SSD Failure?

[kwp]

I am running Windows Ultimate x64 on a Asus Zenbook - the model number is UX32A-DH31-CA.

System specs:
Intel Core i3 3217U
4gb RAM
24gb SSD
500gb 5400rpm HD

Windows is installed on the C: partition (24gb SSD). My data, programs and Windows user files are stored on the D:

2 nights ago the system froze while browsing using Firefox. I did a hard reboot and got the following error:

"Windows failed to start. A recent Hardware or software changed might be the cause. To fix the problem...

File:\Windows\system32\winload.exe

Status: 0xc000000e error

Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt."

Since then I have done the following:

Windows Memory Diagnostic
Result: No errors detected

System Recovery from Windows Install on USB
Result: Under the System Recovery Options window it lists Windows 7 as the Operating System, Partition Size 0MB Location (unknown) Local Disk

Startup Repair (3 times)
Result: Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically (I can take a photo of the problem signature and post if it would help)

System Restore
Result: Unexpected error: The parameter is incorrect. (0x80070057)

Command Prompt:
c:\dir
Result: 0 Files 0 bytes, 1 Dir 86,441,984 bytes free

c:\sfc /scannow
Result: There is a repair pending which requires a reboot to complete. Restart Windows and run sfc again.

Restart - Loop through above again.

Install Windows Ultimate x64 from USB
Result:
Partition 0 Partition 1: System Reserved, Total Size: 111mb, Free Space 82.0mb, Type: System
Partition 1 Partition 2: Data, Total Size, 465.7 GB, Free space: 389.7 GB, Primary

My question to you nice people: does this look like the SSD has failed? That's my strong suspicion at this point. Are there any other diagnostics that I should run before reaching this conclusion definitively?

Thanks for you help,
Kevin

 

[TVeblen]

Could be. But, could also be a corrupted file system (MBR). The two problems can overlap.

Before doing anything else, see if you can recover your data from the drive. If it is failing, any of the following tests could push it over the edge.

Try this:
Burn yourself a Bootable CD with Partition Wizard on it.
http://www.partitionwizard.com/download.html
Boot into PW and see what it reports for the contents of the drive.

There is a function in PW that will "Rebuild the Master Boot Record" (MBR). You could try that also.

Finally, run the SSD manufacturer's diagnostic program on the drive (from bootable device).

Your last option would be to wipe the drive clean (Diskpart: Clean All command) and try and reinitialize it and install Windows.

Report back what you find.

 

[kbrady1979]

24GB? How much of that are you using......I ask because 24GB is cutting it pretty thin.

 

[kwp]

Hi guys, thanks for the responses. I determined the drive was toast, rebuilding the mbr didn't work, and even after running diskpart: clean all, I was a unable to install a new copy of Windows on it as it was only picking up 86mb of space available. As kbrady pointed out, the 24gb drive was really too small to properly carry a Windows 7 installation (computer shipped with Win8). That said, I had it working ok by moving certain Windows components over to the HD after following a tutorial from these forums. Anyways, long story short, I bought a new 128gb SSD. Great right?

Well, after installing it - the guys in my computer shop were nice enough to pop it in for me for free, I can no longer detect the 500gb HD in my bios or windows. I would like to unplug the HD and plug it back in to see if it gets picked up by the BIOS but Asus has built this box using a tiny six pointed hex screw that I haven't been able to find a key for - except in the computer shop. So, short of going back to the computer shop and physically removing the HD, is there anything that I can try to get it detected?

Thanks again!

 

[TVeblen]

No, never mind the screws for now. If the drive is not being picked up in BIOS then one of the cables is not connected correctly. Unplug and re-plug the cables (computer off) , data and power, and then test again.

The 500GB is a SATA drive?

Also listen closely to hear if the drive spins up when the computer comes on.
Also, test it in another computer.

Otherwise the drive is dead.