F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Issue with setting up OS on HDD and SSD not found.

Issue with setting up OS on HDD and SSD not found.

Issue with setting up OS on HDD and SSD not found.

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ash_n_brad
Posting Freak
778
05-20-2021, 07:39 PM
#1
Hi Everyone, I'm attempting to reinstall Windows on a Lenovo Ideapad 3. After inserting the Windows 11 USB, the drives weren't recognized by the installer. I then formatted the disks with DiskPart to NTFS. Now the problem is the installer isn't detecting any drives at all, and DiskPart only sees the USB where Windows is installed. The BIOS detects both the NVMe SSD and the HDD, but nothing else. Help would be really appreciated. Thanks!
A
ash_n_brad
05-20-2021, 07:39 PM #1

Hi Everyone, I'm attempting to reinstall Windows on a Lenovo Ideapad 3. After inserting the Windows 11 USB, the drives weren't recognized by the installer. I then formatted the disks with DiskPart to NTFS. Now the problem is the installer isn't detecting any drives at all, and DiskPart only sees the USB where Windows is installed. The BIOS detects both the NVMe SSD and the HDD, but nothing else. Help would be really appreciated. Thanks!

R
rowville
Junior Member
42
05-25-2021, 07:13 AM
#2
There are several factors that might lead to problems: formatting to GPT or MBR is required for UEFI mode, with Windows 11 only allowing GPT installation in UEFI and disabling CSM in BIOS. Secure boot status matters too, as does the RAID configuration (likely not a concern for laptops).
R
rowville
05-25-2021, 07:13 AM #2

There are several factors that might lead to problems: formatting to GPT or MBR is required for UEFI mode, with Windows 11 only allowing GPT installation in UEFI and disabling CSM in BIOS. Secure boot status matters too, as does the RAID configuration (likely not a concern for laptops).

T
thehappy84
Senior Member
594
06-01-2021, 07:32 AM
#3
It's conceivable that the Windows 11 installer lacks certain storage drivers needed for identifying your storage device. To address this, obtain the required drivers by visiting the Lenovo support site at https://support.lenovo.com and searching for your Lenovo Ideapad 3 model, such as the Ideapad 3. Navigate to the Drivers or Chipset section and download the most recent storage drivers suitable for your setup. Store these files on your Windows 11 installation USB drive. Adjust the installer to incorporate the drivers: On another functional machine, insert the Windows 11 USB drive. Create a folder called "Drivers" in its root directory. Place the downloaded drivers there. If they are available as .exe files, open them and extract them into the "Drivers" folder. Ensure any .inf files are copied to the same location on the USB. During installation, load these drivers. Start your Lenovo Ideapad 3 using the USB drive. When prompted for disk selection and your drives aren't visible, choose "Load driver" or "Install driver." Locate the driver files on your USB (such as D:\Drivers) and select the correct one (.inf file). Click "Open" or "OK" to apply it. Once loaded, your drive should appear in the selection menu. Proceed with the standard Windows installation steps. If issues persist, consider resetting your Lenovo Ideapad 3 BIOS settings back to defaults to clear any configuration conflicts.
T
thehappy84
06-01-2021, 07:32 AM #3

It's conceivable that the Windows 11 installer lacks certain storage drivers needed for identifying your storage device. To address this, obtain the required drivers by visiting the Lenovo support site at https://support.lenovo.com and searching for your Lenovo Ideapad 3 model, such as the Ideapad 3. Navigate to the Drivers or Chipset section and download the most recent storage drivers suitable for your setup. Store these files on your Windows 11 installation USB drive. Adjust the installer to incorporate the drivers: On another functional machine, insert the Windows 11 USB drive. Create a folder called "Drivers" in its root directory. Place the downloaded drivers there. If they are available as .exe files, open them and extract them into the "Drivers" folder. Ensure any .inf files are copied to the same location on the USB. During installation, load these drivers. Start your Lenovo Ideapad 3 using the USB drive. When prompted for disk selection and your drives aren't visible, choose "Load driver" or "Install driver." Locate the driver files on your USB (such as D:\Drivers) and select the correct one (.inf file). Click "Open" or "OK" to apply it. Once loaded, your drive should appear in the selection menu. Proceed with the standard Windows installation steps. If issues persist, consider resetting your Lenovo Ideapad 3 BIOS settings back to defaults to clear any configuration conflicts.

F
Favelandre
Junior Member
11
06-07-2021, 01:44 AM
#4
Hello everyone, the issue turned out to be Intel VMD which needed to be turned off in the BIOS.
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Favelandre
06-07-2021, 01:44 AM #4

Hello everyone, the issue turned out to be Intel VMD which needed to be turned off in the BIOS.