Installation of Win10 Lenovo y520 l - Installation of Windows 10 Lenovo Y520 SAT

Question 1

Why does Windows 10 not see the SSD even though BIOS does on a Y520?

Answer

That pattern often indicates a faulty SSD. In the thread, a helper concluded the drive was damaged. When BIOS lists a disk but installers and tools can’t, suspect hardware. Swap testing is ideal, but the sealed chassis limits that. Proceed to warranty if software checks fail. [Elektroda, kranzio, post #17075793]

Question 2

Does the Legion Y520 M.2 slot support SATA (M.2 SATA) drives?

Answer

No. The Y520’s M.2 interface supports PCIe/NVMe, not M.2 SATA. As one expert put it, “only M.2 PCIe / NVMe disk can be supported in M.2 interface, while M.2 Sata is not supported.” Use an NVMe drive in M.2 or a 2.5-inch SATA SSD in the bay. [Elektroda, jbmar, post #17189791]

Question 3

Should I disable Secure Boot before installing Windows 10 on my Y520?

Answer

Yes. Disable Secure Boot in BIOS when the installer can’t see your storage. It can block boot loaders or media chains. Reboot after changing the setting and retry the install. Restore BIOS defaults later if needed. [Elektroda, Krzychu7, post #17075710]

Question 4

How do I check that my USB installer isn’t the problem?

Answer

Try this quick validation:

Boot the same USB on another computer.
Try a different OS installer to compare behavior.
If both work elsewhere, the media is fine; investigate the laptop or drive. These steps rule out a bad image or stick. [Elektroda, RADU23, post #17075816]

Question 5

Linux Live USB also can’t see the SSD—what does that indicate?

Answer

If Ubuntu/GParted see only the USB stick and not the SSD, while BIOS lists the disk, software isn’t the culprit. That cross-check points toward drive failure or platform incompatibility. At that stage, prioritize warranty support. [Elektroda, reefu, post #17075903]

Question 6

Disk Management shows the drive but can’t initialize it—what next?

Answer

When Windows PE or Disk Management detects a device but won’t initialize it, your software options are likely exhausted. Document screenshots and error text. Keep BIOS changes minimal and recorded. Then engage vendor warranty for replacement or service. [Elektroda, reefu, post #17076184]

Question 7

Can DiskPart fix an SSD that setup can’t find?

Answer

No. DiskPart can’t act on a disk the OS does not enumerate. In the case discussed, “Diskpart does nothing.” Focus on firmware settings, media validation, and hardware evaluation instead. [Elektroda, reefu, post #17075657]

Question 8

What interface speed should I expect from the 2.5-inch SATA bay?

Answer

Typical 2.5-inch bays use SATA III. The link rate is 6.0 Gb/s, which is about 600 MB/s theoretical throughput. Real-world SSD speeds are lower due to protocol overhead. This is adequate for a Micron 1100-class SATA drive. [SATA-IO, 2009]

Question 9

Was this problem caused by missing Windows 10 storage drivers?

Answer

In this thread, responders attributed the failure to the disk itself, not drivers. Windows 10 normally handles SATA AHCI without extra drivers. Focus troubleshooting on hardware health and slot compatibility first. [Elektroda, kranzio, post #17075793]

Question 10

Could an incorrect BIOS date or empty partition table be the reason?

Answer

Set the correct BIOS date first. An invalid date can interfere with installer trust. Next, check if any partition exists once the drive is visible. If no space is allocated, create partitions during setup. [Elektroda, RADU23, post #17075868]

Question 11

When should I reset BIOS to defaults or send the laptop for warranty?

Answer

Reset BIOS to factory defaults once, then retest detection. If the SSD still fails across installers, follow the advice: “Shipping under warranty.” Do not break a factory seal to avoid voiding service. [Elektroda, kranzio, post #17076164]

Question 12

Does the Y520 accept a 2.5-inch Micron 1100 (MTFDDAK256TBN) SATA SSD?

Answer

Yes, via the 2.5-inch SATA bay. In this case, BIOS detected the Micron 1100 SATA SSD, confirming the SATA path exists. The issue was OS-level detection, not BIOS presence. [Elektroda, reefu, post #17075657]

Question 13

My Y520 is sealed. How can I test without opening it?

Answer

Use Live USB tools like Ubuntu or MiniTool from a flash drive. If they list only the USB and not the SSD, collect screenshots and proceed with warranty. Avoid breaking the seal. [Elektroda, reefu, post #17075753]

Question 14

Should I try Windows 7/8.1/10 installers to debug the issue?

Answer

Yes, for validation. The OP tested three installers and noted “each works on a different computer.” That rules out bad media. If your Y520 still fails, focus on hardware or compatibility. [Elektroda, reefu, post #17075841]

Question 15

What’s the best storage upgrade path for a Legion Y520?

Answer

Use an NVMe SSD in the M.2 slot for performance. Avoid M.2 SATA there, as it won’t be recognized. For SATA drives, use the 2.5-inch bay. This avoids detection pitfalls. [Elektroda, jbmar, post #17189791]

Question 16

Could Intel RST/RAID mode hide the drive during Windows setup?

Answer

Yes. If the controller is set to RAID/RST, Windows setup may need the Intel RST driver. Load it during install, or switch to AHCI in BIOS if supported. Back up first before changing modes. [Intel, 2020]

Installation of Win10 Lenovo y520 l - Installation of Windows 10 Lenovo Y520 SAT

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