New build - can't find my M.2 drive

[verism]

I've just put a new machine together:

MB: Gigabyte Z97X-UD3H-BK
CPU: i7-4790K
SSD: Samsung MZVPV256HDGL-00000
RAM: 32GB Corsair CMY32GX3M4A1600C9
PSU: Corsair 600M

And I'm in the BIOS, trying to locate the installed M.2 drive on which I want to install Windows. There's a couple of old HDDs in there that appear fine, but I can't find my new Samsung. The manual is next to useless.

Any pointers?

 

[Ubrales]

Make sure that the M2 port is turned ON in the BIOS (UEFI) and restart and then format the M2. Also, run the appropriate drivers from Samsung.

 

[verism]

Thanks Ubrales - and sorry i didn't make it clear, but it's the finding the correct BIOS settings that's the main issue.
I've unplugged the two HDDs for now and left the DVD drive in (which is recognised) to Windows install from.

As for the BIOS, I can find the SATA options, boot order etc... just nothing about setting PCI to M.2

 

[Ubrales]

Thanks Ubrales - and sorry i didn't make it clear, but it's the finding the correct BIOS settings that's the main issue for now.
I've unplugged the two HDDs from now and left the DVD drive in (which is recognised) to Windows install from.

As for the BIOS, I can find the SATA options, boot order etc... just nothing about setting PCI to M.2

The M2 is just another port among the other SATA ports. And it is a good thing to have only one drive connected when you install the OS.

Here is some info - http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/005707en?language=en_US
http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8174/~/detecting-your-ssd-drive-through-the-bios (Enable the SATA ports)

 

[Ubrales]

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2597352/ssd-boot-disk-question.html

This may help.

 

[verism]

Well that's concerning - it doesn't appear in the list of bootable drives or within the SATA config list.
Should I assume a dead drive?

FWIW, SATA mode is set to AHCI, and SATA Express SRIS is set to Auto.
Also, SATA ports 6 and 7 (which are disabled when using M.2) are absent from the config list...

 

[Shaun o]

I will take it that you are in the advanced mode of the uefi bios verism.

 

[verism]

Shaun o - sorry if this I misunderstand you, but I'm in "classic" mode.

UI looks almost exactly like this:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WnBSNfmiXng/maxresdefault.jpg

 

[Shaun o]

Let me look over a few things then.

Will have a read up on the Gigabyte Z97X-UD3H- BK mobo and get back to you ok.

 

[verism]

Ah - amazing.
Thank you.

 

[Mark_1970]

Get the latest bios if not. Installs and boots windows on the SM951 by installing RAID drivers and setting BIOS to RAID and CSM support to never

 

[verism]

I'll try the latest BIOS now - there appears to be a newer version F8.
Hopefully that'll shed some light on things.

 

[helpstar]

Sata3 Port 4/5 will be unavailable when using m.2

 

[verism]

Sata3 Port 4/5 will be unavailable when using m.2

Yep, my bad... 4&5, not 6&7.

 

[helpstar]

This Samsung model is Not in the compatibility list of Gigabyte. Maybe you should ask Gigabyte directly, if it's supported or not.

Sata4/5 are next to front usb3 connector, is really nothing plugged in there?

 

[verism]

Sata4/5 are next to front usb3 connector, is really nothing plugged in there?

No, definitely not. There are no SATA devices plugged in at all.

I did just try a BIOS update, however (from F5 to F8), and the device now appears.
Seems like this was the main culprit - so far, at least. Now to buy Windows and hope for the best.

 

[Mark_1970]

Sata4/5 are next to front usb3 connector, is really nothing plugged in there?

No, definitely not. There are no SATA devices plugged in at all.

I did just try a BIOS update, however (from F5 to F8), and the device now appears.
Seems like this was the main culprit - so far, at least. Now to buy Windows and hope for the best.

Cool