Asus A88XM-A Wont Recognize SSD (OS) When HDD is Connected

Brandon G

Reputable
Jun 16, 2015
44
0
4,530
Hello Tom's,

I have what I think is an unusual problem.

I have a PNY XLR8 CS2111 as a boot disk and a WD Caviar Blue 1Tb as a storage disk connected to an Asus A88XM-A Mobo and when I boot up the PC with both connected, I get a black screen with the message "No boot disk detected, go to BIOS and choose boot order"... or something like that.

In BIOS, only the WD HDD is detected, which has no OS. The SSD is not seen. Yet, if I unplug the Sata from the WD HDD, and boot up with the SSD connected, it goes strait into Windows 10.

I have tried different Sata cables and still get the same result. It does this every time it boots up or if it restarts and both are connected.

Any ideas?

Thanks
 
Solution
Hey there again, Brandon G!

Have you tried connecting the HDD to boot from instead, to see if BIOS will be able to detect it?
If the error is still appearing, then you should try changing the SATA as well as the power cable connecting the drives. Re-seat all the connections to the motherboard, see if that will make this problem go away.
Are you sure about the firmware update? Have you checked your mobo manufacturer's website for the latest BIOS version?

Check how the SSD is performing in another computer as well! It might be the source of the issue, make sure you have updated its firmware as well: http://www.storagereview.com/how_upgrade_ssd_firmware

Let us know how it goes! :)
SuperSoph_WD
Hey there, Brandon G!

Sorry to hear about your booting issues! I'd recommend you to try resetting BIOS first. If that doesn't work, definitely do the mobo firmware update as @das_stig suggested. Here are a couple of ways how to reset BIOS that you might find useful: http://www.wikihow.com/Reset-Your-BIOS
Keep in mind that this would get your BIOS settings back to factory defaults, so you'd need to re-configure them afterwards.

Hope these help. Keep us posted! :)
SuperSoph_WD
 

Brandon G

Reputable
Jun 16, 2015
44
0
4,530
I reset the BIOS and there doesn't seem to be a firmware update available.

When I disconnect the HDD, and leave the SSD connected, I now get a white box on a black screen during POST that says:

"The current BIOS setting do not fully support the boot device. Click OK to enter the BIOS setup. Go to Advanced > Boot > CSM Parameters, and adjust the CSM (Compatibility Support Module) settings to enable the boot device." Then an "OK" button.

I set the CSM, whatever that is, on all three settings, "Auto", "Disable", and "Enable" (which renders 4 options) and none seem to do the trick.
 
Hey there again, Brandon G!

Have you tried connecting the HDD to boot from instead, to see if BIOS will be able to detect it?
If the error is still appearing, then you should try changing the SATA as well as the power cable connecting the drives. Re-seat all the connections to the motherboard, see if that will make this problem go away.
Are you sure about the firmware update? Have you checked your mobo manufacturer's website for the latest BIOS version?

Check how the SSD is performing in another computer as well! It might be the source of the issue, make sure you have updated its firmware as well: http://www.storagereview.com/how_upgrade_ssd_firmware

Let us know how it goes! :)
SuperSoph_WD
 
Solution

Brandon G

Reputable
Jun 16, 2015
44
0
4,530
Thank you for your help SuperSoph_WD.

It seems when I unplug the Sata Power cable, then reseat it, the SSD magically appears in BIOS.. and will go straight into Windows 10. If my WD Caviar Blue HDD is unplugged.

I will change out all Sata data cables, and try to use another Sata Power connection from the PSU to plug in the PNY SSD. This will the be last few variables that I can imagine to test.

I have a feeling that it's either the PSU Sata Power or my Asus Mobo that has some issues.

Thank you again! I'lll keep you up to date.