im installing windows 11 on my mini PC with AMD Rygen CPU, during installation of windows 11, the NVME hard drive is missing, it doesn’t show on the hard drive selection, how to solve this issue?

Troubleshooting Missing NVMe Drive During Windows 11 Installation

Understanding the Issue:

It’s frustrating when your NVMe drive isn’t detected during Windows 11 installation. This can be due to several reasons, including BIOS settings, driver compatibility, or hardware issues. Here are some potential solutions:

Check BIOS Settings

1. Access BIOS: Restart your mini PC and repeatedly press the designated key (usually Delete, F2, or F10) to enter the BIOS setup.
2. Boot Mode: Ensure that the boot mode is set to UEFI and not Legacy. NVMe drives are typically only recognized in UEFI mode.
3. SATA Mode: Set the SATA mode to AHCI. This is usually the optimal setting for NVMe drives.
4. Secure Boot: Temporarily disable Secure Boot if enabled. Some NVMe drives might have compatibility issues with Secure Boot.
5. NVMe Configuration: Check if there’s a specific setting for NVMe drives in your BIOS. It might be named something like “NVMe Support” or “PCIe Storage Configuration.” Enable it if available.

Check for Driver Compatibility

While NVMe drives typically don’t require specific drivers, there are rare cases where an outdated or incompatible driver might cause issues.

1. Check for Updates: Update your BIOS to the latest version. This might include updated NVMe support.
2. Intel RST Driver: If you have an Intel processor, try using the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver. You can download it from Intel’s website. Extract the driver files and copy them to a USB drive. During Windows installation, when prompted, load the driver from this USB drive.

Additional Troubleshooting

1. Check Cable Connections: Ensure that the NVMe drive is securely connected to the motherboard.
2. Test the Drive in Another System: If possible, try the NVMe drive in another system to check if it’s functioning correctly.
3. Create a Bootable Installation Media: Ensure that the Windows 11 installation media is created correctly and bootable.
4. Clear UEFI/BIOS Settings: As a last resort, clear the CMOS to reset all BIOS settings to default.

Important Note:

• Be cautious when making changes in the BIOS. Incorrect settings can prevent your system from booting.
• If you’re unsure about any of these steps, consider seeking assistance from a professional or referring to your motherboard’s manual.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue preventing your NVMe drive from being detected during Windows 11 installation. If you continue to experience problems, please provide more details about your specific hardware configuration for further assistance.

Would you like to provide more details about your mini PC, such as the motherboard model and the exact error message you’re seeing?