TC 885 and Optane Memory - Cannot Enable

The TC-885 has 16GB of Optane memory. I went to Intel's Rapid Storage Technology application and it shows the memory as disabled. I've downloaded and installed the IRST (Intel Rapid Storage Technology) Driver - 17.5.0.1017 and the Storage Driver - 17.5.0.1017. (Side issue - These are the same driver, the latter is newer.) Also the IRST (Intel Rapid Storage Technology) Driver Hotfix 16.7.8.1024. This one I chose to not install because attempting to do so resulted in a "Newer driver exists..." message.

Well the installation of 17.5.0.1017 has not helped. The Optane memory is still disabled. Booted a couple of times and no change. I'm running an added HDD and would like to add the buffer.

TIA
Mij

Accepted answers

All comments

billsey

Do you have a HDD in your model? The Optane is only used in concert with a spinning platter drive.

MijStrebor

The TC-885 is a speed demon - compared to my old iron. But, I'd like to use the Optane memory with the HDD I added to the machine. Just a beg here for more answers. Not sure if it will get any attention. Would a moderator suggest that I reword and repost the question or is that a no-no?

TIA
Mij

billsey

Is there a chance the BIOS has it set to AHCI mode instead of Optane mode?

MijStrebor

Thanks, billsey.

My BIOS Setup > Advanced > Onboard SATA mode = RST with Optane. The added HDD is on Port 2 and the Intel driver is version 17.2.0.3790 RAID driver.

Intel RST app reports under Manage Disk for the drive:
Controller 0, Port 2
Port Location: Internal
Status: Normal
Type: SATA hard disk
Usage: Available
Size: 1.907.729 GB
Serial Number: ...
Model WDC: ...
Firmware 80.00A80
System DIsk: No
Password Protected: No
Disk data cache: Enabled
Native Command Queueing: Yes
Transfer Rate, Sector Size and Logical sector size...

The Intel Optane Memory tab shows:
...memory status: Disabled and says: Your system appears to be Intel Optane memory ready but no Intel Optane Memory modules were detected on your computer. Please install a compatible module. Visit Intel...
Nothing happens when I click the Enable link.

But the Acer TC885 lists 16GB of Optane memory. Other than this question, my TC885 is running beautifully!

billsey

Pull the side panel off and physically look. The Optane memory should be on the other side of the memory form the CPU, under the HDD tray. #8 on this image:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/dr/tb4e85nc6llp.png

ttttt

Can you just put a big size M.2 NVME SSD to that M.2 slot and just forget about the Optane Memory? I believe the Optane Memory is just some kind of transition technology. Also, forget about those spinning HDD and use 2.5" SATA3 SSD and M.2 NVME SSD for storage. I believe not many people have experiences using Optane Memory, that is why not many people responded to your post.

billsey

Yes, and that's actually the preferred configuration. You put an NMVe SSD in that slot and clone your HDD to it, then remove the HDD to boot from the SSD. Once it's all running cleanly like that you can put the HDD back in, wipe it and repartition it for one big data partition. You get a faster boot and faster run time with the full SSD than you will get with the Optane caching the HDD accesses.

ttttt

Optane Memory was just used when SSDs were considered expensive. If you know how to clone WIN 10 from your spinning HDD, that will be good. Some people claimed the Clonzilla is a good program to use. I have downloaded it, probably will use it in the near future. I presume your Windows 10 came with the computer, if so, you can do a clean Windows 10 installation if you want. You do not need to buy the Windows again, as there should be a digital license embedded in your computer's motherboard already. However, you may need to borrow WIN 10 installation disks from someone who have that (I downloaded from Microsoft's web site for those installation disks with licenses purchased but before product key activation, don't know if people just can download the installation disks first, awaiting activation later). You will enjoy the high performance of the M.2 NVMe SSD once you start using it( not limited to the 16GB Optane Memory that you have).

Oh, Trailblazer Billsey, if you see this post. Is #18 of the motherboard picture a M.2 2230 slot? This port is used for wireless LAN in my computer, If it is M.2
2230 , then I can think about what else to use it for.

MijStrebor

ttttt and billsey: You've assumed I had a HDD as the boot drive and jiggled an SSD in for C: replacing the boot partition on the HDD. Not correct.

I ordered the SSD TC-885, then added a 4TB hard drive from my old system. My system (C:) is still running on the SSD as it came from Acer. My E: drive is the added HDD that I want to use with Optane.

Intel says Optane will give a 28% boost in throughput and I'm doing a lot of image work and would like to get the benefit.

billsey: Haven't opened the case yet. Will do this weekend. Thanks; never would'a thought of that.

ttttt

Dear MijStrebor,

Do you know the base for comparison of the 28% boost in throughput? With a spinning HDD? No wonder you try to use Optane Memory, it's for a conventional HDD. As far as I know, Optane Memory has no advantage over M.2 NVMe SSD. I suppose you have a WD SN520 NVMe SSD (which is a x2 M.2 NVME SSD ) like what came with my ACER TC 885 PC. You can even double the existing WD SN520 NVMe SSD performance by replacing it with a x4 M.2 NVME SSD. Good Luck!

MijStrebor

Thanks ttttt. But I'm happy with the speed of the WD SN520 NVMe SSD. No problem there. We can leave that out of the discussion. I've never been considering using it with the boot SSD drive.

As I've said, I'm trying to boost the HDD I've added to the system. It's an auxiliary drive for my data files. Right now I'm prowling Intel (That's who is giving the 28% improvement figure - who knows. Yes, it is a HDD; I hope it was spinning.