SSD disappears from boot once in a while
Hello, I have built a PC for a customer and a strange thing happens. The OS (W8.1) is installed on an SSD, and every 1-2 days the SSD keeps disappearing from boot.
My customer will get the message to Insert boot media, and the only way to have the PC boot correctly is to switch off the PSU completely, wait a few seconds and switch everything on again. The boot disk will then be just fine.
This actually happened some years ago to one of my PCs, but I didn't bother fixing it since it was very rare and it was my PC, not a customer's.
I am not sure that substituting the SSD would fix anything, so I was wondering if anybody has any ideas before I try with another disk? The strange thins is, I built at least 3 other machines with exactly the same components and they work perfectly.
My customer will get the message to Insert boot media, and the only way to have the PC boot correctly is to switch off the PSU completely, wait a few seconds and switch everything on again. The boot disk will then be just fine.
This actually happened some years ago to one of my PCs, but I didn't bother fixing it since it was very rare and it was my PC, not a customer's.
I am not sure that substituting the SSD would fix anything, so I was wondering if anybody has any ideas before I try with another disk? The strange thins is, I built at least 3 other machines with exactly the same components and they work perfectly.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Thanks for all your suggestions. I'll start with the firmware, if that doesn't work then I'll try everything else before substituting the drive. I'll need to wait a couple of days though, since the pc is still in my customer's home.
Although I think I can update the firmware remotely with this software: http://it.crucial.com/ita/it/support-storage-executive
Although I think I can update the firmware remotely with this software: http://it.crucial.com/ita/it/support-storage-executive
ASKER
I checked and the drive already has the latest firmware installed. Do you think it would be worth it to try a downgrade?
ASKER
I compared all specs between this machine and another with Speccy and the ONLY difference is disk firmware. Motherboard bios and revision, disk revision are exactly the same. The disk with the glitch has the latest firmware installed though.
Maybe it would be wiser to check cables and stuff and leave the firmware downgrade for last (before trying to change the drive)?
Maybe it would be wiser to check cables and stuff and leave the firmware downgrade for last (before trying to change the drive)?
You can check cables, of course, but, if cables are issue, than I guess there would be occasional freezing of whatever user was doing...
Downgrade is valid option (if it is possible).
Downgrade is valid option (if it is possible).
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
As far as I've seen voltages are ok. They'd need to be measured on boot though, when the problem arises. That would be problematic since I don't have the machine in my lab right now.
About the firmware, the disk is a Crucial BX100, with firmware MU02.
I would try to downgrade to MU01, but can't find it anywhere.
About the firmware, the disk is a Crucial BX100, with firmware MU02.
I would try to downgrade to MU01, but can't find it anywhere.
no - you can see if they are near the limit or not
>> As far as I've seen voltages are ok << how did you come to that conclusion??
>> As far as I've seen voltages are ok << how did you come to that conclusion??
ASKER
Using CPUID HWMonitor.
i prefer measuring them with a V-meter (digital); but ok that's a good start point
i take it they are well inside the 5% margin?
i take it they are well inside the 5% margin?
ASKER
I've been monitoring them for a while, they stay within 2.5%.
ok; so it seems that is not the case her; if in doubt; you can replace the PS
up to swapping cables then?
up to swapping cables then?
ASKER
I will try swapping cables, then I'll try with another PSU I guess. I'll have to wait till the middle of next week though, when I'll have the PC back in the lab.
It looks like a firmware downgrade for the drive is not in the cards, since the previous firmware is factory and there is no downloadable version.
Anyway, I don't really think the drive is "broken".
It looks like a firmware downgrade for the drive is not in the cards, since the previous firmware is factory and there is no downloadable version.
Anyway, I don't really think the drive is "broken".
you can test the SSD on another system if you like too
ASKER
I'll do that too, but I'll probably replace the drive so my customer can work and do his stuff, then I'll test the trouble drive. If it works fine I'll use it somewhere else, if not I'll just rma it.
ASKER
I replaced the drive with another model. The "old" drive works fine though on other machines. Guess it was a firmware compatibility problem after all.
tx for the update!
it can be a bad contact
since it can also be caused by low power, verify also the power voltages3.3, +5 and +12 V should be within 5%