Trouble with OCZ Vertex Plus SSD 60GB installation

[underclocker]

Oops! Maybe you get what you pay for with this one?!

As I've done with several Intel and Kingston SSDs quite successfully, I cloned a Win7 image using Ghost Corporate 10.5.1. The Vertex booted up perfectly and quickly with the image, but within seconds file errors started and then Windows bluescreened. This happened the same way two times.

OK, I'll try a fresh Win7 install from DVD. Three times it failed during installation, one time with the 32-bit version, twice with the 64-bit version.

I quit trying and opened a support ticket (since their phone number states everyone is busy, please open a support ticket).

I've never had this much trouble with a hard drive. Here is the respone from support (when I get a couple of spare hours, I'll try again - or return it!)

I sincerely apologize for the issues you have been experiencing with your OCZ
product. The issue you are facing is directly related to your HDD clone. The
architecture of the HDD and our SSD is quite different so as a result alignment
issues arise and corrupts system files. System crashes from HDD clones may happen
within minutes of the installation or even weeks after the installation.

I recommend performing a Sanitary Erase of your drive, possibly twice and then
install a "fresh" and clean installation of your operating system rather than from
the image or clone.

Sanitary Erase tool:
http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum ... post567590

[Harryc]

Wow, I was just about to pop in an order for one of those and then Newegg was out of stock. Good luck with the drive. I hope it works out for you.

[RealBlackStuff]

I am finding way too many problems with various OCZ SDDs on the web, hence my refusal to buy them at this stage, even when Newegg tries to almost give them away (makes you wonder why....).
When they get the green light from Anandtech, then I may consider them.
If I now feel that the money burns in my pocket, I plan to go with OWC Mercury SSDs, not the cheapest I admit...

[underclocker]

Oh, did I mention that the drive is also slightly wider than any other drive I've handled? I tried multiple Lenovo drive caddy's but had to resort to tin snips to get the Vertex to fit and secure with screws. I almost had to Vaseline the rubber rails to get it into the ThinkPad.

I've had very good experiences with Intel and OWC.

[ChugokuOtaku]

I've never tried using Ghost to clone HDDs to SSDs, but never had any problems with Acronis, as long as it's an image clone, without resizing or moving around partitions. It would be interesting to see whether or not the post-clone Vertex Plus even has aligned partitions. Certain drives like Intel SSDs seem to work just as well when sectors aren't aligned due to some magic they've worked into their controllers.

Oh, did I mention that the drive is also slightly wider than any other drive I've handled? I tried multiple Lenovo drive caddy's but had to resort to tin snips to get the Vertex to fit and secure with screws. I almost had to Vaseline the rubber rails to get it into the ThinkPad.

I'm glad I'm not alone on that one! I had the exact same problem installing a Vertex 2 into my friend's Asus laptop. I'm sure my own Vertex 2 has the same problem, but I have that one installed in my desktop. I would've found that out a lot sooner if the T420s didn't have a 7mm drive form factor. If I recall, I think it was the top plastic portion of the drive that's outta spec, not the metal underside. You can always try sanding it down.

[Johan]

If I now feel that the money burns in my pocket, I plan to go with OWC Mercury SSDs, not the cheapest I admit...

I've had very good experiences with Intel and OWC.

@ RBS & underclocker: The above remarks just caught my eye - because of the question asked recently in the thread 2.5" PATA "OWC Mercury Legacy Pro SSD": Performance in T42? (which no one unfortunately has replied to, this far).

This post therefore simply to ask what are your reason(s) for "recommending" the OWC Mercury SSDs... where have you heard of them, what is your expereince with them, what do you know about them (e.g. in ThinkPad's?), would you recommend using the 2.5" PATA versons in a T4x/p running Windows 7?

Any and all comments especially in regard to the 2.5" PATA OWC Mercury Legacy Pro SSD's in T4x/p's are very, very welcome... thanks in advance!

Johan

[underclocker]

If I recall, I think it was the top plastic portion of the drive that's outta spec, not the metal underside. You can always try sanding it down.

The Vertex Plus is completely metal, no plastic - the whole case is just a hair wider than every other drive!

This post therefore simply to ask what are your reason(s) for "recommending" the OWC Mercury SSDs... where have you heard of them, what is your expereince with them, what do you know about them (e.g. in ThinkPad's?), would you recommend using the 2.5" PATA versons in a T4x/p running Windows 7?

I had the OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 3G 240GB for a short while. I used it for both OSX then Windows 7. The performance was stunning. I didn't have any issues with OS installs or cloning. An available firmware update went smoothly.

Any and all comments especially in regard to the 2.5" PATA OWC Mercury Legacy Pro SSD's in T4x/p's are very, very welcome... thanks in advance!?

This line of drives seems very compelling, but I haven't tried one...yet. I am still using a Transcend IDE SSD in an old Dell. Performance was great for about one year. Now it pauses quite frequently, overall it is now slower than a mechanical drive. I will have to find and run a garbage cleanup utility or switch back to mechanical. I'd love to hear how the OWC IDE works, too.

Regarding OCZ's recommendations for the Vertex Plus 60GB that I just picked up, no luck. I wiped it twice (why twice would make a difference, I don't know) and tried a reinstall from DVDs (Win 7 32-bit an 64-bit), both failed. Let's see what they suggest next.

[automobus]

If I now feel that the money burns in my pocket, I plan to go with OWC Mercury SSDs

I have no desire for a SSD. But if I did, and if my pocket had even more money burns than yours, then I would get a SimpleTech. STEC emphasises reliability, which is the first thing I want from computer technology.
http://www.stec-inc.com/product/mach8.php

[RealBlackStuff]

At only $17'616.64 for a measly 64GB SSD, I doubt they sell (m)any.
http://components.arrow.com/part/detail ... 18555N3001

[spuddog]

Sorry to hear about the troubles you are having with your OCZ. I have two OCZs one is the Agility 2 and the other an Agility 3, (both are 60GB). I did clean installs on both (Win 7 x64) and they have been running for several months without issue. I am running the modified middleton bios on the OCZ Agility 2 in an x61 and get pretty good speeds.

Hopefully it's just a bad drive. I will say I dealt with OCZ's warranty dept on a flash drive once and they were helpfull and quick.

Good luck
Scott

[ChugokuOtaku]

At only $17'616.64 for a measly 64GB SSD, I doubt they sell (m)any.
http://components.arrow.com/part/detail ... 18555N3001

Don't think my bank's gonna give me a loan for that... lol

[chazz]

Great, I got one comin ...my first ssd for my 9 inch netbook...hope its not going to be too difficult

[underclocker]

Not just me and not just the 60GB model. From the OCZ forum, posted a couple of days ago, same issue with the 120GB Vertex Plus on a Toshiba --> http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum ... .php?93493

And the 60GB on a Mac (no go) --> http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum ... .php?93417

And the 60GB on an Asus (no go) --> http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum ... .php?93500

And the 120GB on a Mac (no go) --> http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum ... .php?93447

Well, at least it's just not me/my drive. However, OCZ has a big issue. $50 is not a good price, if the drive doesn't work!

And a complaint about the fit, which is minor compared to the drive not working! --> http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum ... .php?93444

P.S. I tried Ubuntu 11.4 after a secure erase. It installed and booted up once. The second boot up never happened, but I did receive a nice message --> error: unkown filesystem.

[chazz]

Thanks underclocker for the vote of confidence.
I think I will save myself the trouble and not bother opening it, and send it back to Newegg for an Intel..

Anyone know what is the difference between the Intel 320, 510, and X25 series? which one is more future proof?
Iam thinking of getting one and try it out on my T60P (XP) and eventually migrate it to a newer thinkpad workstation W530'sh later
thanks

[underclocker]

I probably should have read the Newegg NON-RETURN policy first!!! Newegg and OCZ are selling rectangular, metal hockey pucks for $50. What a deal!

Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
a.Summary
i.
■Return for refund within: non-refundable
■Return for replacement within: 30 days

b.Detail
i.
Products that state "This item is covered by Newegg.com's Replacement Only Return Policy", or items labeled as “Non-refundable” (or similar labeling) must be returned to Newegg within 30 days of the invoice date for this policy to apply. Products covered by this return policy may only be returned for a replacement of the same or equivalent item. “Return” constitutes receipt of the product by Newegg, and not the mere issuance of an RMA.

Result of my online return attempt via Newegg;

■According to our records, this item is still covered by the product manufacturer's parts warranty.
■According to our records, this item is still covered by the product manufacturer's labor warranty.
■This item is not eligible for a refund RMA.

[Harryc]

This is very dangerous territory for Newegg and OCZ to be playing in. Between the mods/Admins and members here and the other major laptop sites that they run or are involved in, we probably represent a good portion of their business. Clearly you have a case for a refund. I think if you point them to this thread they may change their mind on a refund.

[RealBlackStuff]

Oh, did I mention that the drive is also slightly wider than any other drive I've handled? I tried multiple Lenovo drive caddy's but had to resort to tin snips to get the Vertex to fit and secure with screws. I almost had to Vaseline the rubber rails to get it into the ThinkPad.

SSD   Other   OCZ
Width  3.9"   3.94"  Read: Length 	 	 
Depth  2.6"   2.76"  Read: Width 	 	 
Height 0.37"  0.36"

The above figures are quotes from the Newegg website.

Products covered by this return policy may only be returned for a replacement of the same or equivalent item.

I'd ask for an equivalent 64GB Patriot SSD (I have their 32GB SSD in my X60s, bought for $49.99 after MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820220581
Costs a bit more, but hey, Newegg can afford it, resp. can NOT afford to get such bad publicity!

[underclocker]

It's actually smart for OCZ to design the case so that it doesn't fit into a computer. That way purchasers won't find out that it doesn't work!

P.S. OCZ support hasn't responded to me since Thursday and their phones just go to a recorded message.
P.P.S. OCZ support contacted me with after several days and apologized for the delay. They have sent me an RMA number and the drive is going back to them. I pleaded for any drive other than a Vertex Plus, but I doubt they'll fulfill that request. I'll post back an update after I receive the replacement drive.

[ChugokuOtaku]

It's actually smart for OCZ to design the case so that it doesn't fit into a computer. That way purchasers won't find out that it doesn't work!

P.S. OCZ support hasn't responded to me since Thursday and their phones just go to a recorded message.
P.P.S. OCZ support contacted me with after several days and apologized for the delay. They have sent me an RMA number and the drive is going back to them. I pleaded for any drive other than a Vertex Plus, but I doubt they'll fulfill that request. I'll post back an update after I receive the replacement drive.

Hope you get your replacement soon! They overnighted my brother's Agility 2 from Taiwan the 2nd time it was RMA'd.

Did you get a chance to read about this cervelo soloist's success with the drive?

[underclocker]

Did you get a chance to read about this cervelo soloist's success with the drive?

Unfortunately, I read it. Sorry to hear that the 120GB version is no better, but at least he got it to work with a SATA II controller.

There are now dozens of reviews on Newegg, it's not pretty. It would be comical if it weren't for all the time people have lost trying to make a defective drive bootable --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820227738

I'm still waiting for my replacement drive from OCZ.

[ajkula66]

Just installed W7 on a 60GB version of Vertex II, which I had previously used in Ultrabay only, on my T43p machines...

The good news is that it seems quite fast in my "new" T60p, and gets a 7.1 Windows Experience score with no tweaks, out of the box...

The bad news is that it was an absolute PITA to install, and I'm honestly not looking forward to removing it....

Caddy? What caddy? Some tin foil and rubber rails...not kidding...

[underclocker]

Minor updates: Received the rebate (that was fast) & RMA shows replacement drive shipped today from Taiwan, should arrive this week. The RMA online status shows the replacement drive is also a Vertex Plus. However, there are now dozens of complaints at Newegg alone of the Vertex Plus not working in many, many different computers.

[RealBlackStuff]

Which goes to say once more, that size IS everything!

PS: I like your new mod's avatar!

[underclocker]

Thanks, I like the avatar, too.

I just received the RMA replacement, another Vertex Plus 60GB. However, I also received another email from OCZ asking me to return the new one and they'd send out the OCZSSD2-1VTX60G, which looks a little better;

http://www.ocztechnology.com/ocz-vertex ... 5-ssd.html


It's also about twice the price on Newegg;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820227394

[ChugokuOtaku]

I thought the regular Vertex was a step down from the Vertex Plus

Wasn't the Plus just a regular Vertex with a modified Barefoot controller?

[RealBlackStuff]

However, I also received another email from OCZ asking me to return the new one and they'd send out the OCZSSD2-1VTX60G, which looks a little better;

The Royal Treatment, no less!
They seem to be bending over backwards to please you, presumably influenced by the fact that you are a Moderator on an important consumer forum!
I would still not buy an OCZ though...
The size problem hasn't been fixed, it is still MLC (not SLC), and the fact that Newegg has a special action for OCZ almost every other day does not bode well for me...

[underclocker]

They seem to be bending over backwards to please you, presumably influenced by the fact that you are a Moderator on an important consumer forum!

Well, I didn't mention anything about my "status". However, I am very good at crafting persuasive emails! The pen is mightier than the sword.

[ajkula66]

Not for nothing, but what have the folks at OCZ been smoking lately? Maybe I don't want to know...

A couple of months ago I bought a Vertex 2 Plus for an order that never got completed - long story short - I kept it. Was installed in the UltraBay of my T43 and T43p for testing purposes, wasn't happy in XP, was very happy in W7 - snappy little thing.

Installing it in a newly arrived 15" T60p was nothing short of a headache - and it's still not "by the book" although it works flawlessly.

I don't get it. Seriously. And it's got to be creating issues on other brands, not just ThinkPads...

[visionviper]

Just another entry into the very thick book of people having problems with OCZ SSDs. I really have no idea how they can be having so many more problems with their products than anyone else. It's been said that OCZ's failure rate on SSDs is 3%+. The same site (hardware.fr) claims that for one of the older OCZ models it's actually higher than 6%.

The numbers are only from one retailer in France, but hearing all of the problems on different forums online makes it seem pretty believable.

[ThinkRob]

Ooh, an OCZ thread.

So I've previously mentioned my issues with OCZ SSDs here on this forum. I went through several of the early Sandforce drives, and generally came away with the impression that OCZ's drives could best be described "good idea, sloppy execution".

Then, against my better judgment, I decided to try some of their more recent drives

I put two OCZ Vertex 3s in RAID-1 in my workstation.

One week later, I boot up my machine only to read the reassuring message informing me that my RAID set is in the "resynching" state. Why? Who knows. Shortly thereafter one of the drives decided to disappear every couple of boots. Boot, no drive. Re-boot, it's back. Awesome.

Nope. I'm not playing that game anymore. I sanitized the drives, sold them, and moved on to the welcoming arms of Intel and Samsung. They don't make the fastest drives, but what good is speed if you can't trust the drive?

I will say this though: I'd definitely consider them if I need another couple L2ARC drives. Something like that is a good fit for an OCZ SSD: failure doesn't cause data loss, and speed is paramount.