SSD BOOT Issue

scopio · 07 Feb 2020

I am having an issue with a Samsung EVO 860 500GB which HD Sentinel flags up a high number of CRC errors which the advice from HD Sentinel was to change the data cable which I have done but the CRC errors continued to
increase.
Today I changed the data cables again but now the BIOS asks to “Select a proper BOOT device …” although the SSD
is recognised by the BIOS!
Not knowing what to do next I restored an image with Macrium to the SSD, but I still get the “Select a proper BOOT device …”
The pc motherboard does not support SATA III so I installeda Syba SI-PEX40064 SATA III 4 Port PCI-e x1 Controller Card where the SSD is connected and has been working fine for the past 14 months without any issues,
now it does not matter which of the 4 SATA ports I connect it to I get the “Selecta proper BOOT device …”. I am wondering if the issue is with the Syba card but a second SSD also connected to the same card does not flag any CRC errors so I have some doubts that it could be the card! The only way I cab think about
testing if it is the card is to purchase another one a Ziyituod PCIe SATA Card, 4 Port and try that?
I removed the SSD and connected it to a Sabrent Docking Station connected to another pc also running HD Sentinel the stats for the SMART are the same as on the original pc.
Run an Extended Test and it completed it successfully.
Today I installed Ziyituod PCIe SATA III 4 Port Controller Expansion Card to replace the Syba SI-PEX40064 SATA III 4 Port PCI-e x1 Controller Card to verify if the Syba card was the issue but apparently not as
the “Select a proper BOOT device …” still showed!
I guess I will have to upgrade my pc to a more up to date motherboard and CPU unless some knowlegedable Guru here can help me sort out this issue!!
Some pictures that I get now.

Compumind · 07 Feb 2020

Hi.

Can you select the SATA device (SSD) and partition (whole drive as data) and format it?

scopio · 09 Feb 2020

Hi

Compumind,

I would only be able to do that on another pc or by installing another drive with Windows installed which I am about to do as I cannot BOOT the original SSD!
It could be that the MBR may be damaged, if so is there a tutorial to repair the MBR? Bearing in mind that the motherboard is not EUFI but only BIOS!!

- - - Updated - - -

Update:
When I fitted the

Ziyituod PCIe SATA III 4 Port Controller Expansion Card and connected the SSDs I first connected the F: SSD with the

apps

to the first port and the C: OS SSD to the second port on the card which is why I got the

“Select a proper BOOT device …” I have now reconnected the C: SSD to the first port and the F: SSD to the second port and all is well with booting.

Lesson learned is that the C: SSD must be connected to the first port and any other drives must be connected to the ports after the first one!

Now to wait and see if the CRC errors increase after replacing the PCIe SATA Controller card which they do increase by the thousands which leads me to believe that the issue has to be with the SSD.

Running Extended Self tests and Surface test does not show any issues and the pass successfully.

- - - Updated - - -

I am still mystified as to why I still get lots and lots of ATA CRC Errors after changing the data and power cables and the SATA III PCIeController Expansion Card! There are two Samsung EVO 860 500GB SSD connected to the same expansion card but only one shows a high number of CRC errors!

According to HD Sentinel this problems occurs because of the communication fault between the HDD/SSD and the host.
“Hard disk cable and connection issues
According the text description, numerous data transfer (communication) problems found. In most cases this is not really related to the hard disk but related to the connections and/or data cables. For example, loose SATA cable connections frequently cause this issue.
It is recommended to verify both the power and the data cable connected to the hard drive. If you see the plugs do not fit properly, you should change the data cable to a different one, for example a SATA cable with a metal clip to fix the connection."

Well I have done all that but I still get CRC errors on one SSD but not on the second SSD!

The other suggestion was that the BOOT partition and/or MBR may be damaged but the SSD does BOOT. This was in answer to my question why the SSD did not BOOT which was my mistake in connecting the C: SSD to the wrongport so may be irrelevant to the CRC errors now.

I can only conclude that the issue is with a possible failing SSD!

Or the reason for the industry joke, "SMART is dumb."?

SSD with lots of CRC errors

SSD connected to the same controller with only two CRC errors

Samsung Magician screenshot for the SSD with lots of CRC errors

Any thoughts?

Samuria · 09 Feb 2020

Have you checked for ssd firmware update as lots of Samsung had one

scopio · 09 Feb 2020

Samuria said:

Have you checked for ssd firmware update as lots of Samsung had one

Firmware as you can see on the screenshot is up to date. I have contacted Samsung on Facebook and I have been given a phone number to call. I just would like clarification as to why one SSD gets lots of CRC errors and the other does not!

Compumind · 09 Feb 2020

scopio said:

There are two Samsung EVO 860 500GB SSD connected to the same expansion card but only one shows a high number of CRC errors!

Hi.

If both are exactly the same, could you please check one SSD at a time? (wipe each drive first.)

Thanks.

scopio · 09 Feb 2020

It would be difficult to chrck one at the time as the SSD with the issue is the one that has the OS and the other has the software on it.
I have a new Samsung 860 EVO 1TB arriving tomorrow which I will restore an image of the SSD with the CRC errors on this new SSD and connect that one to see if it makes any difference and proofs if it is the SSD that is at fault.