Is my disk drive (SSD) failing?

Question

Just wanted to confirm my suspicions that I have a failing drive on my hands. So far here's what I've experienced:

• I initially got a BSOD while doing normal web browsing
• After rebooting; said there was no boot drive
• After a hard power recycle (turning it off and then back on); the drive was recognized. (note that this seems to happen after every BSOD; if i just restart; it's not found, but if i turn it all the way off/back on; then it's recognized)
• Checking the BIOS; the drive sometimes shows; sometimes not (see above line item)
• Ran Disk Cleanup & Defragmented; issue reoccured eventually
• Tried plugging the HD into a diffrent SATA port; issue reoccured eventually
• Tried using a different SATA cable; issue reoccured eventually
• Tried reinstalling Windows 7 on top of itself; issue reoccured eventually

I'm suspecting the drive is on it's last legs. (it's a 64GB SSD that's about 2 years old used for OS only).

Did i miss any troubleshooting steps? Anything else it could be other than drive failure?

Solution

You ruled out the possibility of a bad SATA cable/port, which is good. However, maybe there is an issue with the power supply? In my experience it is unlikely, but if you have an extra power supply and some free time on your hands try hooking that up and seeing if the problem persists.

As well, find an SSD testing utility for your drive. There are many out there and often manufacturers will have their own (you didn't specify what drive you have, but just do a quick search and you'll find something). For example, here is one for Intel SSDs https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18455.

Update: you may want to run Windows chkdsk. Also, make sure you have the latest firmware for the drive and any updates. SSDs "fail" somewhat differently from regular hard drives. If there are any bad cells the SSD won't use them, effectively decreasing the capacity of the drive. But a "failure" is usually all-or-nothing... the drive will just brick itself and not be useable at all.

Comments

[Ejaz]

that sounded like a typical mechanical hard drive failing story until you mentioned SSD. SSD? :O there goes my only reason for planning to purchase an SSD, i.e., it won't fail every couple of years like mech HDD :(

[Admin]

You haven't run any hard drive diagnostics? First thing I do when I believe a drive is going down I run the manufacturer's diagnostic tool (and then chkdsk).

[cybernard]

Update your firmware on your SSD first. Sometimes that will fix it.

[cybernard]

@Ejay In general they don't fail that often as I have 8 active 24 hours a day. The other reason to get an SSD is the extreme speed. I had 1 dead on arrival, but they replaced it free. I also had a 6 yr old one fail other than that I still have and use all the SSD I have purchased.

[Tijkijiki]

Turns out it was the firmware. I googled for a Crucial SSD utility, and came across this link: forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD/… Turns out that described my problem exactly. Installed the newer firmware; and it hasn't happened since