Having Issues with SSD

[Narrator]

Hello All,

I encountered an issue yesterday and I'm not sure what's going on.

I left my computer running for about 20 minutes yesterday while doing a few chores. After returning the computer was on the Insert boot media screen.

After powering the computer off and on again the computer seemed to boot fine.

I attempted to access a game that is stored on my catch all drive (SSD only houses windows).

The games loading screen appeared and a windows blue screen appeared with the error: Critical_Process_Died.

The computer restarted and once again failed to boot.

The only way to get the computer to boot after the blue screen is to cycle the power.

I hope you guys can help. My diagnosis is that the SSD is failing however it is only about a year and a half old. Anyone else have any other ideas?

 

[Darkbreeze]

Two things here.

One, download and run HWinfo and take a screenshot of the sensors window with the system voltages displayed. This could be a PSU related issue.

Two, download and run Seatools for windows and test the drive. Run the short DST and the long generic. Depending on what brand of SSD you have there may be a brand or model specific drive test at the manufacturers website and you can google it to find out or post the model here and I'll find it for you if there is one.

Three, how old is the SSD? Older SSDs have much shorter lifespans than modern ones and if the drive is more than two or three years old it may be old enough to have written to the nand enough times to be dying. I'd immediately back up any important data on the drive to another drive or a disc image somewhere.

 

[Narrator]

Two things here.

One, download and run HWinfo and take a screenshot of the sensors window with the system voltages displayed. This could be a PSU related issue.

Two, download and run Seatools for windows and test the drive. Run the short DST and the long generic. Depending on what brand of SSD you have there may be a brand or model specific drive test at the manufacturers website and you can google it to find out or post the model here and I'll find it for you if there is one.

Three, how old is the SSD? Older SSDs have much shorter lifespans than modern ones and if the drive is more than two or three years old it may be old enough to have written to the nand enough times to be dying. I'd immediately back up any important data on the drive to another drive or a disc image somewhere.

Here are the Sensor Screenshots

The SSD is a Kingston Hyper X. It was purchased in late 2013.
I ran Seatools on the drive the short test Passed however, the long test Failed.
Any other help is appreciated.

I have removed the drive and replaced it with a spare that I had laying around.

 

[Darkbreeze]

You can download Kingston's SSD toolbox here to see if it offers any further information:


http://www.kingston.com/us/support/technical/sandforce_ssd_toolbox


however, generally speaking, drives that fail the Seatools long generic test are either failing or have failed. I'd recommend backing up any data on the drive you would like to keep, immediately. Drives that fail the short DST or long generic could become completely unusable at any time. Your personal files should be moved off the drive immediately.

The PSU looks fine. All the voltages and sensor readings seemed ok. If the drive is only a year old, it might be covered under warranty. I don't know how long Kingstons warranty is on SSDs but I know their memory modules are lifetime. I'm sure their SSDs are probably right around a year. Guess it's time for a new drive. If you can afford it, try to get a replacement that uses SLC rather than MLC as it's faster and has a longer life cycle.


http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/MLC-vs-SLC-Which-flash-SSD-is-right-for-you


You might want to double check the SATA cable connections, or even try a different cable before you completely convict the drive.

 

[Narrator]

The paperwork for the drive said the warranty was for 3 years. I already removed the drive but I am determined to have it replaced so I will be sending it back. However, I worry about my personal info being on the drive. (When I try to format the Drive it Fails.) I have a spare drive in now. All seems to be working well. Taking your advice and going to try and do a backup now.

 

[Darkbreeze]

I wouldn't worry too much about personal info in regard to Kingston. It will likely be destroyed.

 

[Narrator]

Thank you very much for your help @darkbreeze I will send for my replacement ASAP.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Good luck to you Narrator.