Crucial M4 / Micron C400 SSD Series Thread

They may have changed things, I never saw that warning, but like I said I had no issues. I pulled the old HDD out of my l702x, put in the SSD, launched the ISO updater, ran the update, installed Windows, added back the old HDD and was good to go!

 

Hi All,

Late to game here but, I have M4 512GB with FW 0002 and plan on using the latest RST drivers once I receive my M18x.

Do I still need to do the LPM fix or any other fixes?

Thanks in advance

 

Nope. The 002 firmware should have fixed it.

 

Just got a M4 128GB for $200 + tax

It came with latest 002 firmware. No issues so far.

Copying files from a Vertex 2 to this was about 200MB/s

Tested with SATA II (NOTE: Sata 2 NOT 3)



Looks good for SATA II ????

 

And mine is in the mail... M4 256GB from Newegg. Gah I can't wait! Mine is also going into a SATA II laptop, for now anyway.

Quite excited.

 

Here are my speeds after implementing the tweeks listed here. I did everything except disable write cache buffering. (actually I didn't disable Recycle Bin or do the speed shutdown stuff either, I don't want to loose important data accidentally.) I am running the latest Intel Drivers.

 

I'd suggest applying the JJB tweaks to improve the 4k speeds.

 

Yeah, but that kills my CPU turbo boost. Any other ideas?

 

That may be the Stamatisx that disables turbo boost. I don't think the JJB tweak is the one that disables the turbo boost.

I could be wrong though.

 

The link provided contains quite a number of misinformation or tweaks that is useless or not necessary.

But tweaks being tweaks are very much personal preference, just don't want random readers to think that they NEED those things.

 

Windows 7 does about 1/3-1/2 of all of them for you. Other than the ones that windows 7 already does (which are obvious because you won't have to change anything when you open them), which ones are useless? Calling stuff misinformation or redundant without elaborating helps no one.

 

such as disable indexing. If anyone think that SSD makes indexing no longer needed, I would suggest them to read some basic material starting from searching the term 'big O notation'.

or turn off page file
or turn off hibernation

they all serve their purpose which doesn't change because SSD is used.

 

I agree with you, everything has its place. But your earlier statement implies there was no need to visit the link at all, which I disagree with. New users could benefit from reading if nothing else. Someone with a 64gb SSD might find disabling pagefile and hibernation very useful, I did both just to save the space, and I have pleanty of it. Indexing disabling is supposed to reduce writes to the drive and reduce wear (probably a useless measure since I'll probably use the drive as a coaster before it dies). My point is, that link has a ton of great info, it explains what you gain from each item and how to do it. I have yet to see a more conscise or simple SSD guide. It also states clearly in the preface that it is all unnecessary, so it is by no means pushing itself as gospel, and neither am I.

 

I usually don't want to comment on these kind of 'guides' but that link is presented in a way which makes me a bit uncomfortable thus the warning. Like the tweaks to the NTFS file system, that may work in XP but as far as I know is kind of a 'noop' in Vista onward due to the changes in the underlying. The registry setting is kept there for the sake of 'leaving it there do no harm'.

As I said, I just want to warn people to not take that link's recommendations verbatim. In fact, reading it can do more harm than good but that is getting quite OT.

 

I am writing this to hopefully remove my concerns that this new M4 64GB SSD is defective and needs to be replaced. Model #: CT064M4SSD2 (Rev 2). Both during and since installation there has been odd performance. This was a great purchase from Newegg.ca for $99 + $2.99 shipping with 30 days for replacement.

Phil: If this post is better off in a thread of its own, kindly move it there.

Specs: See Sig.

Note that this is a clean install of Win7 x64 Ultimate, Drivers, windows updates with only Macrium Free & Chrome installed.

The first concern was when attempting to install Win7 x64 from the DVD. Install stopped at 10%, 58% and 99% and would not continue until i removed & re-inserted the DVD. Process to install 55 min. Normal install to HDD = less than 45min without stalling.

The second issue is the repeatable BSOD when ever the computer goes to sleep. It will wake up but after clicking on the "logged on user" 10 - 15 seconds later it will BSOD and restart. The SSD is running version 2.

The suggestions over at Crucial.com forums are that it's a chipset incompatibility. I have a hard time believing this is a chipset or bios issue. There isn't an applicable Gateway bios updates for Win7 x64, only x86. I've tried IRST 10.6.0.1022, 10.1.0.1008, Windows native AHCI drivers & LMP On or Off. No changes.

Why does the drive hang when installing Windows & how do I solve the BSOD errors?

What do you ssd gurus think of my premise that the drive is faulty & needs replacing? Or if not how to solve the sleep=BSOD issue?

 

You guys can add me to the list, I am using my Crucial M4 64GB in my *ahem* Toshiba M4! it is a old Tablet PC from 2004 running a Pentium M (Intel 915PM chipset, so basically no support, and only a SATA I connection, boo), I have tested it for a bit over a day now and can say that it is indeed a good drive

Here it is in my desktop (AMD based desktop from 2007 using Nvidia Chipset)


Here it is in the M4



I read through the whole thread, but I'm still looking at what I need to do to get it up and running at its best, whatever that may be, so if anyone has some advise it would be greatly appreciated

 

Makes me want to get one for my OS =p if only I could

 

Since the above post (#365) the OS was re-installed via usb stick without the stalling/hanging issue. It took all of 9 or 10 minutes, WOW!

CDM 3.0 (Crystal Disk Mark) scores after the first install were unfortunately not saved to compare. New CDM scores were completed in Normal & Safe Modes with Intel ppm On then turned Off. After the first install I remember 4K & 4KQD32 being much higher than now (20's & 40's). It is very low now,correct?.

The reinstall did not solve the Sleep=BSOD and added low 4KQD32 read & writes to the problem list. Could the reason for low 4KQD32 scores be caused by a possible mis-alignment? If so, how do I easily verify & or correct?

I must say my excitement for this drive is now waning.

 

I spoke too soon, I have one issue, and its sorta a non-issue for me: It doesn't go to sleep properly, I click 'sleep' or close the lid or press the power button and the HDD activity light blinks as you would expect it to, but then it simply sits there with the fans running and the screen off; if I shut it down forcibly then start it up, it acts as if it were resuming from hybrid sleep (if hybrid sleep is enabled, if it is not then when I hard shutdown after it fails to sleep it will say windows shutdown unexpectedly last time)...

So the sleep function doesn't seem to work, but maybe it is a issue other than something the M4 caused, IDK, but Sleep mode is mostly useless because the battery is so worn on this computer (not reliable to just leave it in sleep mode) and I don't think hibernating at most once or twice a day will have too excessive wear on the SSD... or is hibernating once or twice a day really that bad? I should think the drive would last a solid decade of moderate to heavy use so it should be fine with low-ish use and Hibernation once in a while, right?



@Laker775
I had low scores exactly like yours when I first set up my 64GB M4, then I formatted and installed Win 7 with the drive in my desktop, then I formatted and installed Win 7 once the drive was in my laptop (in between there I changed my laptop's BIOS setting to have the processor not dynamically change speeds, and for it to stay in high performance mode)... IDK what caused the low scores the first time around, but for me it seems to be doing quite well now -no Intel chipset drivers because they won't install, plus members claim it causes issues with stability. I am also on 0002 firmware- you might be right about the misalignment thing, but IDK why it would have done that, maybe try re installing again (be sure to delete all partitions then make new ones, then install)

So it is actually giving you a BSOD when you put it to sleep? or does it just hang there with a black screen like I described above?

 

@Agent9
AS SSD confirms the mis-alignment. And the frustrating thing is every time I either put the laptop to sleep or it goes to sleep on its own = BSOD. Not a hang, the lovely blue screen appears then it automatically restarts.

Folks over at Crucial.com believe its a bios incompatibility. Unfortunately the gateway bios update 89.91.24 is only for Win7 x86. A gateway tech confirmed it isn't compatible with x64. My bios is 89.91.22.

Do you think the idea of bios incompatibility has validity? Maybe I'm just hoping for another answer because I can't change the bios.

Anyone know how to correct the mis-alignment without having to re-install?

 

Hi guys.

I was directed to this thread by another mod. as I too was experiencing some stuttering and freezing on my recently installed SSD. I know its a C300 but I am keeping my fingers crossed that the LPM fix that I have applied (thanks to this thread) actually works!

Anyway, Yesterday I cracked her open, popped in the blank SSD and updated the firmware from 0006 to 0007 via .iso image, which went perfectly fine. Installed OS electing to just let the installer do its thing without me doing any formatting etc etc....again, went perfectly fine.

Then I started noticing these "hanging" spells...30s - 60s+ and would resume after.....

So, fix done (just for port 0 where my SSD is my boot drive) and I have got the following results from a few CDM runs - (first one before LPM fix applied & WEI included for fun even though its not a great tool). I am pretty much a SSD noob so how do these look to you guys who obvioulsy know more about 'em than I do at this point!

I havent done ANYTHING other than the LPM fix and disable defrag. so is there anything else I need to do? - any tips on getting a bit more performance? - read about prefetch/superfetch, system restore etc etc...

Any help or feedback on this greatly appreciated. TIA

Oh, should also say I am using Intel RST version 10.1.2.1004 from Dell - are there better or more recent ones that I should use?

 

Bump...anyone?

 

Looks excellent to me.

 

Thanks. I am wondering if I should apply any of these various tweaks I have seen floating about....prefetch/superfetch, IntelPPM, Hibernation etc etc etc...bear in mind I also have moved my original HDD to the second bay so I obvioulsy dont want any actions to affect that drive too much...(I assume that these are "system" tweaks and are not available to perform on each drive seperately.....

Oh, also should say that since implementing the LPM Port 0 Fix - zero hangs or freezes!

 

FW 0002 also fixes the LPM issue without having to change things in the registry.

The various tweaks about, imho, aren't worth the effort in most cases. An SSD is worlds more responsive than an HDD, and those tweaks generally don't yield very noticeable results, unless you sit there with a stopwatch...boot Windows to desktop in 20 seconds or 19.5?

 

Very true. Just want to get the best bang for my money really. If there are tweaks out there that can be implemented without detriment to any other aspect of my system, I dont mind applying them.

 

I came across this thread on the Crucial forum which covers secure erase using Parted Magic, and thought I'd mention it for future reference.

M4 Secure Erase - Crucial Community

 

Ok people, I am new with this Crucial M4 256Gb SSD and want to install it into my AW M11X-R3 so, need too much advance ...

-Frist I see something about a new firmware the drive label say firmware 0001, so I thing need to update, so first question, I download the 0002 from crucial but say that burn the iso file, I am traveling so now I only have DVDR not CD and not DVDRW so is a way to make a USBflash drive and burn it to the usb and boot from usb?? Is so can someone tell me how??
-what is the best and reliable way to update the firmware?

After update the frimware I will make a new and fresh Windows 7 ultimate Install so what to know first? any special drivers I need? I will do it with a WIndows install-DVD, and use the drivers from Dell, need to make any Registry tweak or something to have the best from this SSD? Specials utilities or software to have?

-to have a good continues use and performance from it what you recoment me to do? some regular actions like the defrag in a standard hd?

-Any other advance or recomendation before install, when installing, and after, and of course in the day after day use?

 

Can't you burn the iso to a DVD? I believe I have done it in the past with Nero.

Everything should be fine by itself. Before you install Windows, make sure that your BIOS is set to use AHCI for the drive. If you get any random freezing you may have to do the LPM tweak that is in the first post of this thread.

Do not defrag any SSD. In Windows 7, defragging SSDs should automatically be disabled.

Nothing in particular. Enjoy!

 

Namaika The problem is that right know I have not instaled nero or any other DVD/copy external program, that and that use a DVD for a one time firmware upgrade only (remember I dont have DVD-RW disks) are the reasons for my to ask if there was any other way to burn it something like the USB for install Windows 7... If it is not possible is there any free software to burn the iso file to a dvd I can download?

 

You can try this though I have not:
Re: Crucial M4 0002 Firmware Update feedback Threa... - Page 15 - Crucial Community

 

Free ISO burning software, Google up CD Burner XP Pro. Don't let the name fool you, it works on 7 fine. I used it to burn my FW0002 disc. Fairly low overhead program, way better than the pece of crap Nero that broke EVERY video on my computer once, even the ones made BEFORE I had Nero...

There are ways of burning an ISO to a thumbdrive, never tried it for this but I would think it should work. The ISO is a small file, so a DVD is kindof a waste, but it will work fine.

To update the firmware, follow the instructions on Crucial's download page. Real simple process, basically, leave the SSD as the only drive in the system, boot from the CD, and it takes you through the rest. It's pretty quick too, only a few minutes IIRC.

 

Here's a link to how I installed the latest firmware from a USB stick...

Re: Crucial M4 0002 Firmware Update feedback Threa... - Page 15 - Crucial Community

 

What if my Laptop doesn't provide an option to change to IDE in the bios? How do i update my firmware? I don't have another computer I can use to do the firmware update.

 

Hi again thanks all of you, at final I burn in a friend system the iso to a dvd so I upgrade the disk now it have the 0002 firmware...

I install windows 7 enterprise to try it and first time I just install some drivers and play a little with comand center and in windows experience it tell 7,9 in drive speed so the top... This time I not install the Intel RST but I install the Intel management engine, I dont install the free fall sensor neither so....

But then I make a new fresh install with my windows 7 ultimate And install all the drivers in the same order that is in the batboy thread but now in windows experience it only score 5,9 in the HD???? So what happen here this time I install all the lasted drivers from dell suport page included the Intel RST the Management engine and the free fall sensor... What I make wrong now? What I must not install to get the 7,9 score back??

Please any help and advance please

 

Windows Experience Index is not a very good way to measure system perfomrance in the first place as it can be waaaay off....I am pretty sure that if you re-reun the WEI test, your SSD score will change back up to where WEI had it before.....

 

The update works fine in AHCI, at least for the M4. I did mine in that mode IIRC.

 

It didn't work for me, I have a Sony SA. It just showed as no drive found.

 

I just installed a crucial m4 to my m17x and I cannot find the wifi drivers to download. So for the last two days i have been online with an ethernet. Does anyone have a solution?

 

Have you had a look at the Dell Support website?

 

I recall having to find it on my own as Dell didn't have it on the disc (they only put the bluetooth...). I do believe it is on the Dell downloads page though. If not, just get it off Intel's site.

 

I've tried to follow all the instructions quite carefully, detail by detail, yet I'm not sure why my M4 refuses to perform at a constant.

Last night was when I applied the registry fix, and on reboot things went quite smoothly, and I was happy.
Yet second reboot, the SSD decided to hang (no activity visible) at the Windows logo for at least a minute again, for a reason I have no idea why.
After that, reboots seemed to be just getting faster and faster, around 10 seconds at the last.

But this morning when I woke up and booted, it froze at the logo AGAIN, for at least another minute.
One reboot, and it only stuttered for a couple seconds.

I've checked the registry over and over again, and it's all there and fine as it should be (Port0 with all 3 things = 0).
I seem to be unable to install Intel RST or anything like that (I'm quite the newbie at this, and I'm probably doing something wrong).

EDIT: Oh no... after over 10 speedy reboots, just now the SSD stuttered at boot again, twice in a row. It really is almost random, it just comes and goes...
Should I try another clean Win7 install? Should I go get this replaced?
I don't understand why it would only sometimes stutter....

TL;DR: Basically the M4 seems to be randomly deciding on it's own whether to stutter or not at boot/shutdown (not so bad at shutdown), and I can't figure out what I've done wrong.

Was installing Windows updates right away after registry a bad idea?
Or is it some other stupid thing I might've done. I really touched nothing, except install a few apps before registry...

 

Installing firmware 0002 is a better way to deal with the LPM issue that the registry hack dodges. The new firmware makes the registry thing un-necessary.

You definitely sound like you still have the LPM stuttering issue. I'd suggest flashing the firmware, it's pretty easy and theoretically non-data-destructive (back up anyway of course). If that doesn't solve the problem, it is something else.

Also, is your laptop a dual-hard drive system? It could be that the registry patch went to the wrong port. Still apply the firmware update. If you are on 0001 that is.

 

Oh yes, um, I forgot to mention I'm on a desktop, but this is the only fix I've actually found. It doesn't make a difference does it?

My firmware was 0002 already, I checked in CrystalDiskInfo.

I'm trying a clean install of Win7, and yes I suspected it might've gone to the wrong port, as in my BIOS it shows I have Port1-6, not 0-5.
So a Port0 folder wouldn't affect my drive which was installed in Port1 technically.
Thus, I also plugged the M4 into Port2 this time, in case maybe the Port1 itself was faulty somehow.

I'm going to go through a bunch of steps (first applying registry fix) to optimize my Windows to work with programs and OS only on the SSD, and Users, data, etc on my much larger HDDs.

If nothing works after I've tried all the Ports or something, I suspect it's probably just a faulty SSD itself, no?
I certainly hope not, because I don't fancy a trip to the store to exchange it.
I certainly hope Crucial doesn't let me down...

EDIT: Oh no, what on earth? I just finished a clean install of Win7, but I don't see the "iaStor" folder in Regedit! O______O?

Oh and sorry, I just reread the above post, and flashing the firmware? Oh yes, flashing 0002, /facepalm.
I'll go try that now.

 

(edit button lagging out)

The iaStor folder under services in the registry is still not there, even after the SSD's drivers installed themselves. How can I edit the registry when it's not there? What's happening?

EDIT: So the iaStor folder and all its settings were added manually by the .reg command, and it seemed to have fixed the stuttering at first (no hanging at the Windows logo), but then it began to hang at the "Welcome" loading screen for a couple of seconds, whereas before it would load so fast it would almost akip over that screen.

And one other thing: I don't think the iaStor folder was there last time either to start with, just added by the .reg command like this time.

This just isn't how I expected an SSD to be...
I'm starting to become sorely disappointed in Crucial...

 

A quick question (well hopefully it will be).

I have just got myself the 512GB version and have run CrystalDiskMark 3.0.1 x64.

I obtained the following values:

Read, Write
Seq: 409, 267
512k: 363, 267
4k: 18, 45
4k QD32: 173, 245

However, when checking results on The SSD Review website it would seem that their 4k write is a lot higher (105) than what I am obtaining. Of course their test rig is a desktop.

My question is:

Are my results the expected results or is it not really performing.

Thanks.

 

Hi All,

Does anybody know If I buy new Cruial M4 SSD it will come with 0002 firmware update(I know we can update this firmware ourselfs as well) ?. If yes does any particular online store selling these latest firmware Crucial M4 SSD's ?

I am just trying to find out whether we can receive this firmware update when we buy SSD it self .
Thanks

 

I got a 128GB M4 from New Egg a couple weeks ago and it had firmware 0001. It did not include any sort of update files or instructions. However, you can go to the Crucial site and very easily download the file, burn it to a CD/DVD, reboot to the CD/DVD drive, and the update is performed quickly and easily. I love this thing!

AM.

 

It depends on the age of the stock that is sent to you. People are starting to get factory FW 0002 drives so soon I'd say chances are great at major retailers. Now, hard to say.

 

I have bought the 240 a week ago from neweeg and came with the fw 0001 too, so have to upgrade it manualy