Dead SSD

TheScarecrow · September 11, 2013

Hey guys this is my first post to this site so I hope that I am doing this correctly.

Sooo the other day my 120gb OCZ Vertex 2 SSD, which I have been using as a boot drive for my O/S as well as storing any software (no videos/ pics games etc) suddenly and randomly died on me.

I started my PC up and everything was working fine. Then after browsing through Reddit for a while I needed to go away from my computer for half an hour or so, so I put it to sleep. When I came back everything again seemed fine for a few seconds but when i tried to navigate to a new page everything froze. After waiting patiently for a few minutes and trying all the usual trouble shooting techniques, I decided to manually re-set my computer too see if that would help (I was already suspecting a dead drive at this point) It started booting up and I heard the post beep, entered BIOS and got stuck at IDE drives for quite a while, then proceeds to list my installed drives minus my SSD. It then shows a screen saying:

Loading Operating System ...

Boot from CD/DVD :

Disc BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISC AND PRESS ENTER

So what I gathered from all that was that, and trying a few things to get it working (check cables/ plugs etc) was my SSD has died and i need a new one (yes?/ no?)

1. Which would be your choice in the 120-256gb range (no more than $300 AUD)

2. Would a RAID array be worth looking into

3. What can I do about Windows? do I have to buy a new license or can I use my existing one somehow.

4. Is there a easy/ cheap way to get into the drive and access whatever data I may need from it?

Sorry it was so long (TL:DR am I right?)

Thanks for any replies.

SkilledRebuilds · September 11, 2013

Loving the Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, I just bought one instead of 2x 128GB cheaper SSD's.

As for your other questions.... Someone else can take over

ttam · September 11, 2013

1. Samsung 840 Pro/Evo.

2. It's nice but really depends on the user and what you want the speed for

3. You can use your existing no problem. If any problems with it do arise, a semi quick call to Microsoft can fix it.

4. Can't get anything off of a dead ssd.

tract9on · September 12, 2013

I started my PC up and everything was working fine. Then after browsing through Reddit for a while I needed to go away from my computer for half an hour or so, so I put it to sleep. When I came back everything again seemed fine for a few seconds but when i tried to navigate to a new page everything froze.

That's what happened with my OCZ Vertex 2, it tended to BSoD whenever my computer went to sleep. It finally died and had to send it in for warranty RMA. There isn't really much you can do to recover data, but keep in mind OCZ may be able to should they choose to.

If the SSD isn't listed in the BIOS and you've double checked the cable isn't loose then it's probably dead. You can try getting the OCZ tool to flash it but if it can't find it, it can't flash it so it's most likely dead .

I've unfortunately had a lot of bad experiences with SSD's, my Vertex 3, 4 and 450 all died within a period of about 6 months. All covered under warranty but still annoying having to RMA them. Apparently in each case it was a manufacturing fault -.-/