Disable UEFI/Secure Boot - SSD disappears

This is an Aspire TC-885. I've gone through this process successfully with other computers and also with a duplicate Aspire TC-885. I've disabled Secure Boot, created a Supervisor password, and change Boot Options to Legacy. When I make those changes, I'm able to boot from an USB drive. When I try to install a different version of Windows (Enterprise), the OEM SSD is not recognized at all - it's not an option. I know the SSD is still good because I've brought the system back to original settings.

I'm about to try an entirely different SSD but I'd prefer this one work. Any thoughts as to why it would disappear entirely? When I try to install the different Windows version, it does have an option to load a storage option driver. Does anyone think this may be a solution?

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Commodore_1995#

In order for windows to be installed in legacy mode, you have to convert ssd to mbr! In the windows installation, press shift + f10 and enter these commands separately: diskpart, disk list, sel disk x, clean (here it will erase everything) and convert mbr! then quit the command prompt and continue the installation!

JKHill

No success. The SSD does not show up at all in the list. ...I'm done for the day. Back at it tomorrow. Thanks for your help!

billsey

Don'y you have to enable the SSD support for the M.2 slot in the BIOS before it shows up? It may have been a different model I'm thinking of though...

JKHill

I don't believe you have to enable the M.2. Even if so, it should have already been enabled as it was. I would liked to futzed with it a little longer to get it to work but time constraints wouldn't allow. I installed a different SSD (not M.2) and everything worked fine after that. So I have a spare 256GB M.2 SSD I can use somewhere else. I appreciate everyone's input!

JordanB

The Problem:

You are not creating your Windows USB correctly. To create your Windows USB correctly.....

1. Download the Windows iso
2. Download Rufus
3. Use Rufus settings GPT, UEFI (non-CSM), FAT32
4. Make sure your BIOS settings are default (however, you should enable the F12 boot menu)

Why does your OEM SSD disappear?

Because your UEFI only cares about bootable disks. When you mistakenly put the computer in to legacy mode, it doesn't consider your PCIe M.2 GPT disk as bootable. In your situation, legacy mode made your OEM SSD both unbootable and probably incompatible/undetectable too.