You have uefi selected now? I assume you do but want to make sure.
Did you run all the Dell diagnostics from the preboot test?
Also, maybe you get the boot error because it cannot find the Intel driver in safe mode. On the drive tried it, I had Intel irst installed. Maybe try installing that and then try it again. I do not think installing it when in ahci mode will hurt anything, it is just not needed.
Yes, UEFI secure boot all along AND the Intel RST was installed, even in AHCI mode. I need it for the SATA SSD.
I didn't run the Dell Diagnostics. I could try that.
Might want to turn switchable graphics on so it tests the Intel video card. I'm assuming it will not be seen if switchable graphics is off.
I tried the diagnostics with Switchable Graphics On and Off. Both times were with the boot mode in RAID, and both times the diagnostics crashed after a few minutes. Back in AHCI mode diagnostics are happy.
When you say the RST driver, do you mean the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver or the Intel Rapid Start Technology? The Rapid Storage is the Intel Raid driver, it just also contains the Intel AHCI driver. The Rapid Start Technology is something different.
Dell's downloads include "Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver and Management Console"
This came pre-installed on my 7710 and I believe Dell recommends it if running drives in RAID mode (both raid set in bios and drives configured as RAID). I do not think it is needed if not running drives in RAID - even if RAID is set in bios; however, I think dell will recommend it since it comes shipped this way. Just to rule out that not having it is not causing the issue.
The issue noted above with the pixelating sounds more like a video driver or hardware issue than a NVMe drive or driver issue.
Yes, I agree it sounds like a video problem. IRST is not necessary if running in AHCI, Windows has it's own AHCI Driver. But yours sounds like a video problem for sure, unless you are having a disk read error and the drivers are not being delivered correctly. Are you having actual BSOD problems?
If the issue does not happen with the switchable graphics off, then I think it is an issue with the intel video. Either the intel driver or hardware. If hardware, I think it is a MB replacement. FYI, I am using the intel driver from dell website for the intel video driver. For the Nvidia driver, I am using the download from Nvidia site.
I am curious if SaltyDive resolved his problem with the display blocking out on occasion and crashing? I am having a similar situation. I recently upgraded my system to:
MSI Z170-A Pro (MS-7971) motherboard
i7-6700k processor
Avexir Core Series 2x8GB DDR4 2400 RAM
Samsung 950 Pro M.2 NVME 512GB with clean install of Windows 10 home in AHCI
Though I'm still using my old graphics card (updating to a 1070 later this week)
Currently using an ol' EVGA GTX 560ti
I have no issues, booting from the NVME until I install NVIDIA drivers, then it may run ok for a minute or two, but will freak out and small blocks, blurring colors and small horizontal lines will appear. It is sometimes one or the other, sometimes a combination. It crashes Windows 10 and I have to switch to Intel graphics and physically switch the DVI plug. I've updated all drivers, tried a myriad of solutions, but am wondering if it might just be the card is just to old of hardware? I'm at the point where if this happens when I install the 1070, and it's still occuring I might just go with a regular 2.5" SSD.
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