NVMe boot support to MSI A68HM GRENADE motherboard pcie 16X slot


  1. Posts : 180
    Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
       #1

    NVMe boot support to MSI A68HM GRENADE motherboard pcie 16X slot


    Old desktop with MSI A68HM GRENADE motherboard. It's running Windows 7 Pro x64. No issue but slow. It’s AMD chipset (AMD® A68H) with a pcie 16X slot NOT in use presently.

    Specification A68HM GRENADE | MSI Global - The Leading Brand in High-end Gaming & Professional Creation

    Can I run SSD NVMe/PCIe on its pcie 16X slot? does it need any specific driver? I did google. no drivers mentioned. NOT sure it doesn't need or doesn't exist.

    Below thread SIW2 mentioned two MS hotfixes. (already in his latest release: Update your Win 7 installation media)
    Installed a NVMe SSD, but Win7 doesn't detect it.

    Is that all?

    I am shopping for SSD NVMe/PCIe (512GB/1TB) and PCIe adapter card to get hardware ready. but NOT sure its driver on Windows 7.
    (in case, if no solution, I will change mind, to use SATA interface SSD. that will be still slow)


    Thanks,
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 16,131
    7 X64
       #2

    depends if the motherboard bios supports nvme boot.

    according to lenovo site, bios 1.4

    Description:
    - Improved memory compatibility.
    - Improved PCIE M.2 compatibility.
    - Updated AMD AGESA Code.
    - Support Carrizo Firmware TPM.

    MSI Global - The Leading Brand in High-end Gaming & Professional Creation
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 0
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #3

    If you install Windows to the NVMe drive you'll need to mess around with slipstreaming the updates. It can be a real PITA under Windows 7, but I did it.

    Or better yet. Install those two updates then clone your current install to the NVMe if you so desire. Then before booting you'll want to disconnect the SSD otherwise you'll get a signature collision or signature mess up with the BCD. Been there too. LOL Took me some 10 hours of research to find out how to solve that issue. Was all with the bcdedit command.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 180
    Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks SIWs,

    Cannot believe I even forgot to re-flash BIOS first. will get it done.

    Indeed this motherboard is NOT only one has the driver problem of NVMe boot support. my old HP Elitedesk desktop PCs (8300, 800 G1) all have this driver problem. motherboard has a PCIe 16X/4X slot, while NOT working for NVMe boot support. Fortunately, Intel chipset has a solution gradually. while AMD chipset solution is varying.

    SIW2 said:
    depends if the motherboard bios supports nvme boot.

    according to lenovo site, bios 1.4

    Description:
    - Improved memory compatibility.
    - Improved PCIE M.2 compatibility.
    - Updated AMD AGESA Code.
    - Support Carrizo Firmware TPM.

    MSI Global - The Leading Brand in High-end Gaming & Professional Creation
    - - - Updated - - -

    yes,

    Running Windows 7 is more and more challenging these days.

    When upgrade done, I may transfer it to Windows 10/11 if everything runs fine.

    But these old PC staying on Windows 7 have various reasons. main reasons are several apps running crashing frequently on Windows 10/11. If NOT baby-sit, cannot run them 24-hrs a day.

    F22 Simpilot said:
    If you install Windows to the NVMe drive you'll need to mess around with slipstreaming the updates. It can be a real PITA under Windows 7, but I did it.

    Or better yet. Install those two updates then clone your current install to the NVMe if you so desire. Then before booting you'll want to disconnect the SSD otherwise you'll get a signature collision or signature mess up with the BCD. Been there too. LOL Took me some 10 hours of research to find out how to solve that issue. Was all with the bcdedit command.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 180
    Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    my order of hardware (NVMe SSD and PCIe adapter) is shipping.

    So far, google no solution on BIOS driver of MSI A68HM. however I have tested, software solution works. It's my plan.

    [Guide] NVMe-boot without modding your UEFI/BIOS (Clover-EFI bootloader method)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 180
    Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Update

    A68HM is probed as "AMD FCH", a chipset supported in flashrom lib. hence its mod is even easier than HP Elite 8300.

    the procedure is same. probe the chipname. read out BIOS. modify it, then re-write it back.
    btw, the boot USB drive is ready-only. therefore, I mounted 2nd USB drive to save screen info and my engineering note.

    Using clock_gettime for delay loops (clk_id: 1, resolution: 1ns).
    Found chipset "AMD FCH".
    Enabling flash write... OK.

    HP Elite 8300 engineering note based guide by Paul Murana
    booting nvme disk via pcie adapter on older machines

    Guide by Paul Murana
    Just a moment...
      My Computer


 

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