Question How to get windows to recognize Samsung 980 Pro

[talikhrab]

Hi, I bought a 980 Pro 1TB SSD in hopes of replacing my current SSD in my laptop.

Hardware I'm working with:
-Samsung 980 Pro 1TB (link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GLX7TNT/ref=twister_B08JRH2KVB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) I have the 1TB variant.
-Sabrent Thunderbolt 3 NVME Enclosure (link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FT59SB6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I have the thunderbolt 3 variant.
-Dell XPS 15 9560 (link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1357400-REG/dell_0nk7t_xps_15_9560_i5_7300hq.html/specs)

What I'm trying to do:
-Install windows and drivers on the 980 pro, and make it bootable to replace current NVME boot drive in my laptop.

Issues I'm running into:
-Windows does not list the 980 Pro when plugged in via Thunderbolt 3 using the Sabrent enclosure. No listing in Explorer, no Unknown drive in Disk Management, no drive in Bios, and even Samsungs Magician does not recognize the drive. All I have to go off of is "Base System Device" in device manager.
-Samsung website does not have a NVME driver for the 980 Pro

Anyone have any ideas?
I looked around the web, but couldn't find much. Most people seem to at least have their drive recognized in Disk management as "not initialized" or something like that. I don't even have that.

Cheers,

 

[talikhrab]

Holy heck I fixed it by sheer luck I feel like.

Here's what I did in case someone comes across this issue in the future (no guarantee, but worth a try):
-Downloaded Thunderbolt 3 Drivers from intel: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/do...s-10-for-Intel-NUC?wapkw=thunderbolt 3 driver
-Make sure the Enclosure and SSD is connected to the Thunderbolt 3 port, and then run the Thunderbolt (TM) Software Installer.exe
-Once install is finished (mine said Fatal Error, but still worked) open Thunderbolt Control Center from start menu, find your particular SSD enclosure, and confirm that connection status is "Connected". Thunderbolt Center was blocking connection to the enclosure by default.
-Once status is "Connected", open disk management and DM will prompt you to initialize the drive.

There you go!