Drives not visible during Linux Installation in Extensa 215-52

So i bought my acer extensa 215-52 in 2022, it originally came with windows 10.

But now i need to use Endeavour OS (a linux distro) on it but the thing is when i booted it from usb, and tried to do manual partitioning there was no drive or disk visible except the usb itself it was like there were no disks even though my bios shows that the HDD is detectable and working fine, i have secure boot, fast boot disabled, sata mode changed to AHCI but it still wont show up.

I tried askin chatgpt and checking other reddit articles mostly say that i need to disable vmd but there is no vmd option even after pressing CTRL + S in the main tab. Though I highly doubt that it will do anything so can yall pls tell me other fixes too and how to disable VMD too

Somebody pls help me out

(I can provide any information If you want me to its js that it will take some time as im not that active)

Accepted answers

ShinigamiSoul

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1345322#Comment_1345322

I Read many forums and articles and have came to a conclusion that this issue cant be fixed as the Intel RST is the main cause and in laptop models like Extensa 215-52 it cant be disabled without wiping off the RST metadata completely which i am not planning to do and will most likely buy a new laptop that supports linux. I'm closing this thread and thnx for helping me out to whoever commented on this.

All comments

billsey

The Extensa 215-52 models are Intel Ice Lake based systems, and the defaults is to have VTD enabled. You have to jump through hoops in order to install drivers for VTD in Linux, so the easiest way to go is to disable it. Your drives will show up during the install at that point. The VMD option is on the Advanced tab, not main. If you are trying to configure dual boot with Windows, you should disable IRST in Windows before taking it out of the BIOS, or else you risk breaking the Windows boot.

ShinigamiSoul

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1344432#Comment_1344432

I tried looking in advanced tab and theres no option to disabled VMD but VTx and VTd and storage configurations and VTd is not the thing causing this problem as VTd and VTx is for virtualization. And since i already have set my sata mode to ahci can u tell me a way to disable IRST too like idk cuz theres no such option even after pressing Ctrl + S in main tab twice to open hidden features and advanced tab is basically trash. Imma provide you with images of my bios

JackE

You should first reduce the size of the Windows partition so there's enough unallocated space for the Linux installation. Use Rufus to prepare your Linux installation stick for GPT boot disk and UEFI BIOS. Insert stick, turn machine on and immediately tap the F12 key to bring up the F12 boot menu.

ShinigamiSoul

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1344523#Comment_1344523

no i doubt that'll work as unallocated space isnt the problem here the disks are completely not visible there and im already using rufus and GPT. i mean i have installed windows earlier and even then unallocated space had nothing to do with it as i deleted the partitions right at the time of installation. but in this case those arent even visible.

JackE

Try a MintCinnamon install stick instead to see if it recognizes the disk. If still no joy, re-enable secure boot and try it again.

ShinigamiSoul

didnt work

JackE

Post a phone photo of the F12 boot menu with the Linux installation stick inserted. Then boot to Linux from the USB installation stick from the F12 boot menu. Run GPartEd from the installation stick. Post a phone photo of the GPartEd screen.

Axxo

To make your drives visible during Linux installation on an Acer Extensa 215-52, you'll likely need to change the SATA mode from RAID to AHCI in the BIOS settings. Additionally, ensure Secure Boot and Fast Boot are disabled in the BIOS.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:-

1. Access BIOS:
Power on the laptop and repeatedly press the F2 key (or as specified in the manual for your model) to enter the BIOS setup.
2. Change SATA Mode:
Navigate to the "Main" or "SATA" or similar tab in the BIOS.
Look for "SATA Mode," "SATA Controller Mode," or a similar option.
Change it from "RAID" or "Intel RST" to "AHCI".
If you see an option for "Intel VMD," try disabling it.
3. Disable Secure Boot and Fast Boot: Navigate to the "Boot" tab, Disable "Secure Boot", Disable "Fast Boot", and Enable the "F12 Boot Menu" if available.
4. Save Changes and Reboot:
Press F10 to save the changes and exit the BIOS.
Your laptop should now reboot.
5. Install Linux:
Boot from your Linux installation media (USB or DVD).
The installer should now recognize your drives.
-----------------------------------------

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

JackE

Post a phone photo of the F12 boot menu with the Linux installation stick inserted. Then boot to Linux from the USB installation stick from the F12 boot menu. Run GPartEd from the installation stick. Post a phone photo of the GPartEd screen.

ShinigamiSoul

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1345232#Comment_1345232

i have already tried these things and the SATA mode is set to AHCI but it still doesnt detect the disks as if RST is still there and i tried lookin for VMD option but i dont think so Acer extensa 215-52 has that option to disable. When i tried contacting acer support they basically just copy-pasted a method to fix this exact issue but for windows even tho i mentioned im trying to install linux

ShinigamiSoul

k, w8 a min

JackE

OK. I'm still waiting for you to post F12 boot menu & GPartEd phone photos.

ShinigamiSoul

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1345322#Comment_1345322

I Read many forums and articles and have came to a conclusion that this issue cant be fixed as the Intel RST is the main cause and in laptop models like Extensa 215-52 it cant be disabled without wiping off the RST metadata completely which i am not planning to do and will most likely buy a new laptop that supports linux. I'm closing this thread and thnx for helping me out to whoever commented on this.

JackE

OK. But your conclusions aren't accurate. Because your Windows system on the WesternDigital HDD seems to have been already be set up in AHCI mode from the factory, NOT iRST.

ShinigamiSoul

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1345420#Comment_1345420

it wasnt done by factory i set it up to ahci but seems like this models BIOS is faking AHCI and i cant completely disable RST

JackE

Sorry. You can only safely change the Window BIOS mode from iRST to AHCI from Windows pre- set to boot into SafeMode using the MSConfig Boot tab. You may have already corrupted Windows and the WD's GPT partition by not being in Windows SafeMode Boot configuration when you changed the BIOS mode from iRST to AHCI and then exited the BIOS.

billsey

Your BIOS pictures don't look like the ones form the service guide to your Extensa 215-52 so likely they changed the user interface a bit with a later release. What is shown when you go into the Storage Device Configuration page?