1st boot attempt fails - no bootable devices

[Ibus]

Hey,

I have the weirdest phenomenon. This is not my first build and I never saw anything like this before.

When I power on my computer on it never boots to OS (Windows 11) on the 1st attempt. Instead it stops on the "Press DEL to enter BIOS" screen for like 10 seconds before it automatically enters the BIOS. I cannot enter the BIOS myself by pressing any button.

When I exit BIOS, it reboots right back into the screen and enters the BIOS almost instantly. This will keep happening again and again unless I hit the power button and shut the system down. When I power it back on, the system boots normally.

So when it first enters the BIOS automatically, my two storage devices are showing up properly. The 2TB Kingston NVMe on M.2_2 is the one with the OS on it:

However, it's not showing any bootable devices right next to it and when I press F8 to arrange the boot order it replies with "The system cannot find any bootable devices":

On the next reboot (and any further one that happens without me turning the system off and on) the SSD on Slot 2_2 is missing:

I tried disabling fast and secure boot, XMP Profile, enabled CSM support and disabled hibernation in Windows 11 - no change. Once the system booted into Windows, I can reboot without a problem all day long. When I turn the system of for a while and power it back on, the whole thing starts again from the beginning.

I have a ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI. I built the system 4 days ago. I updated the BIOS to 1202 and ME to 16.1.27.2176. I double-checked all the cables and both SSDs, all good. The Q-LEDs cycle just fine during POST, when the system halts no LED is on.

Any ideas on how to isolate the issue?

Cheers

Ibus

[tousmic88]

Hello, I had the same problem as you. To solve the problem I formatter my NVME via ASUS Erase (bios) and disconnect your other hard drive. Perform the installation simply with the NVME plug in.

[ralien]

i have the same problem, what does installing with nvme plugin mean? I try to format it not using asus erase but an external program, because I don't know if the asus format is compatible with my ssd

[tousmic88]

Format SSD or NVME Bios ASUS Erase.

[david1080]

Hi tousmic88
Please only "quick format" an SSD. Full format of an SSD will unnecessarily shorten its life. A genuine use case of SSD full format is if you intend throw your SSD in the trash and want to ensure sensitive data is deleted and cannot be undeleted and recovered.

My guess is the Bios ASUS Erase is the "secure" full format for when you throw it in the trash or sell it on.

[FrankieB]

Do you have intel rapid start on or off?

I  had to turn mine off  to find my samsung drives.

[FrankieB]

Nevermind, I saw in your orignal post that you already tried that.