Yes, a Windows bug can lead to issues.
Yes, a Windows bug can lead to issues.
I purchased a 970 EVO Plus NVMe SSD for my laptop in June 2019. In January 2023, it froze unexpectedly. After restarting, I noticed the NVMe drive showed as unallocated space. I brought it to a repair shop who said the drive had failed because they couldn't format it. That seemed odd since it still appeared functional, so I suspect the NVMe controller chip stopped working suddenly. Later, in March 2023, my laptop froze again, and the same issue occurred—unallocated space appeared. They claimed the partition table was wiped due to a motherboard fault but didn't specify the exact cause. Despite this, I continued using the drive. It froze once more in October 2023, and after restarting, the NVMe SSD showed unallocated space again. I restored it using a Macrium Reflect image and returned the drive to its original state, which erased the partition table once more.
It seems there might be a chance either the 980 Pro NVMe SSD has a faulty controller chip or a motherboard issue causing repeated partition table corruption. I’m considering sending my laptop to another repair shop for a second opinion. I’d like to know if the 980 Pro is defective or if the motherboard is at fault.
Could you tell me if there have been any reports of Windows bugs causing partition table errors?
I think the 980 model had certain firmware problems, but they released updates recently. I recommend updating the firmware.
I bought the Alienware 17 r5 i9 in January 2019. The BIOS was updated in February 2022 after replacing the motherboard due to a failing Nvidia graphics card. I'm currently running BIOS version 1.18.0, while the latest is 1.22.0. I use Windows 10 22H2 and performed a clean installation of Windows in March 2023 when I purchased the 980 Pro. I haven't applied any updates and rely on a program to block Windows update services because I'm wary of potential issues. The RAM chips were replaced in June 2021 after they failed, causing a BSOD. I ran five memtest passes in April 2024 while the laptop froze on a blank blue screen during game installation. I believed the RAM was responsible, but tests showed no errors.
SMART offers little value when paired with NVMe SSDs. Most health monitoring tools rely on SMART data, but its accuracy has dropped significantly. Over the past decade, reliability remains inconsistent since manufacturers decide how many failures are needed before reporting changes. The numbers reflect actual usage rather than true condition. Understanding SMART attributes is essential. For CDI drives, focus on the lower section where NVMe improvements were made—removing most useful data. I’ve encountered numerous faulty NVMe units with minimal SMART indicators. Even with newer SATA SSDs adopting updated SMART, a bad controller can cause widespread issues. Corruption of partition data is rare, but repeated errors in other areas raise concerns. Sometimes improper seating leads to drive failure, so re-seating is a common first step if problems persist.
You should refresh the BIOS since it holds the latest CPU microcode. Windows Updates also include microcode, but the newer version will take precedence during operation. Since you haven’t updated either, you might be encountering problems with unstable CPU errors. Regarding Microsoft updates, it’s best to install those as they address BitLocker and security concerns.
No other information about the NVMe SSD has been damaged. Your observation is correct. If hardware problems existed, such as with the motherboard or controller, I would expect unusual behavior and data loss more often. The partition table was only affected once after seven months, which is unusual. It might indicate a software-related issue rather than a hardware fault. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1...yCcPaiBlEK are the apps on my laptop. Any of them could potentially influence the NVMe SSD partition table? Windows frequently interacts with it, but a bug could cause accidental erasure. The unexpected freezing after using the device is concerning. If you decide to replace the SSD, it might be wise to consider it carefully.