How to resuscitate a SSD from "initramfs"

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juicer
Level 4
Level 4
Posts: 283
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:34 am

How to resuscitate a SSD from "initramfs"

Post by juicer »

Mods: Please move this to appropriate forum if misplaced here.
I shut down computer normally while installing and reinstalling some software. At reboot, I got the dreaded "initramfs."
Used gparted on live cd and directed to check and repair. GP reported complete. Reboot and same initramfs warning.
Well, the LM18 installation was fairly recent so I decided to reinstall LM18. Installation succeeded but at reboot... "initramfs."
Warranty up on SSD but came across a suggestion to resuscitate an SSD after power failure.
The following procedure resulted in a functioning SSD:
Disconnect the data cable from the drive.
Power the drive for 30 minutes
Disconnect for 30 seconds
Power the drive for another 30 minutes
Disconnect power for 30 seconds
Now reconnect data cable and reboot.
Worked for me. Just wish I had discovered the trick before wiping the drive!
Water invented man as a means of transportation.
chris2kari

Re: How to resuscitate a SSD from "initramfs"

Post by chris2kari »

That an interesting tip.
I have a Kingston SSDnow V300 240Gb drive which has stopped being recognised by any mobo firmware.
Where did you get this voodoo from? A manufacturer?

Chances are its dead but...I'll try this and report back as I have nothing to lose.

Cheers

UPDATE:
* Apprarently this Brand/Model has high failure rate. Firmware update before death allegedly fixes.

** This manufacturer advice from Crucial:
For Crucial SSDs there is a method to get dead looking drives back to normal.
Dead I meaning: Not recognized by any OS/Controller and no physical damage

Only connect the SATA power connection and not the data cable. A USB enclosure with an external power source will also work.
Once you have the drive connected, simply power on the computer and wait. The computer will need to stay powered on for 20 min and it is recommended that you don't use the computer during this process.
Power the computer down and disconnect the drive for 30 seconds.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 one more time.
Reconnect the drive normally, and boot the computer to your operating system.
Update your firmware, if you are not already at the latest on your drive.
juicer
Level 4
Level 4
Posts: 283
Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:34 am

Re: How to resuscitate a SSD from "initramfs"

Post by juicer »

VERY interesting! Mine is a Kingston V300 SSDNow as well (120GB)
Can the firmware be updated without wiping the drive? I have never performed this task before.
For Kingston "toolbox" it appears that only Windows is supported! None for iOs or Linux!!
Water invented man as a means of transportation.
chris2kari

Re: How to resuscitate a SSD from "initramfs"

Post by chris2kari »

juicer wrote:VERY interesting! Mine is a Kingston V300 SSDNow as well (120GB)
Can the firmware be updated without wiping the drive? I have never performed this task before.
For Kingston "toolbox" it appears that only Windows is supported! None for iOs or Linux!!
Unknown. Always assume your data will be destroyed. Backup.

N.B. The firmware updater is a Windows executable.
You'll need to run it from a computer running that operating system.
You can get an evaluation ISO to use from here
http://windowsiso.net/
or here
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/evalcen ... enterprise

Instructions for how to create a USB installler here
http://www.webupd8.org/2016/06/make-boo ... stall.html

Kingston firmware updater for v300 SSD's here
https://www.kingston.com/en/support/tec ... el=sv300s3
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