Intel SSD 530 not seen on OS install screen - ASRock C2750D4L

[JLind13]

I have spent the whole day struggling with my new NAS build before I found this thread.

The SSD shows up as it should when I cold boot the server, trying to install OS from a UEFI USB key and poff, the drive is gone. I don't know how it would behave with a OS installed as it's impossible for me to install Windows Server 2012 R2 on it.

Cold Boot:

In the Boot Menu I choose to boot from "UEFI: My USB key" where the Win Server 2012 R2 install is located. At this point the SSD is listed as "P0: INTEL SSDSC2BW180A4". It doesn't show up twice as a UEFI drive. (Don't know if it should.)

Installation starts but when I get to the point where I should choose where to install WS, I get the message that no drives where found.

If I then exit the installer (server will reboot), the SSD is gone from the Boot Menu and the Bios can't find it either.

If I however boot into the UEFI Console or to the empty SSD, I can Ctrl+Alt+Del the machine and the SSD will still be there in the Boot Menu and in the Bios.

I have tried everything I can think of!

• Load drivers in Windows Server installer
• Disable Fast Boot
• Disable Hot Plug
• Tried another SATA port.
• Set SATA speed to Gen 2 (force sata 2 on the sata 3 port)
• Disable SATA Aggressive Link Power Mgmt
• Tried all different combinations of Legacy / UEFI CSM settings I can think of.

From the original Bios settings, this is what I changed only for my liking:

• Enabled Hard Disk S.M.A.R.T
• Set Bootable Marvell 9230 SATAIII mode to None

Here's my hardware spec:

ASRock C2750D4I motherboard (BIOS/UEFI v1.80, BMC v0.14.0)

Intel 530 180GB SSD v.DC32, plugged in to first sata 3 port on intel controller (tried the second port as well with same problems)

2 x 2GB PC10600 DDR3 ECC

The SSD had DC12 firmware when I got it, but the first thing I did after I found this thread was to update it to DC32 but that didn't solve my problems.

I have reported this to ASRock as well with a link to this post and I would be more than happy to help ASRock and Intel to sort this out.

[JLind13]

Hi ken-Intel,

I finally got a Linux build that worked and I have now made a Secure Erase.

The drive was frozen when I started the procedure so I had to unplug the drive and plug it back in while the computer was running to make it "not frozen". After that everything went smooth.

However, I still got the same problem and the disk is still not showing up in WS 2012 R2 installer. It also disappears from Bios as before.

What to do next?

[KenF_Intel]

Hi Jensl,

Let me see if I get any traction on obtaining a C2750D4I. I'll update you on my progress no later than Tuesday of next week.

Ken

[KenF_Intel]

Hi Jensl,

I have a C2750D4l board on it's way to me. I'll let you know what I find once I receive it (should be this week).

[JLind13]

Great news ken-Intel,

I just want to give you some more clues so you can hopefully reproduce the problem faster. The SSD worked when I booted to Ubuntu to make the secure erase. So it is something in the Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials installer that makes the drive disappear from the system. If you don't have access to the install DVD, you can download the trial here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dn205288.aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dn205288.aspx

Then I just copied the DVD over to a USB thumb drive as described here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn293258.aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn293258.aspx

And then I booted from USB in UEFI mode.

Good luck!

[KenF_Intel]

Hi Jensl,

That's great news.

I received the C2750D4L yesterday. I didn't have Server 2012 so I tested with Win 8.1 with no problems.

Thanks for the links to get Server 2012. I'll see if I can recreate the problem with a brand new 530.