Solved New Laptop Rejecting Installation of an 8tb m.2 SSD in the second slot


p64imp

Active member
Local time
4:12 AM
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30
OS
Windows 11
Hi All,

I just purchased an Asus Rog Zephyrus Pro Duo 16 laptop and am upgrading the storage to two 8tb m.2 ssd cards. When I loaded the boot image on the primary slot 1 nvme device slot, the system booted up no problem, however the second 8tb will not read. It shows up in the bios menu, so bios knows it exists, and Windows 11 sees it long enough to register it as a drive but turns it into read only and gives me the below errors (see end of post).

What I tested:
  1. I confirmed the second drive does not have issues on another machine
  2. I pulled the second drive, flashed it with the boot image, ran a clean diskpart on the primary 8tb to convert it to general storage, with the drives inserted into flipped slots, error still persisted ON THE SECOND SLOT (which proved the issue is not with the m.2 card, but with the device)
  3. I put a 2tb nvme in the second slot, it reads/writes without issue
  4. i checked bios settings for any way to configure my sata ports on the mobo, but found no options
The issue when navigating after boot, if i am lucky enough for the drive to register before the device shuts down, whenever i try to access it with any file activity, it continuously posts the error pop up message "A device which does not exist was specified". This is consistent with the errors i found in the event viewer.

My Prime Objective: To determine if the secondary NVME slot is faulty. This is a very expensive laptop, and i'm on day 2 of the return policy.

Please let me know what your thoughts are. Could the second nvme slot be faulty? I understand not many people run 2x 8tb m.2 cards in their laptops so this may be one of the more uncommon issues. I don't know if it's simply a capacity issue, if the controllers are somehow clashing, or what else it could be.

The last test i'm going to do is put the stock boot drive back in (2tb) and see if it reads the 8tb in slot 2. If it does, its an incompatibility running 2x8tb at the same time. If not, it would mean slot 2 of this machine is rejecting any nvme card 8tb in size (one is PNY, one is a Corsair).

Here are the logs in event viewer:

The driver detected a controller error on \Device\RaidPort1.
An error was detected on device \Device\Harddisk1\DR1 during a paging operation.
Ntfs (Ntfs) - {Delayed Write Failed} Windows was unable to save all the data for the file D:\$Mft. The data has been lost. This error may be caused by a failure of your computer hardware or network connection. Please try to save this file elsewhere.
VDS Basic Provider - Unexpected failure. Error code: 1B1@01010003
Ntfs (Microsoft-Windows-Ntfs) -
The system failed to flush data to the transaction log. Corruption may occur in VolumeId: E:, DeviceName: \Device\HarddiskVolume9.

Failure status: A device which does not exist was specified.

Device GUID: {f9675d9d-48f6-662b-f342-50fb35b92fdd}
Device manufacturer:
Device model: PNY CS2130 8TB SSD
Device revision: CS213531
Bus type: NVMe

XML:
- <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
- <System>
  <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Ntfs" Guid="{3ff37a1c-a68d-4d6e-8c9b-f79e8b16c482}" />
  <EventID>140</EventID>
  <Version>1</Version>
  <Level>3</Level>
  <Task>0</Task>
  <Opcode>0</Opcode>
  <Keywords>0x8000000000000008</Keywords>
  <TimeCreated SystemTime="2022-06-11T02:25:46.1409633Z" />
  <EventRecordID>2216</EventRecordID>
  <Correlation />
  <Execution ProcessID="4" ThreadID="848" />
  <Channel>System</Channel>
  <Computer>ASUSDuo16</Computer>
  <Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />
  </System>
- <EventData>
  <Data Name="VolumeIdLength">2</Data>
  <Data Name="VolumeId">E:</Data>
  <Data Name="DeviceNameLength">23</Data>
  <Data Name="DeviceName">\Device\HarddiskVolume9</Data>
  <Data Name="Error">0xc000000e</Data>
  <Data Name="DeviceGuid">{f9675d9d-48f6-662b-f342-50fb35b92fdd}</Data>
  <Data Name="VendorIdLength">0</Data>
  <Data Name="VendorId" />
  <Data Name="ProductIdLength">18</Data>
  <Data Name="ProductId">PNY CS2130 8TB SSD</Data>
  <Data Name="ProductRevisionLength">8</Data>
  <Data Name="ProductRevision">CS213531</Data>
  <Data Name="DeviceSerialNumberLength">20</Data>
  <Data Name="DeviceSerialNumber">xxx</Data>
  <Data Name="BusType">17</Data>
  <Data Name="AdapterSerialNumberLength">25</Data>
  <Data Name="AdapterSerialNumber">xxx</Data>
  </EventData>
  </Event>
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
So i'm back, just installed windows and set up, my config now is a 4tb in slot 1, 8tb in slot 2. i still get the issue:

1654994610807.png

So the problem is 100% the second slot not liking these 8tb cards. Has nothing to do with pairing. I need help troubleshooting to see if this slot is faulty which would warrant this going straight back to Asus for a refund.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
The second slot clearly can not be entirely faulty, as it would not then support a 2TB drive -- which it seems to do without issue. Unless you have some formal documentation stating that the motherboard supports a capacity of 16TB, you will have a difficult time claiming any fault with the motherboard.

Did you test the 4TB drive in the second slot? If not, try that -- and then you will know if the slot accepts drives larger than 2TB.

Are you able to boot with only one 8TB drive and that being in the second slot? If so, the limitation is a combination of drive capacities -- and you could then boot from the second slot and try different size drives in the first slot. I think you will probably bump up against the same capacity limitations (i.e., 10TB or 12TB max)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Ryzen 5600X
    Motherboard
    ASRock Steel Legend
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GT 710
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23",24", 19" - flat panels
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    None - only M.2 SATA and NVMe drives
    PSU
    750W
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    stock Wraith cooler
    Keyboard
    Corsair gaming
    Mouse
    Logitech M720
    Internet Speed
    1Gb
I flipped the cards - 4tb is now in slot 2 (with OS), 8tb is in slot 1 - and apparently reads/writes now.

I know mobo's have different configurations on the primary/secondary slots for what they support. Perhaps it is a size support issue with the device controller driver?

I did not try to boot from slot 2, but with the other configurations I tried, seems the overall capacity isn't the issue here. It's that the second NVME rejects 8tb in size SSD cards.

With all you have heard with this issue, can you safely say that i don't have a lemon? If I don't, I can work with the 4tb in slot 2 as my OS drive. It's a gen 4, so it'll be 2x faster anyway. As long as i can have that secondary capacity available, its do-able.

If you look at my history you will see i hit horrible issues with a ROG Duo 15 - BSOD issues left and right. That one ended up going back to asus for a warranty claim. This one is the "replacement", that's why I'm extremely skeptical on the hardware now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Just a thought, does the second M2 slot provide enough power and cooling for an 8 Tb drive?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel I3-10100
    Motherboard
    MSI H410M-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 1030
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 970 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Samsung QVO 870 SATA SSD 2 Tb
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Microsoft Office 2021 Plus
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel i3-8100
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z370 D3
    Memory
    16 Gb
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GT 720
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Seagate 2 Tb HDD
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
there's no cooler on the 8tb. no clearance for anything like that in a laptop.


Anyway, thought i'd give you all one last update to close this out. If anyone presents symptoms that i did, please PLEASE tell them to DOA it. That 4 tb 4th gen M.2 ssd i put in the suspect second slot just bricked my drive. It's now a paperweight.

I was in the process of just starting to install a few apps, then i got a BSOD - CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED
on reboot - direct to bios with my boot drive missing. tested in another pc w/my usb tester - done. toast.

For voltages to not work with a 8tb, in retrospect it is obvious that power delivery was a problem to the slot. This likely resulted in a popped fuse on my 4tb after sustained use.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
That is indeed an expensive laptop. I know it's too late to help you now, but per Asus, on all 4 models of the Zephyrus the specs says

Storage 2TB + 2TB PCIe® 4.0 NVMe™ M.2 Performance SSD (RAID 0)​


Thank you for reporting back. I feel for you.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Yes, but its a standard slot which should support all 3/4gen m.2 drives. It certainly shouldn't brick anything plugged in > 2tb.
Manuf support claims of x capacity are never warranted. Every device in existence that claims a 32gb max micro sd card i was able to plug in up to 1tb in size and have it recognized. Its a soft claim.

I still believe there was an actual hardware defect in play here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Its a soft claim. I still believe there was an actual hardware defect in play here.
Possibly. Or it is because of the way the motherboard distributes power to the drives(power bus design), or the size of the power supply itself. It's a big chance to take after investing so much in a top quality machine to push it past what the manufacturer says it can do. I guess you'll know when you install the replacement drive.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
I'm not.... to put out $4000 on a laptop that bricks a common NVME drive that even my GPD and AYA devices rock without issue... this laptop is going back to Asus. Build quality like that is inexcusable, and even more so if its an actual limitation.

I have another one on backorder from B&H photo. I can't imagine they designed the hardware like that. I love the design, but i have to say the build quality on these devices from my experience has been sub-par (my thread last year outlines the hell i went through on the 15se model).

The B&H is my last attempt. If that one acts up as well, I may write off this series entirely. At least until they can get their act together.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
By the way, I will be back to provide the outcome here. I don't think there are many of us, but i'm sure there are some out there who'd like to know if a > 2tb drive can be plugged in and not get bricked in a duo 16 model.

Just gotta wait for B&H to get their first stock. May be 1-2 mos.

One last little bit of food for thought... if this is a true limitation, why did slot 1 rock my 8tb and 4tb drive without a hiccup? They are rated exactly the same in manuf specs. And for power delivery... that power brick delivers a LOT of power, in part to support the 3080ti, but still. I can't imagine the system is short changed in power delivery.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
Just curious. Did you talk to Asus tech support? I would just ask them "Can I install a 8tb m.2 in this laptop?" See what song and dance they give you. I would make sure I was talking to an advanced support technician, though.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
I thought about doing that, primarily in the event they play the "dont support > 2tb" card and try to charge me a 15% restocking fee.... their tech support is a brutal thing to get through though. :wink:

I may though. And yes, it has to be senior level. the Jr level support will tell you many things that just aren't true.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
mine is a lenovo laptop and my drive is 30 tb. Always gives this error message:
"A device which does not exist was specified " but it is shown in the left pane until I try to format it. 30 tb does need 64 bit access. Could it be the usb driver that cannpt cope.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo 14 inch
    CPU
    no idea
    Motherboard
    standard
    Memory
    4
    Graphics Card(s)
    no idea
    Sound Card
    standard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    built in 14 inch
    Screen Resolution
    no idea
    Hard Drives
    solid state but small
    PSU
    outside on a cable
    Cooling
    fan
    Keyboard
    English
    Mouse
    none - just a touch pad
    Internet Speed
    30meg
    Browser
    all
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
    Other Info
    its a straight off the shelf cheap laptop by lenovo
Just a comment about the power delivered to the SSD slots. A 2TB ssd typically consumes 4 to 5W in operstion. 9W for a fast 4TB and likely 18W or so for each of your 8TB.

A motherboard with power switchers designed with maybe a good marging for 2TB on each slot would need to deliver some 10W to them, msybe capable of 20W for a very generous margin. Now try quadrupling the draw, trying to get 36W out of it and at best it just doesn't run the second slot. Worse case it will brownout, start giving glitchy 3.3V to an ssd that might just fry.

BIOS will recognize larger sizes but you need the juice that might not be there.

You can have a 200A panel in a house, but a 15A circuit still can't run your 3000W oven.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 10
i have seen configs of this laptop on Amazon with 2 x 8TB NVMe drives configured in a RAID 1 array, so it would appear that it does allow for dual 8TB drives if you want. Perhaps a bios update may have been in order.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink SEI8
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8279u
    Motherboard
    AZW SEI
    Memory
    32GB DDR4 2666Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus 655
    Sound Card
    Intel SST
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus ProArt PA278QV
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe
    PSU
    NA
    Case
    NA
    Cooling
    NA
    Keyboard
    NA
    Mouse
    NA
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Mini PC used for testing Windows 11.
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5900x
    Motherboard
    Asus Rog Strix X570-E Gaming
    Memory
    64GB DDR4-3600
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA GeForce 3080 FT3 Ultra
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQ. ASUS ProArt Display PA278QV 27” WQHD
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2TB WD SN850 PCI-E Gen 4 NVMe
    2TB Sandisk Ultra 2.5" SATA SSD
    PSU
    Seasonic Focus 850
    Case
    Fractal Meshify S2 in White
    Cooling
    Dark Rock Pro CPU cooler, 3 x 140mm case fans
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Keyboard
    Corsiar K65 RGB Lux
    Internet Speed
    500/50
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Defender.

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