Thanks for the replies.
I'm thinking that a firmware update could be the answer (or at least I hope it will). However, OCZ say that the firmware can't be updated if the drive is the boot drive.
If this is the case, how can I update the firmware?
As I think I said, if I give the cable a wiggle, I can get back into Windows very painlessly. Obviously this is a hassle though, and the crashes seem to be random...
I've already swapped the cables - I've tried both with standard supplies cables. Will a 'good quality' cable be any different to those that I've tried?
Probably not. The odds that 2 cables are bad is high, that 3 are bad is higher.
It could be the connector on the drive itself. But if your observation is correct and the drive can be recognized if you wiggle the connector (improving contact) then I believe you have your culprit. I can't think of any defect in the drive, the motherboard, or the OS that would be affected by wiggling the cable.
The only other thing that might be related is that the power connector is loose, or not making good contact, and it is moving also when you wiggle the data connector.
Is there anyway that this can be rectified BESIDES having it replaced? Obviously that would (in theory) fix the problem, but at the minute I don't have the time to be dealing with the hassle of a new drive...
Well, you can play with it. With warning.
If you look at a SATA cable, inside the connector you will see 7 contacts. You could try and pry up on these contacts with a very small flat blade screwdriver so as to maximize the contact to the matching contacts inside the connector on the hard drive. That may create enough of an improvement to fix the problem.
You could also wrap some electrical tape around the outside of the connector to try and "snug-up" the mating of the connector and the drive. That may stop it from wiggling.
If the issue is with the connector on the hard drive you've got a big decision. If you damage the SATA cable it is no big deal - just get a new one. But if you damage the connector on the drive you are screwed. You will not be able to retrieve your data and if still under warranty then... you know.
It all depends on what you are capable of and how much risk you are willing to take.
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