SSD related Crash, BOOTMGR MISSING message, BIOS alterations, fun'-)

[333than]

I spotted some old threads regarding issues I've been experiencing for many months now, seemingly following an upgrade to a newer SSD. I posted on the thread but was advised to restart anew. So, here goes:

Symptoms: Very random Crashes, Freezes, Blue screens, Restarts, etc. Sometimes hours apart, sometimes days, with BOOTMGR missing press CTRL+ALT+DEL message upon reboot. Pressing [ctrl][alt] reboots & only returns to same message.

Side-affects: Some times rearranged boot device order, SSD drive missing in BIOS (it reappears only after off/on of PSU power switch), occasionally the CPU Clock speed &/or RAM Voltage are changed. System clock (ie:Time) & other parameters seem unaltered.

Diagnostics: I've tried many overclock, under clock & stock speed combinations of CPU & GPU & RAM timings as well as some Under & Over Voltages (also with No GPU, just onboard Graphics); new coolers on Drives & CPU, new PSU, rearranging PSU wiring & rails, different power strips & wall outlets; reseating RAM in different slots with all possible configurations, completely, completely rebuilding the system (which is something I do pretty regularly anyway) with SSD HDDs plugged into different SATA ports & repositioned in case(s), changed case, all with same erroneous results. CMOS battery OK.

Failed Remedies: Uninstalled all Overclocking software I thought may be conflicting with each other or making the system unstable or randomly changing the timings, clock-speeds &/or Voltages, etc. Installed SSD Tweaker (very handy software btw) to adjust TRIM & more. I have noticed that the temperature reading on the SSD says Overheated always, even right @ startup after being off for days. I've seen it said that it's not uncommon to have such faulty temp. readings on SSD's & that this really has no performance affects.

Before I commit to a total Nuke & Pave I was just looking to see if any of you found out more about these strange phenomena or if resolution(s) discovered. Any insight greatly appreciated.

Self-built: Win7 Pro (SP1) /64bit
Mobo: ASUS M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3 (AM3)
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black {3.7/(OC)4.2 GHz}
RAM: 8Gb Kingston (2x4) DDR3 {668MHz(9-9-9-24)}
GPU: MSI R6970 Lightning 2Gb DDR5 (GPU940MHz/MEM1400MHz)
Optical: Optiarc DVD RW w/ Lightscribe
Virtual: A few DaemonTools Mounted Virtual Drives
HDD: WD Velociraptor 500Gb HDD (SATA6) {OS/Games)
HDD: Corsair Force 3 60Gb SSD (SATA6) {Programs/Storge)
^^^t h e^^c u l p r i t^^^
...also several various USB I/O Peripherals that I've determined to be inconsequential & dual monitors (though I can't see how it would make a difference, they are both ASUS- 27" Landscape1080p & 24" Portrait1080p).

 

[x BlueRobot]

Welcome to the forums 333than,

Are you able to boot into Windows at all?

Please follow these steps - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219533-troubleshooting-windows-7-failure-boot.html

If you have any problems or questions, then please do not hesitate to ask.

 

[333than]

Thanks for response

I am not able to boot into anything directly after the crash(es) until I flip the PSU's power switch OFF then back ON again as the SSD (OS drive) is not listed in the BIOS. Sometimes I then need to reset parameters in the BIOS as well, like clock speeds & Boot Order, etc.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Here's some steps for reasons why the BIOS is not detecting the SSD:

• The BIOS does not detect or recognize the ATA / SATA hard drive

Have you reset the BIOS completely by removing the CMOS battery?

 

[333than]

I've tried everything I could think of, shy of RMAing the Drive.

Actually, I replaced the CMOS battery when I disassembled & reassembled the entire system. I have pretty much given up hope for a simple fix, or for a complex head-spinning one for that matter. And, since it is the SSD that the OS & primary Apps are installed on, I have just been tolerating the random forced restarts. It's kind of like a way-of-life change "-) I am really most puzzled as to why the CPU clock speeds & RAM voltage would be altered in the BIOS and the actively running, OS containing SSD simply vanishes & then spits out that BOOTMGR message.
I was really sort of hoping that it was a problem others have heard of before & knew a work around. I am all for troubleshooting, but have just plain run out of ideas. I still appreciate the suggestions you've been making and welcome any more.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Have you tried changing the SATA cables?

Ensure these are updated -

If you have an SSD, make sure the following are up to date:

• SSD firmware
• BIOS Version
• Chipset Drivers
• Hard disk controller drivers/SATA drivers
• If you have a Marvell IDE ATA/ATAPI device, make sure the drivers are up to date from the Intel site or Marvell site and not from your motherboard/vendor support site.

 

[333than]

Tried various cable configurations & multiple types. I tried shortly after the problem arose, but it Has been a little while since I last updated some of the items on that list. I think I will give that a try again. Thanks again for all your brainstorming, too. I'll let you know if I make any progress on it.

PS) hadn't crashed in several days, & then BAM! just happened a couple hours ago. Total lock-up.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Thanks, keep me informed