SSD failing to boot *Help*

[Sphynx]

Hey there, got a bit of a serious issue. I've got a Corsair SSD that's no longer booting. It was setup as 1 partition (C drive). I've attempted use the Windows recovery tools via my installation disc but it doesn't even list my hard drive or partition and thus fails to detect the Windows installation.

My first thought was a corrupted MBR so I attempted to use the command line tools from the Windows install disc, i.e. bootrec.exe /fixmbr etc. However I get "the system cannot find the path specified" error.

I even tried removing the hard drive and putting it into an external enclosure and plugged into another computer via USB. However the 3rd party computer fails to recognise the drive (probably for the same reasons).

My only hope is that, for whatever reason, the BIOS still detects the physical drive itself. I'm guessing I need to somehow create a new mbr from scratch?

So yeah...any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[windude99]

Hey there, got a bit of a serious issue. I've got a Corsair SSD that's no longer booting. It was setup as 1 partition (C drive). I've attempted use the Windows recovery tools via my installation disc but it doesn't even list my hard drive or partition and thus fails to detect the Windows installation.

My first thought was a corrupted MBR so I attempted to use the command line tools from the Windows install disc, i.e. bootrec.exe /fixmbr etc. However I get "the system cannot find the path specified" error.

I even tried removing the hard drive and putting it into an external enclosure and plugged into another computer via USB. However the 3rd party computer fails to recognise the drive (probably for the same reasons).

My only hope is that, for whatever reason, the BIOS still detects the physical drive itself. I'm guessing I need to somehow create a new mbr from scratch?

So yeah...any help would be greatly appreciated

If nothing is detecting the drive, then there is something wrong with the drive, not the MBR. You need to see if you can get a replacement ssd from Corsair. The only thing I can tell you to try is plugging the drive to power only and do NOT connect the sata cable. This will allow it to do what the manufacturers call "garbage collection." Sometimes, an ssd may need to do this. A little bit of information: The power cable is the big port on the ssd and the SATA is the smaller one. Only conect the POWER.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I assume you mean to say that the BIOS does in fact see the drive?

Have you tried another motherboard port and/or another set of cables for the drive?

I'd certainly look at any Corsair-related forums.

 

[Sphynx]

@ignatzatsonic
Yes, the BIOS does see the drive. I haven't tried booting with another motherboard as I don't have the relevant power and sata cables (apart from the integrated circuit from my external drive enclosure.

@windude99
As mentioned before, I don't have the necessary cable to do that. But I might head to my local computer shop and see if they can help.

In this instance it's not a *major* issue as thankfully my setup saved me from more serious data loss. That is because my typical setup on any laptop (i forgot to mention we're dealing with 2.5" drives) is 1 SSD for OS and programs and a seperate platter based drive for data/storage capacity. The good ol'platters are still going strong.