Q: SSD, is it bricked?

[ajones]

Just a quick question of your thoughts regarding a problem I have with my Crucial M225 SSD, whilst I wait for a response from Crucial.

Been using this SSD for a few months now as my system drive (Win7 Ultimate) with no problems whatsoever. Come this morning, and the PC won't boot. With the SSD removed from the system, the mobo POSTs just fine, but of course can't find an OS to boot with.

Anyway, I've tried using different cables, cleared CMOS, moved the SSD into a different system (Abit based) and exactly the same problem. The SSD doesn't show up in the BIOS.

So, whilst I can't tell you whether it blends, do you think it's bricked?

[Jay]

have you plugged any other HDDs in to make sure there isn't some odd issue with your SATA ports on the MB? Or do you have an external SATA caddy you can put it in to test?

[ajones]

have you plugged any other HDDs in to make sure there isn't some odd issue with your SATA ports on the MB? Or do you have an external SATA caddy you can put it in to test?

I haven't tried it in an external caddy, but have swapped it onto a known good SATA port used by one of the HDDs in the system and still the same problem.

[Sputnik]

It would be interesting to know the outcome of this.

[MoonPig]

Can you test it with a known working HDD as the master and the SSD as the slave? Then in windows, run SSDLife on the SSD?

[ajones]

I can't get the drive to been seen by my backup pc, so am RMAing the drive. The only responses from the Crucial forums has been 3 other guys with the same problem this week... Maybe a batch me dodgy controllers.

[ajones]

Having RMA'd the drive Wednesday, I get an EMail from Crucial tech support this morning asking me (VERY politely I must say) to update the mobo BIOS (already running the latest) and drivers (How when I've told them this is my system disk?!!!). They did say that if that didn't help, I should RMA the unit. Given that the M225 is EOL, it will be replaced with a C300; Dunno if that's a result or not, but anything to get my system up and running again!

My old system has been prepped with XP, now running AHCI... no problems with the BIOS running with the Sammy HDD which I had before! I'm just hoping that I don't have to go through the hassle of getting a new reg code for my Win7 Upgrade disk

So, problem resolved: drive is officially bricked

[ajones]

OK, a Crucial C300 128GB turned up this morning. Suspect it has the v.002 firmware on it, and given the number of folks on t'internet who've had problems upgrading them, I'm going to let sleeping dogs lie.

It's now installed and I'm back on Win7 with SSD lovliness

No explanation from Crucuial as to what was wrong with the M225, but the RMA process was pretty painless.

[Sputnik]

Well, sounds good service. As for flashing the firmware, On my OCZ you could not do it from within windows if the SSD is the boot drive. I had to install windows on another drive and then flash the firmware.

I think unless you have a problem that needs the latest firmware it might be best to leave well alone.

[jim]

Nice upgrade! Result is what I'd call it.

[The Fish]

Hmm followed this one with interest as a SSD was on my new year sales list. I would have gone Crucial probably, depending on price. Thanks for the follow through reporting Mr Jones.

I'm taking it I'll need a 2.5 to 3.5 holder. Caddy I thought you called it. Getting new psu too and I'll look to see what connections it comes with as I assume a SSD has a different SATA connector on it?

[Sputnik]

I'm taking it I'll need a 2.5 to 3.5 holder. Caddy I thought you called it.

Some drives come with the bracket.

Getting new psu too and I'll look to see what connections it comes with as I assume a SSD has a different SATA connector on it?

2.5" SSD's use standard SATA power plugs and cables.

[The Fish]

Thanks Sputnik, browsing Scan now. January sales. And it might be delivered then lol.

[ajones]

Hmm followed this one with interest as a SSD was on my new year sales list. I would have gone Crucial probably, depending on price. Thanks for the follow through reporting Mr Jones.

I'm taking it I'll need a 2.5 to 3.5 holder. Caddy I thought you called it. Getting new psu too and I'll look to see what connections it comes with as I assume a SSD has a different SATA connector on it?

You're welcome! Don't let my experience with Crucial put you off. The RMA and support process was probably the best I've ever experienced, and to my mind that's worth a helluva lot. As to the robustness of the product... I could have just been unlucky. I've had more problems getting this MSI mobo stable, but that's another story.

You generally only ever hear bad stories; I've never mentioned that the Corsair P64 running in my sons machine has been completely trouble free, and the firmware upgrade for TRIM support was a piece of cake. Can't fault that drive.

The 2.5" converter was not included with the Crucial drive, so you will have to purchase one, unless you just screw the SSD somewhere else in your system as I've done with the Corsair. They're that small that they'll fit just about anywhere. And yes, standard SATA and power connectors.

[The Fish]

Thanks for that, I am probably gonna go Crucial, but tbh the new year sales tag that looks the lowest with a decent brand will do. Take your point on support, it is vital. Noted no caddy included with the Crucial.

Keep warm this week!

[Sputnik]

Thanks for that, I am probably gonna go Crucial, but tbh the new year sales tag that looks the lowest with a decent brand will do. Take your point on support, it is vital. Noted no caddy included with the Crucial.

Keep warm this week!

I was very tempted my the Crucial C300 but, was swayed by the almost symmetrical read/write speeds of the OCZ. I'm not sure it would make much difference as I hardly ever write anything to the drive anyway.