External SSD through USB issues

[ReadyPlayerOne]

Hi, i have an external sata ssd i use for backups. I use a sata-usb sabrent device to connect the ssd to the pc, and FreeFileSync as backup program.

The ssd is 4tb and just few months old, but time to time i noticed when i start a backup the program tell me some files are corrupted. If i use the integrated windows option to fix the issue, everything get repair, anyway it's annoying but most importantly it's worrying.

 

I noticed the ssd is recognized as regular HD by windows defragmenting tool, so it's possible that is never trimmed. So i bought another adapter that is UASP (but my current was uasp too) but it show the same as before.

I don't know if trim can be an issue, if the ssd may be faulty. If the program do a poor job, or what's really happen.

 

Before this ssd i was using a smaller one (2tb) i do not remember errors, but i may be wrong so take this information with a grain of salt. I tested the new ssd with his own tool (crucial) and everything looks good with no errors or flags

 

Any thought on how can i make a diagnosis it's appreciated

 

ps: how can i trim this ssd?

 

Thanks

[Applefreak]

1 hour ago, ReadyPlayerOne said:

Hi, i have an external sata ssd i use for backups. I use a sata-usb sabrent device to connect the ssd to the pc, and FreeFileSync as backup program.

The ssd is 4tb and just few months old, but time to time i noticed when i start a backup the program tell me some files are corrupted. If i use the integrated windows option to fix the issue, everything get repair, anyway it's annoying but most importantly it's worrying.

 

I noticed the ssd is recognized as regular HD by windows defragmenting tool, so it's possible that is never trimmed. So i bought another adapter that is UASP (but my current was uasp too) but it show the same as before.

I don't know if trim can be an issue, if the ssd may be faulty. If the program do a poor job, or what's really happen.

 

Before this ssd i was using a smaller one (2tb) i do not remember errors, but i may be wrong so take this information with a grain of salt. I tested the new ssd with his own tool (crucial) and everything looks good with no errors or flags

 

Any thought on how can i make a diagnosis it's appreciated

 

ps: how can i trim this ssd?

 

Thanks

Any reason you are not using a regular external USB case for that SSD? I use adapters a lot for recovering data and they are less than reliable at times. Write errors can happen. I would probably use the windows file explorer and a batch script for backups and maybe use Terecopy to execute (can check the data written better than windows). I do my backups by hand so I have limited knowledge on alternatives to the application you are running. Maybe see if there is a veryfication setting to allow for safer writes.

[ReadyPlayerOne]

14 minutes ago, Applefreak said:

Any reason you are not using a regular external USB case for that SSD? I use adapters a lot for recovering data and they are less than reliable at times. Write errors can happen. I would probably use the windows file explorer and a batch script for backups and maybe use Terecopy to execute (can check the data written better than windows). I do my backups by hand so I have limited knowledge on alternatives to the application you are running. Maybe see if there is a veryfication setting to allow for safer writes.

I don't use case because i've found this solution to be quicker if i want to switch drives, and also because i never had a thought about a lower quality. Why their quality should be lower?

 

 

[Applefreak]

6 minutes ago, ReadyPlayerOne said:

I don't use case because i've found this solution to be quicker if i want to switch drives, and also because i never had a thought about a lower quality. Why their quality should be lower?

 

 

External cases (the better ones at least) come with a storage controller, meant to run HDD or SSD units and some even have TRIM support baked in. Those external hot swap units are meant to read date off the drive or a quick format. They often lack the features and safeguards for daily use. For example, a regular drive controller will have some sort of error correction built in as well as a soft power off function. While that feature os mostly used by HDDs to avoid head crashing it also comes into play when unplugging a SSD that only draws power from the USB port. All SSDs will have a buffer, some use DRAM as well as fast SLC or MLC storage, some will work without the DRAM, in any case, those buffers cannot write to permanent storage when you unplug the drive. Your os will report the date as being written because the drive reported them as such. However, your OS has no idea if the data is in the buffer or already stored permanently. A storage controller will attempt to flush the buffer, meaning it will write to disk, when disconnected. This process only takes a fraction of a second as those buffers are small and the internal speed of the SSD is pretty high. In your case, you will remove the drive with some recent data maybe still in buffer and the sudden loss of power will corrupt the information stored. Of course you could just have a bad drive as well. Usually larger drives will have a larger buffer. It is reasonable to assume that the larger buffer cannot be flushed in the same amount of time and that is why you get file corruption. Could also be that the unit you are using to connect the drive is not well equipped to handle larger storage devices properly. I understand the how swap idea and I have been lazy and done it with HDDs as well but you really should just get a decent case for those drives. They are not that expensive. In the mean time see if you have some sort of error checking in that piece of software to verify every write. Also avoid disconnecting the drive after data has been written. Give the drive a couple of minutes first.

[ReadyPlayerOne]

2 hours ago, Applefreak said:

External cases (the better ones at least) come with a storage controller, meant to run HDD or SSD units and some even have TRIM support baked in. Those external hot swap units are meant to read date off the drive or a quick format. They often lack the features and safeguards for daily use. For example, a regular drive controller will have some sort of error correction built in as well as a soft power off function. While that feature os mostly used by HDDs to avoid head crashing it also comes into play when unplugging a SSD that only draws power from the USB port. All SSDs will have a buffer, some use DRAM as well as fast SLC or MLC storage, some will work without the DRAM, in any case, those buffers cannot write to permanent storage when you unplug the drive. Your os will report the date as being written because the drive reported them as such. However, your OS has no idea if the data is in the buffer or already stored permanently. A storage controller will attempt to flush the buffer, meaning it will write to disk, when disconnected. This process only takes a fraction of a second as those buffers are small and the internal speed of the SSD is pretty high. In your case, you will remove the drive with some recent data maybe still in buffer and the sudden loss of power will corrupt the information stored. Of course you could just have a bad drive as well. Usually larger drives will have a larger buffer. It is reasonable to assume that the larger buffer cannot be flushed in the same amount of time and that is why you get file corruption. Could also be that the unit you are using to connect the drive is not well equipped to handle larger storage devices properly. I understand the how swap idea and I have been lazy and done it with HDDs as well but you really should just get a decent case for those drives. They are not that expensive. In the mean time see if you have some sort of error checking in that piece of software to verify every write. Also avoid disconnecting the drive after data has been written. Give the drive a couple of minutes first.

Thank you for your reply. What should i looking for in a case to be sure that handle everything properly?

 

Edit: i ordered this one https://sabrent.com/collections/enclosures/products/ec-uasp

I found no much differences between cases and afaik the trim feature should be included in uasp protocol, even if the adapter i bought was uasp too, anyway maybe this enclosure have a more complete controller

[ReadyPlayerOne]

The sabrent is arrived. It's detected by the system the same way as the adapter, any tips is appreciated