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Is QuestionSSD missing when I start setting up my computer?

Is QuestionSSD missing when I start setting up my computer?

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fabianSG
Junior Member
13
06-27-2026, 08:17 AM
#1
I'm trying to upgrade my hard drive in my Zenbook 14 Model: Q409ZA. Maybe important info is that it only has one M.2 slot. So I'm trying to put a 2TB Solidigm P41 Plus NVMe drive into the computer. But I can't make it show up when starting Windows 11. The drive shows up in BIOS but never during the installation of Windows. I downloaded the drivers from Solidigm and loaded them during the Windows 11 setup, but still nothing happened; the drive just won't be detected. Edit: It has nothing to do with the P41 Plus. I tested an old 128GB NVMe that also didn't show up. Maybe it is related to how Windows 11 installs, since drives appear everywhere else they are supposed to. Solved: Apparently on Intel CPUs from generation 11 through 13 you need the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver which I got here: https://www.asus.com/supportonly/irst/he..._download/.
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fabianSG
06-27-2026, 08:17 AM #1

I'm trying to upgrade my hard drive in my Zenbook 14 Model: Q409ZA. Maybe important info is that it only has one M.2 slot. So I'm trying to put a 2TB Solidigm P41 Plus NVMe drive into the computer. But I can't make it show up when starting Windows 11. The drive shows up in BIOS but never during the installation of Windows. I downloaded the drivers from Solidigm and loaded them during the Windows 11 setup, but still nothing happened; the drive just won't be detected. Edit: It has nothing to do with the P41 Plus. I tested an old 128GB NVMe that also didn't show up. Maybe it is related to how Windows 11 installs, since drives appear everywhere else they are supposed to. Solved: Apparently on Intel CPUs from generation 11 through 13 you need the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver which I got here: https://www.asus.com/supportonly/irst/he..._download/.

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bonheros
Member
76
06-27-2026, 10:10 AM
#2
Try booting from a USB stick instead of installing anything. Just run the Ubuntu Live CD and check if your computer can find the drive. It could be a faulty one, so make sure you have an official link like this: https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/try-ubuntu-...ou-install. You probably don't need any drivers for Windows to access it.
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bonheros
06-27-2026, 10:10 AM #2

Try booting from a USB stick instead of installing anything. Just run the Ubuntu Live CD and check if your computer can find the drive. It could be a faulty one, so make sure you have an official link like this: https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/try-ubuntu-...ou-install. You probably don't need any drivers for Windows to access it.

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TheSymbiote
Member
71
06-27-2026, 04:21 PM
#3
Do you know if your laptop needs a new BIOS update? Just check this link for help, go to that YouTube video, and get the newest BIOS right here. For the model Q409ZA, visit this website at asus.com.
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TheSymbiote
06-27-2026, 04:21 PM #3

Do you know if your laptop needs a new BIOS update? Just check this link for help, go to that YouTube video, and get the newest BIOS right here. For the model Q409ZA, visit this website at asus.com.

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oisin100
Junior Member
14
06-28-2026, 11:59 PM
#4
I actually have the newest BIOS chip in my PC.
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oisin100
06-28-2026, 11:59 PM #4

I actually have the newest BIOS chip in my PC.

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_ArianaGrande_
Junior Member
7
07-15-2026, 12:59 PM
#5
It comes up in the BIOS settings and usually shows up wherever you expect it to. But right now, it does not appear during the Windows 11 installation process. I will try using Linux later when I have some free time. I am really confused about this.
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_ArianaGrande_
07-15-2026, 12:59 PM #5

It comes up in the BIOS settings and usually shows up wherever you expect it to. But right now, it does not appear during the Windows 11 installation process. I will try using Linux later when I have some free time. I am really confused about this.

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Baby_Nae
Member
63
07-15-2026, 09:31 PM
#6
I run Linux, so when I plugged in my P41, it looked like a normal hard drive on the Linux system and seemed ready to install Linux. But when I connected it to my Windows 10 desktop, it showed up as an ordinary volume. I checked the drive's firmware again to make sure everything was fresh. I ran a test from Solidigm to see if there were problems with the Crystal Mark, but there were none. Based on what I know, the only problem seems to be when installing Windows; even after trying Redownload and creating a new boot drive just in case an error happened during creation, Windows 11 still doesn't find the P41. The Plus model just won't show up no matter what I try.
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Baby_Nae
07-15-2026, 09:31 PM #6

I run Linux, so when I plugged in my P41, it looked like a normal hard drive on the Linux system and seemed ready to install Linux. But when I connected it to my Windows 10 desktop, it showed up as an ordinary volume. I checked the drive's firmware again to make sure everything was fresh. I ran a test from Solidigm to see if there were problems with the Crystal Mark, but there were none. Based on what I know, the only problem seems to be when installing Windows; even after trying Redownload and creating a new boot drive just in case an error happened during creation, Windows 11 still doesn't find the P41. The Plus model just won't show up no matter what I try.

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Vortex59_YT
Member
198
07-19-2026, 09:48 PM
#7
Windows should find a hard drive that isn't set up right yet. Let me try setting it up again or reorganizing things (depending on what's needed). Actually, if there are already sections carved into it, I'd delete those parts too. Have you looked at the maker to see if they have a better version of their software for this drive?
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Vortex59_YT
07-19-2026, 09:48 PM #7

Windows should find a hard drive that isn't set up right yet. Let me try setting it up again or reorganizing things (depending on what's needed). Actually, if there are already sections carved into it, I'd delete those parts too. Have you looked at the maker to see if they have a better version of their software for this drive?

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Altenius
Junior Member
35
07-27-2026, 03:48 AM
#8
Actually, if you are getting new 11th, 12th, or 13th Gen Intel CPUs, you should install the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver. I got it here: https://www.asus.com/supportonly/irst/he..._download/. This helps me know when to start installing Windows on my drive.
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Altenius
07-27-2026, 03:48 AM #8

Actually, if you are getting new 11th, 12th, or 13th Gen Intel CPUs, you should install the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver. I got it here: https://www.asus.com/supportonly/irst/he..._download/. This helps me know when to start installing Windows on my drive.

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shadowbacca
Member
226
07-27-2026, 05:45 AM
#9
That is a surprise because I didn't know if a specific driver was needed when starting up the computer. I checked some online videos and found out that turning off "VMD" (a setting in the BIOS) allowed me to turn on "RST" instead, which helped my system find the drive easily without having to download extra software later. Now everything works right away after just these two small steps.
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shadowbacca
07-27-2026, 05:45 AM #9

That is a surprise because I didn't know if a specific driver was needed when starting up the computer. I checked some online videos and found out that turning off "VMD" (a setting in the BIOS) allowed me to turn on "RST" instead, which helped my system find the drive easily without having to download extra software later. Now everything works right away after just these two small steps.