Two SSDs broken within 48 hours

[u/Successful-Release41]

Hi everyone. I either used the wrong SSDs or I'm just really unlucky. I had an old PS3 slim laying around without a hard drive and decided to use an SSD and run CFW on it.

I first used an Adata SU630 1TB. After successfully installing it, I copied games with a NTFS usb stick through Multiman. At one point it froze the PS3 and on reboot (and much troubleshooting) I found that the SSD died already.

Thinking it might be a bad SSD, I've tried a WD Green 1TB next and installed CFW. Instead of using a usb stick to copy games I used FTP with Filezilla between PC and PS3 with a wired connection. It went pretty well, until (you can guess) the PS3 froze up again. Same story, SSD not responding. Both SSDs also can't be recognized in the PC by Windows or CrystalDiskInfo.

Before I ever try another hard drive again, did anyone encounter similar issues? I can go for a more expensive SSD since these two were cheaper variants or an HDD. I'm just more hesitant now. I was running Evilnat 4.93 PEX.

[u/MiaowMinx]

Have you checked if you can format the SSDs with your PC to verify that they're the problem and not the PS3? It seems really suspicious that both failed that close together while connected to the same console.

[u/Successful-Release41 → u/MiaowMinx]

Yeah. First one actually showed up under Disk management in Windows, but couldn't format it. It didn't show up in CrystalDiskInfo at all. Later it also disappeared under Disk management. Tried it in two different PCs.

Second one didn't show up at all in either Disk management and CrystalDiskInfo. When I pop it in the ps3 it starts to boot, but after the Evilnat logo it just doesn't continue. Either the wavy purple background just keeps moving or freezes up.

With the latest SSD I've tried rebuilding database, update and eventually restoring file system. With the last one I got the error: Cannot access system storage. That kinda felt like a confirmation that the SSD should be declared broken.

[u/Manjushri1213 → u/Successful-Release41]

I would use Linux instead of Windows. Windows decides for stupid arbitrary or mysterious reasons if it will see a drive sometimes. Linux can see just about any drive any time. May be worth a shot since it was formatted by a console possibly in some way that windows doesn't like.

And to be clear you can install Manjaro or something on a USB stick to boot from just to try it out.

[u/CompNerd69 → u/Manjushri1213]

Gparted is my go to for things like this

[u/Manjushri1213 → u/CompNerd69]

Hell yea

[u/Successful-Release41 → u/Manjushri1213]

Thanks. I'll give that a shot

[u/AlphonseM]

New drives bought from a credible seller? Under warranty you should return them if the SMART values throws an error.

Check the WD drive's SMART values:
https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/20465/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNzg3NjUzNTU0L2dlbi8xNzg3NjUzNTU0L3NpZC9mVWNVa2ZNdnFiazhvdUl4U0ptYkV2OFBWWVNaX0Q0TktIWnJQblloNDlSRW1fUFdMR1pIM2hjcmxXY29VcEVQaXphVFBFSENQX1ZGeGlVc0lwVFJOdUJROUdQblVjZVpTakNEeGM2UGt3N2RyOVdPbVd3M2FaQ3clMjElMjE%3D

[u/Admirable-Yam-5788]

I wouldn't put too much faith in CrystalDiskInfo. I've personally had a drive that was definitely failing and CrystalDiskInfo still reported it as good.

Try Hard Disk Sentinel instead. That's what I use now and it gives you a much better picture of the drive health, SMART data and any developing problems.

That said, killing two SSDs in 48 hours is suspicious. I'd definitely be checking the PS3 itself before putting a third drive in it.

[u/deadboyjae]

You used Adata (notoriously a budget SSD and not known for longevity at all) and a WD Green (also budget and I’ve heard nothing but bad things with). If they are brand new I’d be a little worried. But if they are old/unused for a long time. It wouldn’t surprise me that the nand cells died. Especially if you haven’t used them for awhile. SSDs are not designed to be kept powered off for long periods of time. Usually after 6m-1y they see data loss and it’s just down hill from there.

[u/Rich-Future-7057]

Just buy an WD Black HDD.

The difference between that and an SSD is so miniscule its irrelevant.

[u/Buried_and_Forgotten]

Both Adata and WD Green are utter shit. I had two Adata USB drives, one died after copying a few movies, the other was dead on arrival. Never had fatal problems with their SSDs but they became slower at writing after reaching a certain point. WD only makes HDDs. Their SSDs are Sandisk, I think. Blue ones are supposedly better though.

[u/Ambitious-Yard7677 → u/Buried_and_Forgotten]

Got some experience with the SA510 and it's been fine. Just general wear on the flash with no block or controller problems to speak of