Can I populate the PCIE x1 slot with an adapter and a M.2 SSD

[MrDuck128]

Hello, I have a HP Pavilion Gaming TG01-1306ng. I recently bought a M.2 SSD and a PCIE x1 to M.2 adapter. As I thought I could put the adapter in my free PCIE x1 slot, put the SSD in the adapter, and the SSD would work (at lower speed of course). All the drives are recognised in BIOS hardware diagnostic, but the PCIE x1 drive is not recognised in any OS (linux or windows).

Did I misunderstand and is this setup not possible, or is something else the problem?

[Bill_To]

Hi

The drive will be limited to x1 transfer rates instead of up to x4 transfer rates.

You must initialize the disk if you are using it as a data disk in Windows using steps at this Site.

You would have to check Linux forums to initialize this disk when using Linux. Or a different HP Forum member familiar with Linux may assist.

[MrDuck128]

The lower transfer rate is fine, but the drive is not shown in any program (disk management etc.). That's why I'm wondering if there is some issue with my assumption.

[Bill_To]

Hi

I thought you stated the BIOS sees all drives. 

Windows (Disk Management) should see this drive if the BIOS detects the drive. 

Check Device Manager, Storage controllers for the Microsoft NVME Controller or check the device manufacturer for a NVME driver. It looks like you have a 512 GB NVME drive from the factory so Device Manager should have the Microsoft NVME controller.

I don't know what is going on if the BIOS detects the drive.

[MrDuck128]

When I go:

F2 System diagnostics -> Storage tests -> Hard Drive/SSD tests -> and then select Hard Drives/SSDs, I can see all my drives (SSD with OS, HDD, and the SSD on adapter). When testing them, all is fine and no errors are reported both in quick and extensive check. When I go into the OS, SSD is not visible. I formatted the SSD before install so there are no partitions or bootloaders or anything.

There is also an issue when booting, it takes a very long time (3-4 min) to get to a boot loader. When disabling the PCIE x1 port in BIOS the problem disappears and PC boots in a few seconds.

I haven't tested the adapter separately but I don't think it is the problem.

I would assume it's more likely the motherboard doesn't support storage on the port (at least not in this configuration) or something else. That's why I'm seeking help on the official forum.

Just additional info if needed, as you said the PC came with a 512GB Intel 660p and that is the SSD I put in the adapter. I populated the M.2 slot on the motherboard with a 1TB Intel 670p.

[Bill_To]

Hi

This forum is comprised of mostly users such as yourself. Maybe a different forum member can help.

I would not do what you are doing.

[MrDuck128]

Anyone else have any information?

[DGroves]

if the computers bios sees the drive then the ssd is working hardware wise, however you also need the ssd to be "formatted"

so the windows file system can access the drive this low level format is not the same as a high level format

go to "disk management" and select the correct drive, does it show a low level format/partitions? if not create a new partition

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-and-format-a-hard-disk-partition-bbb8e185-1bda-ec....

[MrDuck128]

The SSD is formatted just as a "out of factory" SSD would be.

The SSD CAN NOT BE RECOGNISED inside an operating system. It doesn't exist.

I'm going to assume HP motherboard doesn't support additional storage in this configuration considering no one nowhere knows anything.

The booting situation is also weird and backs up the assumption so I guess that's that.

[DGroves]

you assume wrong, ......all current systems made in the last 8 years support SSD's and all current Os's support ssd's  for microsoft it's win 8 and higher (although even win 7 could be made to support ssd's)

next bad assumption,........ that all ss'd's are preformatted for windows use while most venders do format their ssd's many do so using Fat32 not ntfs and som venders don't format them at all

you are missing/not doing something that is causing the drive not to show in a OS

as i stated, if the "BIOS" shows the drive then the problem is NOT A HARDWARE ISSUE