Sandisk Extreme External SSDs failing

OspreyO · 26 Aug 2023 at 19:09

Is there another thread on this? I was reading about SanDisk Extreme SSD Externals failing a while.
Bit concerning because my primary external is one. But I didn't think the 500GB were effected.
Occasionally my 500GB would disconnect randomly. But today its doing it a lot. Reconnects when plugged out then in.
I've already got multiple backups of my data. Not worried about that.

I'm thinking I'll have to wipe the SanDisk and stop using it. It was bought October 2021. Anyone have problems with theirs?

OspreyO · 26 Aug 2023 at 19:38

Pocket PC. That's quite amount of time to carry that torch.

OspreyO · 26 Aug 2023 at 22:13

Kelt said:
I'm like an elephant, I never forget!

Used to have a Pocket PC Cassiopeia myself back in the day. Loved that device.

OspreyO · 26 Aug 2023 at 22:13

Philtor said:
I read this and immediately thought of Psion

I used to do their Tech support back in the day just.. total nightmare at times. How things have changed!

I would consider Sandisk a decent brand but like any manufacturer, they can have flakey firmware.

Wonder can you even update it on an external SSD however?

OP it sounds like a firmware bug!

They've not issued a update for mine. Only the higher capacity models.

OspreyO · 27 Aug 2023 at 02:18

I had tried different ports, but not cable. Just tried that and its the same. Its encrypted so not worried about the data on it.
As it failing means I have one less copy of my data. I'm creating replacement "copy" on backup mechanical disks.

Once thats complete I'll probably try overwrite the SSD with a one time pass, before it fails completely. Then stop using it. I've heard it take months to get a SanDisk drive replaced at the moment.

OspreyO · 27 Aug 2023 at 23:57

So I deleted my data, reformatted the drive. Overwrote the drive with large media files. Deleted it. Reinitialised bitlocker. Filled it again with media. No disconnects. Did note the USB C port has a bit of movement.

Dunno what to do with it now. Use it as a secondary backup.

OspreyO · 3 Sep 2023 at 09:25

In fairness SanDisk came back offered to replace it. Though they closed the support call before I had a chance to reply.

Drive seems to be working of after reformatting and re-encrypting.

OspreyO · 7 Sep 2023 at 10:53

They did issue a firmware update for some drive (not mine) but I don't think it fixed it. Some reports of replacement drives failing. SanDisk haven't really sorted it out yet it seems.

I wouldn't use one as primary drive or sole backup anymore.