FAILED SSD HORROR - VAIO VPCZ1 having 2x256GB Samsung MMDPE56G SSD has failed for no apparent reason

Hello, and please forgive me for this long post.

Without any previous warning, this morning I was shocked to see "Missing Operating System" at the upper left conner of the screen.

Folks, I really need your help. I have never had to deal with SSD stuff / RAID neither.

I managed to get a screen with the following:

Intel Rapid Storage Technology - Option ROM - 9.5.0.1037
Copyright 2003-2009

RAID Volumes:
ID: 0, Name: Volume0, Level: RAID0(Stripe), Strip: 128kb, Size: 477.0GB, Satus: Failed, Bootable No

Physical Devices:
Port 0 and 2 are showing SAMSUNG Model: MMDPE56G, Serial #: (each with different serial no., Size 119.2GB Type/ Status: Non-RAID Disk
Port 3 and 4 are showing SAMSUNG Model: MMDPE56G, Serial #: (each with different serial no., Size 119.2GB Type/ Status: Member Disk (0)

I am presented with the following options:

1. Create RAID Volume

2. Delete RAID Volume

3. Reset Disks to Non-RAID

4. Recovery Volume Options (is greyed out)

5. Exit

Since I only owned this pre-owned and in excellent condition notebook, I was able to do a factory restored without needing the recovery discs, just by using the HD's restoration parttion. Windows 7 and VAIOs updates all were shortly done after. I did not even get the chance to actually create the recovery disk in the event that the HD needed replacement one day. I never thought I would be needing them so soon - I hope not with your help.

I had loaded a lot of my personal file on it, so I've got a lot to lose in the event that I have to do a factory restore for the first time after my purchase (if that is even possible). I don't see why so soon, and what happend to cause this failure and without a hint of warning. I am hoping that's not the norm when using SSD / RAID, because that would be a bad joke. No hardware or software were added. Antivirus protected and definition is up-to-date, I hardly started to put it to use. I was preparing it to do so.

I have been sitting looking at that DOS screen fr 3 hrs, helplessly, not knowing where to go or what to do from there. I was told it is has warranty until March 2014. But after doing some research, people with similar issue are continuing to have repeating failure, claiming that Sony Service Center are just doing factary restore, while the issue has not gone away.

I would be greatful if you could please offer me the best method / advice to overcome this issue for the imediate term, also the long-term. For now I have to deal with the screen in front of me waiting for me to make a selction. Without knowing what each selection would actually do, I have no idea what happens to the fully restore and updated OS or my personal data which I hate to lose.... Please help!

Before I take any action and losing my data in the process, is there anyway that I could remove the SSD and have it access as USB on another notebook to retrieve just my data. I believe this drive is not that easy to connected into just any HD enclosure. Is there such an enclosure available in the market?

Thanks for any offering insights.

 

I also had this nice message come up twice on my Z21 (and I think many other forum members had it, too). I don't know what caused it, but turning off the laptop, unplugging the wall charger, and waiting a few minutes solved the issue. You could also try removing the battery after you turn off and unplug the laptop. Hope this will help and it is not a more serious problem!

 

I tried for hours to get it going again. I had to take it in to Sony Service Center since TS couldn't find any resolution over the telephone.

My problem also I did not even get a chance to create the recovery disc set in the event that the hard drive including its recovery partition is gone, or if Sony decided to replace the SSD. I don't know if they will charge me for applying their recovery disks even though it is still under extended warranty. I wanted to order it, but it seems the order is only allowed from the US and they are not allowing to use Canadian CC or shipping address.

I was wondering... is it possible to just forget about the SSD and just use somekind of an adapter that will allow me to fit instead a standard HHD with SATA connector, converting the 24pin flat in the process? I saw something like that in one of the post, but the flat cable seemed too wide, more like 50pin or so, but maybe I'm wrong.

 

Folks,
Could you please tell me if this is the correct cable that I would need if I were to scarp the SSD and use SATA HD instead? Sony Vaio PCG 31112L VPCZ1 Hard Drive Cable FPC 202 1 881 491 12 | eBay

 

That cable is suitable if you want to connect only a single Sony SSD drive board.

If you want to connect a standard 2.5" SATA HDD, you need to remove the DVD drive and purchase a 9.5mm HDD caddy. Otherwise there are some FPC-202 cables that are suitable for 1.8" microSATA drives available.

Did you already try delete the RAID volume and recreate the exact same volume? I believe some people have had luck with doing that for RAID errors, however please try search it up first just in case. Similar to this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/646714-vaio-z-vpc-z1190x-raid-0-array-failure.html#post8325181

 

Thank you so much for your insight.

After having this terrible experience using my first time SSD that it's even Sony's factory installed, I don't even know if that technology deserves all the hipe and high price that goes along with it. Due to my first hand experience, I know how unreliable it was. However it was very dumb of me not to have created the recovery disc set within the first 48 hrs actually using it, second, moving critical data files from my old notebook onto the VPCZ1 instead of copying, well I should have known better not to move, and to just copy instead which I always done that in the past. I can only blame myself for what happened, not SONY!

Knowing what I learned, I would like to have the option whereby I could just remove the 256x2 SSD and install a standard SATA HHD whatever thickness and with as much capacity as I care to have, if possible, without sacrificing the removal of my costly optical drive, which I just recently upgraded to Blu-Ray burner. Is there a way?

In regards to deleting and creating the RAID volume, It did try that as was suggested, knowingly I would be destroying my data files. I tried to restore from what supposed to have been a partition, even that wan't available, including having Sony TS on the telephone for nearly an hour. Before that, I spent enless hours reading up on similar bad experiences other individuals have had. In the end, all I could do is to bring it to Sony, even without the restore disc, which I believe they will charge me for it if they cannot bring the OS up and running again.

 

same problem, same computer... uggg. trying to crack into lost SSD data by booting from external drive. we'll see.

 

I truly wish you luck!

In my case, it was gone 4ever and ever... even after trying all kinds of stuff weeks on end - I hate that when it happens.

 

Hi


where are you located? Iam UK and I can recover your laptop if want.

btw data already lost in no chance to recovery due to half is writen on firs SDD and seccond part on second SSD

due to BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP

only try delete RAID and setup new one and reinstall laptop.

if need help call me.

 

^ Bullsh!t, data is not necessarily lost.

Try the procedure I posted before (see namaiki's link) to recover. This way at least you have a good chance to get your data back.

After you are back running, make regular backups. RAID0, 0 stands for zero failure tolerance.

 

That's only the case in the event of a HD failure, which isn't necessarily what has happened here.

 

OK will see if any save

I wish him luck