MS Media Creation Tool to create a Windows 11 install usb drive only shows USB drives not SSD drives

[Robc-1]

I have a HP Envy x360 Notebook with Win11 that has worked very well for the past 4 years. The other day I noticed that the HP Windows boot up was on a continuous spin cycle and never opened Windows. I was unable to use F11 key to open Windows from the Notebook. 
I read several articles online with HP and other windows 11 solutions. 
I was able to run systems diagnostics and test checks from Startup with pressing the ESC \F1 & F2 keys. All components and disk tests passed with no issues. I could see the SSD drive sizes and partition with Primary at 500 GB. 
the BIOS seemed to be fine and I did not make any changes. But wonder if an update occurred that caused the system to not boot up or allow for the Notebook OS to use F11 for Windows 11 recovery. 

i ended up downloading the Windows creation Tool from the Windows Store to a bootable USB . When going through the install, the option to repair Windows 11 returned with a message that it could not repair Windows. 
I have all my data saved in cloud files. 
I elected to do a Windows 11 reinstall knowing that the data may be lost from the process, and chose the options to move forward. 
eventually a screen comes up and shows drives to install, but they are only the USB drives with 2 partitions of 58 GB and 6 GB. 
I don’t seem the SSD partitions to still show in the system startup information. 
Not sure how to move forward and restore my Notebook again. 
it has been a little frustrating for the past few days. I do have another backup notebook that is a few months newer, HP Envy x360, which works well and has not had this problem. 

I appreciate any help on resolving this. 

[tk_srq]

@Robc-1,

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

[Robc-1]

Hi. 
the HP model# is 15m-es0023dx

Product ID: 341TUA#ABA

Let me know if you need anything else. 

[tk_srq]

Since your notebook has an Intel core 11th gen processor, The Windows installer needs to have Intel RST storage drivers otherwise the installer cannot detect the SSD to reinstall W11on.

You can follow the instructions in the thread below for an IRST driver installation.

Solved: Re: Cannot get laptop to recognize HDD - HP Support Community - 9540139

Another option is to use HP Cloud Recovery Tool to create a bootable recovery usb drive that will restore the SSD to a factory state. Click the link below for how to use the recovery tool.

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

If you need to use another PC to run the recovery app, you need to enter the product ID (341T3UA#ABA) when prompted.

[Robc-1]

I downloaded the Intel RST exe file and then installed onto a separate laptop. I copied the F6 Folder and contents from C:\SWSetup\SP146929 to the USB drive with the bootable Windows 11 Creation Tool.

I booted the non-working HP laptop (341T3UA#ABA) up from the USB drive.  I selected the Install Windows 11 option and then selected the load drivers option. I browsed the USB drive and could see the F6 folder and two drivers were available (ESD-USB C:\F6):  

Intel RST VMD Controller 9A0B        C:\F6\iaStorVD.inf

Intel RST VMD Managed Controller 09AB        C:\F6\iaStorVD.inf

When I select a driver file like 9A0B above it is highlighted.  Then the Install button becomes available to click. But nothing happens when pressing install.

I selected the second 09AB driver and the nothing happens while pressing Install. 

The Back button does not return to the main screen.

Not sure what to do next. Am I using the correct RST .inf file (from SP146929)?

I have rebooted several times with the Windows Creation Tool on USB and even installed to another bootable USB drive, but the same results.

I can see the .inf drivers, but can't get them to install under Windows 11 Tool.

I also tried using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool on a bootable USB, and it runs for a while. But then comes up with a blue screen message that says it ran into a problem and will need to restart. I get the same message repeatedly that there is a problem and needs a restart.

I'm frustrated with the recovery steps not working thus far.

Further assistance with this dilemma is most appreciated.

[Robc-1]

I downloaded the Intel RST exe file and then installed onto a separate laptop. I copied the F6 Folder and contents from C:\SWSetup\SP146929 to the USB drive with the bootable Windows 11 Creation Tool.

I booted the non-working HP laptop (341T3UA#ABA) up from the USB drive.  I selected the Install Windows 11 option and then selected the load drivers option. I browsed the USB drive and could see the F6 folder and two drivers were available (ESD-USB C:\F6):  

Intel RST VMD Controller 9A0B        C:\F6\iaStorVD.inf

Intel RST VMD Managed Controller 09AB        C:\F6\iaStorVD.inf

When I select a driver file like 9A0B above it is highlighted.  Then the Install button becomes available to click. But nothing happens when pressing install.

I selected the second 09AB driver and the nothing happens while pressing Install. 

The Back button does not return to the main screen.

Not sure what to do next. Am I using the correct RST .inf file (from SP146929)?

I have rebooted several times with the Windows Creation Tool on USB and even installed to another bootable USB drive, but the same results.

I can see the .inf drivers, but can't get them to install under Windows 11 Tool.

I also tried using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool on a bootable USB, and it runs for a while. But then comes up with a blue screen message that says it ran into a problem and will need to restart. I get the same message repeatedly that there is a problem and needs a restart.

I'm frustrated with the recovery steps not working thus far.

Further assistance with this dilemma is most appreciated.

[tk_srq]

Try this:

Go back to the PC where you extracted the F6 folder. Go to C:\SWSetup\sp146929. Double click the dchu_Hsa folder and copy the four files there to the F6 folder. It should now have 9 files and try a W11 installation again.

[Robc-1]

Thanks.

I copied the 4 files from C:\SWSETUP\sp146929\dchu_Hsa into the USB F6 folder. There are 9 files.

The install button still doesn't work with the added dchu_Hsa driver. I get an error message or nothing happens when highlighting the new driver or former drivers. 

I'm repeating the steps from before, but including what is seen with the dchu_HSA driver files.

I rebooted from the Windows 11 Creation Tool USB Flash Drive.

Then selected the Install Windows 11 option (and agreed to Terms).

I selected the Load Drivers option and Browsed the ESD-USB (C:) Drive and selected the F6 folder.

The following files now show:

Intel RST VMD Controller 9A0B        C:\F6\iaStorVD.inf

Intel RST VMD Managed Controller 09AB        C:\F6\iaStorVD.inf

Intel(R) Optane(TM) Memory and Storage Management Extension C:\F6\iaStorHsa_Ext.inf

I selected the new iaStorHsa_Ext.inf driver and pressed Install. I get an Error message.

I went back and tried it again but still an error.

I retried the other Drivers, but they do nothiong when pressing Install.

I even unhid other files and tried selecting them to no avail. I tried a different USB Flash Drive for Windows 11 Creation and adding the F6 drivers and dchu-HSA drivers.

Still gets stuck with the Install button and not processing anything.

I also re-ran the Systems Image test checks with extend test with all systems and storage Passing cleanly.

I pasted screenshot photos from my iPhone camera showing the latest actions and steps. 

Please help.

[tk_srq]

Before writing my previous reply, I rechecked your notebook's specs and found that your model came with a 512 GB M.2 SSD with 32 GB embedded Optane memory, so Optane drivers need to be supplied to the Windows installer.

That's the reason you copied extra IRST files into the F6 folder. Your first photo shows Optane memory and Storage Management driver as well as two VMD drivers. The Windows installer should've loaded either VMD driver to display the SSD.

The Windows installation setup and drivers all seem to be working, and the IRST driver installation problem appears to be on your end. I'm suspecting that either the Optane memory or the SSD is not working.

The diagnostics test treats the Optane memory as a drive. When you ran a hard drive test, did you see the test result of two drives (Optane and SSD)? Any messages displayed?

[Robc-1]

As you could see in the prior images that I sent, the RST Drivers appear on the Install Drivers Screen option when selecting the USB F6 folder including the newly added dchu_Hsa driver with Optane Memory & Storage. After I highlight the driver (Optane - iaStorHsa_Ext.inf), I then click on the Install button and that is when the message "Error Installing Driver" displays midway down on the left side.

If I select either of the original RST sp146929 drivers (9A0B or 09AB) as before, and press the Install Button, nothing happens. No error message or anything.

Also, I ran the Hard Drive/SSD Fast Test 1st Pass and 2nd Pass again. They showed passing results. See Photos below. Nothing mentioned about Optane Memory.

I also ran the Memory Test which passed. 

I also included screen photos of the System Information, Hard Drive/SSD Info and Memory Info.