UX32VD - iSSD not detected

So about 2 weeks ago I bought the UX32VD with i7 and FHD screen
As you know it comes with 500gb harddsik, plus 32GB Sandisk iSSD for speedy data transfer on windows bootup and programs frequently used.

However since a few days ago (not sure), the iSSD can't be detected anymore and the expresscache isn't running.

I also tried to check from the BIOS and the SSD were not detected too (only the 500gb hdd).

Tried to install the expresscache utility but it also can't detect the SSD

All drivers, utilities, and BIOS already updated to the latest version.

a few screenshots attached for reference.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

update:

ASUS customer care told me to do a system restore but that didn't help.
The windows boots fine but the iSSD still can't be detected properly.

However, I've found a few things:

1. If I shut down the notebook completely, then turn it on again, as soon as I enter windows, the iSSD will be listed in the device manager and computer management.

2. But less than a minute, the computer will freeze for 5-10 seconds, then continue normally, but the iSSD will disappear.

3. For subsequent restart, the iSSD will still be missing, unless I repeat from step 1 (turn it off)

I suspect there is a faulty bios or driver which caused the iSSD fail to load properly.

any ideas?

 

Do you know if you did anything special just before it stopped working? Like a driver update etc? Most likely it's probably hardware failure though.

 

Warranty issue.

 

Since bought, I've done a bios update to the latest version and windows also installed a new driver for the usb NIC.

Probably going to reinstall windows later...

How do you restore windows to original ASUS factory condition?

If I do a clean windows install, should I install expresscache or intel rapid?

 

Did a full restore with recovery partition, same result.
The SSD was detected normally until it got partitioned and accessed by programs.

Returned it and waiting for replacement...

 

Motherboard needs replacement.... Have to wait up to 1 months...
Less than 2 weeks usage... They won't replace it with another unit..... I need a laptop!
Is this common with ASUS service? (I'm in Indonesia, btw)

I might as well grab another laptop and sell that zenbook when it comes back.

 

I had a similar issue once with the iSSD. It vanished mid-session, crashing all programs that depended on it and ultimately Windows since the page file is on it. A full reboot fixed it, but it is very worrying. I suppose I'd rather live without it than send it in and get a potentially horrible unit with backlight bleed and fan troubles back :/

 

Exact same issue.

The iSSD is fine for a few seconds, BIOS sees it... but by the time Windows loads it it is gone.

If I restart (not shut down) then not even the BIOS sees it roughly half the time....

Any update on your repair/replacement?

 

Same problem here. Now it is the 2nd time where the iSSD dies.
First I experienced a couple freezes and now the iSSD won't show up anymore. However the bios is still looking for the iSSD on startup which causes boottimes of above 4 minutes until it finally boots windows from harddisk.
The first time I had this problem the iSSD was formatted to NTFS so that the bios wasn't looking for the iSSD and I had no startup issue. But this time...

The repair took exactly one month last time but I don't want to and can't wait that much again. I can live with just a dead iSSD but not with that boottime. Does anybody have an idea of how to format the iSSD without going into windows?

 

Mine just went back to the ASUS shop for an iSSD repair. It has already spent five weeks there for a screen change.The store I bought if from is very service-minded and they've mentioned giving be credit to buy another one if the iSSD repair takes too lonk, which at this point would mean buying another UX32VD but this time with Windows 8. I just don't see anything else out there I like as much.

 

I don't know this would be a solution but until know it's works for my zenbook.

Latest Intel Chipset Drivers - Page 7 - Chipsets - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

 

Hi guys,

I've manage to bring back the iSSD after installing Intel Rapid Storage, Rapid Start and Expresscache. I don't know if all this are required.

But there's still problem even bringing it back to windows. I still can't do anything to the iSSD, diskpart doesn't work, can't format, can't delete.

There's only 2 folders in the iSSD namely System Volume Information and $Windows.~LS. I've tried installing windows 7 but it doesn't allow me.

I hope there's someone with diskpart knowledge can help.

 

I am having the same issue but without the partition. You can delete the partitions with disk management, but can't format or do anything with it.

I am also really frustrated trying out multiple things and have been researching for a week now to fix that but without any workable solutions. It seems to be a failure in the iSSD. I will be RMA'ing tommorow.

List of things that I tried:

1) Reverting to different BIOS - 203, 206 and 212
2) Use different partition software - Parted magic, EZ Partition, Acronis and the usual disk management
3) I have also booted from windows 8 UEFI to format but with no success
4) I can delete the partition and it becomes unallocated space, but upon restart it becomes Primary disk (Not sure why)
5) I can see the iSSD only after a full shutdown. Subsequently if I format the disk or check disk or do anything with it, it will hang and disappear altogether
6) When the iSSD disappear, restarting the comp won't help. I'll need a shutdown.
7) Checked with Asus support - Guy said he have checked with their technical team and haven't replied since.

 

Yeah I've tried exactly the same thing with the same result like you. I bet the iSSD is acting like a dedicated expresscache with no access instead of a hybrid drive like the original setup. There must be a software or windows command to revert it back. I'll try diskeeper and see how's the result.

My windows just stop working since this morning, I'll have to re-install windows all over again. If it doesn't work, I'm gonna send it back for RMA.

 

Deleted... Multiple post

 

Same thing here. Here is a description of the problem as reported to Asus.

Problem: The internal Sandisk iSSD (32GB) is not detected properly.

I was using the internal Sandisk iSSD as a second drive (not for express cache). It suddenly became unresponsive after writing a file to it. Since then, boot time have been longer and the iSSD only appears erratically in Windows Disk Management. It is not mountable/usable anymore.

When booting the notebook, the screen remains blank for almost a minute between when the Asus Logo disappears and when the Windows Startup logo is displayed. That makes me think that the computer tries to communicate with the iSSD but then gives up because of the unresponsiveness of the drive. Windows boot time is also dramatically longer then before the drive failure.

I started the computer using a Linux Life CD (usb key) and the boot messages confirm this assumption. The following error message appears in the boot log (end of this message). In Windows, the error "the device, \Device\Harddisk1\DR2, is not ready for access yet" gets recorded to the event viewer.

*stripped some text*


# LINUX BOOT MESSAGES
[ 5.066954] sd 6:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg1 type 0
[ 5.067489] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] 3973120 512-byte logical blocks: (2.03 GB/1.89 GiB)
[ 5.067871] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Write Protect is off
[ 5.067874] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode Sense: 23 00 00 00
[ 5.068262] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] No Caching mode page present
[ 5.068265] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
[ 5.070476] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] No Caching mode page present
[ 5.070478] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
[ 5.071186] sdb: sdb1
[ 5.072830] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] No Caching mode page present
[ 5.072832] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache: write through
[ 5.072833] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Attached SCSI removable disk
[ 7.586087] ata2: link is slow to respond, please be patient (ready=0)
[ 12.227176] ata2: COMRESET failed (errno=-16)
[ 17.579199] ata2: link is slow to respond, please be patient (ready=0)
[ 22.220283] ata2: COMRESET failed (errno=-16)
[ 27.572309] ata2: link is slow to respond, please be patient (ready=0)
[ 57.208158] ata2: COMRESET failed (errno=-16)
[ 57.208169] ata2: limiting SATA link speed to 3.0 Gbps
[ 62.224683] ata2: COMRESET failed (errno=-16)
[ 62.224694] ata2: reset failed, giving up

* NOTE - I did not yet send the Service Request to Asus since their online support form is not working! *

 

I just don't understand why is it write protected when the description says it's off.. is it really hardware issue that's why Asus change it to 24gb iSSD?

 

Exactly the same problem here. My scenario is with win7 installation on the iSSD. It have been working perfectly, then it started freezing sometimes.... and now it reflects exactly what you guys said:

- Detected when freshly started, by BIOS
- Starting windows, it stops with 0xc000000f: boot-selection-failed-because-required-device-inaccessible. Rebooting and back to BIOS, it cannot see the iSSD.
- I also tried Gparted live, with testdisk: I started a deep search into the partition, it froze at 23%... and when reboot, the BIOS could not see it.

I Cannot believe Asus is selling such a faulty hardware... it's apparently something pretty common: have you guys solved the problem??

 

No, not yet. I gave up on the iSSD. Just boot windows from my SSD instead, however the first boot is painfully slow (lack of expresscache) compare to my old laptop. Will RMA it when I feel like it since it had a year warranty.

 

Hi,

You can use DOS-level commands or applications to wipe the drive, although if you want to place a file system on the drive, you may need to use an operating system. I believe you can use a Linux live CD to do this, thus saving you the need to have an OS already installed or to purchase one. I believe Linux live CDs will even allow you to reformat the drive for NTFS if you like ( but don't quote me on that).

Best regards!

 

I don't think the slow boot time you are experiencing comes from the lack of express cache.

Look carefully at the linux boot log I posted. Linux tries to first communicate with the iSSD at 7.586087 seconds and gives up at 62.224694 seconds. That's 54 seconds where the computer is doing nothing but trying to communicate with the faulty drive.

Although the windows boot log are not this detailed, I have been experiencing the same kind of delay when booting the computer to the Windows OS.

My hypothesis is that a good workaround would be to implement a BIOS option to simply deactivate the IDE (AHCI) port used by the iSSD. This way, the OS and BIOS won't try to communicate with it hence avoiding the delay.

That honestly should have been supported from the beginning. The UX32VD BIOS is so simplified that even a basic configuration option like this one is not available...

 

i seem to be having the same problem, has there been any progress recently or any reply from asus support? ...hate to send back a good laptop

 

No update on my side. I'm waiting for the "strategic" moment to send my laptop back so I can have some kind of replacement during this period.

I wish ASUS could add the option in the BIOS to desactivate in internal SSD. My guess is that this would fix the boot time problem caused by the multiple timeouts. In this case, I would just tolerate not having the iSSD.

 

Yeah, same here. No idea why the *censored* they shouldn't do that. Well... I'm going to mess around with it a bit more, see if I can get it to work for me somehow... if not, well I sure as hell ain't going to wait for a miracle from asus. I can't believe this perfect little notebook is hampered by such a stupid flaw.

 

You guys won't believe in it. I have a UX32VD-DH71 and I was using the Internal iSSD as a temp driver to boost memory and cache.
Yesterday is just died on me. Win 7 won't find or even detect it, Win 8 didn't detected either. Even Linux and also the Bios don´t find it anymore (the bios screen is less brighter than usual).
I've tried downgrade the Bios, return exactly as the factory condition (6GB ram with the Hitachi 500GB hdd) and the result is the same.
I was looking in the forum and it seems that a lot of iSSD is getting down. Is anyone already experienced a Notebook exchange with Asus or something? I refuse to stay with a dead iSSD on my PC (boot takes over 4 minutes). How Long Asus may take to replace the Notebook (i´ve moved to Brasil and I´m not in USA anymore)? Have anyone sucessfully fixed it? Any clues? Any Ideas? Tks in advance

 

For your information guys .. Asus confirmed that is a iSSD issue in some equipment. The bad news is that I am in Brazil now and I´ll have to ship my device to USA for repair .. Asus Brazil won´t fix it without charging a lot of money .. .
It Sucks !!!

 

Mine works just fine, booting W7 off it since day 1 (30/08/2012).

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk HD

 

not a VD, but on my 32A, the iSSD is also having issues.

i was using the 24GB iSSD as a secondary drive since Sept 2012 (replaced HDD with SDD). Around Dec 2012, noticed sometimes i would have problems saving to the drive, and it would disappear from explorer/device manager. i backed up and moved all my data from there ASAP. found that some of my files actually got corrupted as well. Had difficulty moving the corrupted ones off the drive. It's not too big a deal since the space is so small and i'm not using it as expresscache anyway. Now i've stopped using the iSSD completely and just leave it hidden.

 

Update from my side:

Sent the zenbook back through the local dealer, took 2+ weeks and the motherboard got replaced, now it is working again. ... though the guy working on it must have had shaky hands, as one tiny T5 screw got lost on him and was replaced by regular philips head.. plus he added a tiny scratch next to one screwhole. (doh)

anyways, hopefully it will keep working, if not I will sell it and move back to macbook air or something... :S (fingers crossed)

 

Well, I've sent mine to USA.. US$ 75 just the shipment. Lets wait to see what they're going to do.
Like fnkone said, I wouldn't mind to live without the iSSD (only if was possible to stop BIOS to search for him..)
Do you guys now if it possible to customize the BIOS for it?

 

Did you send the laptop attached with the charger and something else? Or did you just send the laptop? I'm gonna send mine too (btw they said in the email that they will send me a pre paid airway bill) because I have the same problem as everybody... the laptop has 3 months.

 

Owner of: UX32A, Win7HomePremium, iSSD 32GB, Hitachi 500GB - i have installed win7 on the SSD, was amaze... the speed, the silence, like a dream till one day system froze, blue screen - restart iSSD not there. Went to Google, input search term: ux32A sdd not detected, the results - only rewievs 4up to 5 stars, unboxing and other commercial sh&t, somewhere down on the page i have found this forum (i said to myself maybe i'm the unlucky guy ever).
Of course i have read it all, and kinda dissapointed. My lap has only 1 month, i have upgraded to 10GB RAM, now i'm scared to go for warranty because i have open it for RAM upgrade... Like others users, only if i shut down the system and remake the settings in Bios to boot from iSSD i am still able to use the SSD.
I'm like 90% sure there is more people outhere who has the same problem but they just don't know, not everyone is tech addicted.
I really dono what to do, i love this piece of metal but to spend another 100eur for a 128GB SSD it sucks.
Still i want to belive there is a software problem, because the symtoms is more than strange.
Someone with the MB replaced, please post here if the problem was solved.

Wish you luck with your iSSD guys.

 

I've send the complete set.. but I´m so lucky, so lucky, that US Customs damage the device during the verification. Now i don´t now what Asus is going to do..

 

not sure about bios customization, but the new motherboard seems to be working so far... i will add new ssd to replace the original hdd.

btw, i sent mine to warranty after i had already messed with internals, just replaced it all with original memory and hdd. No complaints from their side, also the sticker (warranty void) was badly replaced by them... (now there are two of those, but they are both ripped) so i don't think they'll worry about that much.

EDIT: oh yeah, guys don't install OS on the issd, support sent a letter after they replaced the mobo, that the internal ssd should be left for cache only!
(mine broke on its own, i didn't install OS on it)

 

Now it seems that I am also one of the victims of a malfunctioning iSSD. Just to make sure: Did you all run Windows on the iSSD? Did you regularly get a bluescreen and need to power off the notebook in order to make a reboot possible (otherwise message "reboot and select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key")? At some day the iSSD stopped working and since then cannot be detected anymore?

I am currently at the state where I reinstall Windows on the HDD. I so far couldn't check if the reboot takes so much longer. I directly ordered a full SSD, but if you say there is an issue with the iSSD slowing down the boot, I wonder if I shall rather get the motherboard replaced or what.

What do you suggest? Is it possible to just NOT USE the iSSD? I don't really care for 24GB anyways (even more so if it's buggy). But if it messes with the system, I can't accept.

EDIT: So my iSSD completely vanished, cannot be seen in BIOS or anywhere else. I've installed Windows7 on the HDD, but I'm not sure how long a normal Boot would be on HDD. So I'm not sure if the system is trying to communicate with the lost iSSD on Boot. I guess I'll just send it in...

 

@ fabiodt - mate this is really worse, you have to make a complain to US custom, it's abnormal to damage your lap like this.Sorry for you...
@ centauri - please keep us update how the lap works after HDD replacement.
@ berserk_der_ueble - my lap, in original state, used to have OS (win7home prem) on the 500GB Hitachi HDD, i have followed the tutorial from the forum and i installed the OS on SSD. Today, with my lap on my side playing U3 on PS3, the lap needed for the youtube for treasures, at some point without warning selfrestart... yeah i was happy, off course it booted from Hitachi HDD(not formated yet), DAMN it was sooooo slow. What is pissed me of, the ing iSSD it's kinda zombie or Chuck Norris? ? If it dies STAY DEAD! I have shuted down, enter in Bios, select boot from iSSD and for the moment still working. Now i'm planning to buy a 128-256GB SSD for replace the HDD BUT i have doubts... what if the design of mobo is made in the way to be related with the iSSD and if it's not there to look for it and results to a slooow 2012 machine???When the OS run from ssd it's like heaven on earth, every PC's wich i have to fix or i use seems...snails compared with mine.

For one thing i'm 99% sure, i will not send it to warranty because, see above...
Ok now i decided, next week i will take the risk, i will buy a SSD and keep you informed.

Sorry for all with issues and for me also

 

yea, mine is working perfectly so far.

as I said earlier, ASUS support strongly recommended NOT to install OS or anything on the ISSD, that's causing the problems all along, although in my case it might have been just a regular hardware fault.

@berserk_der_ueble, dude, that is exactly the classic case with this . There is NO WAY to disable the iSSD check, it will slow down boot considerably. If it is working, the restart or resume from standby/sleep is superfast, all the temp stuff is cached to it. That's how asus attempted to compete with macbooks etc. Even with regular slow@ss 5400rpm hitachi the boot is fast. Not to mention the boot with samsung 840pro (my choice ) Anyways, sounds like you need to send it in for repairs.

Guys, please do not format/install stuff on the iSSD, just leave it as it is, less pain, more gain. (though, if it decides to crap out on me again I'm going back to macbook)

 

I'm curious about this too, it should solve 30 sec BIOS boot! Is there any way to disable SATA port?

 

@ypeo USPS claims that Brazil post office the package on the way to USA, Brazil Post office claims that USPS did it (so.. a dead end on this matter..)

Hi Guys,
Asus fixed my PC .. don´t know if they change the motherboard or what ..
Here is the pics ..
P.S. (They also managed to DAMAGE EVEN MORE the Aluminium area already damaged around the USB and also, damaged my screen back cover..
Honest, I don´t know what else to do ..

 

A few comments about the iSSD on UX32VD:

• The Sandisk iSSD seems to be totally unreliable. There are many reports of iSSD failure.
• Their excuse that the iSSD should not be tampered with or you should not install Windows on it, is not satisfying. A drive should NEVER fail because of software issues. Otherwise it's just a crappy drive.
• The fact that the iSSD is soldered on the motherboard makes it extremely difficult to fix or replace. Also, once it fails it affects the whole system as the BIOS keeps looking for it or tries to access it despite it has failed.
• There is NO way to disable the iSSD through BIOS. This includes the case of modifying the BIOS to show hidden settings. Even in this case there is no way to disable it entirely.
• Given the above, the only solution is to send the notebook back for replacement. I wouldn't accept any excuse from Asus, as it is clear there is a serious issue with many of these devices.

 

That's what you get for buying an ultrabook, I guess... Given that I bought a full SSD anyway, I would prefer a solution without the iSSD (be it mechanical removal or deactivation via BIOS).

Still, it would be nice to have a funtioning and reliable iSSD. After all, that's what we payed for.

BTW: I'm still waiting on my notebook, more than a month now. How long did it take for you guys?

 

Mine take about 1,5 weeks .. I´ve returned due the back-lid scratches and other defects on the PC body. I´m waiting now for 2 weeks with no return at all from Asus.

 

I was originally using the preconfigured HDD+iSSD setup, and the iSSD broke down last week. Asus paid for me to overnight ship it to them, fixed it over the easter weekend, and overnight shipped the laptop back to me. The entire process took 7 calendar days. ( I'm in Montreal,Quebec )
Ever since, I've put in a Samsung 840 drive and its super fast. Now I'm just using the iSSD as a regular storage drive.

 

After having a problem with my Asus laptop (it was 3 months old and I took a lot of care with it) and sent it back to them in order to be repaired and could realised that is how ASUS' technical support works:
- One corner really scratched
- The back of the computer has a huge hit
- Two of the usb ports bended

And all that just for 900€ and just in 4 months time. I think is a really good deal (for them of course). I would like to know if they repair their own things like that...

PLEASE SHARE THAT...

ImageShack Album - 5 images

 

I know exactly how you feel.. they destroyed mine as well.. What about a huge noise on a blog, twitter, Facebook and the notebook forum with a specific thread? This really can alert future Consumers that are considering to buy this 'great' pc from this 'terrific' company called Asus.

 

I got my notebook back yesterday, after five weeks (shame on ASUS...). Everything works fine again, the iSSD can be seen in the BIOS. I guess they have exchanged the motherboard, but the guy in the shop couldn't tell me what ASUS did, since they wrote only "exchange" in their report.

I mounted a proper SSD now (Samsung Pro 840 256 GB) and also took the chance to upgrade RAM to 8 GB. Now it runs smooth again and hell is SSD fast. After five weeks with my old notebook I just got used again to boot-times of over a minute.

For your information: The notebook came back without any damage at all. I feel sorry though for dpe and fabiodt. I hope you guys find a way to make this more public and get some attention from ASUS so that they might rethink their service quality.

As for now, I will leave the iSSD alone and neither use it for OS nor for storage. I don't want it to ever fail again and I hope that by this I can prolongue its lifetime to some extend. I will observe this issue on the web, to see how many people actually report the exact same failure with their iSSD. So if you read this and haven't posted in this thread yet, please do, so that we can have some sort of statistics.

Thanks to the people who have responded to my post so far. I hope everything works out fine for you guys. See you.

 

Hi @berserk_der_ueble,

Unfortunately is been 3 weeks and no answers from ASUS yet. I´m glad you have almost a new computer (without scratches and stuff).. in my case things seems to be going to another way (I'm afraid .. not good way)..

Don´t know if you remember that, but I'm in Brazil now and despite of all problems to fix the computer, all postal expenses with international/insured shipment and taxes (yeap, 99% of chance that I´ll have to pay importation taxes when it arrives..) ..

So I believe in the end I´ll end up with a expensive and crap computer.

Unfortunately is complicated how consumers with histories like mine behave, they don´t care about complaining a lot and also they don´t seems to want to go public.

If more user (like myself) would be available to make a large complain, may be ASUS change it´s internal repair service and quality department, and maybe, maybe.. things can get a little better in the future..

 

I have been posting on facebook what happend with my laptop after being "repaired". I agree with you that we should inform other future potential consumers about that just to let them know. In my case after less than a week a guy call me in order to try to solve the problem and right now they have the laptop. I hope it is gonna be OK although I think I'm not gonna buy another device from ASUS after seeing the post selling services. I have always been pro ASUS person until now... they should take care of their consumers and give the neccesary importance to every issue.
I hope they solve your problem too but don't give up because you have paid for a laptop and the correspondent post selling services... I will let you know how my case finish, see ya

 

Hello Everyone,

I did post about this issue in to Better Business Bureau, FB & Twitter. I´ve also expend a lot of time exchange emails & pictures with ASUS Customer Care.
Don´t exactly what really worked to made ASUS move themselves about this issue.

The important think is that My PC is back now ! I´ve sent it to USA in Feb 25, 2013 and after return it twice to Asus Tech Service the pc is finally ok.

My brother just receive my UX32VD. A NEW ONE (new mother board, new back cover, new chassi, new everything). He received the equipment last friday and he is using it to see if everything is ok.

It sucks to stay almost 60 days fighting for my rights, but in the end everything seems to work okay.

If no problem appear in the next 2 weeks, then we will figure out HOW TO BRING IT BACK to Brazil without further costs (taxes).

Cheers,

fabiodt

P.S. This does not mean I will buy another ASUS.. The fact that they not repaired my pc in Brazil is not acceptable at all, specially for a company who claims to have world wide support.