Z2 G8 m.2 raid1 problem

[bob537]

Hi,

i'm running in the same problem with z2 g8 (2N2E7EA#ABD) here. I wanted to do the following:

2 x M.2 Samsung 980 Pro as RAID-1 for the System 

2 x SATA Seagate 3,5 HDD as RAID-1 for extensive Measurement Data

The Workstation runnig on Bios Version: T50 Ver. 01.03.00 (and Windows 10 20H2)

I was NOT able to reach the Intel RAID Option ROM (CTRL+I) - HP whats up?

Following the guide: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02815117

I found there is NO option in the Bios called "POST Messages":

• Use the arrows to highlight Advanced>Power-On Options, and then press Enter.
• Use the up or down arrow key to highlight POST Messages.

So i went to Windows+Intel Optane Memory and Storage Management: within "IOMSM" i was able to create the RAID-1 for the SATA HDD's. But creating the same for the M.2 SSD's was not possible!

I had read on a Fujitsu Service Page, that the two M.2 sockets (for their machines) are differently connected. One is directly connected to the CPU while the other is connected over the chipset of the Mainboard.

HP does probably the same for the Z2 G8? I trusted your tech.specs ... but i missed the blue note at the end ... :

"NOTE: In order to configure Z Turbo Drive RAID, the first SSD must be installed in the PCH connected
M.2 slot and the second SSD must be installed in a PCIe add in card. This is automatically configured
when Z Turbo RAID is selected at time of system purchase."

But why is the CTRL+I Option missing ???

Update:

Workaround according to the last blue NOTE:

- Buy an PCIe x4 to M.2 adaptercard (i use this: https://www.inter-tech.de/products/accessories/other-accessories/kt016)

- Insert the first M.2 SSD into the M.2 Mainboard Slot marked as SSD2 (the Slot SSD1 is probably connected directly to the CPU - Optane ... Intel **bleep** are you doing to us Admins 😉 )

- Insert second M.2 SSD into the PCIe x4 to M.2 adaptercard

- Press ESC on Startup

- On Startup Menu Select: "3rd Party Option ROM Management (F3)" (HP please describe this in the manual - who knows that "3rd Party bla ..."  is CTRL+I ???)

- There you'll find the Intel Rapid Storage Menu for the configuration of your RAID-Volumes SATA AND M.2 - puuhh, what a walk 

[Warning78]

In order to see both the ssd inserted in the motherboard it is necessary to install in slot 1 (the one connected directly to the cpu) an Intel brand ssd (660p in my case).
I assume it is a limitation imposed by intel (to sell more discs or for some patents).
Any brand can be used in the second slot 'PCH' (I preferred to use 2 identical 660p SSDs).
I think that few in HP know about this 'anomaly'. 

I discovered this by reading an Asus motherboard manual it said
"Raid function for PCIe mode SSD in Intel® Rapid Storage Technology is available with either 1. Intel® SSDs installed in both CPU-attached and PCH-attached slots, or 2. any other 3rd party SSDs installed in PCH-attached slots."