Force GT 120 went weird overnight

[tensazangetsu]

So I bought this drive in the middle of May and it worked great. It makes a fine boot drive. When it works.

A couple of weeks ago I tried booting my PC and noticed that during the boot sequence AHCI initialiser was recognising my storage drives but not my SSD. BIOS didn't see it either.

It started working again after another reboot (and reconfirmation of the BIOS settings) and I thought it was a one time thing. But this morning I've found that it's become worse.

I left the machine on overnight and when I checked it this morning, it was stuck on the 'Reboot and select proper boot device' screen. Wondering if I had a BSOD overnight I reset the system. I then found the drive not responding at all.

I've tried different SATA ports and cables, a different PC, and a USB dock. The drive is simply not responding at all.


Anyone have any ideas as to what's wrong? I'd ideally like to get some data off it if I have to RMA it. But with it not responding at all it looks like I won't have a choice.

[Toasted]

The drive is probably dead, If you need to get data off it, Keep trying to see if you can get it detected, there isn't really much you can do.

[tensazangetsu]

That's what I was afraid of. *sigh* Really didn't expect this after only two months of use.

[Toasted]

Its not normal for a drive to fail within 2 months, But if its important data on any drive. Always remember to back it up regularly.

[tensazangetsu]

Luckily, nothing too important was on it. Just some drivers I should have backed up. Nothing life changing. I'll be more careful from now on.

Decided to ask Amazon to see what they can do as it should be quicker for them to sort it out rather than wait for an RMA to be sorted.

[Wlada011]

I don't want to open new topic only to ask, a have Force GT120 new and for few days I will install OS.
I don't need to update firmware if everything work OK???
Or better to install last firmware???

[Toasted]

You don't have to update the firmware if everything is working fine. If you still want to update the firmware even if its working fine, you can.

[Wlada011]

No I only ask, I buy Force GT120 before 3-4 days but I need Install OS and everything. Now only ask to know because maybe last Firmware is better than fabric, I don't know. Two things only left to finish upgrade for now. Dominator Platinum 2133 2x4 and for 2-3 months EVGA GTX680 Classified. I save money for graphic now.

[tensazangetsu]

Hi Toasted, just wanted to say thanks for your advice. I'm going to start backing up on a regular basis now rather than the usual 'it's been months, I should prolly back stuff up'. I mainly lost some driver and registry settings which I can always download and recreate.

Amazon refunded my money, and I've just received a new Force GS 180 that I bought instead.

Thanks again!

[Toasted]

Good to hear you worked out all good.

I would save at least two copies of the drivers and registry settings in case one drive does fail.

[Wlada011]

People can you look my new Force GT120 with OS and other programs before I make backup. I think I don't need new Firmware, what you think??? You say ATTO for testing.

http://i.imgur.com/wRXKI.jpg

Hey I know it's not most important but my Windows Expirience Index Jump from 7.1 with V+ SATA II to 7.9 with new ForceGT 120 SATA III.

[Toasted]

Yes the SSD is performing as it should be. If you have any issues with the drive, Post back.

If everything is working fine then there is no need to update the firmware.

[Wlada011]

Thanks I'm very satisfied with CORSAIR product Force GT 120.
I think that is now best possibile option for most user, I think I notice little price drop ForceGT.
I pay in Serbia 110e and SSD is came with 5.02 Firmware. I think that is last.
I applied some tricks for SSD like
Disable Indexing
Disable Prefetcher and Superfetch
Menu Show Delay = 100
Disable Difragmenter Scheduler and in Service
Wait to Kill AppTimeout 0
msconfig Boot > Timeout 3

PageFile and Virtual Memory stay default. This is only for system files I have 64GB SSD SATA II for Games. That is good speed for games.
I can say every 6 months I erase my ex V+ SSD and Performanse stay same during past years and no need for some disable and major things tweaking. SSD will work 3 years with same Performanse than time is for new bigger, faster,...
Thanks CORSAIR for one more excellent products I'm sorry because after almost one year I buy this SSD but never mind, before 3-4 months I cross on Intel and can feel real SSD Power without AHCI after Windows tweaking and full speed. I can say Intel controller on EVGA Z77 FTW work perfectly. I disable Marvell(Port 6/7) because no need and I don't have more devices.
I will read CORSAIR blog to learn how is best way to destroy data every 6 months because clean Windows Installation.
Maybe 6 is early but 8-10 months.

If someone know some big important tweak to enable or disable...

[Toasted]

Moving temporary files to a the Mechanical HD can help with space.
Disabling System Protection can also help with space issues
Removing the Hibernation file

[Wlada011]

Never mind this is it. I will keep System Restore only not 5GB I will change on 3GB.
Temporary and Hibernation for now stay. I don't want for 2% to change that options.
I'm not on racing and for me is enough my SSD work in official specification.
I though to sell V+ series but I pay that SSD 160e before more than 2 years and now I can't sell maybe for 40 and less(SATA II, 230/180).
Because of that I clean all SSD and leave in SATA Port 1 for Games. Force GT- System is on Port 0, Storage on Port 2, 650D HDD Dock on Port 3.
4/5 are Empty if I need DVD-RW because I remove from case because I really rear use and I will buy External DVD-RW and because cable managment,
Marvell 6/7 are disable.
64GB for me is always enough for 2-3 important game and Storage is for movies, music, extraction, ... SATA II SSD is excellent for games, that is faster than WD Black SATA III.