Upgrade to SSD from HDD

sportflyer · 18 Aug 2018

I have old Sony Vaio AIO desktop that I want to replace the HDD with 256GB SSD. Current OS is latest version of Windows 10. Computer has Legacy bios and uses Std Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller. I plan to do a clean install of windows 10 .

I understand that I need to change to ACHI mode for the SSD to work properly . Do I do this prior to swapping the HDD for SSD ? Is this mode even available in the Legacy Bios ? Please advise the sequence of steps to take for the conversion . tks

bobkn · 18 Aug 2018

You may get better advice if you give the model number of the Vaio.

I'm not sure that AHCI is necessary with an SSD, but it's preferred.

If you plan a clean install, I suggest swapping in the SSD, turning on AHCI in the BIOS (if available), and then booting from the Win10 installation media for the Windows install.

Caledon Ken · 18 Aug 2018

Hi sportflyer.

I would just enter BIOS now (document I looked at said it could be F1, F2 or F3... my bet is F2) and see what it is set to, will likely be ACHI.

If not here is how I would proceed. Power off. Removed HDD. Not familiar with inside of your AIO but if it has a 3 1/2 inch HDD you may need bracket to mount your 2 1/2" ssd.

Install you SSD. Power up and enter BIOS, set to ACHI, plug in usb key you are booting Windows from, save and exit BIOS.

Machine will reboot and you should be able to press your boot key , F11 according to same document, and boot from USB key.

Here is clean install Tutorial for reference.

Clean Install Windows 10

It is best to install Windows with just the one drive connected.

If your BIOS is already using ACHI, power down, install ssd, plug in USB key, power on and Press F11 to get boot menu.

Not sure what your plans are for existing HDD so no comment on it.

sportflyer · 18 Aug 2018

bobkn said:

You may get better advice if you give the model number of the Vaio.

I'm not sure that AHCI is necessary with an SSD, but it's preferred.

If you plan a clean install, I suggest swapping in the SSD, turning on AHCI in the BIOS (if available), and then booting from the Win10 installation media for the Windows install.

Planning on clean install. Sony model number is VGC-JS190D

BTW device manager says PCI IDE controller .

Caledon Ken · 18 Aug 2018

Need to enter BIOS and see setting as far as I know.

I can find a model like yours but not yours. For sure you have to be on US site. Last letter is J or B or S on Sony site. I will go back and check.

bobkn · 18 Aug 2018

sportflyer said:

Planning on clean install. Sony model number is VGC-JS190D

BTW device manager says PCI IDE controller .

I don't find any information online for BIOS settings for the VGC-JS190D. Sony's support page for that model just loops back to the model search page.

I believe that "PCIE IDE controller" tells you what drivers the machine is using. Not so much about the hardware.

Sorry that I can't be more helpful. I hope that an all-in-one machine's BIOS is friendlier about settings access than some laptops are. (An all-in-one is often laptop components in a desktop package.)

NavyLCDR · 18 Aug 2018

If the entry under IDE/ATAPI Controllers is "PCI IDE controller" then the BIOS is in IDE mode. If the BIOS was in AHCI mode, then you would see "Standard SATA AHCI controller" or a manufacturer specific AHCI controller entry.

Moving from IDE to AHCI on the current Windows 10 installation is easy:
1. Right click on "PCI IDE controller" in device manager and remove it.
2. Hold down Shift when you click on Windows Shutdown to get a full shutdown.
3. Restart the computer and spam the key to get into your BIOS/UEFI setup.
4. Change controller mode to AHCI.
5. Restart.

If at step 3 you miss the key and don't get into BIOS/UEFI setup, then go back to step 1 once Windows loads.

I would do this before removing the HDD, on the current Windows 10 installation. You will see a performance improvement even with just a HDD connected.

sportflyer · 18 Aug 2018

NavyLCDR said:

If the entry under IDE/ATAPI Controllers is "PCI IDE controller" then the BIOS is in IDE mode. If the BIOS was in AHCI mode, then you would see "Standard SATA AHCI controller" or a manufacturer specific AHCI controller entry.

Moving from IDE to AHCI on the current Windows 10 installation is easy:
1. Right click on "PCI IDE controller" in device manager and remove it.
2. Hold down Shift when you click on Windows Shutdown to get a full shutdown.
3. Restart the computer and spam the key to get into your BIOS/UEFI setup.
4. Change controller mode to AHCI.
5. Restart.

If at step 3 you miss the key and don't get into BIOS/UEFI setup, then go back to step 1 once Windows loads.

I would do this before removing the HDD, on the current Windows 10 installation. You will see a performance improvement even with just a HDD connected.

Would changing the mode to AHCI with current HDD mess up the boot? I hate to screw up my wife's computer

Caledon Ken · 18 Aug 2018

Did you look under that controller in device manager, are you already using AHCI?

sportflyer · 18 Aug 2018

Caledon Ken said:

Did you look under that controller in device manager, are you already using AHCI?

Using PCIE IDE controller . see post 4 above.

Wondering whether there is any gain to changing controller to AHCI with the current HDD. If so I might as well change it now since it has to be done before installing the SSD anyway