Bricked NOVA 128GB and I am RMA'ing it...

However, ALL my stuff is on it. But I cannot even see the drive in BIOS. is there any precautions I can take before sending it RMA? Boot with Linux and try to see it there??? Thanks, Dave

BTW it happened suddenly after working perfectly. Out of the blue, I did not do anything.

 

My experience has been bricked SSD means controller is dead. No way that I know of to easily access the data unless you swap out the board.

 

Cape,

I'm truly sorry to hear that - but just as with HDD's, I won't be sending SSD's in for any warranty coverage - because of the 'Data' issue.

If I can't afford a new HDD to 'play' with, I won't buy it at all.

Hope the information you had was backed up and that the data is properly destroyed for you when it is RMA'd.

 

As we move forward the controller chip will hold the encryption key for the data on the chips so that if it dies, the data is usless.

 

Nice! Good idea. Wonder how soon before this is implemented an if it will be across all manufacturers?

 

Bricked how? Via firmware update?

If you hook it up via USB, is it recognized?

 

Isn't that one of the features of the intel ssd 320? If yes, then it's already out.

 

Excellent responses all. Bricked in this case means just was not there when booted. Dead controller was my first thought as well. Gonna try usb now Know what you mean about never sending one away, but I also HATE the thought of losing. Ah, encryption, why weren't you there

 

I dunno. Personally there really isn't anything on my drives that I'd be hiding anything. If someone really wants to go through my GB of storage searching for my yahoo email password, go right ahead. Sure there's a 0.01% chance of someone getting their hands on it, but do you see what they do with these drives (see below)? I probably have more chance of someone getting critical info from my mailbox or place of employment. Granted they probably refurbish them, just throw in a new controller and wipe the drive.

<param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sQYPCPB1g3o?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sQYPCPB1g3o?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width='480' height="390"></embed>

 

I would try reseating it. There have been many threads regarding ssd's not showing up after working. It is worth a try.

 

tried reseating, nope. Mine has all my bank and client passwords

USB no go, totally borked. Now must make a hard decision whether to RMA. And it has already been approved!

 

Cape,

What is your reputation (and your business) worth?

 

Yes I was thinking the new intels, Sandforce based SSDs do the same.

 

Ouch. That's too bad. Do you need to get the info or are you just considered about security? If you need the info, then it'd be worth an attempt to swap out controllers. If it's a matter of security, well then you're probably out that drive, and I'd have it destroyed.

I guess that's something people need to consider regardless of warranty. I've been able to wipe a hard drive that was failing, but the two SSD's that failed on me just stopped working like yours. No way to even limp along for a even a single wipe.

 

Oh god! The horror! I can hear them screaming!! Nooooo

Mr. Mysterious

 

I had a backup or three so I am fine there. So, it comes down to whether I trust them to destroy the drive without attempting to get the data.

Did I mention that this Pi**'s me off? I understand it is the cost of doing business and of being an early adopter, but I do not have to LIKE it

Dave

 

haha i love those shredding machines. I have seen them destroy everything from motor blocks to complete cars to horses to cows.

 

If you have client information on the drive, you might want to think about encrypting it anyways.

 

I am going to suck it up and pound the drive with a hammer. Darn.

 

Probably a good call. Unlikely as it might be, if someone were to get that data off your drive, you would be in for an absolute nightmare. Imagine if (and when) lawyers for your clients got involved.

Better to eat the $200-$300 now than have to pay tens of thousands should something get compromised down the road.

 

moral of the story. If you are concern of security, use full disk encryption from the very beginning or at least use EFS and store really critical information under encrypted directory.

 

Yes, so true. And life is short So, which SSD will I try next? I want to order one soon. 320 or 510? Hmmmmm?

 

If you're satisfied with Nova like performance: Intel 320.

If you're willing to pay more for possibly the fastest SSD on SATA II: Intel 510.

But what about the most reliable SSD with better random performance than the 320, the Intel X25m?

 

Nicely said. Well, as always, I am looking for a balance of reliability and speed. And I guess the forward looking tech in me just hates to invest in anything "old". Also, I think the prices on those are going up?

The 320 at $299 at buy.com seems like a sweet deal. But then again I sure would like to try the "fast" one just to see

 

Just one small point, Intel 510 uses a Marvel controller which does not feature hardware self encryption like the Intel controller on the 320 and Sandforce 2000 series.

 

Ah yes, the plot, as always, thickens

 

I go with the high reliability option: X25-E, and save FDE for software. But I'm strange like that.

 

A clarification. There is no indication that X25-E is more reliable than X25-M. They are the same fundamentally. Only the NAND cell used is different.

 

You may not have to destroy the drive. You might be able to destroy the data while still being able to RMA it.

If you're able to open up the drive without voiding the warranty, try giving a powerful static shock to each of the chips inside of it, such as with a Van De Graaff generator or just the old fashioned way.

It might be crazy enough to work