Disk Read Error from Kingston v300 SSD

kelvkelv · Sep 7, 2015

I recently purchased a Kingston v300 120GB SSD (firmware 580AB) and installed Windows 7 Ult 64bit on AHCI mode without any issue. Whenever I try to boot my PC from a 'cold start' (PC has been switched off for more than 10min), "A disk read error occured. Please press CTRL-ALT-DEL to restart" appears. After 2-3 times restarting and error prompting, I managed to boot Windows. Restarting my Windows will not prompt this error, it will only happen during a 'cold start'.

Alternatively, if I were to go directly into BIOS upon a 'cold start', waited there for few minutes and exited BIOS without any changes, I am able to boot to Windows without the "disk read error" even showing up. I am baffled.

My motherboard is ASUS M4A88T-M/USB3 with the latest BIOS. I have tried all the below but they did not help.
- removing all sata devices except the SSD
- disk scan
- bootrec /fixmbr
- bootrec /fixboot
- changing SATA cable
- changing SATA port
- loading default in BIOS
- removing the BIOS battery

I wanted to do a SSD firmware upgrade, but whenever I run the Kingston toolbox, it tells me that no Kingston drives found.

Please help...

N3rdR4ge · Sep 8, 2015

Try resetting your bios to factory default and see if the problem persists. It may be a problem with your boot settings. I had this issue when I installed a samsung 850 evo 120gb ssd and thats how I fixed it.

kelvkelv · Sep 8, 2015

N3rdR4ge :

N3rdR4ge,
I tried that and it did not work.

N3rdR4ge · Sep 9, 2015

another idea, try a different sata cable and a different sata connector on the motherboard.

kelvkelv · Sep 9, 2015

N3rdR4ge :

thanks for your suggestion, but I had tried those too. They are listed in my 1st post.

N3rdR4ge · Sep 9, 2015

o ya sorry didnt reread it since yesterday and i guess i overlooked that you tried the bios reset. i would advise creating a backup image of your ssd and doing a fresh install of windows again to see if the problem persists. If it does not work on a cold boot still, you've already done all the necessary steps to diagnose the drive. I would say at that point see if you can exchange it or have it replaced under warranty. I've read a lot of reviews on the ssdnow v300 because i was interested in purchasing it at one point. They have a lot of problems with quick failure and doa as well as other problems. i ended up with a samsung 850 evo.

Darkbreeze · Sep 9, 2015

What is your windows version?

N3rdR4ge · Sep 9, 2015

"Windows 7 Ult 64bit" from the original post

kelvkelv · Sep 9, 2015

N3rdR4ge :

well this is my 3rd attempt to reinstall Window on the SSD (tried with and without the Reserved partition created by Windows Installer). I wonder is it due to the compatibility issue between my mobo's AMD SB710 and the SandForce SF-2281 that v300 uses.

Darkbreeze · Sep 9, 2015

Is this a torrented version of windows?

N3rdR4ge · Sep 9, 2015

i thought that too but i cant confirm it.

Darkbreeze · Sep 9, 2015

Without knowing the answer to my last question, I'd say the very first place I'd start is by making sure you're on bios version 0704. If not, update. It's highly likely on a board that old there may be a lack of stable support for the controller on that SSD. Updating to a newer bios may or may not correct that, but I'd certainly try if you have an older bios version than 0704.

N3rdR4ge · Sep 9, 2015

could try calling asus and asking them about the controller and that ssd. they might know something. darkbreeze might be on to something if you are using torrented windows.

kelvkelv · Sep 9, 2015

Darkbreeze :

no, it's a retail version. Why?

Yes, the BIOS is 0704. I wanted to update the SSD's firmware (current 580ab) too, but the drive is not detected by the Kingston Toolbox (running with admin rights)

Darkbreeze · Sep 9, 2015

Since the OS installs, and does run sometimes, it's unlikely to be a complete lack of support for the sandforce controller, and more likely to potentially be an outdated storage controller driver. I think I'd try installing the newer AMD chipset drivers found at the following link:

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/chipset?os=Windows+8.1+-+64

kelvkelv · Sep 9, 2015

I have just updated to the latest AMD AHCI driver. Before was the default msahci driver. After rebooting my pc, error 0xc00000e9 came out with the msg "...could be caused by removing a removable storage device while in use". It came out and rebooted twice before I could boot into Windows.

kelvkelv · Sep 9, 2015

the SSD is the only connected device. All other HDDs and BD drive are detached during the troubleshooting.

Darkbreeze · Sep 9, 2015

Since this is a case where there has been a clean install, and you indicate it's not a compromised version of windows, then I'd suggest you likely either have an incompatible or failing motherboard. Considering the age of the platform, it's not terribly surprising to see issues with the storage controllers using very new hardware. Were you having drive issues prior to this that led to the purchase of a new SSD, or were you simply upgrading for the sake of upgrading? Any issues at all using an older drive as the boot device? Do you have another drive you can use for testing by installing the OS and trying it?

Darkbreeze · Sep 9, 2015

Could also just be a crap SSD. That wouldn't surprise me either. The V300 is like the Ford Edsel of SSDs.

kelvkelv · Sep 9, 2015

Darkbreeze :

Yes, purely for the sake of upgrading. I have been using conventional HDD without any problem on my PC prior to the purchase of this SSD. Never thought that I would bought a lemon from Kingston.

Darkbreeze · Sep 9, 2015

I'll buy Kingston memory, generally I don't have issues with it and I am in fact running Kingston memory in my machine right now, but I won't buy Kingston storage. Both Kingston SSDs I've purchased in the past have had issues and had to be returned and that was enough to steer me clear of their storage devices in light of that and their shady SSD tactics in the past.

kelvkelv · Sep 9, 2015

I couldnt agree more.

I will return it and exchange with something better. Which one do you suggest?

N3rdR4ge · Sep 10, 2015

samsung 850 evo all the way.

Darkbreeze · Sep 10, 2015

The 850 EVO is what I'm running, and it's flawless.

N3rdR4ge · Sep 10, 2015

same. i have two, a 120 for os and 500 for games. both flawless and super fast.

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