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How to Quickly Fix a Windows On-screen Error Caused by Changing the SATA Mode

Summary: The following article is a guide to a quick fix for On-screen Windows errors seen after changing your computers Serial AT Attachment (SATA) mode.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

Computer restarts with on-screen error ever since the SATA mode is changed

This article is relevant to anyone:

  • That is using Windows 11 or Windows 10.
  • That must change the computers SATA mode.
  • Who does not want to reinstall the operating system every time they change the SATA mode.

This article is not relevant to anyone:

  • That is using Windows 8.1 or earlier.
  • Earlier operating systems require Windows Registry changes to change the SATA mode.
  • This guide does not go into working with the older operating systems.

Cause

If you change the SATA mode without reinstalling the Windows operating system, you become subject to crashes and on-screen errors.

There are several reasons why you would want to change the SATA mode. (For example: Such as disabling a Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks Controller (RAID) build or to tweak the performance of your solid state drive (SSD).)

The following guide provides some quick steps to enable you to do this.

Resolution

Note: Administrator rights on the faulty computer are required for this resolution.
 
Note: Best practice recommends that before you do any work on your operating system, you complete a full backup. This is in case any problems occur, you can revert to the backup.
 

Run through these steps:

  1. You must open a Command Prompt or PowerShell and give it Administrative Rights:

    1. You can use the keyboard shortcut by pressing on the Windows logo key to open the Start Menu.

    2. Type CMD to open a list of options.

    3. Right-click or press and hold on the Command Prompt link to select Open as Administrator from the submenu that appears.

  2. Run the following command:

    bcdedit /set { current } safeboot minimal

  3. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS screens:

    • Press down on the F2 key when the computer is at the Dell Splash Screen during startup.

    • Alternatively, press down on the F12 key and choose the BIOS from the menu that appears.

  4. Select the required SATA mode, save your changes, and restart the computer.

  5. Windows starts up in SAFE Mode.

  6. Open the Command Prompt as an Administrator again.

  7. Run the following command:

    bcdedit /deletevalue { current } safeboot

  8. Restart Windows again.

Note: You must uninstall the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) Driver from your computer and install the latest revision from our support site. Enter your service tag, express service code, or select your computer model type to bring up your computers drivers list. Choose your operating system from the list to ensure you have the most recent revision for your operating and computer type.
 
Note: This resolution is intended for computers that do not have an active RAID 0 or 1 configuration. Otherwise reinstalling the operating system is still required.

Affected Products

Alienware, Inspiron, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Latitude Tablets, XPS Tablets, Fixed Workstations
Article Properties
Article Number: 000138544
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 21 Jun 2024
Version:  6
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