As many ppl (including me) has trouble with installing m.2 SSD on z170 motherboard i post short guide here, share it for everyone who need it .
Bellow method i used to install Samsung SM 951 m.2 card on Asus Maximus VIII Hero z170
There is whats i did :
1st boot ( All other devices, and hdd disconnected)
BIOS settings changed to :
Boot / CSM >>> DISABLED
PCIEX4_3 Slot(black) Bandwidth > Auto
additional options :
Advanced /PCH storage configuration >SATA mode selection > AHCI
2th boot
Tools > secure erase SM951
3th boot
Tools > secure erase SM951 finish it
4th boot
Boot /Secure Boot - OS type >> Other OS
Boot /Secure Boot - Key Menegment - Install default secure boot keys ( and accept )
IMPORTANT !!!
After that connect USB stick with windows 7/8/10 or DVD with properly installation
5th boot
at this point system should boot from USB or DVD , and i you be able to create partition on SM951 +start installation process system
Side note - seems Windows create additional partition with information to m.2 driver is a bootable SSD/HD and
set on stone info which kind of Windows you install , i mean if you install Windows 7 ... you cant upgrade it to Windows 10 and vice versa)
IMPORTANT next boot you need enter bios !!!
6th boot
setup BIOS - Boot /CSM - ENABLED
Boot device control - UEFI and legacy OPROM
Boot from storage devices - UEFI driver first
Boot from PCI-E /PCI extension devices - UEFI driver first
Boot /Secure Boot - OS type >> Windows with UEFI
additional options :
Advanced /PCH storage configuration >SATA mode selection > AHCI
PCIEX4_3 Slot(black) Bandwidth > Auto
7th boot
continue windows installation , after finish and reboot turn off PC, reconnect other devices and HDD
8th boot
PCIEX4_3 Slot(black) Bandwidth > x4
reboot and enjoy m.2 SM951 As bootable drive
🙂 p.s.
This process has been done with BIOS version 4.01 ... maybe new 5.08 BIOS dont require such trick's , i dont has a chance to test it .
p.s.
I based this installation on movie guide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7PEBscJbno