new hotfix KB960735 enables the Native Command Queuing (NCQ) in SSD

[jamesVault]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/960735/en-us

On a Windows Vista-based or Windows Server 2008-based computer, you have a solid state drive (SSD) that is installed on the computer. However, you may experience poor performance when the computer accesses the SSD disk.

This problem occurs if the computer uses the Microsoft AHCI driver (Msahci.sys). In this case, the Native Command Queuing (NCQ) feature is disabled for the SSD disk.

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article

[techcafe]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/960735/en-us

On a Windows Vista-based or Windows Server 2008-based computer, you have a solid state drive (SSD) that is installed on the computer. However, you may experience poor performance when the computer accesses the SSD disk.

This problem occurs if the computer uses the Microsoft AHCI driver (Msahci.sys). In this case, the Native Command Queuing (NCQ) feature is disabled for the SSD disk.

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article

i believe that the above hotfix is included with Vista SP2.

after SP2 is installed, the msahci.sys driver is updated to version 6.0.6002.18005

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

thanks techcafe,

how does one know if NCQ is enabled or disabled? device manager?

update: i have SP2 installed. my version of msahci.sys shows 6.0.6001.18000. :unsure:

Edited June 3, 2009 by Jdawg683

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

was the article changed? there's nothing about SSDs in there. it simply says SATA devices.

[null_]

This hotfix is included with Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2.

[Robotic]

Why would you want to use NCQ with a SSD? It's not like it has got r/w heads to move around.

[Foxxx428]

thanks techcafe,

how does one know if NCQ is enabled or disabled? device manager?

update: i have SP2 installed. my version of msahci.sys shows 6.0.6001.18000. :unsure:

Did you do a clean install with a Service Pack 2 disk or did you use Windows Update or the standalone exe? If it wasn't a clean install and you are not using AHCI, that explains why it's not updated. If you're unsure about AHCI, it's a bios option (usually). You should have something like Native IDE, AHCI and RAID.