Dual SSD Dual OS PC: SATA SSD Not Showing

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure the following:

• Both SSDs are of the M.2 form factor.
• Your system supports dual M.2 slots.
• You have a compatible installation media for Windows and Arch Linux.

Installing Windows on the 1TB NVMe SSD

Follow the steps below to install Windows on the 1TB NVMe SSD:

1. Install the Windows media on the NVMe SSD.
2. Boot from the installation media and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. During the installation process, select the NVMe SSD as the target drive for the operating system.

Installing Arch Linux on the 256GB SATA SSD

To install Arch Linux on the 256GB SATA SSD:

1. Boot from the Arch Linux installation media.
2. Follow the instructions in the terminal to partition the SATA SSD.
3. Install the base system and your preferred desktop environment.

Troubleshooting: SATA SSD not showing up

If the SATA SSD does not show up during the installation process:

1. Check if the SATA SSD is detected in the BIOS.
2. Ensure the SATA SSD is properly connected to the motherboard and the power cable is attached.
3. Try booting from a live Arch Linux USB or CD/DVD to check if the SATA SSD is detected.

Enabling the AHCI driver

If the SATA SSD is not detected during the installation process, it may be due to the RAID or NVMe driver being enabled in the UEFI settings. To enable the AHCI driver:

1. Restart your system and enter the UEFI settings.
2. Navigate to the "Boot" tab and set the boot order to the installation media.
3. Navigate to the "Advanced" tab and find the "SATA operation" or "AHCI" driver.
4. Enable the AHCI driver and save the settings.

Conclusion

With the steps outlined above, you should be able to install both Windows and Arch Linux on their respective SSDs, even if the SATA SSD does not initially show up during the installation process.