Computer stuck in IDE mode (not AHCI)? Please read and offer your thoughts. Thank you!

[nlitend1]

I upgraded 2 identical systems (both running windows 7) to SSDs and restored images via WHS 2011 and noticed that one of the systems is not running AHCI mode (according to AS SSD benchmark and device manager). I made the 2 registry changes already in windows according to this guide....

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/61869-ahci-enable-windows-7-vista.html

 

I then made sure that the BIOS had SATA configured as AHCI (and not IDE). After reboot, I did not get prompted to install the AHCI drivers and the performance is significantly less with the system that appears to be running in IDE mode.

 

The following are two strange things: 

1. Changing the BIOS setting to AHCI or IDE never gives me a BSOD.

2. Stablebit scanner states that both TRIM and NCQ are both working on the SSD and from what I can tell NCQ cannot run without AHCI mode.

 

This system apparently appears to be "stuck"... in what appears to be IDE mode...Any ideas on what to try at this point? Am i looking at a clean install or even worse... corrupted BIOS? 

 

Thanks!

 

nlitend1