Hi M. Ameri,
Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.
I understand that you are facing an issue with your Sandisk SSD not being recognized on your Surface Go 2 unless you boot to BIOS while it is attached. I will do my best to assist you with this issue.
Based on the information you have provided; it seems that the issue might be related to the BIOS settings on your Surface Go 2. I would recommend checking the BIOS settings to ensure that the USB ports are enabled and set to the correct mode.
You can access the BIOS settings by following these steps:
- Shut down your Surface Go 2.
- Press and hold the Volume Up button on your Surface, then press and release the Power button.
- Release the Volume Up button when the Surface logo appears.
- Select the "UEFI Firmware Settings" option from the Advanced options menu.
- Click on the "Restart" button to access the BIOS settings.
Once you are in the BIOS settings, navigate to the "Devices" tab and make sure that the docking USB port is enabled. If it is enabled, try disabling it for few seconds and then enable it again. Make sure that USB ports are enabled after you restart your Surface.
If the issue persists, you may also want to try updating the firmware and drivers for your Surface Go 2 and the Sandisk SSD. Here's how to update the drivers and firmware for your Surface Go 2.
- Go to Download driver and firmware for Surface, choose Surface Go.
- Then click the link next to Surface Go 2 then click Download on the next page.
- Choose the .msi file that matches your current OS Build and click Next.
- After downloading, run and install the .msi then Restart.
Update your Surface Go2 and Run the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit: Make sure that your Surface Go2 is up to date with the latest firmware and software updates. You can check for updates by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. The Surface Diagnostic Toolkit can help you identify and resolve issues with your Surface device. See Fix common Surface problems using the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit (microsoft.com).
Check the USB-C cable: Try using a different USB-C cable to connect your SanDisk SSD to your Surface Go2. Make sure that the cable is compatible with both devices.
Check the SanDisk SSD: Try connecting your SanDisk SSD to another computer to see if it works.
I hope the provided solution works for you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Lavenia