Help! I think my SSD has died...

Type_R · 13 Oct 2011 at 06:27

The SSD is a G.Skill Pheonix Pro 60GB - Firmware 3.1 (I don't think it is available here, I got it in the US in Nov 2010) which I was using as my Windows 7 drive since I got it. It was hooked up to the system as in my sig (Gigabyte 890FX-UD5 rev 2.1).

Everything was fine up till a few days ago when it was noted that Windows 7 would boot, get past the welcome screen then stop responding within 30 seconds of logging it. I thought it was virus, so reformatted the drive and started again. Everything seemed fine again and I filled up the drive with about 35Gb of data, no problems. Then yesterday again Win 7 started logging in, within about 30 seconds, stopped responding. Interestingly everytime I reset the comp after the crash, the BIOS would not detect the SSD. Once I switched it off then on again, it would be detected again!

So now I have booted from my WD mechanical drive with no problems at all. I am thinking my SSD is dying. When I ran crystaldisk it showed health to be 100% Good on the SSD. As a slave drive Win 7 will not format/install/detect the SSD for longer than 30 seconds.

Is there any way I can test the drive before I send it back to the USA? - it has a 3 year warranty! I have tried updating it to the latest firmware but it doesn't remain detected by windows for long enough the update tool to even detect it!

g_tripwood · 13 Oct 2011 at 12:49

When trying to update the firmware, don't you have to boot to a DOS prompt with the disk DISCONNECTED, then hot plug it in once you are ready to flash?

That was the procedure I had to follow for my 3 OCZ Vertex 2E's...

Type_R · 13 Oct 2011 at 13:05

g_tripwood said:
When trying to update the firmware, don't you have to boot to a DOS prompt with the disk DISCONNECTED, then hot plug it in once you are ready to flash?

That was the procedure I had to follow for my 3 OCZ Vertex 2E's...

Well there is a method to do it within windows which is what I tried. I will try the DOS method later on.

Type_R · 17 Oct 2011 at 17:22

I managed to flash the drive to firmware 4.2. However the problem persists and Gskill are now willing to RMA it. Strangest HDD failure I have ever come across. The BIOS stops detecting it a few minutes after POST. Whilst it is detected it works perfectly!

hyperst · 17 Oct 2011 at 17:32

Try a new SATA cable, I thought mine was dying on me, turned out to be the SATA lead, once swapped all symptoms went away.

Type_R · 18 Oct 2011 at 09:04

hyperst said:
Try a new SATA cable, I thought mine was dying on me, turned out to be the SATA lead, once swapped all symptoms went away.

Sounds like good advice! I had not considered this at all. I have just placed an order for a Akasa SATAIII cable from OCUK! Should be here tomorrow hopefully!

Type_R · 22 Oct 2011 at 13:29

hyperst said:
Try a new SATA cable, I thought mine was dying on me, turned out to be the SATA lead, once swapped all symptoms went away.

Just installed a brand new Akasa Sata III cable and now the drive is functioning perfectly! Thanks for a cheap fix to what seemed like an expensive problem

EDIT - I jumped the gun. It has slowly died now! Sending it back to G.Skill.

Type_R · 3 Dec 2011 at 20:50

Quick update. The drive was sent back to CA where it was confirmed the SATA controller on the drive had failed. A replacement has been sent out to me since.