Disable Intel VMD and change to AHCI

[AleMan3]

Hi,

I've installed a Samsung SSD 990 Evo Plus in my laptop. I contacted the Samsung support because the software Samsung Magician shows an incompatibility with the Intel VMD and they answered me saying I should disable Intel VMD and switch to AHCI from the Bios settings. However, I can't find this option in the Bios. How can I resolve?

Thanks. 

[BeemerBiker]

VMD requires intel RST driver for support as described by this AI article.

You need to disable RST or VMD

Alternately enable either RAID or AHCI.

I am guessing the problem is you are trying to install win11 (or 10) and the driver for the SSD is missing due to BIOS looking for RST support.

Possibly our senior expert @Paul_Tikkanen has the correct driver.

Alternately, clone your old disk drive to the new SSD and try booting the new one that has the old OS on it..

Possibly a cloud recovery will have the correct drivers.  

HP is removing cloud recovery for system over 5 years old.
The actual wording is a limited time after the warranty expires
You may want to get a copy of the cloud recovery before it is too late.
Cloud recovery provides all the custom HP drivers.
Go to the below site and enter your product ID including the 3 characters after the # character
If you have cloud recovery you can restore your system using a 32gb flash.
It may take an hour or more to create the recovery USB.
https://d34z73bbtpzgej.cloudfront.net/
Alternately, download from the MS windows store
Click here for instructions.

Let me know what you find out.

[AleMan3]

No, I have to switch to AHCI and disable VMD to update my SSD samsung's firmware

[BeemerBiker]

Your new SSD is a generic (non-oem) SSD and that probably requires the magician to update its firmware

As discussed in this article, HP releases it own versions of Samsung SSD and the HP Support Assistant can find HP firmware updates that work on HP systems.

Can you boot with the new SSD?

If you have an older laptop, it is likely (IMHO) that firmware updates will not be of any benefit.  If they are merely security updates they may make your system run slower.
Typically, firmware update are to make existing devices compatible with newer PCs.

[AleMan3]

Yes, I can boot. I just wanted to maximise the performances since Samsung assistance suggest to use the Microsoft driver for nvme.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

@AleMan3 

NVMe SSDs do not use AHCI.

Also, the BIOS is locked down, making such a switch impossible and if you were able to make such a change, then your notebook would not boot up because they use a different storage controller driver that is listed under the Storage Controllers device manager category.

AHCI is only used for SATA drives.

What is the full model number or product number of your notebook?

[AleMan3]

Ok, thank you. The product number is 659Q4EA#ABZ

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

Samsung does not supply any NVMe drivers for the 990 Plus, and it is not going to run at its maximum advertised read/write speeds from your notebook's PCIe Gen 3.0 NVMe slot.

The only suggestion I can offer would be to install the latest Intel RST driver HP currently has for your notebook's processor and chipset.

Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver 

18.7.6.1010

sp161528.exe

OPERATING SYSTEM(S):
Microsoft Windows 10 version 2004 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 10 version 20H2 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 10 version 21H1 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 10 version 21H2 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 10 version 22H2 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 24H2 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 11 version 21H2 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 11 version 22H2 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 11 version 23H2 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 11 version 24H2 (64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 11 version 25H2 (64-bit)
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC 64-bit

If that still doesn't allow you to update your drive's firmware, unfortunately, you won't be able to do so.

[AleMan3]

Ok, thank very much to you all. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.