[SOLVED] M.2 NVMe detection on ASUS Z97-A/USB3.1

[maika1024]

Hello, First time poster here. Please let me know if I need to change this post to follow rules.

I have a computer with these core components:
Motherboard: ASUS Z97-A/USB3.1 (latest 2018 BIOS firmware)
OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K CPU
SATA1: ST8000DM005-2EH112 HDD
SATA2: MKNSSDEC240GB SSD (boot drive)

I am trying to add a M.2 NVMe 2TB SSD to my motherboard:
Samsung MZ-V7S2T0B/AM

This device is not showing up in the operating system or in the BIOS. Whenever I try to enable "M.2 Mode" from the BIOS settings under "PCI Express Slot and M.2 Bandwidth", my computer will boot for about 2 seconds before shutting itself off. From there I have to recover by resetting the CMOS with a jumper. I have also tried enabling/disabling the CSM boot mode, but that throws an OS error after post. I have triple checked that the chip is seated correctly in the M.2 slot.

I have reached out to ASUS support but they wouldn't help since this SSD isn't on their list of tested SSDs.

Any ideas on what I could troubleshoot further? I hate to call it quits and want to avoid returning the SSD, if they'll even take it.

Thank you.

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

You state 2018 BIOS, do you mean you have BIOS version 3503? What other devices are populating the PCIe slots on the board? You could try and remove all storage options on your motherboard and have only the Samsung 970 Evo Plus SSD on the slot and see if you're able to make any headway with the SSD. Enabling CSM won't help.

With all due respect, you should've asked first before pulling the purchase;

Asus Z97-A USB 3.1 - M.2 Question!

Asus Z97-A USB 3.1 Motherboard... Does anyone know for sure if the M.2 slot supports either or both the PCIE or SATA controller? I want to buy an SSD for the M.2 slot. It has a SATA controller. But I have read that this M.2 card only supports the PCIE type of SSD. These drives are more...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[maika1024]

That is wise advice. I was too optimistic buying, but I correctly guessed that all of the supported storage is from ~2015 and not many available >1tb of that bunch.
I have a wifi adapter on my PCIe 1. I can try unplugging that. I also have a nvidia GTX 980 on my PCI 1.

 

[USAFRet]

On that board, the M.2 port is likely PCIe 2.0 x 2.
Meaning any NVMe drive in that will be no better than a SATA III SSD>

I had a similar system up until a couple weeks ago.

You'd see ZERO difference with that 970 EVO vs a SATA III 860 EVO.

 

[dwd999]

Perhaps its simply the capacity of the m.2. I used the same m.2 model with a 1 TB capacity on ASUS H97 motherboard and it worked fine.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Any ideas on what I could troubleshoot further? I hate to call it quits and want to avoid returning the SSD, if they'll even take it.

Make sure sata controller is set to AHCI in BIOS.
Install nvme driver. Download from samsung.

Tool & Software Download | Samsung Semiconductor Global

Download various software related to your product, including Samsung Magician, designed for use with Samsung's memory products, and find related information.

semiconductor.samsung.com

Check windows storage spaces. If M.2 drive appears there, then remove it from storage pool and delete the pool.