Is Asrock 945GCM-S compatible with AHCI?

This is a setting in you BIOS. Try changing to AUTO under the SATA drive settings by pressing F key during boot. It will be noted on screen during startup.

I would stay away from a OS upgrade till your are certain all hardware and software is compatible. It is a lot of work if it does not work properly.

if it does not see the hard disk on installation or otherwise..it means you do not have the ahci (or raid ) driver installed ..and the laptop is set to run in this mode..but was installed without them ..the easy fix is go to bios ..look for the hard drive ,. and disable the ahci function for it ..and let it work on sata as ide ..or ide compatible ..or something like that ..anyway but not ahci ..save settings with F10 and restart and if you have a working windows on it ..it will boot proper and that's all ..if you do not have the windows..you can now install it further ..
The other option is to install windows from a usb flash ., and use the drivers disk in the drive ..and when it gets to the point where you select the partition ..it will ask for 3rd party drivers and you can select them on the disk and install ..or it will take them auto ..and this way you will have an installation of windows with the ahci function on ..and will be a little faster
have a nice day and don't hesitate to ask for future guidance ..
please rate my answer ..

Intel Smart Response Technology (SRT) is used for SSD caching to improve system performance. To use it successfully, here are some steps to consider:
1. SSD Compatibility: Ensure that your SSD is compatible with SRT. It should be a SATA SSD.
2. BIOS Settings: In the BIOS, set the SATA mode to RAID (not AHCI or IDE) before configuring SRT. Make sure your motherboard supports SRT as well.
3. Driver Installation: Before enabling SRT, install the latest RAID drivers provided by your motherboard manufacturer.
4. Backup: Backup your important data because enabling SRT involves data migration.
5. Enable SRT: In the BIOS, set the SRT mode to "Enhanced" or "Maximum" depending on your preference.
6. Initialize SSD: Initialize and format the SSD through Windows Disk Management.
7. Install Intel RST: Download and install the latest Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) driver and software for your chipset.
8. Enable SRT in RST: Open the Intel RST software and enable SRT. You should see an option to accelerate your HDD with your SSD.
9. Reboot: After configuring SRT, reboot your system.
10. Verify: Check if SRT is working by opening the Intel RST software. It should show your SSD as a cache for your HDD.
If you're encountering crashes or issues, it's essential to ensure compatibility and follow these steps carefully. If the problem persists, consider seeking assistance from your motherboard manufacturer's support or Intel's support, as it could be related to specific hardware or software conflicts.

If this is a blue screen error and it do not let you to install the operation system ..but only loads a few files ..it means that you have let the hard disk set by default ..in BIOS and it is on sata bus..and needs to install the ahci driver ...If you have its original driver disk ..and you have a bootable disk with the operation system ..try to see if it takes the driver from a memory stick ...Just run the installation from the boot-able disk ..and press f 6 when it asks for 3rd party driver ..if you installing windows XP ..or ..when you get to the first screen on windows 7 ..choose to load driver and browse for the ahci driver on the usb stick ..if it can be found..or load it into a partition instead..or a external floppy disk ..Or ..make a boot-able memory stick .and load windows from it ..and use the original disk with drivers to load the ahci driver ..
In case non of these will work ..just go to bios settings first ..and under the hard disk 0 ..select to disable the ahci mode...and select ide compatible ..or ide default ..or plain ide...anyway ..just not ahci ....and the hard disk will be seen and will let you to install the operation system ..
If you are trying to install from a recovery disk ..it may not work ..cause will not recognize the hard disk and may need to use files usually stored in the reserved partition of windows..so ..best to try install from a boot-able disk or boot-able usb device ..and after that load all drivers and programs ..including antivirus..
remember to get the lan driver in handy ..cause without it you will not be able to connect top the internet and finish the drivers and programs installing ..
let me know if you solved the problem and please rate my answer if it's helpful ..have a nice day !

" No support for RAID and "Hot Plug" functions "
AHCI = hot plug function
For SATAII setup refer page 27 of the manual

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.us.asp?Model=G41MH/USB3&cat=Specifications

In the bios change the drive options to anything but AHCI if possible. You will need a windows xp driver and USB floppy disk to install the AHCI or SSD driver. It's also referred to as an F6 Floppy. Dell should have the download you need.

yes

Hi, if you tell me the operating system you've installed, i can give you the direct link, anyway, let me just give some instructions here, follow this link http://www.asrock.com/mb/download.asp?Model=945GCM-S and from the lists of Operating System, select the one (XP, Vista, Windows 7, etc) which is installed and download. Good luck.

If you can install Windows Vista and only XP not work for sure this is the solution :
SATA operation mode is AHCI
To change this :
Open BIOS
Look for SATA Operation Mode or somethin equivalent and change-it to IDE or Compatibility Mode.

okie! a question? i have installed windows Xp with Sp3 on my Y510. Now whenever I try switching back to AHCI mode i end up with a BSOD. would it make any difference if i leave it in the compatibility mode? or how can i get it back to AHCI mode