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Can't detect 32GB mSATA SSD caching device in BIOS
32GB mSATA SSD installed on a Dell XPS 18 cannot be detected in BIOS.
Events prior the issue:
- User disabled Intel Rapid Start Technology, lost the hibernation partition, and lost some component drivers.
- Re-installed windows to start from scratch and to ensure all system files were intact. (All personal files and programs were backed up).
- Re-installed all necessary drivers except for Intel Rapid Start Technology.
- Each time I tried to install IRST, a message kept popping up saying, "Your system does not meet the minimum requirements for this software" or something like that.
- Purchased support from Dell, their technicians couldn't re-install IRST because they found out that the mSATA SDD was not being detected. They noticed this from when they installed Intel Rapid Storage Technology and could not find the mSATA device their. Also, the "Acceleration" tab in Intel Rapid Storage was not available, and was instead replaced with the "Performance" tab.
I posted this issue here a few weeks back, and I am now realizing that the questions I asked before were wrong, which is the reason why I was getting nowhere. From my understanding, the 32GB mSATA SSD is used by IRST for caching purposes, and which is where the hibernation partition should be. And the reason why it kept saying "Your system does not meet minimum requiremets", whenever I was trying to install IRST is because the mSATA could not be detected.
Is the mSATA SSD not being detected because of a hardware failure or is it because of a setup issue? I have reseated the mSATA SSD but to no avail. I really don't want to spend for a part that really only needs configuring. All input are very much appreciated.
Events prior the issue:
- User disabled Intel Rapid Start Technology, lost the hibernation partition, and lost some component drivers.
- Re-installed windows to start from scratch and to ensure all system files were intact. (All personal files and programs were backed up).
- Re-installed all necessary drivers except for Intel Rapid Start Technology.
- Each time I tried to install IRST, a message kept popping up saying, "Your system does not meet the minimum requirements for this software" or something like that.
- Purchased support from Dell, their technicians couldn't re-install IRST because they found out that the mSATA SDD was not being detected. They noticed this from when they installed Intel Rapid Storage Technology and could not find the mSATA device their. Also, the "Acceleration" tab in Intel Rapid Storage was not available, and was instead replaced with the "Performance" tab.
I posted this issue here a few weeks back, and I am now realizing that the questions I asked before were wrong, which is the reason why I was getting nowhere. From my understanding, the 32GB mSATA SSD is used by IRST for caching purposes, and which is where the hibernation partition should be. And the reason why it kept saying "Your system does not meet minimum requiremets", whenever I was trying to install IRST is because the mSATA could not be detected.
Is the mSATA SSD not being detected because of a hardware failure or is it because of a setup issue? I have reseated the mSATA SSD but to no avail. I really don't want to spend for a part that really only needs configuring. All input are very much appreciated.
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If the BIOS doesn't see the SSD, then it can't possibly have anything to do with your O/S settings or drivers.
Check motherboard for appropriate AHCI setting (should be enabled). Also make sure you plugged it into a SATA port that actually turned on with AHCI and RAID disabled.
Check motherboard for appropriate AHCI setting (should be enabled). Also make sure you plugged it into a SATA port that actually turned on with AHCI and RAID disabled.
Leon Kammer,
I will try your suggestion. So I shouldn't have to re-install windows when I switch to AHCI, or do I still have to? I know its required to re-install the OS whenever you switch SATA modes.
dlethe,
The SSD is connected to its dedicated slot on the motherboard. I will try Leon's suggestion and change the SATA mode.
nobus,
User wiped the recovery partition also. I was able to get a recovery media from Dell though.
I will try your suggestion. So I shouldn't have to re-install windows when I switch to AHCI, or do I still have to? I know its required to re-install the OS whenever you switch SATA modes.
dlethe,
The SSD is connected to its dedicated slot on the motherboard. I will try Leon's suggestion and change the SATA mode.
nobus,
User wiped the recovery partition also. I was able to get a recovery media from Dell though.
i always wonder why they wipe a recovery partition - it's small compared with the rest of the disk
anyhow - i would try the install from recovery
anyhow - i would try the install from recovery
nobus,
I've tried re-installing before and that helped me get the the necessary system files. I also re-installed all the device drivers.
The only problem now is getting the IRST to work. I've tried Leon's suggestion of switching to AHCI to detect the 32GB mSATA SSD, but it still won't show up.
I am borrowing a mounting device to see if I can hook up the 32GB mSATA to another computer to verify if its bad. If it is then I'll replace it and work on installing IRST from there.
I've tried re-installing before and that helped me get the the necessary system files. I also re-installed all the device drivers.
The only problem now is getting the IRST to work. I've tried Leon's suggestion of switching to AHCI to detect the 32GB mSATA SSD, but it still won't show up.
I am borrowing a mounting device to see if I can hook up the 32GB mSATA to another computer to verify if its bad. If it is then I'll replace it and work on installing IRST from there.
It was a bad mSATA SSD. Bought the drive last week and installed it on the XPS today. I'm going to try and install IRST next and see if the "does not meet minimum requirements" message still shows up.
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Dell laptops with a mSATA SSD built in are in a weird quasi RAID configuration.
You have to change the the SATA settings in the BIOS to AHCI for the disk to be discovered, then change back to Intel Smart Response Technology after you Install ISRT.
If it does not detect with AHCI, then there is a hardware fault.
Cheers