Format a stubborn hard drive

King Damager

King Damager

King Damager

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Ok, so this is a weird issue!

So yesterday I had an interesting issue....

Tried booting up today, (running Windows 7) and it all went well until just after the microsoft loading screen when it just hung....

Rebooted....

Came up with Windows failed to initialise blah de blah...

Tried the start windows anyway a couple of times - this failed.

Ran the Repair windows - also failed...

Now this is where it gets interesting.....

Think I'll basically do a clean install of windows and hope it fixes things.... but I put the disk in... and boot from it...

It says loading files, gets again to the Windows logo... and then exactly the same problem.. just a completely black screen... Nothing happening what so ever... :s

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Today, I got hold of a spare hard drive (WD Green). Unplugged the SSD (which the OS is on) unplugged my 'data' drive (F3), stuck the Windows disc in the drive, and yay everything installs correctly, and I have no issue getting into Windows.

Plug in the Data HDD and again have no issues.

Now the interesting point starts...

I start to think that basically that Windows on the SSD must have become corrupt during an update installation or something.

So simple solution?

Plug it in as secondary drive, boot into Windows through the WD Green, and just format the SSD and start over...

Thing is.... now I plug in the SSD it start's hanging again!

I simply can't get past the Windows Loading screen into Windows with the SSD plugged in....

So is this a hardware issue with the SSD for some weird crazy reason, or is their a software issue still here? And if so, how do I go about formatting the SSD...

As a side question...

Is there anything wrong with installing a hard drive upside down... It's just with the new hard drive, it makes cabling so much neater!

kd
 
King Damager said:
As a side question...

Is there anything wrong with installing a hard drive upside down... It's just with the new hard drive, it makes cabling so much neater!

kd
Click to expand...

No, nothing at all, upside down, back to front, it doesnt matter


King Damager said:
I simply can't get past the Windows Loading screen into Windows with the SSD plugged in....

So is this a hardware issue with the SSD for some weird crazy reason, or is their a software issue still here? And if so, how do I go about formatting the SSD...
Click to expand...

If your mobo supports it can you try hot plugging the SSD? (Plugging it in once windows has booted, you may need a hot swap drive bay if your case doesnt have one
 
Your other option is to try a firmware update via bootable ISO CD, should clear the SSD, hopefully fixing any problems in process, n doesnt need booting into windows
Even if you have up to date firmware you can just reflash it, just google your SSD make and firmware update and all info needed should pop up
 
What kind of update was it?

I had the exact same issue with my OCZ vertex 2 60GB after a bios flash even though the flash was successful. I solved it by flashing back to the old one. Though if its a windows update and you can't boot to undo it then I don't know.
 
Damn looks like dban is a no go as it is only for hdds and I presume would stress the ssd too much maybe try and fine some booatble ssd wiping tool?
 
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