Intel SSD disappearing from boot up

[jaylek55]

So I have a:

Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CW120G3K5 (purchased 04/2011)

installed on a:

Gigabyte P67A-UD4-B3 Intel P67 (purchased 04/2011)

Brand new install of Windows 7 with the Intel drivers installed and it is disappearing sporadically from device manager. The only way I seem to get it back is to remove the system completely from power and let it sit, do unplug/replug the SATA cable to the HD.

Pretty sure I replaced the cable a while back, not sure at this point, but I definitely moved the SSD from one SATA port to another. Yet, from time to time, it goes missing. I've run the Intel Toolbox scans and all seems well, yet still this issue. Could the drive be going? I mean it's been 3 years...

Also, my new SanDisk Extreme PRO 480GB seems to "lag" occasionally when accessing it with Q-Dir (Windows Explorer alternative) or when streaming video to my Xbox. Randomly, watching something and then the Xbox reports that the file is no longer available. Give it a few mins and it's back.

With the 2 situations, I'm thinking that the SATA ports are going, but need a 2nd opinion(s). Any ideas?

 

[Ketchup]

Funny, I was thinking hard drive controller, then I got to your last sentence. So I guess that is your second opinion, lol.

I was hoping you could blame a Marvell controller, but it looks like that only control eSATA on your board.

The good news is there are still a good many new 1155 boards available on sites like Newegg, and in FS/FT from people who are going to 1150.

Or you could just get a SATA card, but you will not be happy with the performance.

 

[Burpo]

Are you overclocking?
What CPU?
What power supply?

http://www.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/sb/CS-033939.htm

 

[Charlie98]

Actually, I have very much the same problem with my Gigabyte Z68 board (Desk1 in sig below.) I've posted on this issue but never really got any answers. My Plextor SSD will completely disappear on boot and won't show up when I boot off the 2nd SSD. Usually what I have to do is unplug it, boot on the 2nd drive, and then plug the Plextor into an external drive cradle I have. Shut everything down, reconnect the Plextor and... volia!... it boots up fine.

I really have a fear the SATA controller is going... I don't have any other explanation either.

 

[jaylek55]

@Burpo - No overclocking. Running an i5-2500k, stock settings with stock cooler. Nothing special. Originally went with the CPU to OC, but ended up never attempting it after having some issues with the same board on another system. PSU is a SeaSonic SS-750KM3 which was bought at the same time as the motherboard and Intel 320.

@Charlie98 - Sounds like the same issue alright. I replaced a Crucial M4 with the Sandisk because it kept randomly freezing even with the latest firmware from Crucial. Thought the issue was with the SSD since there was so many other people experiencing issues with the drive. So I gave up trying to troubleshoot it and bought a replacement. But now experiencing these other issues, I have to wonder.

 

[inachu]

Do you have the latest BIOS for your firmware(motherboard not ssd)

 

[jaylek55]

@inachu - If I remember correctly, I may be off by 1 revision. I seem to recall seeing an update but not seeing anything in the notes that seemed that important for me to update to it. I will check when I get home.

 

[jaylek55]

@inachu - I have the latest BIOS for this motherboard.

UPDATE - On turning on my system tonight, had to disconnect the DVD drive to be able to use a port that would allow the system to see the Intel SSD. Convinced it's the ports.

Looking at getting a replacement Z77 motherboard at this time. Any suggestions?

 

[Ketchup]

.... Looking at getting a replacement Z77 motherboard at this time. Any suggestions?

My advice is to hurry, before they're gone. Newegg shows about 22 that aren't refurbished/open box.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=Newegg&Page=1

And only 8 of those are Z series:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...100007627 600093976 8000 600311010&IsNodeId=1

 

[ratjacket]

it could be the sata cable i had the same issue with a HDD disapering at random and having to replug it to get it back

(check for kinks and or hard right angles)

got a new sata3 cable and the problem disapered

 

[jaylek55]

I've changed the SATA cable on the Intel not too long ago (confirmed it the other night). No kinks or right angles seen last night that I could see. I can try rerouting the cables tonight and/or replacing them.

 

[Ketchup]

Charlie98 found that a plugged in mp3 player was causing some of his issues. May be worth it to check for a similar issue.

 

[jaylek55]

09/12 update: Sata cable changed and still 2 ports are unresponsive. There are no extra HDs/MP3 players, etc attached via USB. Right now port 1 and port 3 are down. I think it's only a matter of time before the rest go since last night while streaming the Xbox reported that the 'file is no longer available' during 2 different streams.

I'm considering the Asus P8Z77-V LK or the ASRock Z77 Extreme4.

 

[inachu]

Please confirm this drive truly is a SATA drive.

Some people think they bought a SATA drive and turns out to be a SAS drive

 

[jaylek55]

They're all SATA:

SanDisk Extreme PRO 480GB SATA SDSSDXPS-480G-G25
Intel 320 Series 120GB SATA II SSDSA2CW120G3K5
Seagate Barracuda 2 TB HDD SATA ST2000DM001 x 2