Can't find factory SSD on laptop

henrylascasas · Oct 11, 2016

Hey guys,
I've come across this problem recently but i've had this laptop for about a year now. I've read other threads but most if not all refer to new ssd's being added and none precisely describes what i'm experiencing.
So the situation is that i have a Asus laptop (GL551JW) running windows 10, it comes from the factory with a 2TB HDD and a 24GB SSD. The SSD is supposedly where the OS would be installed for faster boot times.
Only today (a year too late) i noticed that the OS is actually installed in the HDD in a 750GB partition and have another partition of 1,1TB. I tried finding the SSD through Disk Manager and only see a 20MB disk with no memory atributted. I can see the partitions of my HDD but no other disk shows there. Also, in BIOS in the Boot section it only shows up Windows Boot Manager, no HDD nor SSD.
Thanks in advance for your attention and sorry if this was already answered in another thread that i couldn't find.

Alabalcho · Oct 11, 2016

24GB SSD sounds like this is used only for cashing, and is invisible to the operating system.
Open Disk Manager, you will see your installed disks there.

henrylascasas · Oct 11, 2016

Alabalcho :

This is what i see pic
It's in portuguese but i think you'll understand, anything just ask.
The 20MB disk says "unknown" above and "not initialized" below.

rgd1101 · Oct 11, 2016

http://rog.asus.com/articles/hands-on/g551-upgrade-guide/
"An optional 24GB SSD cache resides here (green), which must be spec'd and pre-installed by the retailer at time of purchase. It gives SSD-like performance to HDD/SSHD users, giving a good balance of performance and large storage space."
are you sure you have it on your?

rgd1101 · Oct 11, 2016

the 20mb, could be any usb device.

henrylascasas · Oct 11, 2016

rgd1101 :

I'm pretty sure i have it on my unit because they advertised it to me when selling. This was actually a trade since my old ROG was having issues and they gave this newer model, but they pointed out pretty specifically what it contained. Also every retailer in my country selling this model has it. I should have included the whole model number though, it's GL551JW-CN253T.

henrylascasas · Oct 12, 2016

Just a little update, i can see the SSD through Device Manager.
https://gyazo.com/e681a4fa24c0482ae5ead14bfe66e0b4

So it should appear in Disk Manager, right?

rgd1101 · Oct 12, 2016

henrylascasas :

Might not if it is setup as cache, check the intel smart response
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/smart-response-technology.html

henrylascasas · Oct 12, 2016

rgd1101 :

So, there are a couple things.
1. The 20MB drive on Disk Manager will still show even if i disconnect all usb devices.
2. I tried searching for it in my laptop but couldn't find anything related to Intel Smart Response.
3. The drive i can see on Devices Manager, number PS3109S9, has Cache-writing Policies disabled, but only shows 20MB capacity, so i'm guessing it's the same drive showing in both Disk Manager and Devices Manager, which would make sense.
4. I slid the cover and took a picture, i think the SSD is there but am not 100% sure.
https://gyazo.com/cfe0521c31ed2d74c80c00fb0f38d9a2

rgd1101 · Oct 12, 2016

http://www.phison.com/edit55big5/uploadfile/PS3109%20mSATA%20simplified%20datasheet.pdf
20MB? something not working right.

nothing on services from intel?

henrylascasas · Oct 12, 2016

rgd1101 :

Everything i have installed by Intel is: Management Engine Components; Collaborative Processor Performance Control; Graphics Controller; Security Assist and two more wireless/bluetooth programs. No mention to anything else, anywhere.

rgd1101 · Oct 12, 2016

http://www.asus.com/us/supportonly/GL551JW/HelpDesk_Download/
Version V14.5.0.1081

Description Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver
File Size 2.23 MBytesupdate 2015/08/13
Download from Global

henrylascasas · Oct 12, 2016

rgd1101 :

Ok, i got the driver, but am not entirely sure what to do with it. Could you guide me through it please?
I tried running PNPINST64.exe which told me to restart so it could take effect, i did it twice and no changes both times.

rgd1101 · Oct 12, 2016

after you install, it should have an Intel RST icon on the notification area, right click go into it and see if it see the cache drive. or go from the program/apps start menu

henrylascasas · Oct 12, 2016

rgd1101 :

Ok, i got it installed now, but it still just shows me the exact same info as Disk Manager and Device Manager.
It shows me this.

rgd1101 · Oct 12, 2016

The drive might have failed or did it ever work? can you see it in bios?

henrylascasas · Oct 12, 2016

rgd1101 :

I never worried about it working because i asumed it was automatic and only noticed 2 days ago. I assume it never worked because windows startup times were much greater than in my previous PC and that one didn't have an SSD.
Yes, i can see it in BIOS.
https://gyazo.com/e41dac52fd70472a1aafb19445098ca2

rgd1101 · Oct 12, 2016

It suppose to make boot faster and loading of app faster, but since it doesn't even have intel RST install, I have to think it never work before.
You might try contact asus, but if it out of warranty, not sure if they would do anything.

rgd1101 · Oct 12, 2016

Just found this http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?t=158083 read the #8. could try that

henrylascasas · Oct 12, 2016

rgd1101 :

That solution seems a bit too complicated for me to try out. Anyway, the laptop still has warranty so i'll be taking it to my retailer so they send it back for a fix.
Thanks for all the help, really appreciated it!

Zalan_1 · Jan 26, 2017

henrylascasas :

Did U managed to solve that SSD Cache issue? I have the same problem with my Asus Rog G551JW. I know for sure that when I bought the laptop the cache worked all right, as I have made a Speccy snapshot about the whole computer, and there it stated at the mass storage devices that it is a Kingston 24GB SSD Cache. And it has worked allright speeding up the boot process quite a bit. A few days now, the windows does not wanted to boot anymore....I had to reinstall it, but I have noticed in Bios that some weird second disk showed up ..
PS3109S9.
When I checked it in diskpart, it says that has no volume, partition and file system on it, and it has only 20MB.
Googled it, and I found that this is actually only the controller, a Phison PS3109 SATA-to-Flash micro-controller, and the 20MB is the SDRAM of the controller, as it stated here in the description:
http://www.phison.com.tw/English/newProductView.asp?SortID=63&ID=239

So, I'm curious if the service resolved Your issue. Thanks.

henrylascasas · Jan 27, 2017

Zalan_1 :

Hey there,
I forgot to post here when it finally came from repairs, sorry about that. I actually sent it because the wireless driver was giving some issues and that was more important than the SSD itself. They replaced it and now it works fine. If you still have warranty i would advise you to send it back. Ask your retailer if they have replacement laptops. Where i live not many do, but the one i bought my PC from does and it has been quite useful since altogether i've sent back PC's 5 times in the last 2 years and each time took around 1 month.
Good luck and Cheers!

Can't find factory SSD on laptop

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