Nitro AN515-54, why do I get a Blue Screen after replacing my 2nd M2 slot SSD drive with a new one?

I have an Acer Nitro 5 AN515-54

After I bought the laptop, I added a 1TB WD Blue 5N570 NVMe internal SSD to the extra M2 slot to use for more storage. I had no problems, it has worked great.

A few years later now, I wanted more space, so I got a 4TB WD Blue SN5000 NVMe internal SSD PCle Gen 4.0.

I am having issues with trying to replace the 1TB with the new 4TB. I simply swapped them out. However, when I did, I got a Blue Screen (with Preparing Automatic Repair loop-with no fix) upon start up.

I next shut down and removed the 4TB, leaving the 2nd M2 slot empty. I started my computer and the Preparing Automatic Repair was successful bringing me to an Automatic Repair Screen which said Your PC did not start correctly - I hit the restart option and the laptop worked great without anything in that 2nd M2 slot.

I then tried installing the 4TB again. This time the laptop started up normally and worked great. However, the SSD was not detected/showing up in Disk Management. I read that I should run Memory Diagnostic, so I did. After it completed, I got another Blue Screen with the same Preparing Automatic Repair loop, only this time without a fix.

I removed it again and the slot is currently empty. My laptop has started up and is working normal.

So my question is, what am I doing wrong? I found out the 4TB WD Blue SSD was compatible before I started, though I am unsure of the size, is 4TB too big for the slot?

I also wondered if I should have done something in Disk Management to remove all traces of the the first 1TB SSD before swapping out for the 4TB? (and if so, is it too late now?)

I can't find any information about this problem. To be clear, this is the second M2 slot, being used for extra space only, not trying to replace or clone the original SSD.

I am excited for the extra space and would appreciate any fix advice you can provide to getting it working.

Thank you!

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title]

Accepted answers

JackE

(1) System must only boot into SafeMode WITHOUT 4TB WD SSD installed. Test to insure it does only boot into SafeMode.

(2) Shut down machine in Safe Mode.

(3) Wait a few moments. Turn machine back on and immediately tap F2 to enter BIOS menu.

(4) Change mode to AHCI.

(5) Save settings and exit into Safe Mode.

(6) Safe Mode should now start and automatically load AHCI drivers without errors.

(7) Press WIN+R. Enter "msconfig".

(8) Uncheck Safe Mode in Boot tab.

(9) Shut down machine again.

(10) Turn machine back on and immediately tap F2 again to enter BIOS menu.

(11) Make sure BIOS Information tab now indicates AHCI mode.

(12) Save settings & exit into normal Windows.

(13) Windows should now boot normally without errors in AHCI mode.

(14) Now you can shut down and try to install the 4TB WD SSD again in normal Windows AHCI mode.

All comments

JackE

> >I removed it again and the slot is currently empty. My laptop has started up and is working normal.> >

Shut iI down again. Disconnect battery. Re-install 4TB card. Button it back up. Turn it on and immediately tap F2 to enter BIOS menu. Make sure new card is detected properly. Save settings and exit the BIOS.

a

rebel521

Thanks for the reply. I followed your instructions and the 4TB did show up in BIOS, but when I exited BIOS, I again got the BSOD. The Windows stop code is KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE, if that helps.

Worried that this WD Blue 4TB from Amazon is bad (because I don't think it's returnable once opened).

Don't want to give up.

Any other advice?

JackE

Just about any budget drive over 2TB often have hoops to jump thru. Is it mechanical or SSD version?

Temporarily disconnect 4TB drive again. Boot back into Windows. Press WIN+R. Enter "msconfig". Click boot tab. Check safe boot. Shut it down again. Reconnect 4TB drive. Turn it back on and immediately tap F2 to check that 4TB drive is recognized. Save settings. Exit. Does it boot into Safe Mode?

eGomes

Welcome @rebel521,

Check also that the firmware of your WD Blue SN5000 SSD drive is updated with the latest available version:

Support Western Digital and SanDisk SSDs - Internal SSD Critical Firmware Update Available for Solving BSOD on Windows 11 24H2 Update

rebel521

Yes, it is SSD.

I tried starting in safe mode with the 4TB installed, BIOS recognizes the 4TB, but when I exited BIOS it did not boot in safe mode… only had a blank screen.

I turned it off and hit power again (without entering BIOS first) and got the Preparing Automatic Repair Acer screen that never went away.

I tried moving the 2 SSD drives into the opposite NVMe slots, but it didn't change anything.

The 4TB is back out again, and computer still booting up and running normal without it.

I am not sure how to check the firmware or use the Western Digital Dashboard without being able to start it with the 4TB installed.

I feel like it is a bad SSD since both NVMe slots work fine with a different SSD in them, but if I attempt to get a replacement from Amazon, will I have the same issues? Does anyone know if the size isn't compatible with this Acer? (I also have a 1TB SSD in my NVMe slot 1 and a 2TB 2.5 in SATA port.)

JackE

It may not like iRST optane mode. Is AHCI or SATA mode option available in the BIOS MAIN tab? You may have to press Ctrl+S to reveal it. Keep the system in Safe Mode for now.

JackE

Do NOT try to change iRST optane to AHCI or SATA unless PC is set to start only in SafeMode!

brummyfan2

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1316676#Comment_1316676

I suspect the size as well, maximum could be 2TB for your model but don't take my word, try other solutions by fellow members, don't give up.

Acer Nitro Notebook AN515-54-51M5 SSD / Hard Drive Upgrades - Low Cost Delivery | Mr Memory®

rebel521

Bios does show it is in RST Premium with Optane.

AHCI is available. So if I try to change it to ACHI (with safe mode startup set), then what?

Do I put the 4TB back in before trying this? And then in safe mode what do you suggest I do? Can ACHI mode be started without safe mode afterwards?

This is beyond my knowledge, I need some step by steps here… I don't want to mess up anything.

Please advise.

JackE

(1) System must only boot into SafeMode WITHOUT 4TB WD SSD installed. Test to insure it does only boot into SafeMode.

(2) Shut down machine in Safe Mode.

(3) Wait a few moments. Turn machine back on and immediately tap F2 to enter BIOS menu.

(4) Change mode to AHCI.

(5) Save settings and exit into Safe Mode.

(6) Safe Mode should now start and automatically load AHCI drivers without errors.

(7) Press WIN+R. Enter "msconfig".

(8) Uncheck Safe Mode in Boot tab.

(9) Shut down machine again.

(10) Turn machine back on and immediately tap F2 again to enter BIOS menu.

(11) Make sure BIOS Information tab now indicates AHCI mode.

(12) Save settings & exit into normal Windows.

(13) Windows should now boot normally without errors in AHCI mode.

(14) Now you can shut down and try to install the 4TB WD SSD again in normal Windows AHCI mode.

rebel521

You're a genius! It worked in AHCI mode.

I'm so happy.

Thank you so much for all your help, Jack. I truly appreciate it.

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/718281/nitro-an515-54-why-do-i-get-a-blue-screen-after-replacing-my-2nd-m2-slot-ssd-drive-with-a-new-one

Just some additional advice that might be relevant, that your Nitro AN515-54 is a 2019 and a 5 years old technology laptop and its 2x M.2 slots specs are as follows, its SSD1 boot drive slot is a PCIe 3 x4 max speed slot while its SSD 2 slot is a PCIe 3 x2 max/SATA 3 Co-lay type M.2 SSD slot that can accommodate an “M key” or “B key” M.2 SSD drive.

The boot PCIe3 x4 SSD1 will accommodate a 4TB Gen 4 x4 type M.2 SSD (but its not 100% certain that its compatible with such a large drive) while the SSD 2 Co-lay slot will not work with the 4TB Gen 4x 4 M.2 SSD drive. So be aware of that as you should have bought a gen 3 x4 4TB M.2 SSD drive that could have been more compatible with your laptop from the drive manufacturers that Acer used=s as the oem drive for this laptops which are KINGSTON / SANDISC / WD or HYNIX, see this Tom’s Hardware benchmarking M.2 SSD drive tests of some of the major 1TB, 2TB or 4TB of the Gen 3 and Gen 4 drives. Good luck and hope this give you some extra information to sort this problem out.