Can I use a PCIe SSD in the OmniDesk S02-0034

[DLM569]

I have the Omni slim desktop which has a free PCIe X1 slot and a PCIe X16 slot.

I'm trying to install a SSD in the X16 slot, but the PC does not seem to recognize it.

Is the Omni specifically "handicapped" to not be able to use SSDs in these slots.  Is there a compatibility list somewhere that shows what devices are possible to use in the Omni X16 slot?

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @DLM569,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

No, not directly. The PCIe x16 slot in your HP OmniDesk S02-0034 is designed for graphics cards, not for storage devices. The motherboard and BIOS do not natively support booting from an SSD installed via a PCIe x16 slot unless you use a special adapter, and even then, it’s hit-or-miss because HP firmware often restricts NVMe boot from add-in cards. This is why your SSD isn’t being recognized.

Supported Storage Upgrade Options

• Add a 2.5" SATA SSD or HDD using the available SATA port and power connector.
• If you need more NVMe storage: 
  • Use the existing M.2 NVMe slot (if free).
  • If occupied, you can add a PCIe-to-M.2 adapter in the x16 slot for secondary storage only (not bootable in most cases).
• HP officially supports: 
  • M.2 NVMe SSDs (Gen 3 or Gen 4, depending on model).
  • SATA SSDs/HDDs for extra storage.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

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Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[DLM569]

I'm not trying to boot from the SSD in the PCIe slot.  I am trying to use it as secondary storage.  However, even after booting from the main SSD in the M.25 slot, the PC itself does not recognize the SSD in the PCIe slot.

The PCIe slot is enabled in the BIOS/UEFI.  Is there some other setting or boot-up process necessary to tell the PC about the new hardware?

I could get a M.25 to SATA adapter and try to install the NVME with that, but I'm not so sure I won't run into the same problem.

[DLM569]

So I tried a few things.

1. I replaced the SSD in the M.25 slot that came with the PC with my Samsung 990.  The system recognized it, but of course couldn't;t boot because there was nothing on it.  While it was recognized, I tried upgrading the Samsung firmware.  The process told me that the firmware was already up to date.

2. I took the 990 out of the M.25 slot, put the SSD that came with the system into the PCIe X16 adapter and installed it in the X16 slot.  To my surprise, the system booted up.  The adapter has a nice blue LED on it that was blinking away.  This has never happened when I had the 990 installed.

3. I tried the 990 again in the X16 slot and it wasn't recognized.

4. Finally, I put the 990 in the M.25 slot and the system SSD in the X16 slot with adapter.  The system booted up and I initialized it.

It would seem like I have what I want, but I know, as you said, that the system doesn't support booting up from the X16 slot.  So, I'm a bit worried about getting too far down the road with an unsupported configuration.

I would also like to know why the X16 slot is happy to recognize and use the SSD that came with the system, but simply won't recognize or initialize the Samsung 990.