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Yan
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Errors on new SSD

Tue Jun 20, 2017 9:32 pm

I bought a new SSD, ran Linux's badblocks in read-write mode because I'm that sort of guy, and was surprised to actually discover errors ("32/0/32 errors" so far).

Is it normal for new SSDs to have bad sectors which are simply replaced by spare sectors, or should I return the SSD?
 
just brew it!
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Re: Errors on new SSD

Tue Jun 20, 2017 10:59 pm

Not normal at all. Unless the errors are due to a faulty SATA cable or failing host SATA port, the drive is defective.
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HERETIC
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Re: Errors on new SSD

Wed Jun 21, 2017 1:32 am

Don't know if we're talking about the same thing,but CrystalDisk has a entry on my C400-
BD-Factory bad block count-Raw value-52

I've always assumed NAND has spares to replace bad blocks at manufacturing level.

What's the brand?
Is the capacity right?
 
just brew it!
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Re: Errors on new SSD

Wed Jun 21, 2017 5:43 am

HERETIC wrote:
Don't know if we're talking about the same thing,but CrystalDisk has a entry on my C400-
BD-Factory bad block count-Raw value-52

He said he's running the Linux "badblocks" tool. Per the output, there are (at least) 32 unreadable sectors.

HERETIC wrote:
I've always assumed NAND has spares to replace bad blocks at manufacturing level.

Yes, it does. But these are dealt with internally; if bad blocks are visible at the user level in a write-read-verify test (what badblocks does), the drive has a problem. A new drive should never have trouble coughing up data which was just written to it.

HERETIC wrote:
What's the brand?

The described behavior would be incorrect regardless of brand.

HERETIC wrote:
Is the capacity right?

It's certainly worth verifying the drive info and health as reported by SMART, to see if there are any anomalies. Since OP is apparently using Linux: smartctl -a <device> (you may need to install an additional package from your repository first, e.g. in Debian/Ubuntu you need "smartmontools").

I would also run the same test with a known good drive connected to the same port and power connector, to rule out system level problems.
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Heiwashin
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Re: Errors on new SSD

Wed Jun 21, 2017 5:51 am

just brew it! wrote:
The described behavior would be incorrect regardless of brand.


That made me giggle. :lol:
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Yan
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Re: Errors on new SSD

Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:26 am

just brew it! wrote:
It's certainly worth verifying the drive info and health as reported by SMART, to see if there are any anomalies. Since OP is apparently using Linux: smartctl -a <device> (you may need to install an additional package from your repository first, e.g. in Debian/Ubuntu you need "smartmontools")..

A short SMART self-test before running badblocks reported no errors. Running badblocks read-only also reported no errors. I had to run a write-read test to find the errors, and then SMART reported reallocated sectors.

I wonder how many users have defective drives without knowing it, because they don't do things like run a write-read test with badblocks. Even a SMART self-test saw no problem. Back when floppies were still used, I always reformatted them to check for bad sectors, and it wasn't unusual for a new floppy to be defective.

I'm returning the SSD. It's a Crucial MX300, by the way, which is recommended in a certain guide. ;-)
 
Waco
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Re: Errors on new SSD

Wed Jun 21, 2017 8:13 pm

There are bad drives in every bunch.

I have a small pile of Intel DC-S3700 drives to send to destruction at work...10% failure rate so far in a very light workload. Supposedly the new firmware is going to be better.
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