H61M-D2P-B3: Troubleshoot with new SSD

[melosu]

Hi everyone,

I have a relatively old computer, but I wanted to make a little upgrade installing a 2.5'' SATA SSD. These are the specs:
-Motherboard GIGABYTE H61M-D2P-B3 (AWARD BIOS, version F3)
-CPU Intel i3 2100
-8GB RAM 1333mHz
-Graphics AMD Radeon HD 6670 1GB
-HDD Caviar Blue 512GB
-(New) Kingston A400 SSD 480GB
-Sentey Generic PSU 600W

I installed the SSD at the SATA 0 port. Then, I entered the BIOS and saw that the SATA Ports were on IDE mode. So, for me to be able to set it in AHCI mode, I had to modify some registry entries in the Windows on the HDD, because I still had to use the old Windows 10 for making backups, etc.
After this, I made a clean installation of Windows 10 in the SSD using a bootable USB. I had no problems with this.
After this, I noticed some strange behaviors. Sometimes, the POST image of the BIOS freezes. Then, nothing happens. I have to force reboot (Ctrl+Alt+Del), and then the boot secuence goes on normally. The boot priority is set like this: 1º SSD 2º HDD. At this point I didn't format the HDD, so I thought this had something to do with it. After backing all up, I formated the HDD. But, the problem of the POST imagen freezing still happens.
I disabled the POST image from the BIOS to look at what is going on. I noticed that when the POST freezes, the scan leaves the SATA 0 as it was EMPTY, literally, like this: "SATA 0:   ". The other SATA Ports appear like this: "SATA X: [None]".
On the other hand, when the boot secuency goes on normally, every SATA Port appear like "SATA X: [None]".
Another noticeable thing, is that the BIOS shows every SATA Port like [None] device is connected. I tried to clear the CMOS connecting the jumper pins. The first time I enter the BIOS after clearing it, the SATA Ports show me the devices connected (HDD, SSD, CD-ROM). But then, I have to set SATA in AHCI Mode, and the next time I enter the BIOS, SATA Ports are again like [None] device is connected. I will add some images of this.
So... Forgive me if my story isn't very clear, I'm not a native english speaker hahaha.

As you can see, this isn't really a serious issue. By most, it is annoying. But I would like to give it a solution, because I don't know if this can lead to more serious issues in the future. I think this can have something to do with the BIOS version (it may need an update?), but I don't want to mess up with it if it's not strictly necessary.

Any help will be welcome... Thank you very much for the space you gave me to post my problem.
Regards.

[dmdilks]

It sound like a HP computer that I had was doing the same thing it work fine with windows 7 or 8. But when I installed windows 10 it would boot to windows some times and it would freeze at the bios screen.

Windows 10 has a start program that cause it not boot some times. I'll do research on it again and get back to you. This is the 1st Intel doing this, I have only had AMD boards do it.

[melosu]

It sound like a HP computer that I had was doing the same thing it work fine with windows 7 or 8. But when I installed windows 10 it would boot to windows some times and it would freeze at the bios screen.

Windows 10 has a start program that cause it not boot some times. I'll do research on it again and get back to you. This is the 1st Intel doing this, I have only had AMD boards do it.

Great! Thank you very much!

[dmdilks]

Look at this https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/windows-10-freezes-startup-solved/#method1

[melosu]

Look at this https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/windows-10-freezes-startup-solved/#method1

Thanks for you answer dmdilks. I tried disabling "fast startup" and the rebboted my PC. For my surprise, not only it didn't boot Windows, also it didn't boot POST screen at all, and entered in a reboot loop. Then I cleared the CMOS, and then Windows booted normally. I rebooted the PC one again, and had the same issue as the begenning. I had to clear CMOS one again to make Windows boot up normally. Now I enabled again "fast startup", and didn't had this issue again. So... I will try something else.
Firmware is updated.
The next thing to try would be disabling "appxsvc" but I don't want to mess with the registry...

Any other ideas?
I attach an image of the post screen when it freezes. Is it normal that every SATA port shows "none" device connected? The next screen, when system boots up normally, does show the devices connected [EDIT: I also attached an image of this]

[shadowsports]

I seem to recall these kingston drives being released with some kind of VNAND compatibility issue.  I think there was a class action lawsuit, but I could be wrong for sure.  They were doing some shady stuff. 

Simple formatting does not remove the partition markers.  This can only be done with disk part or an equivalent.

If you haven't done that, the offset might keep the drive from being properly detected.  If could be any number of things.  Not sure if its worth pursuing.   

[melosu]

I seem to recall these kingston drives being released with some kind of VNAND compatibility issue.  I think there was a class action lawsuit, but I could be wrong for sure.  They were doing some shady stuff. 

Simple formatting does not remove the partition markers.  This can only be done with disk part or an equivalent.

If you haven't done that, the offset might keep the drive from being properly detected.  If could be any number of things.  Not sure if its worth pursuing.   

I searched a bit and I found some Linux users complaining about the firmware... But nothing else...
Going back to the use of disk part, how can I use it to format the SSD from where my Windows is actually executing? Do I have to clone the system back to de HDD, use disk part from there and then clone again the system to the SSD?

Thanks for your help once again!!
P.S: trying to update the BIOS version would be a good idea before doing something else?

[melosu]

Hello everyone,

I will add something thay might have something to do with this problem. Once Windows is started, in the notification area I get the icon of connected hardware, and I get both disks (SSD and HDD) as removable media. This is the first time I see this happening in a PC. I have no clue.

Thanks again.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,
Using Diskpart, you cannot "clean" or format a disk that windows is booting from.

You cannot clone the drive either as this will only replicate the system state you have now.  Switching to Samsung (850, 860) with a fresh install of Windows might be the easiest fix.  If the drive appears as a removable device in the system tray, it normally means you have "hotplug" enabled for that interface/port in BIOS.  However, this board does not appear to have this feature.

BIOS wise, minimum I would use is F4.  If you want "touch BIOS, F8 or above. 

See page 31 of your manual/

Do you have SATA Native Mode set to >Enabled?

https://download1.gigabyte.com/Files/Manual/mb_manual_ga-h61m-d2p-b3_e.pdf

Keep in mind the H61 uses emulated SATA support via its IDE controller, so its not true hardware SATA. 

[melosu]

Greetings,
Using Diskpart, you cannot "clean" or format a disk that windows is booting from.

You cannot clone the drive either as this will only replicate the system state you have now.  Switching to Samsung (850, 860) with a fresh install of Windows might be the easiest fix.  If the drive appears as a removable device in the system tray, it normally means you have "hotplug" enabled for that interface/port in BIOS.  However, this board does not appear to have this feature.

BIOS wise, minimum I would use is F4.  If you want "touch BIOS, F8 or above. 

See page 31 of your manual/

Do you have SATA Native Mode set to >Enabled?

https://download1.gigabyte.com/Files/Manual/mb_manual_ga-h61m-d2p-b3_e.pdf

Keep in mind the H61 uses emulated SATA support via its IDE controller, so its not true hardware SATA.

Thanks again. I flashed a version F12 BIOS and all my problems related to the freezing POST / SSD not being detected, are now gone.
The last problem to be solved is that the BIOS doesn't have the "Hot plug" feature. What else can it be? Something about Windows 10...?

[shadowsports]

If I had to guess.  Its related to how intel has implemented SATA support on the H61 chipset. The (B3) revision does have additional capabilities but I don't know what they are off hand.

[melosu]

If I had to guess.  Its related to how intel has implemented SATA support on the H61 chipset. The (B3) revision does have additional capabilities but I don't know what they are off hand.

Well, here is the solution.
First I tried this: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3083627/internal-sata-drives-show-up-as-removeable-media.
It did not work for me, then I went to the GIGABYTE site with Drivers for my MOBO and found an Intel SATA Drivers package for it. I downloaded it, extracted, and updated them through the Device Manager. Restarted the PC, and YEAH IT WORKED! They are not shown as removable media any more.

Next time I will try getting the right drivers first, and only then if it doesn't work I will edit the registry.

Thank you all for your help, it was an enormous hand you gave me with this. I'm really gratefull, see you next time!

[shadowsports]

I think it was all you.  I just made some suggestions.  You did all of the heavy lifting.

Good work!