Is my SSD's sandforce controller dead?

Izlude · 02 Oct 2016

Hi all, my PNY XLR8 240GB SSD used to register as PNY 240GB 6gbps in the BIOS, but now it says Sandforce (2000xxxx) (0 MB) 3gbps. It wouldn't boot, so I used a spare drive to get into Windows and see if I could view the contents of my bad drive.

It won't appear in My computer if I use SATA connection, but with USB 3.0, it does show up and the files still seem to be on there. It says 17GB free of 223GB and the directories are still in the drive, however it says "Device is not ready" if I try to open any of the folders. (yes I can get into the drive and see the folders, but can't open them).

-Disk Management does not show the drive, via SATA or USB, but it does in My Computer (USB only).
-Some Recovery software (EaseUS, Recuva etc..) can see the drive, others can't. Scans turn up no files.
-Testdisk scans report read errors, the drive appears as unknown partition. Tried rebuilding BS, no results.

If the Sandforce chip is bad, would I still be able to double click the drive and view the folders within as I do? (USB 3.0 only). If in the case of a bad chip, I see they sell my model's chips for $25 on ebay, pre-balled. I'm just not sure a heat gun is a good for SSDs... unless I cover the other parts very carefully.

What does my problem actually sound like though? Bad Sandforce? or Bad Memory chips on the SSD?

Mellon Head · 02 Oct 2016

Sounds like a bad controller.

If you are thinking of replacing the controller on the SSD, you're going to have a hell of a time removing the old one. You will probably destroy the supporting circuitry in the process. It's probably not worth the aggravation and cost, and who knows what quality of controller you'll get from eBay? Possibly a factory second or third, if not outright counterfeit.

Not to sound negative, but if it were me, I would just cut my losses and retire the drive (i.e. destroy it) and move on.