SDD failure question

[staniam]

My computer came with a 16GB Sandisk SSD that was intended to improve system performance. I was never clear exactly how it accomplished this, but it certainly did boot fast when I first purchased the PC about 5 years ago. The system has been getting slower and slower as time has gone on (in know this is typical) and last week, it failed to boot, giving me a DOS-level 3F5 error (Blue widow, primitive graphics). Interestingly, the system would not allow me to start the diagnostics or even go into the BIOS at boot (although the keystroke was registered and the Setup message displayed). So my system was completely hosed and would not boot from USB either.

Luckily, I was able to get around the problem by removing the SSD module. The system now boots fine and all the remaining HDs seem to be functioning as expected. So I have a couple of questions:

1. Should I replace the SSD or just leave it out (for instance, it won't help much with an older system)?

2. If I do want to replace it, how would I initialize it properly (getting the device formatted and setting up my system)?

3. Bonus questions, just for my edification, why would the system not even allow access to the BIOS when the bad SSD was installed?

Thanks!  Stan

[Grzwacz · Accepted solution]

Greetings,

Welcome to the forum.

I am not a HP employee.

Very strange, I don't see a 16 GB cache drive option for your PC at this (Link).

Don't try to replace the 16 GB cache drive.

I don't know why you could not get in the BIOS after this drive failed. Hardware failures can cause weird stuff.

Your PC may be a bit slower now if you have a platter HDD.

Replace the slow platter HDD with an equivalent 2.5 inch SATA SSD unless you have a 256 GB SATA SSD (option at purchase) now.

Regards

[staniam]

Thanks for the reply. I agree that the link you provided to the original products doesn't offer a 16GB SSD option, but that is what I have. I think it may have been a Best Buy special. I don't have another SSD in the unit, but may consider it if it is cheap. This unit is already long in the tooth, so I may just live with it until I get my next one. Thanks!

[Grzwacz]

Hi Staniam,

You're very welcome.

Regards