Not able to set SATA operation to AHCI in BIOS (Inspiron 7490)

Someone else reported this because they wanted to install Linux as well.  I hadn't seen a system that only had Disabled and RAID as options, but I asked that person to see if choosing "Disabled" might simply disable Intel RST rather than disabling the entire interface.  That person never replied.  If you haven't already, try that and see if that allows your Linux installer to see your hard drive.  If it doesn't (because Disabled truly does disable the entire interface), then my only other thought would be that perhaps NVMe SSDs would behave differently.  The option wording specifically talks about the SATA controller, although that might not mean anything because Dell has used the "SATA Operation" wording for a while, and changing that setting on other systems definitely also affects NVMe SSDs.

If Disabled really does disable the entire interface and NVMe SSDs don't behave any differently, then it would appear that your system doesn't allow AHCI mode, in which case you would not be able to install Linux unless there's some Intel RST driver for Linux out there.

As for getting rid of Windows, you would just want to delete all existing partitions on the SSD before installing your new OS.  The OS installer should give you an option to do this at some point.

I'm also blocked by missed AHCI menu in BIOS to install linux on Inspiron 7490. Have you find a workaround/solution to do that ? Thanks! 

Facing the same problem, and I'm seriously considering refunding. So frustrated to try install linux on Dell

EDITED:

I face the same problem too. It's rather sad as I liked Dell Inspiron 14 7490 a lot. I really need linux for my work so I spent the whole weekend searching for solution. I have tried switching the button to "Disabled" but it didn't work as linux on LiveUSB wasn't able to see the SSD. And I'm a bit afraid to format the whole SSD with Windows being deleted cause I'm not sure it will work.

It would be nice to get some comments from Dell support about the whole situation.

I find this whole situation outraging. Being able to use Linux is quite crucial to me, and apparently Dell doesn't give me any option to do so with this laptop. There's no reason why they would make it so hard to install Linux here (to the point of not proving an AHCI interface??)

Don't we have any other update/further information from them?

I might ask for a refund and never buy a Dell laptop again

I have the same issue. I can't get the Ubuntu installer to load linux because I can't set AHCI mode for the SATA drive.

I have the same problem. I also tried ubuntu daily image and fedora 31 until I saw this thread, thought it was just something about ubuntu 18. 

Any help will be appreciated. It would be nice some word from Dell.

Thanks

That's the problem, dell used to be known for not having to worry about these kinds of details.

Not anymore...

Moreover, at the price of the device I estimate

1 that the support of at least one Linux OS is normal, or at least should be possible,

2 to warn future buyers so that they avoid the situation of many of us!
To give you an idea of the number of people affected :

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1181726/no-hard-drive-detected-during-ubuntu-19-04-installation

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1180881/i-dont-see-ssd-in-ubuntu-install-on-dell-latitude-7400-with-rst/1180888#1180888

https://forum.ubuntu-fr.org/viewtopic.php?id=2046969

https://forum.ubuntu-fr.org/viewtopic.php?id=2044309

https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/SSD-NVME-non-reconnu-lors-de-l-installation-DELL-7490-Ubuntu-19/td-p/7387703

https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=306195

https://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/comments/e9zln4/linux_install_directly_to_nvme_ssd/

...

There's tons of subjects about this problem if you look hard enough, so at some point Dell might want to do something.

Sincerely

Welcome to the Dell Community  @Napolar 

If Ubuntu is a prerequisite then you need to make sure it can be installed before purchasing.

So far I have found that HP and IBM sell systems that Ubuntu cannot be installed.

Ask be for purchasing instead of blaming others for not.

Best regards,

U2

2 months that I have the same problem, please send a fix, because actually I want a refund and never buy a DELL again ! 

In 2020, you sell a computer not compatible with Ubuntu... 

@Napolar 

With advancements I could see AHCI not being a boot option in the future.

It will be eliminated just like IDE has been.

Linux/Ubuntu may want to take notice and do something about it???

Regards,

U2

The most frustrating thing to me is I googled for the ubuntu compatibility before buying and goofed it up. If you google the string "dell inspiron 14 7490 ubuntu" the first result is ubuntu's certification for the Dell Latitude 14 7490... A rookie mistake on my part but I was in a hurry to get the sale since it was over 50% off and I was a little sleepy.

Also to the 'maybe ubuntu should fix it' point, isn't the problem that the drivers are kept proprietary and Dell/Intel refuse to open source their drivers to help the linux community? You'd think the least they could do if that were the case is maintain some backwards compatibility so that people didn't fork out 3k to not be allowed to do what they want on their own systems. Feels like the first step towards another Apple type company that sues you if you try to fix your own tech.

Same issue not being able to install linux.

Additionally the laptop is getting hot very quickly and fans are permanently on, making it very noisy.

And even worse, the laptop crashed twice as of the first day I got it. By "crashed" I mean it's not powering when I press the power button. Charging LED was not turning on either when I plugged the charged. Had to open the laptop and unplug/replug the battery to get it working again. 

This laptop is definitely a failure. First and last time I buy dell.

Hi, have you seen the screens ? It's already not in option, and that's maybe too early to remove this, as now we are stuck  

If Dell could push a new BIOS to allow us use the AHCI that would be awesome...

Sincerely