Windows 11 Installation Media Not recognising Nvme m.2

[NinjaSkil108]

 Hi, I put a windows installation media on a usb and booted from it. I checked the bios and it comes up but windows setup does not seem to locate it. Can anyone help me please. (Edit - Changed the product as I put the wrong name)

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

That is because your notebook's M.2 slot only supports SATA M.2 SSD's, not NVMe.

If you want to install a M.2 SSD you need to buy one such as the Western Digital Blue SA510 M.2 SATA models.

See chapter 1 of the service manual for the supported drive types...SATA only.

HP 15 Laptop PC (Intel)HP 15g Laptop PCHP 15q Laptop PC Maintenance and Service Guide

As in the saying 'You can't judge a book by its cover,' the same can be said for the M.2 NVMe slot in those older model notebooks.

Just because the M.2 slot only has one key does not automatically mean that they support NVMe SSD's.

That is why it is important to read the service manual to see what type of M.2 SSD the notebook can support before buying one.

[NinjaSkil108]

So would it still go in if it had 2 keys as my original m.2 came with 1 key and looks identical to the nvme drive

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Your notebook, according to the product specs, came with a 1 TB 2.5" mechanical hard drive.

HP Notebook - 15-bs501na Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

You need a M2 2280 SATA drive like this...2 notches.

One notch fits where the existing M.2 SSD slot key is, and the other does not make any contact with the pins on the other side of the M.2 slot.

WD Blue SA510 1TB M.2 SATA SSD with up to 560MB/s read speed : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

You'd have to look up the part number of any drive you removed and see what type it is.

I don't know of too many SATA M.2 SSD's with one notch but they do exist.  Must be an old one.

All I know is that an NVMe SSD will not work in any model 15-bsXXX notebook.

Even the ones with the Intel 8th generation core processors.

[NinjaSkil108]

I am really sorry, I added the wrong laptop model, it is meant to be 

HP Pavilion Laptop 14-dv1629na

This came with a Nvme m.2 but when I tried to replace it with a 1tb Nvme from Crucial, windows does not seem to locate it.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Well, that's a different kettle of fish, for which there is an easy solution...

The reason W11 can't find any drives when you go to clean install it is because you have to install the storage controller drivers needed for PC's with the Intel 11th gen core and newer processors.

I have zipped up and attached those files below.

Unzip the file to its folder and copy the folder to a USB flash drive.

Plug the flash drive and W11 installation media into your PC's USB ports.

Boot from the W11 installation media.

When you are at the screen where Windows can't find any drives, click on the Load driver option and browse to the USB flash drive with the storage controller drivers on it.

If you check the box, it will only include the compatible driver.

Click Next, and hopefully W11 will install.

Another option you have to reinstall Windows is this...

You can use the HP cloud recovery tool to reinstall Windows, the drivers and the software that originally came with your notebook after you replace the drive.

Here is an info link for how to use the utility.

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Customer Support

You can download the software from the Microsoft Store.

HP Cloud Recovery Tool - Microsoft Store Apps

Since you have to use the utility on another PC, so you will need to enter your notebook's product number in the tool's search window in order to proceed to make the recovery media.

Your PC's product number is:  519L4EA#ABU

[NinjaSkil108]

I tried using the files you attached below, but still, windows did not recognize them so now I have to use the HP Cloud recovery. If it's possible to attach other files that might work, please do. The Nvme Drive is Crucial M.2 Gen 4.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

The file I attached should have worked.

You can read the info and use the driver I posted at the link below if you want.

But I would be surprised if the HP driver worked when the newer one from Intel didn't.

Solved: Win 10 install not recognizing the NVME - HP Support Community - 8510047

If not, you will have to use the HP cloud recovery tool to create a bootable USB recovery drive.

[NinjaSkil108]

Just to make sure, is this what it is meant to look like?

 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes.

Then you open that folder, below the F6 folder, and click on the driver file inside.

Check the box to only include the compatible driver.