How to boot Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H motherboard with a 4 TB initialized WD HC310 HDD?

Question

I have a Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H motherboard and I purchased a WD HC310 (0B35948 HUS726T4TALN6L4) HDD.

After I initialize the new HDD the PC cannot pass the POST (just freezes).

If we detach the new HDD, start the PC and then hotplug the new HDD, it's working fine. But it's not really convenient to uplug/replug the HDD each time the PC starts.

If we choose "IDE" or "RAID" mode of the SATA controller, PC starts OK, but the performance is worse.

How do we use the new HDD with 4TB NTFS volume in AHCI mode?

UPDATE1: found similar issue, not solved: https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/sata-hdd-freezes-bios-post-works-fine-hot-swap-after.2809733/

UPDATE2: neither MBR or GPT without any created volumes work, still freezes on POST. Only uninitialized disk can pass the POST.

UPDATE3: I've just tested this exact HDD with Gigabyte GA-B250M-D3H motherboard - though it's detected as 500 GB HDD in BIOS, it passes the POST and Windows sees it as 4 TB HDD perfectly.

UPDATE4: According to the answer by Mateusz, Gigabyte techsupport made a modified BIOS image, fixing the issue, here are 3 mirrors:

https://dropmefiles.com/DBOiF

https://www4.zippyshare.com/v/NdOaSaGS/file.html

https://gofile.io/d/0TWG0E

Answer 1

Z97X Gaming5 Rev 1.0 bios F7 here. Issues like described with hc310 6TB disk. The solution for me was to enable Intel Rapid Start Technology and then it gave option under it to choose the controller to be used. I choose the other one that was available - "PCIE AHCI/NVME Controller" and system boots just fine. My disk with system is plextor ssd and HGST is the main storage.

Answer 2

REAL_SM

Try following steps

1. remove first primary HDD (which has OS) SATA cable from HDD

   ONLY plug this New 4TB HDD on same slot same sata cable (without connecting primary HDD) and see if it boot in AHCI mode (not hand on POST)

   "then error will come not a bootable device"

2. if error comes and it works independently on AHCI mode then it confirmed that there is no problem with HDD and it is working with AHCI independently

if it does not work independently it means either motherboard dont support 4tb hdd in AHCI or not formatted in proper files system ( for motherboard update BIOS or controllers or get some PCIE to sata card controller which can support)

3. if 4tb hdd booted in AHCI mode independently it worked then keep it on the same slot and try to put the primary HDD (in which OS is there) on other slots and try to select first boot device to boot from primary one (boot OS) it from BIOS and see if other hdd works on other slot in AHCI mode

if yes then you got it and if no then means only 1 slot is working in AHCI mode

4. try one by one to try on all sata slots the other HDD may be it worked with any other slot

5. if not work then Try to update motherboard BIOS or driver for sata controllers

let me know and update if what worked for you and not and whats the result

I m little busy in solving some problems i cant find in detail issue but still giving some links to you read and find if any one work for you

if not then try to find solutions in following links if any of them work

According to Referred from thanks to user Ruslan Makrenko in Super user forum website says

Convert Secondary Harddrive to AHCI from IDE

So don't worry, Install your newest SSD or HDD using AHCI mode and just plug in your oldest drive - it will work perfectly without any flaws.

In case if you wanna boot old system (windows or linux) from old drive- change mode to IDE in bios.

And, maybe we should generalize it not only for Windows 10, but from Windows 7 (XP has deprecated support of AHCI and TRIM, for example)

To prove my words I've googled a bit and found an perfect answer: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2668430/ahci-ide-mix.html

BTW, it is not the first install that I perform like thread starter asked. There are at least 4 machines working from 2007 to right now 2016 and them operating brilliant using so called 'Mixed' modes AHCI/IDE.

According to Referred from thanks to user oinkypig in tomshardware forum website says

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/computer-wont-recognize-secondary-hdd-in-ahci-mode.1402326/

the RAID tool config, even when no raid drives are used, is only in place as a bootup utility tool for raid detection upon setup. Its independent of either drives in this case. Dont place the SSD in AHCI mode, whenever i do the same i always get huge bootup slowdowns and HDD reading faults on my asus p6t v2. Any other bootup configuration should work fine otherwise as in my case. I set mine to enhanced mode or IDE mode. Always unless you do run a raid setup turn off the raid bootup all together, if anything thats only causing slowdowns during bootup. Although it doesnt hurt you could leave the RAID drivers active and disable the boot rom from bios.

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/solved-pc-hangs-at-auto-detect-ahci-drive-help.668687/

https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/guide-enabling-ahci-mode-after-windows-7-installation.313676/

https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c02961221

Answer 3

updating with new answer on continuation with the previous answer as on getting clarity update through comments discussions and R & D and findings

@ REAL_SM Bro a request from you

1. Do please tell me whats Bootable SSD size (its 1tb 2tb or 4tb) and whats the partition sizes and MBR/GPT you are using and working fine in AHCI mode

2. Secondly do tell me if you are using single 4tb partitions in 4TB hdd in MBR/GPT or multiple partitions with what size of partition table

as you must know that MBR dont supports hdd more than 2tb and for that you have to use GPT partitions and i am assuming that you must be using GPT partitions in your 4tb HDD if not then see videos link how to

Real_Sm bro as there are many articles regarding with problem of same type and in many other boards 4tb hdd is also not detected as it should be used in GPT partitions then MBR one secondly some BIOS if you are using GPT partitions with motherboards and i think the problem is with GA-Z97X-UD3H motherboard BIOS BUG and gigabyte has not resolved it in updates may be compatibility issues for 4TB HDD

As Per my experience and knowledge and point of view

So my Suggestions and Advice

which you have to try and depends on which one works with your motherboard

1. Either be satisfied and keep you HDD in IDE or RAID mode hotplug mode and work and compromise with speed

2. Either Buy new Motherboard ( BEFORE CONFIRMING THAT new MOTHERBOARD SUPPORTS GPT 4TB HDD and for this small issue i will suggest NOT to make any expenditure)

   if your 4tb hdd is already partitioned and MAINLY GPT partitions with 1st primary partition then skip below if not then try

   if its not GPT partitions then try to convert MBR to GPT (BEWARE 5% to 10% RISK OF DATA LOSS take backups before converting) by seeing following links without data loss
   and check test if POST freeze or not after conversions without connecting any other SATA drives in any slot

https://www.diskpart.com/gpt-mbr/convert-mbr-to-gpt-without-data-loss.html

https://www.partitionwizard.com/partitionmagic/will-converting-mbr-to-gpt-erase-all-the-disk-partitions.html

https://www.easeus.com/partition-manager-software/convert-mbr-to-gpt-gpt-to-mbr-using-cmd-without-losing-data.html

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/convert-mbr-to-gpt-disk

or try following steps one by one at your wish and risk

3. if your 4TB HDD have no data then zero fill or delete all partitons and make it a RAW HDD without any partition (through WD official Data Lifeguard Diagnostics for Windows link provided)

   https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10850

4. Then put the 4TB hdd RAW HDD (on all SATA slots 0,1,2,3,4..) as previously done indvidually without connecting any other SATA drives if it still freezes POST or not

Dont worry if it POST freezes or not Freezes as full 4TB still may not be detected by BIOS then try following

5. then Create small 2-3 small partitions in 4TB GPT HDD partitions by diskpart windows 10 or windows setup cd or either by following tools

   1. Diskpart of windows 10 or AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard

   https://www.diskpart.com/diskpart/convert-gpt-4125.html

   2. EaseUS Partition Master

https://www.easeus.com/partition-master/partition-gpt-disk.html

3. MiniTool Partition Wizard 11.6

https://www.partitionwizard.com/partitionmagic/will-converting-mbr-to-gpt-erase-all-the-disk-partitions.html

My IDEA advice suggestion for GPT partition to try which one can work

One of the either partition size you wish and comforts suits to you as per my advice i m suggesting as per my view point

A) First Primary Active    10GB-20 GB Fat32 
   (which you can use as Virtual RAM or SWAP)
   format in FAT32 file system and make it
   bootable with system  files for testing

  Second Secondary Partition OF  380TB

  Third logical Partition   180TB  EXFAT
           format in EXFAT file system 
  Fourth logical  Partition   180TBGB  EXFAT
         format in EXFAT file system 

B) Then again put the 4TB hdd with 20GB and logical partitions of 180TB each (on all SATA slots 0,1,2,3,4..) as previously done individually without connecting any other drives on SATA port if it still frezees POST or not to test and check if this partitions is supportable or not

if it worked and you are comfortable with partitions then skip other steps and now try to put SSD and boot and may all works fine if not then try another partition with size and other file systems like EXT4

   C)  First Primary Active        2TB   EXFAT 
           format in EXFAT file system 
       Second primary/logical      2TB   EXFAT
               format in EXFAT file system 

D) Then again put the 4TB hdd with two 2TB primary and secondary 2TB partitions (on all SATA slots 0,1,2,3,4..) as previously done individually without connecting any other SATA drives if it still freezes POST or not to test and check if this partitions is supportable or not

the main aim of above trials is to check which GPT partitions or partition table your mother Board supports and POST dont freezes on

6. another option may be trying different boot menus or file systems like of linux like GRUB may they can work

see foolowing link of site and videos for reference and other problems

https://www.win-raid.com/t6186f16-Gigabyte-GA-Z-X-UD-H-cannot-boot-in-AHCI-mode-if-HDD-initialized-in-GPT-or-MBR-could-BIOS-mod-help.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFnKXDPE_Ls&t=11s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2iFj56NDg8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-7x-VG7ABc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amSjHDDn-J0

I Answered and concluded after looking the following links and findings and sharing with u for your reference and if u like to see the views of other website and people with same and other motherboards

REAL_Sm bro for you i have tried to google search and find solution and finded many things and sharing with you all with my views and solutions which you have to try which you have not tried yet or suits you it upto you

My findings

1. As the link provided by you and googled by me Same Mother board but different hdd of segate problem in the toms hardware link

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/sata-hdd-freezes-bios-post-works-fine-hot-swap-after.2809733/

User olxiasi comments says

The BIOS will not boot with an exFat partition larger than 2TB if this partition was created in Windows (ver 7) or Mac OS (ver 10.8.5).

I tried 2Tb + 2Tb (exFat) partitions in Mac OS. Boots Fine.

SO, I will make the partition EXT4 and just use it this way and forgo exFat.

My views and comments on the link

1. The the solution and problem detected by the user was that it created a 2TB EXFAT partition and used it.

2. It means that BIOS is not detecting MBR GPT partition size of 4Tb second file system its supporting 2TB partition in Linux but not in windows

3. it means its not detecting MBR and partitions of or single 4TB partition

My conclusion for your problem as per the link:-

As Described detailed in detail above steps also

1. As "olxiasi" tried Try creating EXFAT you to try 3 senarios which suits and works for you

2. 10GB -20GB first active primary partition (which you can use as Virtual RAM or some other drive) of FAT32 and rest with EXFAT file system (as some BIOS or post dont detect or hangs over in detecting large 1st Active bootable partition size) or

3. 2TB first active primary partion of EXFAt and another win 2 TB exfat see if it works with windows

In continuation of the above link there is another link you can see for same board there many solutions are there which you can read answers see if it matches in your case

https://www.win-raid.com/t6186f16-Gigabyte-GA-Z-X-UD-H-cannot-boot-in-AHCI-mode-if-HDD-initialized-in-GPT-or-MBR-could-BIOS-mod-help.html

2. In the manual of Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H motherboard

http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Manual/mb_manual_ga-z97x-ud3h_v1.1_e.pdf

Page no. 25 topic SATA3 0/1/2/3/4/5 (SATA 6Gb/s Connectors) says

• M.2, SATA Express, and SATA3 4/5 connectors can only be used one at a time. The SATA3 4/5 connectors will become unavailable when an M.2 SSD is installed.

My views and comments

it means you are using SSD in M2 Slot in your motherboard then SATA3 4 and 5 connector will not work i think you are using SSD on SATA port not on M2 port

page no. 55 topic SATA Mode Selection says

AHCI Configures the SATA controllers to AHCI mode. Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) is an interface specification that allows the storage driver to enable advanced Serial ATA features such as Native Command Queuing and hot plug. (Default)

NO views and comments just for your reference on this finding

Page No. 61 topic "Configuring SATA Hard Drive(s)" says

D. Install the SATA RAID/AHCI driver and operating system (Note 2)

My views and comments on finding

this means that SATA RAID/ AHCI driver is available to install on OS for configurations let me find it for you

page number 61 to page 66 steps for configuring SATA Controller in BIOS

My views and comments

there are steps from step 1 to step 5 given check all steps carefully if you missed or followed it or not

page number 73 on topic 3-2 Installing the SATA RAID/AHCI Driver and Operating System part A Installing the Operating System

we recommend that you install all required drivers from the motherboard driver disk using "Xpress Install" to ensure system performance and compatibility

My views and comments

Means in windows 7 drivers are there but should install Motherboard driver disk using XPress install or from its websites link

To install Windows 8.1/8, refer to the steps below:

My views and comments

if you are using windows 7 /8/10 see if some steps work for you and find drivers of disk on motherboard site or xpress Install of cd if u can find any

page number 86 TOpic 5-2-3 EZ Setup and subtopic Disk Mode Switch says

Disk Mode Switch allows you to switch the operating mode for your hard drive even after it's been installed with an operating system. Supported operating modes include IDE, AHCI, and RAID. You can select a disk mode and restart your computer after the selection. • Native UEFI mode is not supported. • Be sure to reinstall the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility after you switch the disk mode.

My views and comments

there any many tools and softwares available of gigabyte to configure AHCI RAID may it automattically work

1. First tool Disk Mode Switch
2. Second tool EZ Setup

page number 86 TOpic 5-2-3 EZ Setup and subtopic Disk Mode Switch says

at last to sum up finded compiled may some option work it for you and may god help you to sort your problem do tell me if any one works best of luck may information useful for you or for your knowledge or future reference

Answer 4

NEW ANSWER FOR NEW AND FINAL UPDATE IN CONTINUATION AFTER YOUR TESTING OF ABOVE ANSWERS COMMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH REAL_SM (the questioner)

Real_SM

i have checked configurations of your motherboard and founded its chipset details and its datasheet and founded that you motherboard GA-Z97X-UD3H (is intel Z97 chipset that is family of 9 series chipset) does not support the AHCI mode directly it is configured through many ELECTRONICS REGISTARS AND CHIP programming which is done generally by Motherboard Manufacturer as manufacturers associate or combine other chips(as found marvell drivers may be marvell chipset to associated with it) to program it and for that if you want then directly contact Gigabyte Service Center Engineer or write to in gigabyte forum and ask for Support if they can suggest you.

https://www.gigabyte.com/Support

https://www.gigabyte.com/Support/Motherboard

https://forum.gigabyte.us/thread/904/samsung-960-evo-recognized-bios

and in motherboard GA-B250M-D3H (Intel® B250 Express Chipset which is of family 200 series chipset) it is directly specified that it supports supporting AHCi 1.3 and AHCi 1.3.1 mode

So my recommendation and solution is to go for 3rd Party Sata controller or PCIE to Sata3 ESATA cards which is tested benchmarked and support 4tb to 6tb HDD in AHCI mode and chipset supports 4tb but speed performance and those cards will support in your Motherboard or not its matter of R&D and testing as i think it should work or u can again email or write to in gigabyte forum and ask In Gigabyte Support if they can suggest you which card will work. .

for your reference sharing and giving you links of such PCIE to sata3 converter cards for your reference

https://www.startech.com/Cards-Adapters/HDD-Controllers/SATA-Cards/4-Port-PCI-Express-SATA-6Gbps-RAID-Controller-Card~PEXSAT34RH

this card describes in specification of support to 4tb AhCI mode

there are many other cards but without 4tb AHCi details or specification so i am not sharing links you can search yourself.

I m sharing below the links for your reference for data sheets i have finded and links through which i came into conclusions for your reference

datasheet of Intel Z97 is Intel 9 Series chipset says

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/datasheets/9-series-chipset-pch-datasheet.pdf

In datasheet could not found direct AHCI support that 9 series chipsets does not support the AHCI mode directly it is configured through many REGISTER AND CHIP programming which is done generally by Motherboard Manufacturer as it associate or combine other chips to prograam it.

datasheet of Intel B250 is intel 200 series chipset says

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/datasheets/200-series-chipset-pch-datasheet-vol-1.pdf

page no. 232 Topic SATA Feature Support says

The PCH SATA controller is capable of supporting all AHCI 1.3 and AHCI 1.3.1, refer to the Intel web site on Advanced Host Controller Interface Specification for current specification status: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/io/serial-ata/ahci.html.

Comparison of chipset features

Intel® B250 Express Chipset Intel® Z97 Express Chipset

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/compare.html?productIds=98086,82012

GA-B250M-D3H (rev. 1.0) Intel® B250 Express Chipset

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-B250M-D3H-rev-10/sp#sp

Storage Interface

Chipset: 1 x M.2 PCIe connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280 SATA & PCIe SSD support) 1 x SATA Express connector 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors (M.2, SATA Express, and SATA3 4/5 connectors can only be used one at a time. The SATA3 4/5 connectors will become unavailable when an M.2 SSD is installed.) Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10

GA-Z97X-UD3H (rev. 1.0) Intel® Z97 Express Chipset

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-Z97X-UD3H-rev-10/sp#sp

Storage Interface

Chipset: 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 SATA and PCIe x4/x2 SSD support) 1 x SATA Express connector * The SATA Express connector is not compatible with regular SATA devices. 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors * Refer to "1-7 Internal Connectors," for the installation notices for the M.2 and SATA connectors.

Answer 5

DON'T TRY THAT IF YOU HAVE ANY CRITICAL DATA ON THE HDD! ALWAYS MAKE A COPY OF THE DATA!

After initialization (and any further creation of volumes, copying files etc), but BEFORE the reboot, open a hex editor, in the editor - disk and delete (fill with "00") from offset 0x1000 to 0x1060. Save, reboot.

After reboot this data is recreated, but it doesn't make the POST of Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H freeze.

DON'T TRY THAT IF YOU HAVE ANY CRITICAL DATA ON THE HDD! ALWAYS MAKE A COPY OF THE DATA!

P.S. Can anyone, please, explain, what is this at offset 0x1000-0x1060? How could it freeze POST in "BEFORE" state? What happens after I delete it and reboot? Why is it recreated differently (and doesn't freeze POST)?