SSD works and sometimes doesn't on HP EliteDesk 800 G1 Small Form Factor PC

[GameHewwy18]

Help! :smileyindifferent:

Guys I'm at my wits' end. I wouldn't really call myself novice but firstly my specs

HP EliteDesk 800 G1 Small Form Factor PC
8GB Ram, i5 4750
Samsung SSD 240gb SATA
WinX 64 (always updated)
EVGA GTX750Ti 2GB
2 daisy chained PSU 240W + 305W

+ DvdRW, +Card Readers
Bios Updated

It all started when I got this HP Elite Desktop (to replace old gaming rig) as described above and upgraded the basic system to more ram, ssd, dedicated graphics etc. Initially all worked well and even the oem psu at 240W was able to handle the GTX750Ti. Then the problem started happening when the (second) SSD couldn't be picked up by the system.

I wrote 2nd SSD because there was a first one (Intel 120gb sata) which upon plugging into the desktop seem to have got fried when I attempted to install WinX to it.

Anyways going back to the 2nd working SSD where I succesfully installed WinX, the BIOS sometimes doesnt see it and it wont boot.  Sometimes it would, so I changed cables thinking it just might be that. It worked for sometime, then the SSD started disappearing again, so I changed to another SSD which worked eliminating the possibility that it might be a case of faulty SSDs. I updated the BIOS (set by default to AHCI), adjusted certain things etc etc. and it worked once more with Windows booting up. Then after a few uses the case of the missing SSD happened again! So I removed the GPU and relied on the integrated graphics and that worked for sometime. Thinking it might be the PSU, I got an old PSU and daisy chained it to the existing and that gave me more power after having isolated the CPU to get its power from 1 psu. It worked of course and after a few days the missing case of the SSD happened again till today.

I'm totally without ideas now. One stupid thing I noticed is each time I make sure the ssd etc cables are intact, lifting the SSD, DVDRW rack seem to have an effect on whether the SSD will be picked up by the Bios. Sounds weird but nothing is broken there. Btw, the SFF case is open to the side since all these additions wont fit in. I even have the other PSU mounted on top of the SSF case after some craft work. I try not to have e-waste reason why I recycle components. I read from an HP site that this Elite G1 has a dedicated SSD form it can work with but how come it can boot from a standard SSD?

Any ideas please? Its my gaming machine...its awesome for what it is...60+fps near max settings for SniperElite4.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Grzwacz]

Hi

You have made many changes to the system. This makes it impossible to diagnose what is happening.

I would suggest setting the system back to the factory configuration.

Then check for stability.

Tom

[GameHewwy18]

Thanks for your reply. Yes even back when it was basic (reverted to it) and just the addition of SSD, the SSD keeps disappearing. 

[Grzwacz]

Hi

You're welcome.

Have you tried swapping the two SSD drives to see if the problem is static or it follows the SSD?

You swapped in a new SATA cable.

Maybe some SATA port or controller damage on the mainboard after the first SSD fried?

Tom

[GameHewwy18]

Hi,  the BIOS behaves the same with either SSD. Sometimes it sees it and sometimes it doesn't. Yes ive tried a lot of SATA cables as ive got two back up Desktops which I can cannibalize. It would seem the system learns that an SSD is installed and just suddenly wants to ignore it. After letting the 'non-booting up' sequence run its course (even accessing the internet via DHCP as its cabled since it can't find a system disk) and after several on and offs and/or removing say components like the GPU, its the only time the whole rig is able to recognize AGAIN that its got a SSD to boot from.

With regards to the first SSD getting fried, i suspect it might just be that item is on its end of life as the reviews on it wasnt that good.

Btw, the old HDD didnt have a problem with this system whatsover. I even changed cmos battery and reset it on the mobo.

[Grzwacz]

Hi

An old HDD consistently works fine even with the dual power supply configuration you have going and a 750 Ti installed?

Have you replicated this boot failure issue with only one power supply, factory components and operating system, and the second SSD?

I am fuzzy on how you are using two power supplies to power the discrete GPU and other components.

It seems like the component modifications may be causing the problem.

You really have to start at HP's hardware and software (OS) configuration to see if the problem continues to happen.

Have you checked the SSD for consistent boot service in a different PC?

Tom

[GameHewwy18]

Hi thanks again.

Yes, old HDD works fine as a clone of the SSD. Single or dual PSU.

Same SSDs worked in the old rig, having upgraded from a C2Quad to the i5 mentioned.

Same 750Ti was moved from old system (no probs with that GPU).

I believe I have tested the HP desktop in its basic config (4gb ram it came with, 1 psu and no dedicated GPU) using the SSD as the only upgrade and its just doing this hide and seek thing with the SSD.

The dual psu is daisy chained via a small 'switch' board you can buy online. ATX 24pin from 2nd psu plugged  into this thing and a molex plugged from the main psu tiggers the powering on sequence.

2nd psu basically powers the CPU alone via a 4pin cable according my understanding of the mobo.

So I believe the GPU gets enough juice. It did even with one 240w psu when this disappearing SSD started happening.

[Grzwacz]

Hi GameHewwy18

You're welcome.

I don't know what is happening in this instant. Have you run any diagnostics on the SSD to verify it is okay?

Maybe a different forum member will see something we are both missing.

You are running W10. W10 should be providing the correct SATA drivers. Have you tried updating the SATA drivers at your PC's Support site or updating drivers from the SSD OEM? Check for HP BIOS updates for your PC. You stated you previously reset CMOS.

Is the system set to AHCI or RAID in the BIOS? RAID can mess with SSD's. Samsung recommends AHCI.

One component (SSD) consistently works in other PCs but is not operating correctly when installed in your PC; even when the PC is set to factory specifications. But a replacement component (HDD) works in other PCs and also consistently works in your PC.

The above fact seems to eliminate both a bad SSD and a motherboard problem.

So the SSD is good and the motherboard is good.

This suggests everything should work as expected.

Tom

[GameHewwy18]

Well one pattern I discovered after many trials is this - the SSD works for about 5-6 restarts ie goes to windows, and then it doesnt get recognized anymore. I have to do 5-6 restarts till it becomes online again. Is this SSD on its death throes? I think the disk is very healthy.