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    17 R3 256gb Samsung m.2 reboot problems

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by SMOKE_SKULL, Oct 3, 2020.

  1. SMOKE_SKULL

    SMOKE_SKULL Notebook Deity

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    Suddenly it hangs on the bios screen on restart. I have to power it off and then start it with the power button and it boots and works perfectly. It appears its not seeing the ssd only on restart. I looked at the system configuration window and there's only 1 command line. 20gb free space on C drive. I think Windows did an update one night and it had the problem.. next day. It wasn't the 2400 update as I installed that to see if it would fix it but no.
     
  2. Vasudev

    Vasudev Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Check if Samsung NVMe driver is installed or not? Samsung drivers have cold boot issue with PM951 and works after power off. So, I'm using MSFT drivers for NVMe drive.
     
  3. SMOKE_SKULL

    SMOKE_SKULL Notebook Deity

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    I have all the latest msft drivers. It's set to ahci in the bios. Same as always has been. When I reboot the screen turns black and it just hangs for about 1 minute. Then the bios splash screen appears and it just hangs there for a minute untill it decides it wants to do an automatic repair.

    If i cold boot it starts very fast it just wont restart properly any more. Maybe the pm951 is having some type of issue. Maybe time to upgrade it to a 1gb newer m.2 ssd
     
  4. Vasudev

    Vasudev Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Hey, Even on 15 r2 PM951 seems slower than usual, takes a minute or two than usual! Dunno what is the issue. I have written only 34TB and spare capacity is 95% after 4 yrs.
    May have to look into Crucial P5.
     
  5. SMOKE_SKULL

    SMOKE_SKULL Notebook Deity

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    I ordered a new 2GB SSD so I will put a new SSD in as boot drive to see if problem goes away
     
  6. SMOKE_SKULL

    SMOKE_SKULL Notebook Deity

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    The PM951 seems to be the issue. Except now I have a new problem where the second m.2 disappeared after a reboot. I have to remove the C drive and install a second m.2 so its recognize in the bios. Then reinstall C and it will show both drives until the next restart when the second m.2 again dissapeared. I am thinking the faulty pm951 has damaged the controller or its jot playing nice with the other m.2
    One is Intel and other is Adata Xpg.
    Thinking I should sell the Alienware.
     
  7. Vasudev

    Vasudev Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Have you tried cleaning the contacts of ssd with little isopropyl alcohol? I also used a brush to clean m.2 slots as well. Even cleaned the RAM contacts.
     
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  8. SMOKE_SKULL

    SMOKE_SKULL Notebook Deity

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    well the issue is following the PM951 so its not the connector. I am 99% sure the ssd is dyeing
     
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  9. Vasudev

    Vasudev Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Started having same issue and drive overall felt slow when R/W. Replaced it with Crucial P1.