F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Samsung 840 model, 120GB storage, autopsy results not determined yet

Samsung 840 model, 120GB storage, autopsy results not determined yet

Samsung 840 model, 120GB storage, autopsy results not determined yet

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H3dgehog_
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01-03-2026, 03:53 PM
#1
I need to figure out why this SSD stopped working. The model is a Samsung 840 120GB, installed on Linux with a small Windows partition. Most of my time was on Linux, but when it failed, the system would freeze. I rebooted but couldn't get it to start with the drive. After disconnecting it and using another drive to boot into Windows, I connected the SSD (SATA hotplug enabled) and Windows recognized it, though it always showed 100% usage. I couldn't do anything meaningful on it. I set up a Linux live USB and was able to list the drive contents, but I couldn't interact with it. It didn’t get formatted or deleted in any way. This is unusual—no signs of shorts, no overheating, and capacitors/resistors checked fine. The HWInfo showed about 80% life remaining around a month before failure, and it hadn’t been used heavily during that time. I’m unsure if anyone else has experienced this issue. Could you help explain what might have caused it? Thank you!
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H
H3dgehog_
01-03-2026, 03:53 PM #1

I need to figure out why this SSD stopped working. The model is a Samsung 840 120GB, installed on Linux with a small Windows partition. Most of my time was on Linux, but when it failed, the system would freeze. I rebooted but couldn't get it to start with the drive. After disconnecting it and using another drive to boot into Windows, I connected the SSD (SATA hotplug enabled) and Windows recognized it, though it always showed 100% usage. I couldn't do anything meaningful on it. I set up a Linux live USB and was able to list the drive contents, but I couldn't interact with it. It didn’t get formatted or deleted in any way. This is unusual—no signs of shorts, no overheating, and capacitors/resistors checked fine. The HWInfo showed about 80% life remaining around a month before failure, and it hadn’t been used heavily during that time. I’m unsure if anyone else has experienced this issue. Could you help explain what might have caused it? Thank you!

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ibtheDK
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01-03-2026, 05:00 PM
#2
based on what i've observed, ssds tend to fail in various ways. one common issue is a single chip getting damaged, often near the power supply, which can usually be repaired if it's just a power surge. memory chips might still function, but fixing them requires expert help. another problem is losing capacity and encountering read/write errors, typically because backup memory slots are empty when needed. some models switch to read-only mode, like the samsung 980 pro did during a firmware glitch, eventually leading to failure. if caught early, cloning or upgrading the firmware might save the drive. i've seen smaller ssds struggle to read properly, likely due to multiple factors, but these usually indicate a shorter lifespan. consumer electronics generally don't last indefinitely, so even with good performance, reliability is a concern. faulty sectors are a red flag—if they keep increasing, it's a sign of decline. as a note, higher-end drives, such as samsonics pro models, often have more spare memory to handle defects, which can extend their life. bandwidth differences also play a role in longevity. overall, while some issues can be managed, the inevitable failure remains a reality.
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I
ibtheDK
01-03-2026, 05:00 PM #2

based on what i've observed, ssds tend to fail in various ways. one common issue is a single chip getting damaged, often near the power supply, which can usually be repaired if it's just a power surge. memory chips might still function, but fixing them requires expert help. another problem is losing capacity and encountering read/write errors, typically because backup memory slots are empty when needed. some models switch to read-only mode, like the samsung 980 pro did during a firmware glitch, eventually leading to failure. if caught early, cloning or upgrading the firmware might save the drive. i've seen smaller ssds struggle to read properly, likely due to multiple factors, but these usually indicate a shorter lifespan. consumer electronics generally don't last indefinitely, so even with good performance, reliability is a concern. faulty sectors are a red flag—if they keep increasing, it's a sign of decline. as a note, higher-end drives, such as samsonics pro models, often have more spare memory to handle defects, which can extend their life. bandwidth differences also play a role in longevity. overall, while some issues can be managed, the inevitable failure remains a reality.

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