Question BSOD, SSD fail or something else?

[Le_Widget]

Hi all,

I'm having an issue with my system, possibly the SSD. Up until yesterday, all was well, then a random BSOD.

These happen from time-to-time, but rarely, but yesterday it happened, then again shortly after, then again within minutes of Windows loading. After that, the PC would just cycle power (power looping).

I did the usual disconnect of peripherals, eventually finding my Samsung SSD (games drive) for some reason, won't recognise in BIOS. In-fact, when connected, the BIOS screen would hand & go slow but more often, the system would power-cycle.

It got to a point, even if I disconnect everything, the power would cycle still, so would have to remove CMOS battery & RAM etc..

I have two sets of RAM installed. I removed one set which helped get the system booting. Whether it's a fault with the RAM or just a coincidence, I'm Unsure. I'll have to run a RAM test when I get a chance. Is 'MEMTEST' still the way to go or is there a better RAM tester?

Now, here's the interesting part (for me anyways). I'm now booted into Windows without the Samsung SSD, however, I connected the SSD to USB via a SATA > USB adapter. Windows actually detected the SSD, however, it does show an error message (snip 1 image), "Do you want to scan and Fix GAMES (H

?". I selected 'Continue without Scanning"

Windows sees the drive under 'Computer' (snip 2 image), I'm able to access the drive, which allowed me to use 'TeraCopy' to makeup some game-files.

Windows Disk Management also sees the drive (snip 3 & snip 4 images).

CrystalDiskInfo 9.4.0 x64 shows the drive as 'Good 98%' (snip 5 image)

I also used a program called 'MiniTool Partition Wizard' which also shows the drive (snip 6 image)

I don't understand why BIOS won't detect my Samsung SSD & chucks a hissy-fit, BUT, my primary OS drive is also an SSD (Kingston)

Now, here's something I don't understand. I went into 'Eventvwr' > Windows Logs > System, & there's a lot of 'Error' logs. They all seem to be the same, saying.

"The file system structure on the disk is corrupt and unusable. Please run the chkdsk utility on the volume GAMES (SSD)."

Where do I go from here? Should I just format the drive, or try and run Chkdsk & fix any errors?

Why would Windows see the drive but BIOS won't?

Currently, the drives are set to 'IDE". I had them set to 'AHCI' for years before now.

Any additional programs you guys might recommend I try to use?

~~~ System Specifications ~~~
Windows 7 64bit (I know, it's old. Don't tell me to upgrade)
Intel 2600K CPU
Gigabyte Z68XP-UD5 (Socket 1155) BIOS F2
8GB Patriot PXD38G1866ELK Kit (2x 4GB modules) DDR3 1666mhz (installed)
8GB Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B kit (2x 4GB modules) DDR3 1600mhz (not installed)
Gigabyte 1080 GFX
~storage~
OS - Kingston 120GB SSD
Games - Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB (the drive that's playing up)
4x SATA mechanical drives of different capacities

Any feedback would be super.

Regards,

 

[Lutfij]

eventually finding my Samsung SSD (games drive) for some reason, won't recognise in BIOS. In-fact, when connected, the BIOS screen would hand & go slow but more often, the system would power-cycle.
Likely indication the SSD's controller has conked out or your motherboard's BIOS is corrupt.

I have two sets of RAM installed. I removed one set which helped get the system booting.
+
8GB Patriot PXD38G1866ELK Kit (2x 4GB modules) DDR3 1666mhz (installed)
8GB Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B kit (2x 4GB modules) DDR3 1600mhz (not installed)
Pretty much all stability issues stem from the use of mixing and matching ram sticks. In essence they don't have the same IC's but the fact that they ran for (assuming)this long would indicate that they are giving out. Memtest is your friend here.

Gigabyte 1080 GFX
You forgot to mention the make, model and age of your PSU.

Gigabyte Z68XP-UD5 (Socket 1155) BIOS F2
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-Z68XP-UD5-rev-10/support#dl
You have BIOS updates pending.

 

[Le_Widget]

Thanks for the response, Lutfij

Pretty much all stability issues stem from the use of mixing and matching ram sticks. In essence they don't have the same IC's but the fact that they ran for (assuming)this long would indicate that they are giving out. Memtest is your friend here.

Interesting. I've never had issues when I mixed them. They've lived in harmony for several years now, lol.
I didn't realize the Patriots clock speeds are faster until I made this post.

I'll give MEMTEST a go. Roughly how many passes is enough?

You forgot to mention the make, model and age of your PSU.

PSU - GW 55SEL (550W) Age maybe 15years.

You have BIOS updates pending.

Updated to F6. No change afterwards.

Here's what I've done since,

With the USB connected, I ran chkdsk via CMD (chkdsk /f h: (see attached picture)

After that, I updated the BIOS to F6 but still had issues.
A lot of unplugging & swapping & booting & freezing & power-looping. (not from BIOS update. That went smoothly)

According to the motherboard specifications, the board has 6 SATA ports, (2 SATA_3 & 4 SATA_2)

The SATA_3 ports have always had the Kingston SSD (OS) & the SAMSUNG EVO SSD 1TB connected to them. I swapped the cables and ports, so the Kingston SSD (which from what I can tell is detecting fine) is using the SATA cable AND SATA port the SAMSUNG was using. So far detecting fine.

After many resets & unplugging, I currently have the SAMSUNG SSD connected to the SATA_2 port, which the BIOS detects. I'm currently in Windows with the SAMSUNG SSD connect, though I don't believe I'm out of the woods yet.

Q: As the Kingston SSD seems to work in either SATA_3 ports, does that mean the ports, cable, & Controller are ok?

Q: Why is the Samsung detecting on the SATA_2 port and not SATA_3?

Q: If a F/W exists for the SAMSUNG SSD, could updating it help? (I've never updated a HDD/SSD Firmware before)