Issue with M.2 NVMe SSD and PCIe x1 Adapter on HP 280 G3 MT Desktop

[LakshLeonard]

Hi,

I recently purchased a Western Digital SN570 SSD for my HP 280 G3 MT desktop. However, I discovered that there isn't an M.2 slot on the motherboard. To address this, I subsequently purchased an M.2 NVMe to PCIe x1 adapter, hoping it would resolve the issue. After installing both components, I observed that power is indeed reaching the adapter (the LED is on). Unfortunately, the BIOS is unable to detect the M.2 SSD.

I've already double-checked the compatibility of the components and ensured they are seated properly. However, I have not had any success thus far.

Here's a summary of what I've attempted:

• Verified compatibility and seating of components.
• Rechecked all connections.
• Attempted to use a different PCIe slot.

Despite these efforts, I have not been able to have the SSD recognized by the system.

Has anyone else encountered a similar issue or do you have any suggestions for troubleshooting steps that I might have overlooked? Your insights would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

[OneThriftyMan]

From 1st hand experience with other dealing with exotic computer designs, I would like to point that some UEFI/BIOS setup screens will not even show the existence of some storage devices unless those storage devices have a bootable volume with a valid BOOT.ELF on a FAT32 volume (GPT / UEFI) or a valid MBR drive with system partition flag set to "active /  bootable."

On average, plenty of consumer HP desktops did not ship with NVMe SSD drivers in the UEFI intil the 7th Gen Intel Core i3 / Core i5/ Core i7 series.

Please try out a test install of Windows 10 or Linux on your NVMe SSD and then go back to the UEFI setup to see if it lists your SSD as a boot drive.

If your NVMe SSD does not show up in the UEFI setup, then you may need to install the "Clover" Boot loader on to a sata harddrive so it will load UEFI drivers for the NVMe SSD during the startup process.

[erico]

Your HP 280 G3 MT does not have compatibility with the Western Digital SN570 NVMe SSD.

A compatible SSD for your desktop will be SATA3 specification

[OneThriftyMan]

I forgot to mention that all newer Linux and Windows versions made from 2015 and onward should be able to load up drivers to see your NVMe SSD **REGARDLESS** of whether your UEFI / BIOS has native drivers for it.

So you can even throw a NVMe SSD on a M.2 to PCIe adapter card in a rather old 2011 computer that has no UEFI support and Windows 10 or Linux would still be able to address it.

In this case, those older computers can only use these NVMe drives for simple data storage rather than as a system boot device.

[LakshLeonard]

Thank you for letting me know about the compatibility issue with the Western Digital SN570 NVMe SSD for the HP 280 G3 MT. I appreciate your help

[LakshLeonard]

Hello,

I genuinely appreciate your interest in assisting with this matter. Your concern means a lot to me. While it does seem a bit intricate, I'm determined to give it my best shot.

Could you kindly provide some additional information or steps to follow? This would greatly assist me in moving forward.

Thank you once again for your support.

Warm regards

[erico]

I suggest returning  the NVMe  M.2 SSD and then purchasing and using  a SATA3 M.2 SSD type.

[LakshLeonard]

Its been a year since i had bought it  so yeah
so the best option would be to buy another Nvme to usb c enclosure ?

[erico · Accepted solution]

The problem is that your PC's firmware does not have the capability to interface with an NVMe interface. SATA3 is the interface your PC has for firmware compatibility.

I think you should have addressed this issue far sooner than a year after purchasing the SSD and adapter.

When purchasing upgrades that connect to interfaces on a PC, you must always ensure that the motherboard is capable of interfacing with them.

That is the rule of thumb that upgraders and enthusiasts use to avoid having a problem like the one you are faced with.