SSD and CPU issues with Gigabyte motherboard

[JacksonML]

So about a month or two ago my ssd, PNY XLR8 240GB, randomly failed. It shows up in the windows installer and if I boot into any OS it shows up, but no in the bios. I'm having terrible support with PNY, so I've come here to get your opinions.

I came upon several articles where people were able to fix their ssd by updating their bios, and I was reading up on people who updated their bios, and what people did wrong that caused their bios to malfunction. I noticed on Gigabyte's CPU support list that my CPU, AMD FX 8320, is listed as supporting the F7 version of the bios. This is odd, because my bios is running F2, and has been running fine for the past 8 or so months.

I read that one person's bios failed to upgrade because they were using an supported cpu. Does this mean I really have to go out and buy a lower cpu and reapply thermal paste and all that stuff just to get my bios upgraded? Also, if I do go to upgrade my bios, how can I be safe when upgrading it. What happens if it fails?

Gigabyte offers Q-Flash, @BIOS, and DOS Flash utility. This is taken from their website.:

Spoiler

Q-Flash:
A BIOS flash utility embedded in Flash ROM. Not all motherboards have the Q-Flash, please use @BIOS or DOS flash utility to update BIOS if your motherboard does not have Q-Flash.
Features-- With this utility, you only have to stay in the BIOS menu when you want to update BIOS. No need to enter DOS or O.S. mode.
Caution-- Make sure you have a functional floppy disk with the correct BIOS version for your motherboard.

@BIOS:
A Windows-based BIOS live update utility.
Features-- @BIOS helps you search for, download, and then update the latest BIOS in Windows operating system.
Caution-- Make sure your O.S. environment is stable.

DOS Flash utility:
Features-- The flash utility is a combination of AMI and AWARD BIOS flash utility. You can use it with both AMI and AWARD BIOS.
Caution-- Make sure you have a functional DOS boot disk with the correct BIOS version for your motherboard.

It seems to me that I should avoid the DOS Flash utility. I'm not sure if I should use Q-Flash or @BIOS. My system appears to be stable, since I've left it running for 2+ weeks without a problem. I have a USB disk that I could hold the BIOS version, but part of me worries that I may accidentally download the wrong version. I then also worry that the Windows based version will download the wrong version. Am I just over thinking this?

UPDATE: Forgot to add my system specs

MoBo: Gigabyte 990FXA UD3 rev 4
CPU: AMD FX 8320 OC 4.0GHz stable
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x4GB
GPU: EVGA SC ACX GTX 760
PSU: Seasonic 550W
SSD: PNY XLR8 240GB
HDD: 1TB WD Blue

 

[Zerk2012]

If your SSD was working fine then stoped it's nothing to do with your BIOS version so no need to update.
I would try a differant port on the board along with a known working SATA cable.
Use the same ones your disc drive is on it is showing that in BIOS right?
Dead SSD is what I would say from their.

 

[JacksonML]

If your SSD was working fine then stoped it's nothing to do with your BIOS version so no need to update.
I would try a differant port on the board along with a known working SATA cable.
Use the same ones your disc drive is on it is showing that in BIOS right?
Dead SSD is what I would say from their.

I'll try the different SATA plug and port. What about the CPU though? I feel like I should update the BIOS to prevent further issues, but I also don't want to kill the BIOS.

 

[Zerk2012]

You might need to recheck the BIOS version for supporting the 8320 if your already using it your fine or your PC would not work at all.
They list several of the boards make sure your looking at the proper revision. In your case rev 4.

 

[JacksonML]

You might need to recheck the BIOS version for supporting the 8320 if your already using it your fine or your PC would not work at all.
They list several of the boards make sure your looking at the proper revision. In your case rev 4.

Ah yes I was looking at an older revision. I thought it was strange because I was sure it said it was supported on the website when I built the system. I tried different ports for the SATA connector but that didn't work. Any other ideas? What happens is I'll plug the SSD in, install windows, restart it a couple times, it can find it, I install some drivers (network, audio, and video), and then it doesn't work. It seems like the Nvidia drivers kill the bootable part of the drive, but I have no clue why. On my HDD (what I've been using for a while) the drivers didn't kill it. Its working perfectly fine right now!