Z690 Proart with Kingston KC3000 issue

[Zetra89]

Hello there nice people,

I will try to re-cap it and someone might be able to help since one of ASUS members suggested that I make a post here as well.

Anyway, I have Z690 Proart motherboard, and I got 2 KC3000 kingston SSDs, 1 that is 1tb and 2tb version.

There is no way I can install windows on them format partitons, tried with VDM enabled or disabled, default BIOS settings, preety much everything.

Problems came, at least I think with ME firmware version 16.1.30.2307 and there is no way to downgrade that.

I have 256GB ADATA nvme gen4 SSD working fine, tried to install win on that one, all good.

Also, I've tried one more thing, I have older KC3000, 1tb version, with different firmware version then these two new ones, and guess what, all good, working.

Post on ROG forum:

https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/gaming-motherboards/re-z690-proart-possibly-faulty-issue/td-p/1030150

If anyone have any idea what could be the issue, or suggestion, that would be nice.

Br, 

Zetra

[Jiaszzz_ASUS]

Hello, @Zetra89 Thank you for your response.

As we have consolidated your case and consulted with the relevant departments, we would like to further confirm the following:
- Do the two Kingston SSDs exhibit any other issues when used as general storage, such as initial I/O errors, the OS waiting for disk responses, or blue screens?
- Does the error occur during system installation if CMOS is cleared and all BIOS settings, including VMD and CMS, are set to default?


- When installing the system with the KC3000 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD 1TB or 2TB, if an error message appears and you click "OK," can you continue with the installation steps?
- Are both Kingston SSDs showing the error code "we couldn't create a new partition. [Error: 0xac7d8940]"?

Also, for similar error messages, please refer to the following discussion threads to see if they are helpful:
Partition error when installing windows in SSD
We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one.

Thank you.

[Zetra89]

Hello again @Jiaszzz_ASUS,

Let me answer new questions:

- Do the two Kingston SSDs exhibit any other issues when used as general storage, such as initial I/O errors, the OS waiting for disk responses, or blue screens?

I can't use them as general storage, directly attached to motherboard along with my ADATA SSD where the system is. The system cannot see them. Once I use external ASUS ROG case, works perfetly fine (since controller is different).
- Does the error occur during system installation if CMOS is cleared and all BIOS settings, including VMD and CMS, are set to default?

I've tried to install system in multiple configurations, with CMOS cleared with all default settings, then CMOS cleared and VDM enabled then disabled and I've tried once with CMS enabled (disabled is default).

- When installing the system with the KC3000 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD 1TB or 2TB, if an error message appears and you click "OK," can you continue with the installation steps?

That is strange, sometimes I manage to create partitions but fails when the copy starts, and sometimes I cannot even create partitions, which is most of the times. Strange thing happens then is, SSD dissapears from the list, and then when I restart PC, I cannot see that disk in BIOS even.

- Are both Kingston SSDs showing the error code "we couldn't create a new partition. [Error: 0xac7d8940]"?

Same behavior on both of them. Confirmed yesterday, both working very fine when installing windows on laptop.

[Jiaszzz_ASUS]

Hello @Zetra89 

Thank you for providing the updated information and for your patience.
After verification by our relevant department, we were unable to replicate the issue you described using the same hardware configuration and SSD.
As we also consult with Kingston and consider your description of the problem as "can't use them as general storage when directly attached to the motherboard," we recommend sending SSDs for repair to obtain further diagnostics.

Thank you.