This has been going on for a while now, and I have worked with Crucial support. I am going to call them again tomorrow, but thought I'd run it by the forum to see if anyone has some thoughts.
The SSD is used for OS and apps only, running Windows 7 Ultimate. I have SATA set to RAID with the SSD on Intel controller port 1, and it IS NOT part of a RAID group. My data HDD RAID 1 volume is on ports 3 and 4, and my DVD burner is on port 4. The Marvel controller is disabled. I have 8GB of RAM, and page file set to custom 1024-16384. Indexing is on, but the index file is configured on one of my data HDD partitions. With this configuration, nothing should be written to the SSD other than Temporary Internet Files, which is set at 250MB, and any temporary files the OS and apps create while functioning.
My 128GB C300 intermittently "hangs" all the time. By this I mean at times there is no response for up to 45 seconds or more, and then suddenly it takes off with the expected response of an SSD. For example, I am using Office 2010, and sometimes Outlook opens in a flash of a second, but more than not it will take a very long time to load, and I have disabled every com add-in within Outlook. If I click on "Add To Favorites" for an internet site, the entire system will hang up for up to 45 seconds, and sometimes it seems even longer. Sometimes I will merely open my favorites, and the area is blank white while the computer is hung up, then within about 45 seconds or so, my favorites appear in a flash. Only once, I was on Youtube, clicked to watch a video, and received a blue screen with memory dump. Windows recovered fine by selecting "Normal Startup".
This problem is intermittent but very consistent.
I have updated the C300 to current firmware 007.
Crucial support had me run a benchmark program and the stats were fine, which I would expect, being an intermittent issue.
At the suggestion of Crucial support, I moved the SSD to the Marvel controller. This did nothing. In fact, I believe the problem was a bit worse, unless it was my imagination. So I disabled the Marvel controller and moved the SSD back to Intel controller port 1.
Another Crucial support suggestion was to disconnect the SATA data cable from the SSD, but leave the power connected; turn the computer on and let it set for at least 20 minutes; power down the computer; unplug the power cord for 30 seconds; then turn the computer on again and let it set for another 20 minutes, once again with the SATA data cable disconnected. After performing this operation twice, reconnect the data cable and turn the computer on. This will supposedly set the SSD back to some factory default configuration, and also give garbage collector time to perform its function.
After performing the last operation suggested by Crucial support, the computer seemed to work much better, but it quickly began to deteriorate. On a whim, I reloaded Windows and apps from the image I created. Once again, it worked great for a short period of time, but quickly deteriorated.
Crucial support started pointing toward the fact the controller is set to RAID rather than AHCI mode, but I have not read anything that would indicate this would be the issue. However, they were quick to state they do not recommend or support the drive being in RAID mode, even if it is still a single drive and not part of a volume.
At this point, the only thing I have not done is a secure erase, and a complete reinstallation of Windows 7 Ultimate and applications.
I am beginning to think there could be a problem with the SSD, and I will contact Crucial support again.
I know this is a lot to digest, but if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, it will be appreciated.
Thanks
Mark A.
The SSD is used for OS and apps only, running Windows 7 Ultimate. I have SATA set to RAID with the SSD on Intel controller port 1, and it IS NOT part of a RAID group. My data HDD RAID 1 volume is on ports 3 and 4, and my DVD burner is on port 4. The Marvel controller is disabled. I have 8GB of RAM, and page file set to custom 1024-16384. Indexing is on, but the index file is configured on one of my data HDD partitions. With this configuration, nothing should be written to the SSD other than Temporary Internet Files, which is set at 250MB, and any temporary files the OS and apps create while functioning.
My 128GB C300 intermittently "hangs" all the time. By this I mean at times there is no response for up to 45 seconds or more, and then suddenly it takes off with the expected response of an SSD. For example, I am using Office 2010, and sometimes Outlook opens in a flash of a second, but more than not it will take a very long time to load, and I have disabled every com add-in within Outlook. If I click on "Add To Favorites" for an internet site, the entire system will hang up for up to 45 seconds, and sometimes it seems even longer. Sometimes I will merely open my favorites, and the area is blank white while the computer is hung up, then within about 45 seconds or so, my favorites appear in a flash. Only once, I was on Youtube, clicked to watch a video, and received a blue screen with memory dump. Windows recovered fine by selecting "Normal Startup".
This problem is intermittent but very consistent.
I have updated the C300 to current firmware 007.
Crucial support had me run a benchmark program and the stats were fine, which I would expect, being an intermittent issue.
At the suggestion of Crucial support, I moved the SSD to the Marvel controller. This did nothing. In fact, I believe the problem was a bit worse, unless it was my imagination. So I disabled the Marvel controller and moved the SSD back to Intel controller port 1.
Another Crucial support suggestion was to disconnect the SATA data cable from the SSD, but leave the power connected; turn the computer on and let it set for at least 20 minutes; power down the computer; unplug the power cord for 30 seconds; then turn the computer on again and let it set for another 20 minutes, once again with the SATA data cable disconnected. After performing this operation twice, reconnect the data cable and turn the computer on. This will supposedly set the SSD back to some factory default configuration, and also give garbage collector time to perform its function.
After performing the last operation suggested by Crucial support, the computer seemed to work much better, but it quickly began to deteriorate. On a whim, I reloaded Windows and apps from the image I created. Once again, it worked great for a short period of time, but quickly deteriorated.
Crucial support started pointing toward the fact the controller is set to RAID rather than AHCI mode, but I have not read anything that would indicate this would be the issue. However, they were quick to state they do not recommend or support the drive being in RAID mode, even if it is still a single drive and not part of a volume.
At this point, the only thing I have not done is a secure erase, and a complete reinstallation of Windows 7 Ultimate and applications.
I am beginning to think there could be a problem with the SSD, and I will contact Crucial support again.
I know this is a lot to digest, but if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions, it will be appreciated.
Thanks
Mark A.