Windows 11 setup can't find drives

[nicholda]

Whilst attempting to install Windows 11 onto my new PC I am getting a message saying "We couldn't find any drives. To get a storage driver, click Load driver.". I am using an AMD Ryzen 5 5600x CPU with an ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING WIFI II motherboard. The storage device is a Samsung 960 Pro Evo. I have no other storage devices currently connected and my SATA Mode is set to AHCI in the BIOS.



I have tried:

Installing and extracting the "AMD RAID Driver For Windows 10/11 64-bit." driver from ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING WIFI II | Gaming motherboards｜ROG - Republic of Gamers｜ROG Global onto a USB and loading it in the Windows Setup but when I do so it says "No signed device drivers were found. Make sure that the installation media contains the correct drivers, and then click OK." even when I uncheck "Hide drivers that aren't compatible with this computer's hardware.".



I'm all out of ideas so any help would be appreciated.

 

[ChatGPT]

It seems like you are encountering an issue with Windows 11 setup not being able to detect any drives on your system. This can happen if the necessary storage drivers are not present during the installation process. Here are a few suggestions you can try to resolve this problem:
1. Check your BIOS settings: You mentioned that your SATA Mode is set to AHCI in the BIOS, which is the correct setting for most systems. However, it's worth double-checking if there are any additional settings related to storage devices that could be causing the issue. Make sure that your storage device is properly connected and recognized in the BIOS.
2. Verify the integrity of your Windows installation media: Ensure that the Windows 11 installation media you are using is not corrupted or damaged. You can try creating a new installation media using the official Microsoft Windows 11 Media Creation Tool to rule out any issues with the existing one.
3. Try a different USB port: Sometimes, changing the USB port used for connecting the installation media can help resolve detection issues. Try using a different USB port on your system and see if that makes a difference.
4. Check for updated drivers: Visit the manufacturer's website for your motherboard (ASUS) and download the latest storage drivers specifically designed for Windows 11. Make sure you select the correct driver for your motherboard model and operating system version. Extract the driver files onto a USB drive and try loading them during the installation process using the "Load driver" option.
5. Disable Secure Boot: In some cases, Secure Boot can interfere with the loading of unsigned drivers during the Windows installation process. You can try disabling Secure Boot temporarily in your BIOS settings and see if that allows the storage drivers to be loaded.
6. Test with a different storage device: If possible, try installing Windows 11 on a different storage device to see if the issue persists. This will help determine if the problem lies with the storage device itself.
If none of the above solutions work, you may want to consider seeking assistance from ASUS support or Microsoft support for further troubleshooting steps specific to your hardware configuration.

 

[ussnorway]

so to be clear you did install Windows 11 and you did also install the chipset drivers before trying to load the raid?

 

[ChatGPT]

You're absolutely right to ask! Proper installation order is critical, especially when dealing with RAID setups and Windows 11. If they skipped any steps or didn’t install chipset drivers before attempting to configure the RAID, it’s no wonder the drives aren’t being detected.
Here’s why your clarification matters and how it should ideally go:

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Why Chipset Drivers Matter Before RAID Setup​

1. Windows Out-of-the-Box Drivers vs Manufacturer-Specific Drivers:
   • Windows’ built-in drivers don’t always include RAID controller support. Without the proper RAID drivers (part of chipset packages), the system won’t detect the RAID array, even if configured properly.
2. Chipset Drivers Include RAID Drivers:
   • Most RAID functionality is tied to the motherboard’s chipset, meaning you need Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology) or AMD RAID drivers installed during or after Windows installation.
3. Installing RAID First Can Backfire:
   • Trying to initialize RAID controllers or install array-specific tools before the system has Intel/AMD chipset drivers often leads to failure to detect drives, strange stability issues, or improper array setups.

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Correct Order to Set Up Windows 11 with RAID​

If they haven’t followed this process yet, they’ll want to go step-by-step:

1. Configure RAID in BIOS/UEFI​

• Enter the BIOS by pressing F2, Del, or a similar key during system boot.
• Under Advanced Settings, look for your RAID configuration options (varies by motherboard):
  • Enable RAID Mode for SATA (instead of AHCI).
  • Create the RAID array (choose RAID 0/1/5/etc.) and select the drives.
• Save and Exit.

2. Install Windows 11​

• Boot from the Windows 11 installation media.
• When the drive configuration screen appears, your RAID array likely won’t show initially.
  • Solution: Look for the “Load Driver” option and install your RAID drivers from a USB drive (these should be downloaded from your motherboard’s website beforehand):
    • Intel Drivers: Look for Intel RST drivers.
    • AMD Drivers: Look for AMD RAID drivers (or the specific term for your system’s chipset).

3. Install Chipset Drivers Immediately After Installation​

• Once Windows 11 is installed:
  • Download and install the chipset drivers (from Intel/AMD or your motherboard’s manufacturer).
  • These drivers are a collection that includes RAID, SATA, USB, and PCIe controllers. Without them, the RAID might not function properly—even if detected at first.

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What If They Missed a Step?​

It’s not too late! If they already attempted the setup without installing chipset drivers:

• Reinstall or Fix RAID Drivers:
  • Boot into Windows.
  • Install the chipset drivers manually from your motherboard’s support page. Most of them package RAID drivers for Windows.
• Repair RAID in BIOS/Software:
  • Make sure the RAID settings in your BIOS are correct and the RAID array is still showing active.
  • Use Intel RST or AMD RAID software (downloaded as above) to ensure the array is detected in the OS.

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Common Missteps to Avoid​

• Switching from AHCI to RAID Mode After Installation:
  • If you install Windows in AHCI mode, then change to RAID mode in BIOS after the fact, the system will likely fail to boot properly due to mismatched boot drivers.
  • Fix: You’d need to switch back to AHCI or reinstall after switching to RAID.
• Forgetting to Load Drivers During Installation:
  • The “Load Driver” step is key if Windows doesn’t natively recognize the RAID array.

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Would you like further clarification on how to load RAID drivers or check the array in Windows? Let me know how far they’ve gotten in the process, and we’ll make sure this RAID drama gets fully resolved!