Author: parsec
Subject: NVME M.2 on Z170 Extreme 4 not working?
Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 12:05pm
So this is happening with either the 2.80 or 7.00? There are four versions beyond 2.80, but before 7.00. Have you tried any of those versions? If it is only the 7.00 UEFI version that has this apparent problem, which only adds support for the new Kaby Lake processors, then don't use it.
There might be a problem with the UEFI version, but we are not yet hearing about problems from users of other M.2 NVMe SSDs that have this board.
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z170%20Extreme4/?cat=Download&os=BIOS
Any NVMe SSD, like the PM961, should work fine on any board with UEFI firmware, just as a data drive. NVMe support in the UEFI is only needed for an NVMe SSD to be usable as an OS drive. But, the PM961 is not a retail product from Samsung, they are meant to be sold as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) drives, to PC manufactures that have support directly from Samsung for any unique support needed in the UEFI/BIOS.
Do you at least have the CSM sub-option (at the bottom of the Boot screen) Launch Storage OpROM Policy set to UEFI Only? You might also find it in the Storage Configuration screen. If not, try that setting, and then Save and Exit for it to apply, and then check for the drive being seen in System Browser. Personally, I configure all of my PCs/boards with CSM disabled, to use the full benefits of the UEFI firmware.
Your board should also have an NVMe Configuration screen, listed in the Advanced screen. That screen really only lists the NVMe SSDs, but at least is another place where they are recognized.
I've never used a PM961, but I have used three different NVMe M.2 SSDs in my Z170 Extreme7+ board. They were all recognized fine, and I use two of them in that board all the time.
Subject: NVME M.2 on Z170 Extreme 4 not working?
Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 12:05pm
 Murdock9 wrote:Well, I'm back with another update- it actually does seem to be a compatibility and/or Bios issue. At work I got my hand on another three separate Z170 Extreme 4 Motherboards (mixed Bios versions 3.2 and 7.00) and three different PM961 drives- NONE of them worked properly with each other, they just behaved like I described above: The drive is only recognized by the system (ie the UEFI system browser) in around 1 out 10 boots. So I had a total of 4 boards and 4 drives that I could test, I doubt they were all faulty somewhere. |
So this is happening with either the 2.80 or 7.00? There are four versions beyond 2.80, but before 7.00. Have you tried any of those versions? If it is only the 7.00 UEFI version that has this apparent problem, which only adds support for the new Kaby Lake processors, then don't use it.
There might be a problem with the UEFI version, but we are not yet hearing about problems from users of other M.2 NVMe SSDs that have this board.
http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z170%20Extreme4/?cat=Download&os=BIOS
Any NVMe SSD, like the PM961, should work fine on any board with UEFI firmware, just as a data drive. NVMe support in the UEFI is only needed for an NVMe SSD to be usable as an OS drive. But, the PM961 is not a retail product from Samsung, they are meant to be sold as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) drives, to PC manufactures that have support directly from Samsung for any unique support needed in the UEFI/BIOS.
Do you at least have the CSM sub-option (at the bottom of the Boot screen) Launch Storage OpROM Policy set to UEFI Only? You might also find it in the Storage Configuration screen. If not, try that setting, and then Save and Exit for it to apply, and then check for the drive being seen in System Browser. Personally, I configure all of my PCs/boards with CSM disabled, to use the full benefits of the UEFI firmware.
Your board should also have an NVMe Configuration screen, listed in the Advanced screen. That screen really only lists the NVMe SSDs, but at least is another place where they are recognized.
I've never used a PM961, but I have used three different NVMe M.2 SSDs in my Z170 Extreme7+ board. They were all recognized fine, and I use two of them in that board all the time.