Asus Z87-A does not see Crucial MX500 1TB SSD

[pietro666]

Hi, I hope someone here can help. I searched everywhere but I haven't found a solution to my problem. I have Asus Z87-A with Bios 2103 which I think is the latest version available.

I bought Crucial MX500 1TB SSD to install system on it but I cannot get Bios to see the SSD. When I go to SATA Information it show the SATA slot as empty. The drive is connected using Sata power cable and Sata data cable (no Molex involved). Everything boots up without any issues, warnings when SSD is connected but it is not visible in Bios.

I tried setting SATA config in Bios to IDE, AHCI, switch off Fast Boot etc. Does not help. I have honestly no idea how to get the Bios to see it. I have been searching for a solution for a few days. I also changed the cables just to make eliminate this as a root cause. I also tried different SATA ports in the mainboard.

 

[pietro666]

The SSD is brand new. I will try to see if I can connect it via USB.

Meanwhile, this is the latest BIOS I am getting on Asus website:
Z87-A BIOS 2103 and BIOS updater
Version 2103
12.37 MB
2014/09/12

Also, I have found a list of supported devices on Asus website. Does anyone know if I am restricted to only purchasing one of the models on this list? Most of them are 120GB or 240GB.

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/Z87-A/Z87-A_Devices_QVL_0704.pdf?model=Z87-A

 

[pietro666]

No, not showing in Bios under Sata or Boot config, not showing in Windows in Disk Management, not showing in Windows in Device Manager under drives or anywhere else

 

[pietro666]

Have you tried a replacement SATA and/or powercable?

Yes, per my initial post

 

[pietro666]

Do you have a friends computer or another computer to try the drive in ?

Not really, no

 

[pietro666]

Just to add, if I move drives around and plug the HDD's into different Sata ports in the mainboard it detects them correctly in new ports. SSD not detected at all. I wondered if there was anything in Bios that was not enabled for SSD support? Couldn't find anything

 

[pietro666]

if bios doesn't detect the drive then windows won't either
what other drives are connected to your sata ports?
if you bought the drive used then my first guess is that the drive is dead already and you got scammed

As I said already, the drive is brand new. Other drives connected to Sata ports are HDD drives and a DVD player

 

[pietro666]

use the sata cable AND the power connector of a known working drive, connect it to your new MX500 and see if the computer will detect it

tried this already, same result sadly

 

[pietro666]

He's dead, Jim.

You don't have RAID mode turned on or something weird like that?

Sata is in AHCI mode, not RAID

 

[pietro666]

return for replacement or refund

is this common for brand new Crucial drives to be dead on arrival? sorry, not had much dealings with SSD

 

[pietro666]

You didn't buy it from the rainforest, right?

I actually did. Would that matter?

 

[pietro666]

no it's not common, quite rare actually
doesn't mean that it never happens
you may just be the unlucky one

the only way to tell is to use an external usb caddy but doesn't sound like you have one

no, I do not have one, I could always get one and see what happens

 

[pietro666]

I wouldn't buy SSDs or memory cards from that place, but you should be able to get a refund easy enough.

Is there any reason not to buy from them? Just curious. Yes, I can get the refund easily.

 

[pietro666]

nah, as you've bought from amazon just return and get a new one. no need to spend more money than needed

Got a replacement, exactly the same, will report back here whether the issue persists as it is supposed to arrive tomorrow.

 

[pietro666]

have you removed everything that you don't need,m.2s and/or any stray usb sticks in the usb slots? etc just to isolate the drive?

Yes, same result

 

[pietro666]

All sorted and thanks for all suggestions. Indeed, the drive was dead although new. The replacement one runs from the word go without any issues.