Boot up issues with a SSD. Who all is affected?

[2GStyle]

I have been reading up and noticed in this thread that I am not alone in having issues with my m14x booting up.

The issues is from time to time during boot up the computer hangs up at the Windows loading logo.

SSD Info:
Curcial M4 128GB Firmware 0009
Running SATA 6Gb/s, Tested speeds ~480 Read ~180 Write
Happens about 20% of the time

If you are having this issue as well please post your info. Hopefully we can get Dell to see the issue isn't in the SSD firmware and fix the problem.

[c69k]

@GStyle PM sent.

[DC87]

My personal judgement from what everything I have read it appears to me:

1. SandForce based SSD's appear to generally have issues with this computer.
2. Trying to run at SATA III speeds which is possible on the mx14x but it does not appear to be be stable at all.


I bought a non SandForce SSD, and a SATAII drive and have zero issues, and to anyone who wants to buy an SSD and need complete reliability (for school etc.)
I would recommend they do the same as it appears the mx14x is very picky about which SSD's will work correctly and problem free.

[c69k]

It must be Dell Bios. 2GStyle's M4 uses Marvell 88SS9174-BLD2. And yes, I agree Sandforce is still not without issues. Hopefully Intel with its SSD 520 will get things moving in the right direction with Sandforce.

@DC87 Nice one. I would like to know if there are any M14X users having stability/startup problems with Sata II (3Gbps) SSDs. +rep

@2GStyle I am very happy that you opened this thread. Dell will hopefully re-consider the fact, that many users buy their M14X with a wish that SATA III (6Gbps) is supported. M14X manual says SATA III suppported at SATA II speeds. Well, if I run my SATA III SSD at SATA II speeds, it has the same issues. And the M14X sales would be definitely better for Dell if people knew, that SATA III (6Gbps) is a sure thing.

GStyle +rep, BTW I still have 20% unsuccessful Win7 starts, PM sent.

[Bungletron]

Got a PM from 2GStyle too, obviously we are both in the M4 club. I posted on Crucial forum too, I intend to test my M4 512GB SSD as the OS drive in my desktop to see if the same issues occur. At the moment my M14x with upgraded 512gb Crucial m4 fw 0009 runs like this:

Latest Intel Rapid Storage driver installed, Sata II speeds reported.
Cold boot: Boots without error 80%, I/O device error otherwise
Sleep: 100% resume rate.
Short Hibernate (forced and restarted immediately for testing): Resumes without error 80%, otherwise resume lost with I/O device error, bad hiberfil.sys often reported
Long Hibernate (left off overnight, resumed after 6-7 hours+): Never resumes, I/O device error, bad hiberfil.sys often reported
Issues under all other normal operating conditions: NONE!

Have been away for a while, seen some people have A06 bios, I am on A05, has anyone tested SSD stability on A06?

[custom90gt]

I also have the I/O device error once every 6 or so cold boots. My old motherboard would have boot up issues every time, I could maybe get into windows once every 30 boots...

[c1ro]

My intel 510 has similar issue and neither intel nor Dell want to help me after bagged my money.

[flybass]

...there are a million warnings on this forum about SATAIII drives and yet people still buy them...

[SubScriptZero]

I've got similar Issues, including random rebooting for not apparent reason, its a bit more stable than it was when i first installed it, however it still has issues.

SSD: Corsair Force 3 120GB
Firmware: Latest
Errors are maybe 5-10% of the time of boot, and <5% when in use and a random reboot. Still enough to be an annoyance and occasionally lose work.

[singkuy]

I see that there are alot of complaints about sata III. Just for the sake of asking (cause nothing pop's up when i search "ssd" on the m14x forum), what is the best 60-120gig ssd for the m14x?

Please send me a link if there is already a thread for this. thanks!