clean install win11

[nar33]

Im tryng to clean install win11 , but its not showing up my NVME drive . I downloaded the latest RST driver but its still will not detect. Do I need to do something in the bios?

[NonSequitur777]

@nar33,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

If the NVMe drive isn’t showing up during a clean install of Windows 11, it may be due to the Intel RST (RAID) setting in the BIOS. Here’s how to fix that:

BIOS Settings to Check:

1. Enter BIOS – Turn on your laptop and press F10 repeatedly.

2. Go to "Advanced" > "Storage Configuration"

3. Check the Storage Mode

   • If it's set to RAID (Intel RST), switch it to AHCI.

   • Save and exit (F10).

   • Restart your laptop and ascertain if you can now see your NVMe drive.

 

Reinstall Windows 11:

• Boot from your Windows 11 installation USB.

• The NVMe drive should now be visible.

• If switching to AHCI causes a boot error, you may need to reinstall Windows from scratch.

 

Alternative: Load the Correct Intel RST Driver:

If you want to keep RAID mode enabled, you’ll need the correct Intel RST VMD driver:

1. Download the driver from the HP support page for your model.

2. During Windows setup, click Load Driver and select the extracted driver.

To obtain the correct Intel RST VMD driver for your HP OMEN 16.1-inch Gaming Laptop PC 16-ae0000, follow these steps:

1. Visit HP's Official Support Page:

   • Navigate to the HP Software and Driver Downloads for your specific laptop model.​

2. Select Your Operating System:

   • Ensure that Windows 11 is selected as your operating system to filter compatible drivers.​

3. Locate the Intel RST Driver:

   • Look under the "Driver-Storage" section for the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver: ​Reddit+2HP Community+2Intel+2

   • If the driver isn't listed, it may not be available directly from HP for your model.​

If the driver is unavailable on HP's website, you can download the generic version from Intel:

• Intel's Download Center:

  • Visit Intel's RST Driver Download Page.​Intel

  • Download the latest driver compatible with 10th and 11th Gen platforms.​

Important Considerations:

• Driver Compatibility: While Intel provides generic drivers, it's recommended to use drivers from your system manufacturer (HP) to ensure full compatibility and functionality.​Intel

• Installation During Windows Setup:

  • During the Windows 11 installation process, when prompted to load a driver, insert the USB containing the extracted Intel RST VMD driver files.​

  • Follow the on-screen instructions to load the driver, after which your NVMe drive should be recognized.​

Let me know if these steps resolved your issue.

Of course, if you encounter difficulties or the driver is not available, consider reaching out to HP Support, especially if your laptop is still under warranty.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[nar33]

Hi , when I go to the bios I don't have advance settings.Any ideas!

 

[NonSequitur777]

@nar33,

Yea, crud: you're running into the same issue I had with my OMEN Obelisk Desktop 875-1xxx upgrade project: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Gaming-Desktops/Upgrading-an-OMEN-by-HP-Obelisk-Desktop-875-1xxx/m-p/9....

Yes, been there done that.  You are dealing with a restricted BIOS interface on your HP OMEN laptop, which can sometimes happen depending on the system's settings or config.

Here's what you can try:

Steps to Access Advanced BIOS Settings:

1. Accessing BIOS:

   • Power off your laptop.

   • Turn it back on and immediately press F10 repeatedly to enter BIOS settings.

2. Look for the “Advanced” Tab:

   • Some HP laptops hide the Advanced settings tab by default.  Don't ask me why.

   • If it's not visible, you may need to press the Esc key during boot and select F10 to enter BIOS setup. Sometimes, the Advanced tab is located under another menu like System Configuration or Boot Options.

3. Check if Secure Boot or Fast Boot Is Enabled:

   • If Secure Boot or Fast Boot is enabled, it could be preventing full BIOS options from being displayed. You can try disabling Secure Boot or Fast Boot to unlock additional BIOS features.

   • These options are typically found in the Boot Options or Security section of the BIOS.

4. BIOS Update:

   • Sometimes, the BIOS firmware may be outdated, and updating it can unlock additional options, including the Advanced settings.

   • You can visit the HP Support page for your model and check if there’s a new BIOS update available as I referenced in my previous post.

5. Reset to Default Settings:

   • If nothing works, you can try resetting the BIOS to default settings by selecting Restore Defaults in the BIOS. This may 🤞 reveal more advanced options.

Please let me know if any of these steps work for you!

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[nar33]

I got a reply from HP that this bios is not unlockable, any ideas?

[NonSequitur777]

@nar33,

HP's wording, quote: "this BIOS is not unlockable" -is a bit clunky. It sounds like they're trying to emphasize that there’s no way to access an "Advanced" tab or unlock hidden settings, but the double negation makes it slightly awkward.

A clearer way to phrase it would be:

• "This BIOS cannot be unlocked."

• "The Advanced tab is permanently restricted and cannot be enabled."

Look, HP locks down BIOS settings on most consumer and gaming laptops, and they do not provide an official way to unlock them. Some tech-savvy users try modding or flashing modified firmware, but that’s risky and can brick the system.

HP locks down their BIOS hard, especially on their consumer and gaming laptops. Unlike some manufacturers that allow advanced options through hidden key combos or outright unlocked firmware updates, HP keeps those settings completely off-limits -for mere mortals, that is.

 

Possible (but limited) Workarounds (As In: Don't Hold Your Breath):

1. ThrottleStop (for undervolting and CPU tuning) – Might work on some systems, but newer Intel CPUs have undervolt protections (Plundervolt mitigation) baked into firmware, making it ineffective.

2. RWEverything (for deep system tweaks) – Highly technical and risky, plus may not work on HP machines due to BIOS write protections.

3. AMIBCP / UEFI Tools (for BIOS modding) – Involves modifying the BIOS firmware itself, but HP signs their BIOS updates, making unofficial mods nearly impossible to flash without a hardware programmer.

4. MSR Tweaks via Linux (for power limits) – Some Linux users manage to override Intel power limits (PL1/PL2) using direct register writes, but this won't unlock a full "Advanced" tab.

 

The Harsh Reality:

HP’s BIOS security makes unlocking advanced settings nearly impossible without external flashing tools and EEPROM programming, which is far beyond what an average user would attempt. Yours truly included. If you’re looking for deep BIOS control, you’ll have far better luck with ASUS, MSI, or Gigabyte gaming laptops.

Basically, unless you happen to stumble on an obscure exploit (which is exceedingly unlikely), there’s no real software-based way to unlock HP’s BIOS settings. If you need a specific feature, your best bet is to look for software-based alternatives or return the laptop and get one with a more open user-friendly BIOS.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777