Yoga 900 - BIOS update for setting RAID mode for missing hard drive on linux install

[rijesh]

Yep it is somewhat unfortunate. They also don't have the sata yoga 900 option on the website anymore.

ISK vs ISK2: http://psref.lenovo.com/Product/Lenovo_Yoga_900_13

Hopefully once more people get the ISK2 they will push out a fix.

Someone was having the same problem with the dell XPS 13.

https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=204629

and here.

http://askubuntu.com/questions/696413/ubuntu-installer-cant-find-any-disk-on-dell-xps-13-9350

Here is another couple threads with the same problem and solution for a Dell Precision.

http://superuser.com/questions/1022849/m-2-samsung-sm951-nvme-ssd-not-recognized-on-linux

http://askubuntu.com/questions/707494/primary-ssd-on-dell-precision-7510-cannot-be-detected-by-ubunt...

here is another thread indicating the need to disable RAID mode.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2771559/asus-z170-bios-detecting-s951-pcie.html

Apart from this forum is there anyone else at lenovo I can talk to about this?

[notz]

Their is not many to read about, but Intel RST should be supported by mdadm (intel devs working on it) . But i had no luck with the latest Version (3.4) and kernel 4.6. At least mdadm works with nvme devices. The problem is the missing nvme  device.

[pruna]

Hi, just to share another bad experience: I also have a Yoga 900-13ISK2 Signature Edition, and latest openSUSE installer can't see the disks at all. Any news, that ideally doesn't require to manually change the BIOS, will be really apreciated. Regards,

[voyager99]

Hello, I can confirm the exact same issues here!

I have a Lenovo 900 13ISK2 and CANNOT install linux (or even perform a clean install of Windows 10) because the OS installed CANNOT see the drive (Samsung NVME MZVLV512).

I have accessed the BIOS by using Fn + F2 at boot and tried UEFI, Legacy, Legacy + UEFI,

disbaled secure boot, etc., but nothing works!

This is really sad to have hardware that is locked down this way!

Customers should demand a fix ASAP!

[notz]

I have tried nearly all support possibilities, but the only one that could (should) help is the premium support hotline (1,99 €/min). They should also know about linux installation, but i'm not allowed to call premium lines with my (company) mobile.

The standard hotline only says it's not a warranty issue - so please call premium support hotline. Same is with E-Mail contact. The forum is only from user to user. Their are no lenovo employees, which is very bad.

Support is really very bad for a company like lenovo.

The only hope is that every new lenovo notebook with an PCI-E SATA device is not compatible and they are releasing BIOS updates therefore, which is normally not the case at lenovo.

[voyager99]

If I can't get this resolved today, I am asking for an RMA # and will be returning

the Yoga 900 ASAP!

This is ridiculous!

[wolfiewu]

I'm in the same boat with returns and they want to charge a 15% restock fee because it's not an issue with the product, apparently. 

[zoltanthegypsy]

Hey all,

Not speaking for Lenovo, but for my own understanding:  would you say that this a case of Linux drivers lagging the latest hardware (which does happen...) but that the issue could be avoided if you could toggle the RAID setting off?

From what I read here the issue goes beyond just Lenovo laptops but the Lenovo BIOS doesn't provide the work-around option.  That about right?

Thanks and regards,

Z.

[repsilat]

That sounds right to me -- the BIOS option works around the underlying problem of a lack of support for whatever the new thing is.

I'm going to try some BSDs and then maybe virtualization if none of them support it. Not ideal.

[zoltanthegypsy]

Thanks,

I'm personally fine with virtualization on a laptop.  I need bare-metal on a desktop to maintain Linux and Solaris drivers for my PCI cards but for just banging at the editor and running compiles and builds a virtual machine is in some ways better for me.

I can keep my Solaris and Linux VMs inside the Windows install and back up the whole mess at one whack.

I realize that may not be the best option for others in this thread.  Wish I could offer a fix or work around

Thanks again,

Z.