Check if your SATA port is functioning properly.
Check if your SATA port is functioning properly.
Hello everyone, I own a Ryzen 1700x with an ASUS B350 Prime Plus built in 2017. Since then, upgrades haven't been frequent, and the cables have stayed in good condition with minimal slack. I'm checking if a single SATA port on my motherboard might be failing or if the cable itself is the issue. Recently, one of my HDDs vanished from Windows and showed up as RAW in Disk Management. Even after trying to disable it or reformat, Disk Management stopped working. CrystalDisk reported everything was normal, and the SMART stats seemed okay. It also kept my PC running and booting without issues until I physically removed Disk A from the system. Once I did that, it worked again, even with a new HDD connected through another SATA port. I'm worried about Disk A being the problem, especially since it's a Seagate drive. I haven't changed any cables yet, but all my drives share the same SATA power supply. If this is what I suspect, could other ports fail too? Should I replace the motherboard ASAP? I'm currently busy with work and need this computer for important tasks.
things can fail easily. i've noticed usb connections not working, which means a sata port might be at risk after several years of use.
I attempted to separate variables by exchanging ports and cables. Throughout, all drives resumed functioning. It appears there was a loose connection, even though no cable was damaged and every SATA data cable retained its metal latch. My assumption is that a pin made contact issues due to oxidation or something similar. I recall cleaning SIM cards previously when a phone failed to recognize them. A bit of light friction likely helped eliminate any dirt or oxide buildup. The port swapping process probably caused enough wear to remove the contact area on the affected pin. It seems the issue has been resolved now.
Yes, but USB ports usually break more often because they’re used a lot. Consider how often you’d insert or take out a flash drive. The connections can get damaged, and the plug material may loosen over time. A SATA port stays mostly untouched after assembly. That’s understandable, thanks for the advice.