SSD formatting problem

[Mr_Jon]

Now then.

I recently got a ssd rma'd, and can't install the new one (all the relevant hardware is in my system specs). When I say can't install, I mean it's physically installed, but it won't format.

In file explorer, it shows up as "local disk", but with no storage capacity info. If I try and format it in there, the system hangs and i have to reset. In disk management, it shows up having the file system "RAW"...and if I try and format it, the system hangs. If I try and do it in the samsung data migration software...it hangs.

I'm guessing that I've missed a setting somewhere that needs to be adjusted (can't figure out what though, on my old mobo I just plugged it in and away we went). What gives?

[Spank]

1. Go to run and enter [diskmgmt.msc] and hit [enter] to open the Disk Management interface in Windows 7.

2. Now You can see all the hard drives and partitions of the computer system.

3. Select the partition which don,t have the Drive Letter.

4. Right Click on that Drive and Select “Change Drive Letter and Paths”

5. Now click the Add button and assign a drive letter to the partition.

[Mr_Jon]

I'm using win8, not 7.

I've already tried that in disk management, maybe I didn't explain enough. I can assign it a letter, mark it active, all the usual stuff...and then that's when it shows up as RAW instead of NTFS, and hangs when i try and format it.

[Jonj1611]

Is it set to AHCI in the bios?

And more importantly have you tried a new sata cable?

[technodean]

Hopefully you have the start button, if not Type CMD in your search programs and files.

Close any open programs running on the partition or logical drive to be converted.

Click the Start button , click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

In the Command Prompt window, type convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs, where drive_letter is the letter of the drive you want to convert, and then press ENTER. For example, convert E: /fs:ntfs would convert drive E to the NTFS format.

Type the name of the volume you want to convert, and then press ENTER. To view the available volumes, click the Start button , and then click Computer. The volumes are listed under Hard Disk Drives.

[stilkun]

Now then.

I recently got a ssd rma'd, and can't install the new one (all the relevant hardware is in my system specs). When I say can't install, I mean it's physically installed, but it won't format.

In file explorer, it shows up as "local disk", but with no storage capacity info. If I try and format it in there, the system hangs and i have to reset. In disk management, it shows up having the file system "RAW"...and if I try and format it, the system hangs. If I try and do it in the samsung data migration software...it hangs.

I'm guessing that I've missed a setting somewhere that needs to be adjusted (can't figure out what though, on my old mobo I just plugged it in and away we went). What gives?

First thing to check in the BIOS, according to your motherboard manual, is the OnChip SATA Type is set to AHCI in the Chipset Menu under SB. Do not change it to AHCI if set to Native IDE as this would issue with Windows 7 booting which can be remedied by registry change. If it is AHCI then check if you have the latest chipset drivers installed.

Does the BIOS and Windows 8 recognise the SSD and what firmware is your SSD on?

[Mr_Jon]

Thanks for your input guys, I think I've nailed the bugger.

I suspected it was hardware related (ie the mobo). Any bios changes (AHCI, native SATA, legacy SATA) wouldn't do anything. Had a eureka moment last night.

It turns out that it was the sata port I had it plugged into was disagreeing with it. There's 5 sata's on my mobo, 4 in a cluster facing out from the side of the board and one next to them in a more traditional position (and an e-sata at the rear). I had it in the single one...the only sata cable i had spare was right-angled, and I couldn't be bothered to jimmy it into the side-facing ports. But I gave it a try, and it works straight away. Lack of any meaningful documentation relating to the ports on the mobo was my enemy (and strangely a lack on google too). Dunno what the sata port i had it plugged into is for though.