X300: Problem w/ SSD, also can I use HDD?

[awebber]

My venerable X300 (Win 7 Pro, upgraded 128GB SSD) came out of hibernation yesterday with the error below. It seemed likely to be a failure of the SSD. I googled the error message and got some very long and complicated discussions of the issue. Not sure I understood the discussions completely.

After rebooting the computer, it could not do anything with Startup Repair and starting Windows normally took me to the same error. I've quoted it in full at the bottom of this post, but the salient lines seem to be:

[...]
UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME
[...]
***STOP: 0x000000ED (0x85D2DB48, 0xC0000185, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
[...]

Bottom line, is it likely the SSD has failed? Do I just have to buy a new one? I'm on vacation and not sure I have the original 64GB SSD. I guess I could use that as an alternative, if I have it. I may have the 250GB HDD from my X220 with me. Could I put that in the X300?

Last backup was probably a month ago, which isn't terrible given the nature of the data. If I stick it in an enclosure on another computer, what the likelihood of pulling data off it? Or is there some utility that might actually fix this (though I'd be worried about further corrupting the SSD, if in fact that's the issue).

Thanks!
=andrew

Here's the full error messsage:

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME

If this is the first tiem you're seeing this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps.

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your hardware or software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use Safe Mode to remove or disable components, restart our computer, press F8 to Select Advanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.

Technical information:
***STOP: 0x000000ED (0x85D2DB48, 0xC0000185, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

[TankPad]

You could try running a test on the drive with something like CrystalDiskInfo or similar. I'd also run a memory test too. If you've a spare drive handy then you could try cloning the existing one to the spare and see if the failures occur with the new drive too. I'd do that after running the above tests first though.

[awebber]

Thanks, am I right that I would do these tests with the drive mounted as an external on another machine, or does it need to be in the X300 with perhaps a bootable optical disk? I have both computers with me so I can do it on the X220.

=aw

[RealBlackStuff]

The X300 has a 1.8" mSATA drive, the X220 has a 2.5" SATA drive.
They are NOT interchangeable.

[awebber]

Thank you. I guess I'll hope I still have the old 64GB that shipped with the X300 (though don't know how long it will last).

Is there any useful combination where I could boot the X300 from the optical drive, then run it from a 128GB USB stick? I know (or assume anyway) that it would be slow. Or can I boot _and_ run on a 128GB thumb drive?

=aw

[RealBlackStuff]

X300/X301 can use the same drives, read this: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=121220

[awebber]

It looks like that adapter allows me to use an even small SS device in the SSD slot? I'm not clear how that's better than buying a 1.8" SSD. Though I do have a 128GB thumb drive which is why I was wondering if it could be used as a bootable drive.

Thanks!
=aw

[RealBlackStuff]

Adapter/mSATA is not necessarily better, but definitely cheaper.
If you manage to install an OS on the thumbdrive, then probably yes, but that would be rather cumbersome, to say the least.

[awebber]

Ah sorry, I didn't think of that. It seems an mSATA is 2.5" (too big for the X300 but the size of the X220), microSATA is the 1.8" size? What is the thing called that goes in the microSATA adapter (and is presumably smaller than 1.8")?

Thanks!
=aw

[TankPad]

Yup, you'd test them on a different machine using an external enclosure, cable adapter etc if necessary. I wouldn't look for a replacement just yet. You might find that the SSD isn't the cause of the issue.

Thanks, am I right that I would do these tests with the drive mounted as an external on another machine, or does it need to be in the X300 with perhaps a bootable optical disk? I have both computers with me so I can do it on the X220.

=aw

[shawross]

The original 64G SSD might still be fine. I am still using my 64G SSD in my X301 and it still seems quick enough.

If you want more storage maybe you can look at fitting a 7mm spinning drive to your Caddy. Optical DD are redundant now and if you watch Ebay then 7mm 2.5 inch spinning drives can be purchased cheap.
A benefit of a spinning drive in the Ultrabay is you can install linux on the drive as a backup OS.

[awebber]

Just want to make sure I'm on the right track here. I have all the following at home, but I'm now pretty sure I didn't bring any of it with me on vacation:

- Original 64GB 1.8" SSD
- USB cable to use 1.8" SSD as a bare external drive
- USB cable to use 2.5" SSD as a bare external drive
- 128GB USB thumb drive, I'm really sure I brought this one but maybe not

I have two separate tasks. First is to get any possible data off the failed 128GB 1.8" SSD, and to run any diagnostics to see if it's the problem (first diagnostic is being able to see it as a data drive). Second is to replace it with another 1.8" drive, if in fact that's the problem (and not something on the motherboard, for example).

For the first task, I need either a USB-1.8" cable, or a USB-2.5" cable and a 1.8"-2.5" adapter. It seems like the latter would be more flexible (not literally), and in fact I just (last week) got one of those toaster-type contraptions for reading 3.5" and 2.5" drives. So theoretically a 1.8"-2.5" adapter would let me drop the drive right in the toaster to read any possible data?

Any comments on a skinny adapter that hangs off the edge, vs. a frame that gives more stability? I'm thinking the latter. I see an open frame type for U$4.99 (e.g. eBay # 302096793545 ). The connector adapters seem to be almost as much. The frame type might also make the toaster more stable.

For new storage (if the old one really is dead), the cheapest 64GB I see on eBay is $25, and a lot of Micron P440e for $30 (haven't checked specs on any of these). Cheapest 120GB is $155 and 128GB is $67.

The other intriguing approach is one of those PCIe boards and a 1.8" adapter, if I have that right. Is this the combination I'm looking for? A "Mini PCIe PCI-e MSATA 3x5cm SSD To 1.8" Micro SATA Adapter Converter" (like ebay # 301360345057) for $5.24 and an "mSATA 128GB MLC Solid State Drive (SSD)" (like eBay # 112347266501) for $40? At $45 that's cheaper than $67 for a 1.8" drive, but I'm not sure I'm looking at the same thing. MSATA is different than mSATA?

Thanks!
=aw

[awebber]

If you want more storage maybe you can look at fitting a 7mm spinning drive to your Caddy.

Interesting idea. On eBay I found a caddy for $18 from China, and 320GB drives for $28. Is that all that's needed?

Thanks!
=aw

[shawross]

Basically that is all that is needed. But you will need to set your bios to Compatibility mode rather than AHCI. This can affect your SSD speed but not enough I don't think to make it nonviable.

I am using a WD blue 500G in mine and there was a thread on the forum as some people had problems with some HD's. I think WD drives have been successful but not Seagate. The $18 caddy adapter should be fine.

Remember the HD needs to be 7mm and your old 64G SSD should be ok.

Goodluck


http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... dy#p738574

[awebber]

The 1.8-2.5" adapter finally came on Friday and I was able to test the X300's 128GB SSD in both the external enclosure and the "toaster", using my X220. In both cases the drive wasn't seen (the toaster came up as drive F: when it was plugged in, but when I clicked on F:, it said "insert drive"). I do have a plain USB-1.8" cable at home, which I'll try when I get home, but I'm concluding the drive is really dead. Are there any other tricks to try?

So given this, I'm going to take a chance and invest in a new 128GB SSD (or maybe 64GB). Does anyone know if the X300 is SATA II or SATA III? I ask because I'm seeing a couple of inexpensive SATA II drives. The 128GB is also II, but it's not original so I may have gone cheap before. If the X300 supports SATA III then I should pay the extra for that. I can't find the information anywhere, including the HMM and all the reviews.

I'm also looking at the 3x5cm + 1.8" adapter board option, but getting it as a single sealed device has some appeal (but not if it's a lot more expensive). I suspect it will represent a bigger saving if I have to go (i.e. if it will benefit from going) SATA III.

Thanks!
=aw

[axur-delmeria]

X300 has same chipset as T61, so it's SATA 2.

[ZaZ]

Does anyone know if the X300 is SATA II or SATA III? I ask because I'm seeing a couple of inexpensive SATA II drives.

It really doesn't matter much as they are interchangeable. I'd buy whatever costs less.

[awebber]

X300 has same chipset as T61, so it's SATA 2.

Okay thanks. I found a SATA II 1.8" drive for about $55, and the combination 3x5cm and mSATA adapter (assuming I got the terminology right) is about $47. The latter is SATA III I believe. Since the X300 only requires SATA II as you say, I'll probably go with the drive. It's more expensive but this machine has been down too long (lost a week getting the adapter to test the existing SSD, when I should have had my cable with me). Obviously it could still be the X300 itself that killed the drive (I guess) but my alternative is to lose another few weeks waiting until I can test with the original 64GB.

It really doesn't matter much as they are interchangeable. I'd buy whatever costs less.

I was thinking that if the X300 expected SATA III, it might be backwards compatible with SATA II but would run slower than maximum. OTOH requiring only SATA II would mean I could use either one. Like USB2 vs USB3, no point in paying extra for a USB3 flash drive if all my ports were USB2 (the analogy breaks down because USB3 seems to be the same price now .

Thank you both!
=aw

[awebber]

Thanks for the help so far. I'm stuck again and hoping it's something simple I'm overlooking.

I got a 1.8-2.5" adapter it's a Lenovo 42W7888 and I assume used. But it's a pretty simple thing and there's no obvious damage. I went with this instead of a USB-1.8" cable, since I have one of the latter at home and because I recently bought both a 2.5" enclosure and a 2.5"/3.5" "toaster". I figured I could use either of those with it the adapter.

When the adapter came, I tried the existing 128GB with both 2.5" devices (using my working X220) and it wasn't seen. Figured maybe the 128GB was that dead.

Today I got a new 64GB 1.8" SSD, in fact a Lenovo 45N7950 (FRU 45N7951). I put it in the adapter and the computer didn't see it, neither in the enclosure nor in the toaster. I went into Disk Management and it's not there as a bare drive either. When it's in the enclosure, I only see Drive 0 (C:, E:, Q:), and when it's in the toaster I see drive F: but not drives in it.

So I think either the 1.8-2.5 adapter is bad, or the new SSD is bad (or both the USB devices are bad, but that's a bit of a coincidence even for cheap devices).

Or is there some other step I should be doing? If my X220 can't even see it as Drive 1 in Disk Management, I can't imagine what.

Thanks!
=andrew