3R). To be honest, I'd say the chances of it working are not great, and that the actual BIOS code might have to be fixed to make it work with Intel AHCI instead of Phoenix. But if you want to give this one more try for now, we'd appreciate it.

Another thing: With the first BIOS, you might be able to boot from CD if you play around with what goes to what SATA port. Or if you only have just one HD and the CD drive connected. You can play around with it if you want to. I think my friend with an Inspiron 530 had to do that to get my +RAID -AHCI mod working.

[cyberpark]

thanks
I don't know what the performance is between ACPI, IDE, RAID.
RAID is better the data protection for redundancy disk .
but between IDE and ACPI, well, I can't feel so much big different.

I flashed the third bios.
IDE is fine everythig.

ACPI, it doesn't show up stat information from stand CMOS standard
it won't boot. failure disk...

RAID, it doesn't show up stat information from stand CMOS standard
but it boot up and I can go to ACHI iSc and change RAID setting, no problem.

I checked, the original dell bios, it have IDE or RAID only,
there isn't ACPI.
but I think I get back to happy IDE?

[Dansolo]

If you use a SSD, you should use AHCI or RAID for performance reasons. Also, they let you hot-add drives while IDE does not. IDE has lower performance in general. Which you want to use is up to you. It'd be nice if I could figure out how to get all three working properly in the same BIOS :/

[messerchmidt]

If you use a SSD, you should use AHCI or RAID for performance reasons. Also, they let you hot-add drives while IDE does not. IDE has lower performance in general. Which you want to use is up to you. It'd be nice if I could figure out how to get all three working properly in the same BIOS :/

the bios image above killed my mac address


have to reflash, ugh

[RV_ABZ]

Tried 1st & 3rd BIOS file in my Vostro200S. Used Winflash. All Ok, no misbehaviour to report. PC seemed to boot quicker, but I guess it's just an impression...

Now have a lot more info in Setup screen and all is reported Ok (HDD, DVD). Run my 2 x 320HDD in standard/default IDE mode. No loss of MAC address in my case. CPU clock set at 366MHz as with previous mods of 2009/2010, but no change to CPU in practice. May be in the future?

Need to try AHCI mode for SATA disks now. Will report afterwards.