Using NVME Optane drive in usb enclosure

mieleven · Apr 20, 2025

Berton said:
I have a 256GB NVMe M.2 drive [salvaged from a Notebook] in a Sabrent USB-C case. The model is Intel HBRPEKNX0101AH and label shows 16GB for the Optane. I wiped it using GPARTED on my Linux Mint desktop and ended up with a 238GB partition, no mention of Optane or other partition on it, works fine as a portable drive.

View attachment 131715

Turns out the issue is HP limits the BIOS Optane options so only option in the original laptop is to convert it to Non-Optane which will erase all the data…there should be an option to Disable the Optane cache and that preserves all the drive data but sadly that option is not available.

I also notice that the BIOS is saying incomplete volume member disk, so that may be a clue too.

Hazel123 · Apr 20, 2025

gunrunnerjohn said:
I have the same enclosure, I have used it with several different brands of NVMe drives, no problems at all. The Optane memory is an odd duck, glad I never bit for that. :)

I think many people aren't even particularly aware they have it. It seemed to be 10th generation laptops it was sold in a lot. I have one and had a whole thread on my optane issues on here! I had done a system image and it wouldn't restore to a new drive because of the optane ........ It needed a clean install - but I had full backups of files as well as system images. It's when they go wrong there's an issue.

It's a shame because they are really quite zippy in use.

Hazel123 · Apr 20, 2025

mieleven said:
Turns out the issue is HP limits the BIOS Optane options so only option in the original laptop is to convert it to Non-Optane which will erase all the data…there should be an option to Disable the Optane cache and that preserves all the drive data but sadly that option is not available.

View attachment 131717

I also notice that the BIOS is saying incomplete volume member disk, so that may be a clue too.

View attachment 131718

Sorry if you've tried all this but, is it worth putting it back in the machine and trying to copy the data off via another external drive? Either in Windows or Linux. But then if the Optane part is not working ........... That Intel thread I linked didn't have any solutions unfortunately. The original poster was running Ease US recovery software but didn't give any results/report back. But then your computer won't boot.

mieleven · Apr 20, 2025

Hazel123 said:
Sorry if you've tried all this but, is it worth putting it back in the machine and trying to copy the data off via another external drive? Either in Windows or Linux. But then if the Optane part is not working ........... That Intel thread I linked didn't have any solutions unfortunately. The original poster was running Ease US recovery software but didn't give any results/report back. But then your computer won't boot.

Thanks Hazel. I tried to see the drives in DOS prompt and the C drive appears when I did diskpart and list volumes and even says healthy but the data is not accessible because the Intel RST driver is not loaded in DOS. The other problem is no other OS like Linux would even boot off a thumb drive. Windows 10 did boot from being created from Media Creation Tool but the Intel RST would not load so I could even see if it would show the H10 as a potential target drive..,

I just now found this post which seems to document a quite complex potential recovery process using their own recovery drive interface converter tool:

Intel Optane Memory H10 (H20) Series Data Recovery

blog.acelab.eu.com

but overall agree we had no idea this laptop had an Optane drive/cache…and aside from however much above might cost, other options seem bleak.

gunrunnerjohn · Apr 20, 2025

I have a convenient trash can for stuff like this.

Hazel123 · Apr 20, 2025

mieleven said:
Thanks Hazel. I tried to see the drives in DOS prompt and the C drive appears when I did diskpart and list volumes and even says healthy but the data is not accessible because the Intel RST driver is not loaded in DOS. The other problem is no other OS like Linux would even boot off a thumb drive. Windows 10 did boot from being created from Media Creation Tool but the Intel RST would not load so I could even see if it would show the H10 as a potential target drive..,

I just now found this post which seems to document a quite complex potential recovery process using their own recovery drive interface converter tool:

Intel Optane Memory H10 (H20) Series Data Recovery

Related

blog.acelab.eu.com

but overall agree we had no idea this laptop had an Optane drive/cache…and aside from however much above might cost, other options seem bleak.

I have just seen the same blog and was about to link it

Don't know how much their Portable Pro costs but it might be more than a new laptop..., on the other hand, it's the data you want rather than just a working laptop.

It looks quite complicated.

It could be worth trying Ease US data recovery. There is an offline version. I've seen it mentioned as an option on a few online posts. I used it once when my external back drive failed before I restored my data to a new install..............It recovered everything. Whether it works with the Optane drive I don't know but it's worth a try - I think there's a free version but I did get the paid-for version at the time as it wasn't that expensive and had a lifetime licence. About £30 I think?

So for that you'd need the Optane Drive back in the computer, and boot the EaseUS recovery from USB

This is from AI

"To recover data from an Optane drive using EaseUS offline, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard WinPE Edition. Then, boot your computer from this USB and use the software to scan the Optane drive for recoverable data.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Prepare the Bootable USB:

Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard WinPE Edition.
Create a bootable USB drive using the WinPE Edition software.

2. Boot from the USB:

Connect the bootable USB to your computer.
Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive.

3. Use EaseUS to Recover Data:

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard will launch.
Select the Optane drive you want to recover from.
Start a scan for lost data.
Preview the recovered files and choose which ones you want to save.
Recover the files to a safe location on another drive. "

Hazel123 · Apr 20, 2025

Be careful which link you click on if googling EaseUS. The first one I clicked on was blocked by my antivirus - maybe a fake page. This is the link - not sure where the offline version is mentioned on the page though.

Free Download Data Recovery Software for File Recovery in 2023 - EaseUS Data Recovery

EaseUS free data recovery software can help recover data after accident deletion, formatting, partition error, system crash etc. Free download data recovery software and follow the guide to recover lost files from PCs, laptops or removable devices in Windows 11/10/8.1/7.

www.easeus-software.com

mieleven · Apr 20, 2025

Hazel123 said:
I have just seen the same blog and was about to link it Don't know how much their Portable Pro costs but it might be more than a new laptop..., on the other hand, it's the data you want rather than just a working laptop.

It looks quite complicated.

It could be worth trying Ease US data recovery. There is an offline version. I've seen it mentioned as an option on a few online posts. I used it once when my external back drive failed before I restored my data to a new install..............It recovered everything. Whether it works with the Optane drive I don't know but it's worth a try - I think there's a free version but I did get the paid-for version at the time as it wasn't that expensive and had a lifetime licence. About £30 I think?

So for that you'd need the Optane Drive back in the computer, and boot the EaseUS recovery from USB

This is from AI

"To recover data from an Optane drive using EaseUS offline, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard WinPE Edition. Then, boot your computer from this USB and use the software to scan the Optane drive for recoverable data.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Prepare the Bootable USB:

Download and install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard WinPE Edition.
Create a bootable USB drive using the WinPE Edition software.

2. Boot from the USB:

Connect the bootable USB to your computer.
Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive.

3. Use EaseUS to Recover Data:

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard will launch.
Select the Optane drive you want to recover from.
Start a scan for lost data.
Preview the recovered files and choose which ones you want to save.
Recover the files to a safe location on another drive. "

Thanks much for the replies Hazel123 and everyone. Acelab does not list the price online, have to email them, create an account etc. but I did find this AI overview so clearly this is not a feasible option and is designed for recovery companies, so I will check into EaseUS as a more feasible option to at least see if I can see anything recoverable.

The cost of an Acelab PC-3000 data recovery tool can vary widely depending on the specific model and configuration, but generally ranges from $7,000 to $12,000. Some versions, like the PC-3000 Express, can be purchased for around $8,500, including software and support. Support costs can also vary, with some models offering free support for the first year and then charging around $1,600 per year thereafter. Other factors, like discounts for members and partners or the specific features included, can also affect the final price

Hazel123 · Apr 20, 2025

I remember why I got the paid-for version now - it repairs files, including photo files. After my last recovery some of the photos were corrupted but it repaired them so I ended up with two files for some photos - the corrupted one and the repaired one (the repaired ones were fine).

Hazel123 · Apr 20, 2025

In fact looking at that page (where it shows the difference between the free and pro versions) you actually need to buy the pro version to be able to run it from bootable usb in win pe. I assume you could subscribe for a month and then cancel - but haven't checked that out.

Hazel123 · Apr 20, 2025

Apparently you can get a refund within 7 days if not satisfied ......... (according to AI). So could be worth paying for a month, trying it, and if it doesn't work, ask for a refund on the basis you're "not satisfied". No refund if it's used for something it's not designed to do so maybe don't mention Optane! In case it doesn't work. It seems to have worked for some people though.

Hazel123 · Apr 20, 2025

Assume the computer itself would still work with a new drive and clean install of Windows? The computers do accept a standard nvme even if they originally came with Optane. I put a Samsung Evo 970 plus in mine.

mieleven · Apr 20, 2025

Hazel123 said:
Assume the computer itself would still work with a new drive and clean install of Windows?

Yes by all accounts it was running fine, albeit with 2019 specs but it was all my daughter needed power wise...she is checking OneDrive to see how much of her stuff is there and I had been trying to convince her to use a password manager versus that Excel file so everything will need to be reset but with probably everyone's passwords being exposed in the dark web probably better to reset them all anyway/transition to Yubikey / passwordless...I will try the Pro for month for EaseUS. Can see they are gearing folks for the Annual and/or Lifetime model and I imagine I might have to open a case with them if I try to return it as not working :) Indeed here are the refund conditions - they will basically require me to work with support to determine if it is a technical issue they cannot fix:

Refund Policy for EaseUS Products

EaseUS provides up to 30-day Money Back Guarantee. Refunds will be approved within this guarantee only under the accepted circumstances.

www.easeus-software.com

Although reading some review of EaseUS is making me a bit uneasy, challenges with canceling subscriptions (they do not prorate refunds), based in China, support will generally refuse refunds...Some of those posters mentioned Disk Drill but that seems to have a similar reputation, works for some people but in most cases even if it shows a preview of the file it fails to actually recover it once you pay for their Pro version...and they are very reluctant to process refunds.

mieleven · Apr 20, 2025

Hazel123 said:
Assume the computer itself would still work with a new drive and clean install of Windows? The computers do accept a standard nvme even if they originally came with Optane. I put a Samsung Evo 970 plus in mine.

Most likely - yes with the H10 the cache portion is on the NVME assembly versus other configurations which had a cache chip somewhere else on the motherboard. Then will just have to work with HP to get a valid Windows license key. But more likely may have her look at switching to something newer since Win 11 will be preinstalled and dont have fiddle with TPM chips, etc.

glasskuter · Apr 20, 2025

Just thinking out loud here, but IMO Easeus would have to include irst drivers to even see the optane drive....wouldn't it?

mieleven · Apr 20, 2025

glasskuter said:
Just thinking out loud here, but IMO Easeus would have to include irst drivers to even see the optane drive....wouldn't it?

Most likely yes glasskuter. Plus it could cause further drive damage.

Everything I have learned is essentially without the cache being disabled through the Intel RST software in Windows or via BIOS, but that is not an option for HP as they restrict options in their BIOS. So I had thought if I could then get the Intel software to run on another computer I have perhaps it could see the drive and cache and allow the cache to be disabled. That is my last hope really now as this older PC/motherboard I have does have settings for Intel RST in the BIOS but it does not have NVME slots so I might try an NvME to PCI express adapter card. But even if I can get the hardware working the latest Intel SRT software refuses to install on that PC. My plan had been to see if I can get that PC to see the Optane H10 drive and, if the Intel software works, I can disable the cache which would write the cached data back to the main drive and then I can access it as a regular NvME.

Hazel123 · Apr 20, 2025

mieleven said:
Yes by all accounts it was running fine, albeit with 2019 specs but it was all my daughter needed power wise...she is checking OneDrive to see how much of her stuff is there and I had been trying to convince her to use a password manager versus that Excel file so everything will need to be reset but with probably everyone's passwords being exposed in the dark web probably better to reset them all anyway/transition to Yubikey / passwordless...I will try the Pro for month for EaseUS. Can see they are gearing folks for the Annual and/or Lifetime model and I imagine I might have to open a case with them if I try to return it as not working :) Indeed here are the refund conditions - they will basically require me to work with support to determine if it is a technical issue they cannot fix:

Refund Policy for EaseUS Products

EaseUS provides up to 30-day Money Back Guarantee. Refunds will be approved within this guarantee only under the accepted circumstances.

www.easeus-software.com

Although reading some review of EaseUS is making me a bit uneasy, challenges with canceling subscriptions (they do not prorate refunds), based in China, support will generally refuse refunds...Some of those posters mentioned Disk Drill but that seems to have a similar reputation, works for some people but in most cases even if it shows a preview of the file it fails to actually recover it once you pay for their Pro version...and they are very reluctant to process refunds.

I didn't have any problems with it, still have a lifetime licence and used it a couple of times

If it uses Windows PE would it be possible to install an IRST driver?

Hazel123 · Apr 20, 2025

mieleven said:
Most likely - yes with the H10 the cache portion is on the NVME assembly versus other configurations which had a cache chip somewhere else on the motherboard. Then will just have to work with HP to get a valid Windows license key. But more likely may have her look at switching to something newer since Win 11 will be preinstalled and dont have fiddle with TPM chips, etc.

Honestly my laptops are 2019 and older - it will run Windows 11 no problem. Anything after 8th generation will run it. Very easy to install and you're off

Like a new computer and no bloatware. Everything that is needed is installed. And then just a few programs to download. Eg Adobe reader. I use Firefox browser and the password saver in that. If you set a master password it's more secure. Maybe not the best but better than she had before and easy.

mieleven · Apr 21, 2025

Hazel123 said:
I didn't have any problems with it, still have a lifetime licence and used it a couple of times If it uses Windows PE would it be possible to install an IRST driver?

Possibly but I wasn’t able to get either F6 inf drivers to load using the Media Creation Tool, it listed both as options but both of them just kept showing progress bar loading and reloading but eventually it just gives up after a few minutes…that was just a test to see what the install process might even see drive wise.

Well the whole M2 to PCIe doesn’t sound very promising either due to whatever card solution needing to support bifurcation, basically if the solution cannot see both the 32 GB cache and the main drive then the data is useless on the main drive.

Hazel123 · Apr 21, 2025

If the Optane drive is back in the computer though, wouldn't the IRST driver already be there?

"It sounds like these guys had also experienced crashes with optane, bsod , but they were able to recover files with Easeus..."

https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/lsh3ti/bsod_on_intel_optane_h10_nvme_while_trying_to

Using NVME Optane drive in usb enclosure

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