530 SSD freezes & kills computer after a few minutes?

[GJohn2]

I have an Asus Q501LA notebook. It is running Windows 8 (not 8.1) 64bit, with all drivers and firmware current. I have installed an Intel 530 180gb SSD. I had problems with it a few weeks ago, where the computer would randomly freeze and die after maybe 5-10 minutes. Since I saw that there was a new firmware in the works, I took out the drive and waited.

Well, I just applied the new firmware that was released a few days ago, but it is still doing the same thing. Without warning or indication, the computer freezes up and dies. I get a BSOD, and it says CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED (it very briefly blinks on screen, I think that is what it says though). The notebook then reboots, and usually the ssd isn't listed in the bios. It has to be the SSD at fault, because it works fine with the original hard drive. Windows' Event Log isn't giving me any hints at all, which leads me to believe that it is the SSD that is spontaneously dying, thus preventing Windows from writing any events to the log. All the SMART parameters are normal. This doesn't seem to be the same problem that others are experiencing, because I did get Windows installed on it. Can anyone recommend something so that I can diagnose the problem?

Edit: Talked to Asus tech support, and they said it was an incompatibility between the SSD and the notebook because the SSD operates at 6gb/s while the notebook can only handle 3gb/s. I don't believe this at all, backwards compatibility is built into the SATA specs.

[Jose_H_Intel1]

I wonder if the issue occurs as soon as the system initiates or if it gives you some time to run the diagnostic tests with the https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18455 Intel® SSD Toolbox. You may also test the Intel® SSD in a different system if possible.

This could also be an operating system or driver issue; it is important to review if something else changed recently before the issue started to happen or if the issue occurs in safe mode.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc

[GJohn2]

I ran the diagnostics, and no issues were found on the SSD.

I wiped the SSD clear and re-installed Windows 8 from scratch several times yesterday. I have discovered that Windows 8 is now evidently stable. I guess new SSD firmware must have fixed the issue I had previously? Unfortunately, a new issue arises. If I attempt to upgrade to Windows 8.1, I will either get an error on install or it will install but then never actually boot into Windows ever again. Something is incompatible with Windows 8.1.

The error I'm getting is 0xC1900101 - 0x20017, which is a sign that a driver is not compatible with Win 8.1, according to MS: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_install/error-0xc1900101-0x20017... Error 0xC1900101 - 0x20017 after reboot to install Windows 8.1 - Microsoft Community. I have used Windows Update to get as many things installed as possible, and I went to the manufacturer's webpage (including Intel) to find newer drivers if applicable. Everything is as up to date as possible.

When I attempt to install 8.1, it looks like the machine can't detect the SSD after rebooting. I can't find the drive listed in the bios. If I kill the computer for a cold boot, it appears again. If I have the original hard drive in the machine, there are no issues at all with Windows 8.1. It is only when the SSD is installed on the system that it does this.

Considering that the problem only appears when this SSD is installed, and the problem indicates that there is a driver incompatible with Win 8.1, is there any way the SATA controller driver is at fault here?

[Jose_H_Intel1]

I do not think so; the drive does not appear in BIOS after a system restart.

I believe the best chance is to update the BIOS.

[Jose_H_Intel1]

I managed to get the information you provided via PM.

I have sent you a new PM.

Thanks!