[SOLVED] Why isn't bios or windows detecting my m.2 ssd?

[zackthaboss]

I just bought a western digital 1tb m.2 ssd and I plugged it into the slot above the graphics card twice now and it's not working. I'm on an msi x470 gaming plus motherboard. Here is the link to the ssd https://www.newegg.ca/western-digital-blue-1tb/p/N82E16820250092?Item=N82E16820250092. Im already on the latest bios update and I tried google for answers but nothing is working.

 

[richiestang_78]

The top M.2 slot is only for NVMe PCIe speed drives. You need to use the bottom slot with that drive since it is a SATA speed drive.

 

[zackthaboss]

The top M.2 slot is only for NVMe PCIe speed drives. You need to use the bottom slot with that drive since it is a SATA speed drive.

Well that’s a problem because the ssd doesn’t push all the way down because there’s a component of the motherboard blocking near the screw hole so the edge of the ssd is touching a motherboard part so I can’t screw it in all the way. Does the drive need to be screwed in or can I just leave it in while it’s facing up a bit?

 

[USAFRet]

Well that’s a problem because the ssd doesn’t push all the way down because there’s a component of the motherboard blocking near the screw hole so the edge of the ssd is touching a motherboard part so I can’t screw it in all the way. Does the drive need to be screwed in or can I just leave it in while it’s facing up a bit?

It NEEDS to be screwed in. Without a holding screw, it WILL work its way out.

 

[richiestang_78]

I'm looking at a picture of the motherboard, I don't see anything that would interfere with a 2280 size M.2 drive.


Are you installing the M.2 Standoffs? The M.2 screw don't screw into the mobo, it screws into a standoff which is screwed into the mobo.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/X470-GAMING-PLUS/Gallery

On the first picture on the left, you can see that there is a silver standoff in the furthest most hole.

 

[zackthaboss]

I'm looking at a picture of the motherboard, I don't see anything that would interfere with a 2280 size M.2 drive.


Are you installing the M.2 Standoffs? The M.2 screw don't screw into the mobo, it screws into a standoff which is screwed into the mobo.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/X470-GAMING-PLUS/Gallery

On the first picture on the left, you can see that there is a silver standoff in the furthest most hole.

Yeah I took the screw out that was already in the motherboard and screwed it into the silver hole that lines up with the notch at the end but the bottom m.2 slot sucks because there is a little component that blocks me from pressing it all the way down.

 

[zackthaboss]

It NEEDS to be screwed in. Without a holding screw, it WILL work its way out.

Alright thanks for the reply I guess I’ll just have to return it to new egg and get most of my money back.

 

[Nemesia]

Yeah I took the screw out that was already in the motherboard and screwed it into the silver hole that lines up with the notch at the end but the bottom m.2 slot sucks because there is a little component that blocks me from pressing it all the way down.

There is no component blocking that space. Unless it's something in the way that you put there you should be able to install it. Show that component to us with a screenshot.

You don't press it all the way down. The drive should be horizontal and equal height to the standoff you screw it in. You're doing something wrong here.

https://imgur.com/a/EkeoXI6

View: https://imgur.com/a/EkeoXI6

The standoff you see on the picture is higher than anything on the board that could block the drive.

 

[zackthaboss]

There is no component blocking that space. Unless it's something in the way that you put there you should be able to install it. Show that component to us with a screenshot.

You don't press it all the way down. The drive should be horizontal and equal height to the standoff you screw it in. You're doing something wrong here.

https://imgur.com/a/EkeoXI6

View: https://imgur.com/a/EkeoXI6

The standoff you see on the picture is higher than anything on the board that could block the drive.

https://imgur.com/a/8CErKqd

View: https://imgur.com/a/8CErKqd
the part above the last screw hole is what’s blocking me

 

[Nemesia]

https://imgur.com/a/8CErKqd

View: https://imgur.com/a/8CErKqd
the part above the last screw hole is what’s blocking me

How is that even possible? The drive shouldn't go up to there.

Your drive is a 2280. It goes up to the third hole depending on the length and you install it like that.

https://imgur.com/a/rcIg5YJ

View: https://imgur.com/a/rcIg5YJ

 

[zackthaboss]

How is that even possible? The drive shouldn't go up to there.

Your drive is a 2280. It goes to the third hole. It doesn't go past that.

Well it lines up perfectly to the third hole but I cant press the ssd down far enough so it touches the screw hole so I can screw it in

 

[Nemesia]

Well it lines up perfectly to the third hole but I cant press the ssd down far enough so it touches the screw hole so I can screw it in

This is where you're making a mistake. You're trying to push it down to the hole on the motherboard. You have to use the standoff. Look at the picture.

https://imgur.com/a/rcIg5YJ

View: https://imgur.com/a/rcIg5YJ

You put the standoff in the third hole you push down the drive and you screw it in the standoff using the small screw included.

 

[zackthaboss]

How is that even possible? The drive shouldn't go up to there.

Your drive is a 2280. It goes up to the third hole depending on the length and you install it like that.

https://imgur.com/a/rcIg5YJ

View: https://imgur.com/a/rcIg5YJ

Thanks so much man I got it working

 

[Nemesia]

Thanks so much man I got it working

Glad you got it working!

 

[zackthaboss]

Glad you got it working!

It’s asking me if I want to do mbr or gpt in disk management. Which one should I choose?

 

[Nemesia]

It’s asking me if I want to do mbr or gpt in disk management. Which one should I choose?

GPT.

GPT is better for the following reasons: It supports more than four primary partitions on SSD. It supports storage (more than 2TB compared to MBR) It is more compatible with the newer UEFI-based systems.

 

[zackthaboss]

GPT.

GPT is better for the following reasons: It supports more than four primary partitions on SSD. It supports storage (more than 2TB compared to MBR) It is more compatible with the newer UEFI-based systems.

Okay so as soon as I chose gpt, it’s not showing up as a storage device when I click on this pc, just my 500gb ssd not my m.2.

 

[zackthaboss]

Disregard my previous comment I forgot I had to partition it lol. It’s all working now thanks for the help I really appreciate it