Stuck on old BIOS

Hi
Built systems for years and this has really stumped me. PC works fine. I have no need to update my BIOS (except for some security fixes.)

Edition Windows 11 Pro
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎22/‎11/‎2022
OS build 22621.963
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22638.1000.0

Is my Windows.

I have a I7 12700K on a Gigabyte Aorus Elite DDR4 V1.
2 X 16 gig 3600 ram.
1 X 2 TB Intel M.2 ssd (system)
1 X sata 3 Samsung 2 TB evo.

also got a 3070ti.

Everything is fine and wonderful. I just cannot update the BIOS, I think it's something I'm doing.

BIOS updates. I'm on F7 and have successfully updated to F20, 21 and 22.

they all do the same. 'no bootable device found'

I have tried absolutely everything, moving the m.2. unplugging all but the M.2. Cleared CMOS.
It will only see the sata as a bootable drive.

the M.2 is shown as a 2mg unknown, so I think it's blocked?

Absolutely, the only way to make the BIOS see my M.2 is to re-flash F7.

It's just a frustrating niggle.


Troubleshooting, I even installed Windows on the Sata and Windows doesn't know what it is either.

I tried all configurations, re set to default setting prior to flashing.

Got me stumped, so please tell me I'm an idiot for leaving some daft setting in the wrong mode. It just puzzles me reflash F7 BIOS and it's like there was never a problem.

Just got up, saw this and am currious, could that the Optane feature of Intel? I got a new Dell in April and it has it but I haven't delved into it very much, computer working too good to futz with. Now on to coffee.

First sentence is not clear.

"could that the optane feature of Intel?"

missing word "be" after 'that'?

it's something daft. like that, I know it.
I guess, I'll have to wait until my M.2 dies before I can update BIOS. I'm fine for now, unless I choose to update to 13 gen, which is unlikely as I just upgraded a 4790k

That's what I get for not having coffee first.

How are you attempting to update the bios? Are you following Aorus instructions using the @bios utility? . How to Update Your BIOS Part 1: The @BIOS Utility

If you are attempting to flash the bios from a usb drive at boot, the drive is not being detected because all 11th and 12th generation core processors must have Intel IRST driver inserted into the boot media before drives will be detected.

yes the @bios app

Muahahahaha !!

I would contact PC Specialist technical support. PCSPECIALIST - Contact Us

wrogg said:

yes the @bios app

Click to expand...

( Gigabyte )I did, they were not very helpful, said my drive wasn't compatible.. maybe?
(PC Specialist) told me off for updating bios.

thanks for the replies all.

wrogg said:

( Gigabyte )I did, they were not very helpful, said my drive wasn't compatible.. maybe?
(PC Specialist) told me off for updating bios.

Click to expand...

I've never had an issue with Gigabyte's tech support so... Anyway, as one who has been using Gigabyte boards since 2005, including an Aorus Z390 listed in my system specs, I find your issue odd as an NVME drive should NOT be interfering with a BIOS update.

BTW, I do not recommend the @bios utility, but instead using Q-Flash with a thumb drive to update the BIOS. I've updated numerous BIOS' on Gigabyte boards using Q-Flash and all were successful and without issue.

Anyway, according to your statement below, you can and DID update the BIOS - so you can update the BIOS, the issue according to you is that the BIOS update doesn't allow your NVMe / boot drive to be seen? That's different from not being able to update the BIOS...

wrogg said:

Edition Windows 11 Pro

Is my Windows.

I have a I7 12700K on a Gigabyte Aorus Elite DDR4 V1.
2 X 16 gig 3600 ram.
1 X 2 TB Intel M.2 ssd (system)
1 X sata 3 Samsung 2 TB evo.

also got a 3070ti.

Everything is fine and wonderful. I just cannot update the BIOS, I think it's something I'm doing.

BIOS updates. I'm on F7 and have successfully updated to F20, 21 and 22.

they all do the same. 'no bootable device found'

I have tried absolutely everything, moving the m.2. unplugging all but the M.2. Cleared CMOS.
It will only see the sata as a bootable drive.

the M.2 is shown as a 2mg unknown, so I think it's blocked?

Absolutely, the only way to make the BIOS see my M.2 is to re-flash F7.

Click to expand...

BTW, after doing a BIOS update do hit the "Load Optimized defaults" so that the system adjusts to the hardware you have installed.

With that what specific NVMe drive do you have? I know you say Intel, but is it PCI or SATA? BTW, can you see any of the drives in the BIOS to include the M.2 drives??? If so, that says the board recognizes them, so the only issue left may be how you're installing the OS, and whether you're selecting the correct boot drive or not, and thus the questions above. With that have you considered doing a clean install over again?

Also, do make sure you are following the instructions for installing an NVMe (M.2) drive in tha appropriate slot per page 25 of your owner's manual (PDF File). Note that an M.2 "SATA" drive is ONLY supported on the M2M.SB slot. That said, are you sure the M.2 drive IS an NVMe drive (also why I asked what specific drive)???

wrogg said:

Troubleshooting, I even installed Windows on the Sata and Windows doesn't know what it is either.

Click to expand...

This seems contradictory to what you posted said above... "It will only see the sata as a bootable drive.". Please clarify?

With that, Is the BIOS set to AHCI mode? And are you installing in UEFI mode (choosing UFI for the OS install)? Also are you selecting the correct Boot drive (per page 35/36 of the owner's manual)?

Your issue is odd, thus the many questions.

Are you using the Q-Flash utility?

Edit, later: I misunderstood. Partly because the way the post was written. The OP can update the BIOS, but the board fails to recognize an M.2 drive.

What sata connections are you using? which M.2 ports as well?

Thanks again. In a nutshell: Any Bios other than F7 (my original) sees the M.2 drive (2TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD) as a 2 megabyte unknown, still in the M.2 BIOS category. The Samsung is off my old PC and is a 2.5 inch connected by sata cable.
I've cleared CMOS, loaded optimised defaults (and many other configurations.
Tried the drive in several ports, there's a few on this motherboard.
Tried it on it's own, I installed Windows on the sata drive just to see what the M.2 was showing as (2 megabyte unknown, I couldn't even force override.

All BIOS versions brick the M.2, but as soon as I flash F7 it boots into windows like nothing ever happened.

I have searched for months and can't find a similar case, I assumed it was something Windows had done.

M.2 is completely useless on any other bios, it's greyed out listed as 2 MB and isn't in the bootable devices list.

Given your reply here whilst not addressing my post above I'll just say I hope you figure it out.

Good luck.

Make/Model/etc of M.2 drives even if they are oem

What is your Intel NVME drive? 670p?

This is a semi-random suggestion, but have you installed the Intel NVME client drivers? These are quite fresh, dated December 2022.

I don't know what interaction they might have with a BIOS update. The main change I've seen with BIOS updates for my Asus motherboards is that newer ones enable settings that support Windows 11 device security.

It's too bad the system builder and Gigabyte can offer no advice beyond the "not our problem" level.

It said Intel. I can't find much Device Manager says 2TB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (the PCS is PC specialist) looks like all the drives are on Microsoft drivers.
I actually re-installed Windows 11 around 2 months ago,

There are drive drivers? But I only installed everything (latest) from the chipset section Z690 AORUS ELITE DDR4 (rev. 1.x) Support | Motherboard - GIGABYTE U.K. And the Audio as I use the on board.
I didn't install anything else as I thought the rapid storage thing was legacy.

BTW, This 'issue persisted before and after the reinstall.
I also tried Windows 10.

Just keeps coming back to, any other bios contuses or locks the M.2.

It's not a problem, it's not understanding why! That plays on my mind!