Update to Windows 10 1903 requires updated Intel Rapid Storage Technologies

Anonymous
2019-07-27T03:09:50+00:00

After receiving the notification, I updated my Dell Inspiron 5000 series with an update from Dell.  This update installed successfully as indicated:

However, the file that is blocking the Windows update, iasota.sys, is the old version that was present before I updated RST (note that other iasot*.sys files are newer):

Any idea on what can be done to workaround the problem?

Is the iaStorA.sys file obsolete and no longer needed now that the RST driver has been updated?  If yes, should I simply rename the file to iaStorA.old and attempt to update Windows again?

Do newer versions of Intel RST still use the older iaStorA.sys file resulting in the Windows Setup not recognizing that a compatible version of RST has been installed?  If yes, then do I have to wait for Microsoft to modify the Setup program so that it assesses RST compatibility by looking at something other than the iaStorA.sys version (e.g., the iaStorAC.sys version, which is the file that serves as the driver for the I/O SATA AHCI Controller?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-08-25T00:36:39+00:00

    I took a break and decided to wait for Microsoft to post the updated version because I was already stressed and hit an impasse.

    I did have a more recent version of RST installed but I uninstalled it. I ran the Intel Driver and Support Assistant program which recommended a slightly older version so I installed that. It still made no difference so I uninstalled RST. When I rebooted it automatically installed the version you see now.

    I hesitate to play around trying to switch from RAID to AHCI in the BIOS at this moment. I have five operating systems on this PC. One is a Linux install that I don't use. The other two Linux installs I do use off and on. There is also this Windows 10 and a Windows 7 install. I need the PC to work so I can send things to medical providers.

    I wonder how we will know when Microsoft issues the corrected version. Currently Windows Update does not show no updates available. It shows a link to fix the issue which is what we have been trying to do!

    Thank you for your replies.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-21T00:25:12+00:00

    That message is really strange.  Obviously, you device is not incompatible with Windows 10 since you are running Windows 10 on your computer now.

    You did mention that the computer is an antique, which means the Intel processor is old.  I wonder if the RST software you installed is too recent a version, but you did say that Windows installed this version for you so that should not be the problem.  When I reinstalled RST after updating to RST, I let Intel chose the most appropriate version and it did not install the most recent one:

    You can also see that iaStorAC.sys is the only installed driver, in contrast to your system, which has Optane and several other drivers listed.  I'm not sure if the additional drivers are contributing to the problem.

    Finally, note that the driver info in the figure above specifies the processor on my computer.  The figure you posted the other day simply says "Intel Chipset" so I wonder if the RST version you installed is a generic one for older processors and works, but Windows "sees" that you have an older chipset and thinks it is incompatible because Windows is unaware that Intel has provided an updated ACHI controller for older chipsets.  I have no expertise in this area; I'm just trying to make some sense out of the information we have.

    Given that it is difficult for you to spend long stretches at the computer, perhaps your effort should be directed toward more productive work.  Perhaps you should wait a month or so and then attempt the install againMaybe when Microsoft resolves the issue that initiated this post, your configuration will be recognized as compatible and 1903 will install effortlessly.  You clearly are able to work with your current version of Windows and 1903 is not so different, clearly not worth risking your comfort and health.

    I certainly understand if it takes you days to respond, or you elect not to respond.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-08-20T23:40:59+00:00

    I can't sit on te PC for long due to spinal issues so I have to take breaks if I take a day or two to reply.

    Here is the only message that displays,

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-08-19T18:35:12+00:00

    Since you are using very recent RST drivers for SATA and since you don't have an iaStorA.sys file, it is really puzzling that 1903 won't install.  Perhaps it has something to do with your system being an "antique".

    I do not know anything about RAID versus ACHI, but since your system says you are using RST drivers, it would seem that Windows could be overriding the RAID setting in your BIOS.

    To determine what to do next, it would be helpful to see the message you got when the most recent attempt to install 1903 failed.

    Perhaps your best bet is to wait for Microsoft to fix the issue that is causing the problem.  A bulletin mentioned in an earlier response in this posting said that a fix would be available in late-August.  Of course, it may take longer.  But in the end, it may be much easier than trying to identify a workaround for your particular configuration.

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-08-19T17:00:25+00:00

    I uninstalled RST and rebooted. Windows automatically installed another version of it.

    I assume it is because the BIOS has RAID instead of AHCI. I chose that years ago after

    reading articles that said it supported SATA drives and allowed for RAID in the future if I

    wanted it without a reinstall.

    Yes I have tried installing 1903 without any success. It shows iastorac.sys is loaded and

    running. I installed RST 17.2.0.1009 and uninstalled it then rebooted.

    I manually uninstalled the driver from Device Manager and it reinstalled the version

    in this screen capture:

    It you click on the picture it displays it full size.

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