Need help installing Windows 10 on 950 PRO

[Virgule]

Hello,

 

I have a bit of a problem reinstalling Windows 10 pro 64b on my Samsung 950 Pro 512GB. I used to run Windows on it and use 2 4TB HDDs in RAID 1. I've now changed a few parts and am trying to reinstall Windows but can't.

 

Old parts :

Asus Z170-A

6700k

GSkill Ripjaws V 2400 MHz 2x8GB

Gygabite GTX 980ti G1 Gaming

Corsair RM1000

2x Seagate 4TB

Samsung 950 PRO

 

New parts : 

MSI X99A Gaming Pro Caron

6800K

Corsair Vengeance LED 3000 MHz 4x8GB

 

I am running RAID SATA mode (as I did before) and booting with a media installation USB device. At the partition selection screen, I see all my drives (2 4TB HDDs and Samsung 512GB). I deleted all the old partitions on my 950 PRO (system reserved, ...) and end up with the whole drive as unallocated space. When trying to create a new partition on that unallocated space, I get an error message and can't go on with the installation. 

 

I looked for a driver on Samsung's site (http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/download/consumer.html) but all they have is an executable for a Windows installation. I've tried putting that exe on a USB stick and looking for in in that Windows installation screen (load driver option) but I don't see the exe, as I thought.

 

Need help.

 

Update : New problem described in post #7

 

Update 2 : Summary of what I'm still trying to figure out in post #11

[hconverse02]

So, did you download windows 10 to a usb stick?

 

1. Yes, go here: Take out all other drives (other ssds and hdds in your build) then only put the 950 pro in your setup.  Put the usb in and turn on the computer and install fresh windows.

 

2. No, go here: Do that (put windows 10 on a usb) and see 1

 

3. If yes, and not working, go here: You are going to need to format the 950 evo so everything is cleared and it is just an empty drive.  Then see 1

[Virgule]

3 minutes ago, hconverse02 said:

So, did you download windows 10 to a usb stick?

I used the Windows Media Creation Tool, so I'm not sure how to answer that question. WMCT downloads Windows in a temporary space on your Windows drive then creates the installation USB. So yes and no I guess.

 

6 minutes ago, hconverse02 said:

1. Yes, go here: Take out all other drives (other ssds and hdds in your build) then only put the 950 pro in your setup.  Put the usb in and turn on the computer and install fresh windows.

I've tried installing Windows with other HDDs connected and I'm not sure what that'll do since I detect all of them.

 

7 minutes ago, hconverse02 said:

2. No, go here: Do that (put windows 10 on a usb) and see 1

I guess Yes then. I did have a Windows media USB.

 

8 minutes ago, hconverse02 said:

3. If yes, and not working, go here: You are going to need to format the 950 evo so everything is cleared and it is just an empty drive.  Then see 1

I did. Read the OP.

[hconverse02]

2 minutes ago, Virgule said:

I used the Windows Media Creation Tool, so I'm not sure how to answer that question. WMCT downloads Windows in a temporary space on your Windows drive then creates the installation USB. So yes and no I guess.

 

I've tried installing Windows with other HDDs connected and I'm not sure what that'll do since I detect all of them.

 

I guess Yes then. I did have a Windows media USB.

 

I did. Read the OP.

What I was trying to say was take out the ssds and hdds in your computer, then only have the 950 evo in, clean, as it will not detect anything on it then put the usb in and it will automatically run the windows installer off the usb and put windows on your ssd.  That's how it's usually done from a clean drive anyways.

[Virgule]

I'll try to disconnect my two HDDs then. Don't know what that'll do. I'll try updating Mobo BIOS as well. Reporting back in an hour or so.

[Virgule]

Ok so I updated my BIOS and it worked. I was able to create a new partition on the M.2. Didn't need to unplug all drives. Solved.

[Virgule]

New problem

 

As stated in post above, I was able to install Windows in RAID mode on my 950 pro by updating BIOS. However, after the Windows install into the required reboot, Windows installation loads again instead of a Windows load and finishing touches on the pending installation. When I try to take out the installation media during the restart, no Windows installation is detected and I get a prompt asking me to insert boot media and restart. 

 

Need help once again.

[Virgule]

Bump

[Virgule]

More info : 

 

During my last Windows installation try in RAID SATA mode, I've tried loading the IRST driver at the partition selection screen, even though I was already seeing the M.2. Again, I could install Windows but after a reboot, the installation prompts again instead of completion. Again, if I try taking off the boot media, I get a DOS prompt demanding I insert a boot media. 

 

I tried reverting to AHCI SATA mode and inserting boot media to install Windows. I thought maybe I needed to install the NVMe .exe in Windows for it to be fully recognized and then I could install Windows in RAID SATA mode (doesn't make a lot of sense, I know). Surprise! Windows loads bypassing the installation, even though I deleted all partition on that M.2 during the last install attempt. Weird. I quickly install drivers and check if my RAID is visible and it is (?!?). I see only one 4TB drive instead of 2 and I can browse its contents. I really am puzzled. My RAID should be visible in AHCI mode or I should see my 2 4TB drive, shouldn't I ? 

 

What's wrong with this thing??

[Virgule]

Bump

[Virgule]

Bump

 

Basically, what I'm trying to comprehend is :

 

1- Why can't I use my 950 in RAID mode no more ? / Is there a way (other than what I've tried) to install (and use) Windows on the 950 Pro in RAID mode ?

2- Is there any problem in running Windows in AHCI mode even if it was installed using RAID mode ?

3- Is there any problem using my RAID 1 partition in AHCI mode ?

 

[Virgule]

Daily bump

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nevermind...