Unable to start from the M.2 SSD device.
Unable to start from the M.2 SSD device.
I purchased an M.2 Samsung 970 Pro 512 GB SSD today. I attempted various solutions such as updating the BIOS, choosing boot drives, but nothing resolved the issue. I installed Windows 10 using a USB flash drive or directly on the M.2 slot. Specifications: CPU i7-5820K, motherboard x99 Deluxe, GPU GTX 970. The drive appears in my BIOS. For further assistance, check this link: https://gyazo.com/2f1b442f9460030cfb53c8c90be5ede5
Activate NVME mode in your BIOS. The M.2 connector is what matters, not the drive itself. You need to enable a specific storage mode in System Settings for NVME Boot support. Look up your motherboard online to confirm compatibility and the necessary settings changes. It’s worth considering why you chose an NVME drive—do you work with video editing or CAD? If not, it may not be a good investment.
I understand my motherboard is compatible with M.2, but the issue is that I replaced a regular boot drive before installing Windows on the M.2 slot. I can still see the M.2 drive in Windows Explorer. As a student, I mainly work with CAD and handle large files often.
M.2 connectors come in different types, like SATA-based ones that usually need little adjustment—often the board handles it automatically. In contrast, NVMe was still emerging around 2014-2015 when x99 launched, so it wasn’t as common yet. BIOS updates can make a difference, but checking your motherboard’s manual for proper NVMe startup steps is wise.
Are you certain your board supports NVMe booting? Not all models from that era had this feature or received a solid update. If possible, return the drive—I’d recommend something like an ex920, offering comparable performance at a lower cost. It can function as a non-boot device too. For storing CAD files, just keep them there.
I understand the M.2 is a supported component by the motherboard I used it for briefly before realizing I needed to boot Windows from the M.2 slot.