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What to do with a not-so-reliable SSD?

E

Eeqmcsq

Senior member
I have a 1st gen Indilinx SSD where the file system was catastrophically corrupted one morning, and I couldn't repair the file system. I deleted the partition, started with a fresh partition table, and now it's usable again.

I have another 1st gen Indilinx that would occasionally disappear from the BIOS while I was using the computer, causing minor file system corruption. I had to fully power down to get the SSD to be detectable again.

I have since replaced these SSDs with current gen SSDs. But I'm trying to think of a what to do with the older SSDs, now that I know they're unreliable. I can't put important files on them. I can't put them in an always-on server. I can't give them to my friends. What else can I do with them?
 
Eeqmcsq said:
I have a 1st gen Indilinx SSD where the file system was catastrophically corrupted one morning, and I couldn't repair the file system. I deleted the partition, started with a fresh partition table, and now it's usable again.

I have another 1st gen Indilinx that would occasionally disappear from the BIOS while I was using the computer, causing minor file system corruption. I had to fully power down to get the SSD to be detectable again.

I have since replaced these SSDs with current gen SSDs. But I'm trying to think of a what to do with the older SSDs, now that I know they're unreliable. I can't put important files on them. I can't put them in an always-on server. I can't give them to my friends. What else can I do with them?
Click to expand...

Use them as scratch discks.
 
Use them as Virtual RAM.
256_MB_DDR_333_Cl2_5_Pc2700_RAM_Chip_Brand_New_Chip.jpg
 
Have you checked to see if there's a firmware update for the ones you have?

FWIW I've encountered both problems you've described. I own 5 original Indilinx drives. One of them had the problem of disappearing which could only be fixed with a power cycle. I think the problem went away with a motherboard upgrade (X58 to P67). I had two others that had partitions corrupted when I moved them from one machine to another. It was bad enough that I couldn't even create new partitions, but I discovered that they were not on the latest firmware, and after upgrading firmware they worked fine and continue to work fine.

Interesting to note that the one OCZ drive (Agility) of those 5 have not (knock on wood) had problems. The other drives are Patriot (TorqX). All are 1st gen Indilinx Barefoot.

3 of them are in use today, while the other two are awaiting re-purposing.
 
If the are OCZ drives, use the "destructive flash", and "NAND cleaners", to reset them to factory specs and update the firmware. They may well be fine after that.
 
Any stuff that you can later re-install, like OS/Applications/Games, you could keep a backup image of the drive if you put the OS on it, so that you do not waste allot of time if you needed to re-install it.

Keep all your files else where.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. To respond to some of the comments:

- @DominionSeraph - Nice try. 🙂
- I don't do photo editing, but a scratch disk is a good idea.
- Virtual RAM - Good idea on computers with not so much RAM. My main computers have 16GB, and I never come close to using all 16GB.
- I don't have an Intel Z68 chipset, but my friend might. If so, definitely something to play around with.
- Firmware update: The catastrophic failure SSD is a Super Talent UltraDrive ME 64GB. Come to think of it, I have NOT checked the firmware update for this SSD. The disappearing SSD is an OCZ Agility 120GB, and I had upgraded the firmware to 1.7, which I think is the latest, and it still disappears from the BIOS.
- And just to contribute another SSD story: My friend and I each have an OCZ Vertex 60GB 1st gen Indilinx, and these have not shown any problems. They are still used today.
- Change motherboards: Good idea, I hadn't thought of that.
- OCZ destructive flash, NAND cleaners: Never heard of them until now. I'll do some research on them.
- Table shims - haha!
- Bin them - I assume you mean to trash them. I was actually about to throw the Super Talent SSD into the dumpster when I thought about deleting the partition table and starting fresh. To my surprise, the SSD worked again. So the geek in me wants to "find a use" for them.

Keep the suggestions and stories coming. I just know if my friends' SSDs became corrupted, he'll be asking me for suggestions on what to do, too.
 
I stick by bin/trashing them. The sole function of an SSD is to store data. If it cannot do this reliably then it really has no use.
 
I second the update firmware recommendations.
Reasonable to think they'd have solved a few issues on those early drives.
 
Eeqmcsq said:
I have a 1st gen Indilinx SSD where the file system was catastrophically corrupted one morning, and I couldn't repair the file system. I deleted the partition, started with a fresh partition table, and now it's usable again.

I have another 1st gen Indilinx that would occasionally disappear from the BIOS while I was using the computer, causing minor file system corruption. I had to fully power down to get the SSD to be detectable again.

I have since replaced these SSDs with current gen SSDs. But I'm trying to think of a what to do with the older SSDs, now that I know they're unreliable. I can't put important files on them. I can't put them in an always-on server. I can't give them to my friends. What else can I do with them?
Click to expand...

Good whack with a heavy hammer then throw in bin.
Unreliable drives are useless and it wouldn't be wise to continue using them or passing them onto friends/relatives.
 
Coup27 said:
I stick by bin/trashing them. The sole function of an SSD is to store data. If it cannot do this reliably then it really has no use.
Click to expand...

actually a good point.
If flashing the firmware does not fix them so they are reliable again, and they are out of warranty for RMA, then trash them.
 
VirtualLarry - Nah, I think I've had these too long to RMA. Besides, it's not worth the effort since I've already replaced them with current gen SSDs.

taltamir - Trashing them is the last option. But I enjoy trying to find a creative use for them before i trash them.
 
Try to RMA unless warranty is too late.
Do not put important information on it. You never know when its gonna give up.

What is your Crystal say ?
 
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