Predator GM7 2TB SSD not recognized by Windows 11 Installer on Acer SFX16-51G-58RP

Hey community,

I just replaced the builtin Kingston 512GB SSD with a new Predator GM7 2TB SSD.

I'm encountering issues during the Windows 11 Installation process on the clean drive. While the new drive shows up correctly in the BIOS, the installer will not recognize it. Ive tried all the available BIOS settings but i can't find any BIOS entries regarding Storage or NVME options. The hidden advanced BIOS (which might not even exist) also remains a mystery to me. I was also unable to find correct drivers for my SSD model, as apparently Windows ships with the correct ones.

Note: i do not have access to the contents old drive anymore and can't use the Acer copy utility.

Accepted answers

Ken_lesig

After 2 days i was finally able to solve my issue. Thanks to anyone involved!

For anyone having the same issue of SSD drives not beeing detected by the windows 11 installer here is what i found:

https://community.acer.com/de/kb/articles/13832-festplatte-waehrend-der-installation-von-windows-10-nicht-erkannt

Download the driver, load it on a USB and plug it in. Then select the "Load Drivers" option during the installation process. This post references Windows 10 but i have found the fix worked on Windows 11 aswell.

All comments

Jack22

@Ken_lesig

I dont think the unit supports 2 TB.

Below is more info

Ken_lesig

Would nonsupport lead to the drive showing up in the BIOS but not working with the windows 11 installer.

Weirdly the old Kingston drive installed before (now completely wiped) shows up in the samer manner. Fine in BIOS and unrecognized by the Windows installer.

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/727085/m-2-ssd-replacement-on-sfx16-51g-58rp

The 2TB Predator GM7 M.2 M.2 SSD drive is a Gen 4 x4 lane type drive that is quoted by Acer to perform at a Read speed of 7200MB/s and a Write speed of 6300MB/s, but your SFX16-51G laptop will not reach those speeds as its got an M.2 SSD slots that are both a Gen 3 x4 lane speed slots and their realistic speeds are at benchmark tested with a Gen 3 x4 lane Samsung 970 EVO Plus M.2 SSD drive (that is the fastest Gen 3 drive) at Read 3500MB/s and Write at 3200MB/s, so expect those speeds even with a Gen 4 x4 lane drive like the Predator GM7 drive. But the Gen 4 x4 Predator GN7 M.2 SSD drive is backward compatible and will work 100% within a Gen 3 x4 lane slots. Good luck and hope this helps you out further.

Acer service guide for the Swift SFX16-51G quoted storage specs

If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

Ken_lesig

After 2 days i was finally able to solve my issue. Thanks to anyone involved!

For anyone having the same issue of SSD drives not beeing detected by the windows 11 installer here is what i found:

https://community.acer.com/de/kb/articles/13832-festplatte-waehrend-der-installation-von-windows-10-nicht-erkannt

Download the driver, load it on a USB and plug it in. Then select the "Load Drivers" option during the installation process. This post references Windows 10 but i have found the fix worked on Windows 11 aswell.

Alex410

Thanks for sharing your solution! Loading SSD drivers during installation is an easy solution. This will definitely help others struggling with the same issue on Windows 11.

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1348719#Comment_1348719

That is the standard way of doing a Clean Install of Win-11 with every new or old M.2 SSD boot drive, after formatting, as you need the Intel RST drive for your laptop model😁, I thought that you knew that and it was the actual Predator GM7 2TB SSD M.2 SSD drive that wasn't recognized after the Intel RST drive was installed. Well this is a good experience for you of what to do in the future😁. Good luck.