IDE Channel (atapi) Service Defaults in Windows 7

ATAPI IDE Miniport Driver by Microsoft Corporation.

Default Settings

Startup type: Boot
Display name:IDE Channel
Service name:atapi
Service type:kernel
Error control:critical
Group:SCSI Miniport
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\atapi

Default Behavior

IDE Channel is a kernel device driver. In Windows 7 it is being loaded by Boot Loader before Kernel initialization. If IDE Channel fails to load, Windows 7 attempts to write the error data into Event Log and restart the computer, using the Last Known Good configuration. If the Last Known Good configuration is not valid, Windows 7 startup ends with a Stop error. If you remove or disable the atapi service, Windows 7 won't start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of IDE Channel

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config atapi start= boot
sc start atapi

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The atapi service is using the atapi.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 7 installation media.