HP Notebook 15-dw0038wm - Windows 11 23H2 setup cannot detect HDD(RAID mode locked)

[Pre400]

I'm trying to install Windows 11 23H2 on an HP Notebook 15-dw0038wm (8th gen Intel) but Windows Setup cannot detect the HDD.

The BIOS detects the drive without any problem. This model has the storage controller locked in RAID mode,,, there is no option in BIOS to switch to AHCI or disable RAID.

I downloaded and tried the Intel RST drivers from the HP support page for 8th gen models but during Windows installation, loading the driver fails with an error saying “contact your vendor, install  updated drivers”.

What is the working solution for this laptop? Any working RST driver version??

[Jerry_57]

Hi @Pre400,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

I understand you are facing Windows Setup not detecting the HDD on your HP Notebook 15-dw0038wm due to the storage controller being in RAID mode. Here are several steps you can try:

1. Verify Compatibility

Ensure that your Intel RST driver version is compatible with Windows 11 and the hardware specifications of your notebook.

2. Download Intel RST Driver

Obtain the correct Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) driver from the HP support website https://support.hp.com/us-en for your specific model. Make sure it matches the chipset used in your notebook.

3. Prepare the USB Drive

Use the following procedure to add the Intel RST driver to the bootable Windows installation USB:

• Download the appropriate RST driver and extract it to a folder on a secondary USB drive, not the installation USB.
• Boot from the Windows installation USB.
• When prompted where to install Windows, click on "Load Driver".
• Insert the USB drive containing the extracted RST drivers.
• Navigate to the USB drive, find the correct .inf file for your system, and load it.

4. BIOS Settings

Since your BIOS does not provide an option to switch between RAID and AHCI, you may need to explicitly load RAID drivers during Windows setup. Make sure no setting unintended settings are toggled within the BIOS that might affect the storage detection, such as boot priority configurations.

5. Alternative Method: BIOS Update
 

• Check if there’s a BIOS update available for your model on the HP support website https://support.hp.com/us-en, as sometimes newer BIOS versions might unlock additional settings or rectify compatibility issues.

6. Re-attempt Installation

After loading the correct drivers, re-attempt the Windows installation process.


I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

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Jerry_57

HP Support

[Pre400]

Hello,

I have tried to load these RST Drivers during Windows Setup:

Intel RST v18.x

Intel RST v17.x 

This laptop is currently using the Intel(R) RST driver version 17.8.0.4507  RAID mode.

my BIOS Version: F.53(Insyde)....and there's BIOS update Version: F.68 Rev.A

Hardware specifications:

HP Notebook 15 dw0038wm with Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-8145U CPU @ 2.1GHz up to 3.9GHz 8RAM

[Jerry_57]

Hi @Pre400,

Thank you for getting back to me.

Kindly perform the UEFI test result of the HDD HP PCs - Testing for hardware failures | HP® Support and share the test result with us in a private message.

To access your private messages, simply click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile and send a private message to me with the serial number, because we value your privacy.
 

Jerry_57

HP Support