Solved Dell Latitude. Can't Clean-Install because of "AHCI" and "RAID" complications.

I'm trying to Clean-Install Windows 11 onto my laptop.

Apparently, there's some obstacle that prevents certain laptops--like this Dell Latitude 7430--from Clean-Installing, something to do with "AHCI" and "RAID" modes in the BIOS. According to this thread on the Dell forum, one way around it is to switch from "RAID" mode to "AHCI" mode in the BIOS-settings, as the picture here shows:




this will then allow the laptop to at least Factory-Reset. However, according to "JohnSnow"s comment in that same thread--see the next inserted picture--



this way doesn't allow for a Clean-Install but rather will only be a mere Factory-Reset.

I want a Clean-Install, not a Factory-Reset.

The comment by "filbert" in that same thread says to download a certain Driver--I think it is probably this one--that allows the laptop to then Clean-Install even when under "RAID" mode. I went ahead with the Factory-Reset option without downloading that recommended Driver: my laptop was messed-up enough to make me not want to mess-around with downloading and installing more Drivers onto it, in-case something went wrong; so I thought I would do the Factory-Reset method, which would at least stabilise my laptop somewhat, then afterwards I could install that recommended Driver and then go ahead and Clean-Install as that user "filbert" suggests in that thread.

However, I am now stuck in "AHCI" mode, with respect to the first picture I included in this post, and if I try and change back to "RAID" mode in the BIOS the OS fails to boot.

From this position, how do I do a Clean-Install?

Do you use RAID for anything? If not, go back to AHCI and clean install.

_william said:

I want a Clean-Install, not a Factory-Reset.

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The only difference is the bloatware, if you don’t want the bloatware, clean install. Go AHCI

edit; The only difference is the bloatware and the updates. Clean install with the lates updated ISO will pretty much put you instantly on the latest version 23H2 less maybe any updates since the latest ISO release.

Just to clarify, the reason why you can't clean install using RAID mode is because you need the Intel Rapid Storage Device driver, which is NOT bundled with the Windows setup media. It simply can't find your storage devices. This driver also complicates things a lot and can be a bit finnicky at times. If you have absolutely NO reason to use this mode, then use ACHI, it is much better and more suitable for most users.

All my computers use ACHI even though I could setup the RAID mode.

Random question; When you bought your Laptop, did it come with Windows 10 or Windows 11?

SlicEnDicE said:

All my computers use ACHI even though I could setup the RAID mode.

Click to expand...

As do mine.

antspants said:

Random question; When you bought your Laptop, did it come with Windows 10 or Windows 11?

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Also, Pro or Home?

SlicEnDicE said:

Do you use RAID for anything? If not, go back to AHCI and clean install.

Click to expand...

Please see the comment I made a picture of in the OP. Again, the user "JohnSnow" said in that picture that all can be achieved in "AHCI" mode is a Factory-Reset; and that's all I got today when I re-installed W11 onto my laptop.

Do you mean to say that if I were to try and Clean-Install once AGAIN in "AHCI" mode--having done so once already--it would THEN Clean-Install and not just merely Factory-Reset?

no i don't care about any special "RAID" mode

antspants said:

The only difference is the bloatware, if you don’t want the bloatware, clean install. Go AHCI

edit; The only difference is the bloatware and the updates. Clean install with the lates updated ISO will pretty much put you instantly on the latest version 23H2 less maybe any updates since the latest ISO release.

Click to expand...

Please see my reply to slicendice

antspants said:

Random question; When you bought your Laptop, did it come with Windows 10 or Windows 11?

Click to expand...

11pro

_william said:

Please see the comment I made a picture of in the OP. Again, the user "JohnSnow" said in that picture that all can be achieved in "AHCI" mode is a Factory-Reset; and that's all I got today when I re-installed W11 onto my laptop.

Do you mean to say that if I were to try and Clean-Install once AGAIN in "AHCI" mode--having done so once already--it would THEN Clean-Install and not just merely Factory-Reset?

Click to expand...

No, I'm saying that if you have issues then clean install. Don't use RAID mode if you have no reason to use it. Stick with ACHI mode.

SlicEnDicE said:

No, I'm saying that if you have issues then clean install. Don't use RAID mode if you have no reason to use it. Stick with ACHI mode.

Click to expand...

I haven't made myself clear enough.

I WANT to Clean-Install. I DO NOT want just a Factory-Reset.

The computer DID NOT ALLOW ME TO CLEAN-INSTALL when under "AHCI" mode when I tried to do so earlier today.

_william said:

I haven't made myself clear enough.

I WANT to Clean-Install. I DO NOT want just a Factory-Reset.

The computer DID NOT ALLOW ME TO CLEAN-INSTALL when under "AHCI" mode when I tried to do so earlier today.

Click to expand...

Then Clean install...what is odd though is that ACHI should work while RAID should not work by default. You are saying that RAID works but ACHI does not? I am confused...

SlicEnDicE said:

Then Clean install...what is odd though is that ACHI should work while RAID should not work by default. You are saying that RAID works but ACHI does not? I am confused...

Click to expand...

Ok. So.

The computer will not let me Clean-Install when under "AHCI" mode in the BIOS. It WILL NOT CLEAN-INSTALL WHEN USING "AHCI" MODE. It will ONLY FACTORY-RESET when under "AHCI" mode.

It WILL NOT LET ME BACK into "RAID" mode in any case.

When you boot into the setup media, can you please explain what it says? Do you even get it to boot from the media?

_william said:

Ok. So.

The computer will not let me Clean-Install when under "AHCI" mode in the BIOS. It WILL NOT CLEAN-INSTALL WHEN USING "AHCI" MODE. It will ONLY FACTORY-RESET when under "AHCI" mode.

It WILL NOT LET ME BACK into "RAID" mode in any case.

Click to expand...

You DONT want to get int RAID mode

SlicEnDicE said:

When you boot into the setup media, can you please explain what it says? Do you even get it to boot from the media?

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You mean when I try and use the Windows Media Creation Tool on my USB device? Let me go and check and take screenshots of all the steps leading up to activating a re-install and get back to you.

_william said:

You mean when I try and use the Windows Media Creation Tool on my USB device? Let me go and check and take screenshots of all the steps leading up to activating a re-install and get back to you.

Click to expand...

NO, please

Take a step back and stop fighting me.

DO you start the setup process from the Windows desktop?

The steps to CLEAN INSTALL your system:

1. Create an installation media using the Media Creation Tool (An USB thumbdrive)
2. Reboot
3. Enter BIOS and set your mode to ACHI if it is not that yet.
4. Boot and make sure your system is welcomed by the Windows Setup screen. If not, you have to manually select the boot device during boot. Select your USB stick here.
5. In setup, you want to install clean so you need to choose custom setup
6. When setup asks you for where to install Windows, you should see a bunch of partitions on the screen. If not then the setup media is missing a driver and can not find your drive. Then you need to grab that driver on another computer first onto another usb stick and install that driver on your laptop while in setup mode
7. Once you see the drive, delete ALL partitions from the drive you want to install to
8. Press continue and Windows will automatically create all required partitions for you
9. Then the setup will proceed copying some files, installing drivers and rebooting
10. At some point you should get into the Windows Welcome screen, read carefully what it asks for and make decisions accordingly.
11. VOILA! You are now logged in to Windows Desktop in a clean installed system.

_william said:

11pro

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OK cool. Was just worried about embeded versions in your firmware but ignore that.

William… 3 observations though
1. It might be best if you pick a forum. Coross posting isn’t really helpful to you or us. It just complicates matters (obviously)
2. If you’re booting to your USB properly, you shouldn’t need to be having any of these issues. Go to your BIOS and setup the boot sequence to boot from the UEFI USB you created
3. Please listen to SlicEnDicE