On Monday, I returned to work and noticed that my PC was stuck in the BIOS (I had left it on over the weekend). Despite this, I continued to use it normally without giving it much thought. However, when I tried to restart the computer, I found that all my changes and progress from the day had been lost. I tried uninstalling programs and deleting files to see if the changes would stick, but they did not.
Next, I tried transferring files to another hard drive as a prelude to reinstalling Windows, since the solutions I had tried so far were not working. However, after several blue screens, I was finally able to transfer the files and restart the PC using a Windows 10 bootable USB.
I installed Windows normally, but upon restarting, I was surprised to find that everything was still the same as it was on Monday morning.
After this, I tried cleaning the disk using DISKPART, Hirens Boot Utilities, and other similar tools. The disk always returned to its original state, regardless of whether the process was successful or not.
I’m really at a loss for what to do. The disk does not appear to be “read only” and there are no indications of failure. It is a Kingston SSDNow A1000 960GB M2 SSD that I purchased in June and have not had any issues with until now.
Does anyone know of a way to completely erase the hard drive or have any ideas as to why this might be happening? It’s possible that it could be a hardware defect, but before I consider the warranty, I’d like to exhaust all other options. Additionally, I’d prefer not to send the hard drive anywhere, as it does not have a password and may contain sensitive data.
3 Answers
Introduction
Solid State Drives (SSDs) have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their higher speed and reliability compared to traditional hard drives. However, like all technology, SSDs are not immune to problems. One such issue is when an SSD keeps returning to a restore point, as described in this blog post. In this article, we will explore some possible causes and solutions for this problem.
Possible Causes of the Problem
There could be several reasons why an SSD keeps returning to a restore point. Here are some of the most common causes:
1. Corrupted Operating System
A corrupted operating system is one of the most common reasons why an SSD keeps returning to a restore point. This can happen due to various reasons, such as a virus attack, incomplete updates, or a faulty driver installation. When the operating system is corrupted, it can cause the SSD to behave erratically, including returning to a restore point.
2. Faulty Hardware
Another possible cause of the problem is faulty hardware. This could be a defect in the SSD itself or other hardware components like the motherboard or power supply. When hardware is faulty, it can cause the SSD to malfunction, leading to the restore point issue.
3. Driver Issues
SSDs require specific drivers to function correctly. If the driver is outdated or corrupted, it can cause the SSD to behave abnormally. This can include returning to a restore point.
Possible Solutions
Now that we have discussed some possible causes of the problem let’s explore some possible solutions.
1. Check for Viruses and Malware
If the problem is caused by a virus or malware attack, the first step is to scan the computer thoroughly using an antivirus program. If the antivirus program detects any threats, it is essential to remove them immediately. This can potentially solve the restore point issue.
2. Reinstall Operating System
If the issue is caused by a corrupted operating system, the next step is to reinstall the operating system. It is important to back up all important data before doing this, as the reinstallation process will wipe all data from the SSD. Once the operating system is reinstalled, the restore point issue should be resolved.
3. Update Drivers
Updating the SSD driver and other hardware drivers can potentially solve the restore point problem. This can be done by going to the device manager and checking for any outdated or corrupted drivers. If any drivers are outdated, they should be updated immediately.
4. Check Hardware Components
If the problem is caused by faulty hardware, it is important to check all hardware components. This includes the SSD, motherboard, power supply, and other components. If any component is found to be faulty, it should be replaced immediately.
5. Contact Manufacturer
If none of the above solutions work, it may be time to contact the manufacturer. The SSD may have a hardware defect that requires repair or replacement. It is important to check the warranty before contacting the manufacturer to ensure that the SSD is covered.
Conclusion
An SSD that keeps returning to a restore point can be a frustrating problem to deal with. However, there are several possible causes and solutions to this issue. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can potentially resolve the problem and get your SSD working correctly again. It is always important to back up all data before attempting any solutions that involve reinstalling the operating system or replacing hardware components.
It sounds like you are experiencing some strange behavior with your Kingston SSDNow A1000 960GB M2 SSD. There could be a few possible reasons for this. One possibility is that the drive has become corrupted, which can cause the issues you are experiencing. Another possibility is that there is a problem with the motherboard or some other hardware component that is causing the drive to behave in this way.
One thing you can try is running a diagnostic tool to check the health of the drive. Kingston provides a utility called Kingston SSD Manager (KSM) that can be used to check the status of the drive and perform various maintenance tasks. If the drive is experiencing problems, KSM may be able to fix them.
Another option is to try booting from a different bootable USB drive or from a bootable DVD to see if that makes a difference. If you are able to boot from a different drive, then it is possible that there is something wrong with the Windows installation on the Kingston SSD.
If none of these options work, it may be necessary to consider sending the drive in for warranty service. If you are concerned about the data on the drive, you can try securely wiping the drive using a tool like DBAN before sending it in. This will ensure that your sensitive data is not recoverable.
In summary, there are a few potential causes for the issues you are experiencing with your Kingston SSDNow A1000 960GB M2 SSD. Some possibilities include corruption of the drive, a problem with the motherboard or other hardware component, or an issue with the Windows installation on the drive. To troubleshoot the problem, you can try running a diagnostic tool like Kingston SSD Manager (KSM), booting from a different bootable USB drive or DVD, or securely wiping the drive using a tool like DBAN. If none of these options work, it may be necessary to consider sending the drive in for warranty service.
You may want to try using the Kingston SSD Manager utility. This tool has several useful features, including the ability to:
- Monitor drive health, status, and disk usage
- View and export detailed drive health and status reports
- Update drive firmware
- Securely erase data
The information provided by this utility may be able to help diagnose the problem, and it may also be able to erase the disk. If the Kingston utility is unable to assist with the disk, it is likely that the disk is either dead or seriously failing.