Windows 10 install on freedos laptop. No storage device available

[tetelias]

I'm trying to install Windows 10 downloaded from MSDN and failing as no driver for storage device is found. HP site offers drivers for  HP 14s-dq2000 (26G78AV) instead. I tried OS installer and driver for 21H2, 20H2 and 2004 and nothing worked. Just on off chance tried drivers attached in similar threads on this site and they didn't work either. Please advise what to try!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

See if this works...your notebook's processor is in the Intel Tiger Lake family like the 11th gen core processors, which require a special storage controller driver in order for W10/W11 to 'see' the hard drive.

See the info at the link below.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-15-f2000-laptop-pc-series/35900344/model/35900346/document/c...

Here is the link to the driver you need...

This package contains the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver for the supported notebook models and operating systems. The Intel Rapid Storage Technology is designed to provide functionality for the Intel Storage Controllers. The driver improves Serial ATA (SATA) disk performance with Native Command Queuing.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp111501-112000/sp111776.exe

There is one thing wrong in that document, and that is where HP tells you to right click on the Intel driver file and select Extract to

When I ran through the steps, I don't get an Extract to option when I right click on the file.

So, if you have the same issue, download and install the free 7-zip file utility from the link below.

The 1st file at the top of the page is for 64 bit.

7-Zip (7-zip.org)

Then you can right click on the exe file, select 7-Zip from the menu, and select Extract to: and let it extract the file into its folder name (sp111776), and copy that folder to your USB flash drive, and continue with the instructions.

[tetelias]

Thank you for a speedy reply. Your link shows "sp111776.exe" while pointing to "sp111660.exe". I downloaded and tried both anyway but without any luck.

I have F08 BIOS revision and only did "reset to defaults". Interestingly in the guide you provided installation skips steps 3-7.

FreeDOS boots without problems so disk appears to be ok. I get to step 8 of the guide so flash seems to be good as well. Any suggestions on what I can try next?

[tetelias]

When "hide drivers that aren't compatible ..." is checked "9A0B(TGL)" and "09AB" get hidden. With both set of drivers I offered all the available folders to explore presence of drivers but no compatible one is ever found.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The storage controller driver on your notebook's support page is this older one.

You can give that one a try and see if it works.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp108501-109000/sp108979.exe 

If that doesn't work, try the middle zip driver download from Intel...

Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Driver Installation Software with Intel® Optane™ Memory (8th and 9th...

[tetelias]

I didn't have any success with the latest suggested drivers as I actually already tried them, and second attempt wasn't any more productive.

From what I understand the need for a driver is from RAID technology (VMD) being turned on. Is it possible to turn it off on my laptop?

Is upgrading BIOS to F.16 version worth a try?

[tetelias]

Somehow Windows version 21H1 but not 21H2 recognizes Hynix BC511 disk and doesn't require drivers so I guess problem is solved. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

That's good news!