Brand new Nitro AN515-57 SSD not detected

I'm about to pull all my hair out with this.

Just bought a brand new AN515-57 Nitro 5 (the last year's model) with the i7 11800H and 3060 RTX inside. It comes with the Western Digital m2 512GB SSD (i've physically checked, it's there and it's properly installed).

BIOS won't detect it. So I cannot install Windows. I have a legit windows usb installer (set up via the windows tool), I also have a backup one created in RUFUS. Neither detect the SSD. The bios doesn't recognize the drive.

I've also physically moved the SSD to the other m2 slot, same result. I downloaded the Win10 drivers from https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support-product/8963?b=1. I extracted the drivers into the USB where the win installation is - windows installer didn't detect the IRST driver nor any of the other ones. Then I placed the drivers on a seperate flash drive, same result. I've seen a post on these forums where I need to select a specific .inf file (forgot the file in question) inside of the IRST drivers, but I cannot see any files in the browse section of the windows installer, only the folders.

I'm no tech guru, but I need this laptop for uni work. How do I make it detect my SSD, so I can install windows and carry on with my life?

Thanks very much in advance and have a blessed day!

Accepted answers

Commodore_1995#

You have to access the bios, go to the main tab, type CTRL+S on the laptop keyboard and disable the vmd controller. The vmd controller has to appear. You also have the option to use this driver by clicking LOAD DRIVER in the windows installation: https://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/Driver/IRST/IRST_Intel_18.6.1.1016.2_W10x64W11x64_A.zip?acerid=637955187056643956&Step1=NOTEBOOK&Step2=NITRO&Step3=NITRO%20AN515-57&OS=ALL&LC=pt&BC=ACER&SC=PA_3

Extract the driver with the winrar program to the root of the usb stick and then click on LOAD DRIVER.

All comments

Commodore_1995#

Hey! The most important thing is to check if the ssd is showing up in the bios info tab. Can you send a picture of the bios info tab?

When you press ctrl+s in the main bios tab, does the vmd controller appear?

Pecinskey

Hi egydiocoelho, thanks for the quick answer! Yes, the SSD shows in the info tab. And no, when I press ctrl+s - nothing happens.

Forgot to mention that in the OP, sorry 'bout that. Any ideas as to what it may be?

Commodore_1995#

You have to access the bios, go to the main tab, type CTRL+S on the laptop keyboard and disable the vmd controller. The vmd controller has to appear. You also have the option to use this driver by clicking LOAD DRIVER in the windows installation: https://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles/Driver/IRST/IRST_Intel_18.6.1.1016.2_W10x64W11x64_A.zip?acerid=637955187056643956&Step1=NOTEBOOK&Step2=NITRO&Step3=NITRO%20AN515-57&OS=ALL&LC=pt&BC=ACER&SC=PA_3

Extract the driver with the winrar program to the root of the usb stick and then click on LOAD DRIVER.

Pecinskey

I decided to give it one more try and even though CTRL+S didn't do anything, I found the VMD Controller option inside the 'Main' bios screen, and disabled it. That resolved the issue. Thank you so much!