New SSD OS - crash result in unrecoverable RAW File System

[Josabooba]

I’m just wondering if anyone can help me understand why I might have had the following occur recently.

I bought a SanDisk 2.5” SSD (SDSSDP-128G-G25) recently and installed a clean legitimate copy of Windows 7 x64 Ultimate on it. I updated all the necessary windows updates and for the last week have been using this new clean O.S. and have been getting it back to a state of usability, i.e, anti-virus and firewall, driver updates, getting my browser setup and my few necessary programs and steam and so forth.

I have 2 other SATA drives in the P.C. and one of them had my old OS on it, but I had set the new SSD to the first bootable drive in the BIOS. All was going well for some time…

Last night I went to use YouTube and realised I had not yet added flash to the browser. There had been one or two windows update required restarts just prior – but after these update restarts – I added flash to the browser and then the PC crashed.

Just before the crash I noticed one or two new application icons had lost their icons, instead showing the default missing icon, icon.

The result of the crash was that the system could not boot back to windows or be recovered using recovery CD – as the SSD was not showing up using windows recovery. The SSD was however showing up in the BIOS but under my old O.S., this new SSD with new OS on it was in a state of RAW File System and could not be accessed.

I believe this is indicative of a corrupted Master Boot Record, but (other than possible damaged SSD) can anyone shed some light on why such a fatal and unrecoverable crash might have occurred on this new SSD with new Win 7 x64 O.S - resulting particularly in a RAW File System.

Thank you

p.s. I have checked for updated Firmware for the SSD but it is up to date.

[rotNdude]

When an SSD fails, it generally fails BAD! They're populated with a few memory chips as opposed to a platter or multiple platters that have magnetic materials that can be easily marked as bad sectors when an issue occurs. If anything happens to one or several of those memory chips, it's usually catastrophic.

[Josabooba]

Thanks for your reply rotNdude - this is my first SSD and I did not know what you tell me above thank you.

I have since formatted the SSD and run a full CHKDSK, but no errors have shown up. I am in the process of setting up a clean O.S. install again and if I get another crash I will return the SSD.

Just surprised by how fatal the crash was and that no recovery was possible as a result of the RAW file system state - post crash.

[[☥] - CJ -]

I would disconnect your other drives until youve fully updated the OS on your SSD, as a precaution.

[Josabooba]

Thanks CJ - Yes I'm sitting here with my tower open and the other drives disconnected while I reinstall the OS on the SSD.

[[☥] - CJ -]

oh, well alrighty then..

what RAM do you have?

[Josabooba]

RAM is quite old at this stage...

4Gb Corsair PC6400 DDR2

[[☥] - CJ -]

Can consider that being a possible cause of your problems if it happens again.

isnt PC6400 DDR2?

[Josabooba]

Yeah just updated as I sat here scratching my chin thinking - oh wait it's DDR2

Although the RAM is old now and I will update my whole system within the next 12 months - it has never caused me any issues whatsoever - so while you may be right, I would be surprised as it has never caused me so much as a single issue or concern.

[[☥] - CJ -]

True it could be nothing..

But with my previous DDR2 system a bad RAM stick gave me problems when playing L4D2 and Dungeon Defenders though it never gave any problems with other games.

And it also gave me many problems when trying to reformat, once i got rid of the bad RAM stick everything went smooth and i ceased having crashing issues.

So its something to consider atleast.
However, while ur sure to get a boost using an SSD on such an old system, it may be considered to be a waste.

[rotNdude]

Първоначално публикувано от ☥ - CJ -:

However, while ur sure to get a boost using an SSD on such an old system, it may be considered to be a waste.

One of the best things I did with an old E6600 system was installing an SSD. I don't consider it a waste at all.

[[☥] - CJ -]

well ok then.. and rotN since ur viewin this thread, that guy in the other thread that you just closed wasnt boasting about his system, he was asking about it and the price.

[Josabooba]

Not withstanding the time lost over this unfortunate OS crash and reinstall - I think all those 40 or so seconds saved daily on boot-time will have to be my reward "on such an old system".

Thanks for your input though CJ

[[☥] - CJ -]

Yeah.. was just sayin is all..
In any case, the RAM would be something to look at if all else fails.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Първоначално публикувано от rotNdude:

Първоначално публикувано от ☥ - CJ -:

However, while ur sure to get a boost using an SSD on such an old system, it may be considered to be a waste.

One of the best things I did with an old E6600 system was installing an SSD. I don't consider it a waste at all.

I agree fully!

Not a waste at all. Just because it is an older system in general (i.e. outdated socket, cpu support, ddr or ddr2 ram, etc.) does not mean an upgrade like an SSD is a waste. As long as the SATA controller supports SATA II spec minimum, an upgrade like an SSD can make a world of difference to such systems. However do not avoid SATA III SSDs and go with an older model. Get a SATA III one. It will work just fine on SATA II. Not at it's full potential, but to be honest you wouldn't notice the difference between SATA II & III for most part. However you will see a greatly improved system response overall due to just having installed an SSD and installing a supported OS.

I've upgraded countless systems over the years and even still having some people coming in with perfectly running setups with older Core2Duo or Core2Quad that just need a good refresh. If you own such a setup still and have had it since around the initial release date of those CPUs, most likely you had WinXP on it. A good way to update such an aging setup is to turn your old HDD into the secondary storage drive, add an SSD as the primary drive and secure/fresh format it and then do a clean install of Win7 x64. No real point in putting Win8/8.1 on such a setup, but that's up to u. And if you have around 4GB or more of RAM, then u should be fine. Such an old setup can still run games just fine, given the CPU is around 2.8Ghz or higher range and is a dual or quad core so it doesn't struggle to run todays games/apps.While it might not be the best solution for some who want the latest gear/specs, it can be a life-saver for those who don't have much to spend. But an SSD and a newer OS aren't all that much and can go along way in making that system feel like new again. Now for games, long as you have around GTX 660 or higher GPU, then again, the system should do just fine and last you quite a while longer.

And should u upgrade within the next year or so, things like the OS, SSD, and GPU can easily be carried over to the new build once u are ready to retire the aging one.



@Josabooba

Hopefully after another clean install it holds up for you. But yes I would disconnect any other drives u do not need while u install your OS and get it initially setup.

When u do Updates and Drivers, avoid any Device Drivers from Windows Updates. This can often lead to troubles. After u have finished an OS install and reach the desktop, start with the basics. Install Network Adapter Drivers and get it online. Once this is finished go install your Motherboard Chipset Drivers. If your motherboard uses Intel Chipset, go here[www.intel.com] for your drivers. If your motherboard has AMD based chipset, go here[support.amd.com] for your drivers.

If you install things that require reboots, please take the time to do this. As you don't want to flood the system with a ton of updates that require rebooting, just so u can avoid rebooting multiple times. As this can often lead to something going wrong during the next booting process.

And during Windows Updates process, avoid the Optional Update for Win7 called: Platform Update for Win7 (KB2670838)[support.microsoft.com] as it often times linked to bricking systems.

[Josabooba]

Thanks for your advice Bad-Motha, always happy to take the option to pick up a new tip here or there. I have been installing operating systems since way back to Windows 3.0 on my first PC with a whopping 33Mhz and a mammoth 60Mb hard drive. I think that beast had 4Mb RAM... Hold on to your hats!

I am very patient and methodical when doing a system install and do indeed follow the steps you outlined - never cutting corners to save time.

I must check out the Windows Update you link to as I don't believe I am aware of it's possible problematic outcome. Having pretty fast broadband, I reinstall my O.S. about once a year, each current O.S. becoming the backup to the new O.S., and I will continue this custom once I get a second SSD.




As for talk of an old system (it's like telling me my child is under-performing - I have no children t.g.), I guess you could guess its age from the RAM, but here's a quick outline for the speculators:
Mobo: ASUS P5N-e SLI
CPU: Q6600 (rev. B3) 2.4Ghz Quad Core
RAM: 4Gb PC6400 Corsair
GPU: EVGA GTX 285 SSC (upgraded to MSI 4G GTX 970)
S.C.: X-Fi Fatality Xtreme Gamer
Storage: 2x 500Gb SATA II, 1x 128Gb SSD (O.S. Win 7 x64 Ult.)
I cant remember details of my PSU or Heatsink, (everything at stock)

This system is old now but gives me very little reason to rush to upgrade. I keep my temps low and everything is working well. I will however upgrade in the next 12 months and go pretty high spec.




Essentially I was just trying to understand why the crash on the SSD new O.S. was so fatal resulting in RAW file system, particularly given it was my first SSD, but I suppose if you install enough O.S. you are bound to run into an unfortunate issue once in a while.

Fingers crossed this O.S. will stay good and stable...