Samsung SSD causing problem with upgrade from Windows 8.0 to 8.1

[DCFiscus]

I'm having trouble upgrading my HP Desktop from the OEM installed Windows 8.0 to 8.1.  I first attempted the upgrade when 8.1 was first rolled out.  It seemed to upgrade okay, but after a reboot I was left with a black screen... no error messages, just a black screen.

I retried it this morning, but this time it failed with DPC_Watchdog_Exception and then Machine_Check_Exception.  After searching through several forums, I'm "guessing" it may be Disk 0, which is a Samsung 830 Series SSD (Model: MZ7PC256/0H1, s/n: S0U3NSAC705912, p/n: MZ7PC256HAFU-000H1) that was installed and configured by HP when I ordered this desktop in 2012.

Samsung's Magician software doesn't recognize this SDD as a supported product, but they do identify it as a Samsung MZ7PC256HAFU-000H1, with Firmware version CXM05H1Q.  I thought I'd see if a firmware upgrade was available, but there's no information about this SSD on Samsung's support site. Also, HP doesn't offer any firmware for this SSD... not even the original firmware.  Everything I've seen on the internet says it's a custom OEM SSD that's not supported by Samsung. 

I'm not desparate to upgrade to Win8.1, but I would like to know exactly why the upgrade keeps failing.  I have another SSD available (a Samsung 850 Pro, model: MZ-7KE256BW) that I've considered using to replace the current Drive 0, but I hate swapping out parts without knowing it's actually the problem.

I'm open to advice. The info on my current system follows. Also, I should point out that there are no device conflicts nor outdate drivers.

HP Envy h8-1420t CTO Desktop PC, s/n: 2MD3020CF9, Product No. C1U69AV #ABA

Windows 8 Pro 64 (installed by HP)

Intel Core i7-3770 3rd Gen, Quad-core (Ivy Bridge) 64-bit Processor, 3.4GHz

Memory: 16GB DDR3

Drive 0: 256GB SSD, Samsung 830 Series, Model: MZ7PC256/0H1, s/n: S0U3NSAC705912, p/n: MZ7PC256HAFU-000H1

Drive 1: 1TB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive, Model: WD10EZEK-60ZF5A0, s/n: WCC1S1261511

Drive 2:  750GB SSD, Samsung 840 Series, Model: MZ-7TE750BW, s/n: S1DMNEADB03609

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

You will find the latest firmware for the Samsung 830 at the Samsung SSD download site.  Additionally, you will also find the latest version of the Samsung Magician.

Backup your data and be sure to create the external HP recovery media.

I prefer not to clone but rather to use the external HP recovery media to load the SSD.

1. If you are not on the latest SSD firmware then flash the SSD.  Use the latest version of the Magician to do so.
2. Disable Secure Boot in the BIOS before cloning the hard drive.
3. Then reformat and clone the SSD using the latest Samsung migration software. Use the original HP hard drive as the source and it needs to be intact as you need to bring across all of the partitions.
4. Power off the PC and disconnect the original boot HD.
5. Connect the SSD to the original boot SATA port.
6. Do not have any other SSDs or hard drives connected that contain an EFI partitions or you might run into issues with multiple Windows boot loders.

[DCFiscus]

Thanks for the response Big_Dave, but as I stated...

Samsung's Magician software doesn't recognize this SDD as a supported product, but they do identify it as a Samsung MZ7PC256HAFU-000H1, with Firmware version CXM05H1Q.  I thought I'd see if a firmware upgrade was available, but there's no information about this SSD on Samsung's support site. Also, HP doesn't offer any firmware for this SSD... not even the original firmware.  Everything I've seen on the internet says it's a custom OEM SSD that's not supported by Samsung. 

There is information and firmware for other 830 SSDs models on Samsung's site, but not this particular model.  Also, the firmware for the other, supported 830's is version CXM03B1Q, whereas my 830's firmware is version CXM05H1Q.

Regarding the use of Samsung Magician.  I am using the latest version.  It identifies the SSD as a Samsung MZ7PC256HAFU-000H1, but it will not allow a firmware update (even if I had it) because it doesn't think it's "Genuine".

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

BTW -- The Magician might not work with Samsung OEM SSDs as Samsung doesn't support OEM SSDs.

You might do a google on "samsung 830 OEM firmware" and see what you can find.  I saw some interesting information about Samsung 830 installed in Dell PCs.

[DCFiscus]

Yes, I saw several references to Samsung's lack of support for OEM SSDs, which brought me back to HP's site to see if they supported it, which apparrently they do not... but seriously, how could they?  

Honestly, I don't expect HP to support firmware and drivers for every component/module they use in their products, it's just troubling that they chose a customized, unsupported SSD over a standard, "off-the-shelf" model.  They had to (or should have) known they were sacrificing long term support which may ultimately impact their customers. 

I don't want to turn this into an HP hate thread, because I really like HP. I'm just surprised they chose this path after all the years of carrying the "open systems/interoperability" torch, but I guess that mainly focused on their HP-UX workstations and servers.

Back to my original problem... I see two options at this point. I can either stick with Win8.0, which still works fine; or replace the SSD with a standard off-the-shelf SSD or HDD and upgrade to Win8.1.

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

What other troubleshooting procedures have you tried? 

The Samsung 830 SSD might not even be the problem.

[DCFiscus]

Actually, I'm having difficulty determining exactly how to succinctly verify the SSD is the cause of the Win8.1 error messages ("DPC_Watchdog_Exception"  and  "Machine_Check_Exception").   I got sidetracked on this path after reading several posts on other forums about the Samsung OEM SSDs that caused the same problem. One was an HP Laptop with the same model SSD as mine.

So, my idea of replacing the SSD with a retail model is simply a guess... a shot in the dark. I do not know if it will work or not, and I have no idea how to prove or disprove it at this point. I'm open to suggestions.

I always maintain my computers at current levels, relative to Microsoft Updates, HP Updates, application updates, drivers, firware, etc. After the Win8.1 error occurred, I rechecked all updates and ran diagnostics via HP Support Assistant and UEFI. Everything passed.

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

Receiving a "machine check" error is serious.  Check the error logs on your PC for a specific error code.  DPC Watchdog Violation information can be found here.

If your PC is stable with Windows 8 then you might be having a Windows 8.1 driver issue, BIOS issue or even a component issue when running Windows 8. It strange that Windows seems stable but not Windows 8.1. Typically this would point to a software issue.

Update the UEFI diagnostics on your PC and run the diagnostics on all devices either at boot time (ESC key followed by the F2 key) or run the diagnostics from USB flash.

[DCFiscus]

Thanks,

I just grabbed to newest UEFI diagnostics from the link you provided. I'll restart in a few minutes and run diagnostics again.

Yes, the PC is very stable in Win8.0. I don't recall any issues, only in 8.1.  Incidentally, when the DPC_Watchdog_Exception  and  Machine_Check_Exception errors occurred, I ran Automatic Repair, but it could not repair it. It also suggested checking log file for (SrtTrail.txt), which I cannot do now because I since restored the C-drive to 8.0.

[DCFiscus]

I just finished running UEFI Diagnostics... everything passed. I guess I'm not really surprised since the problem only surfaces after or during the Win8.1 upgrade.

Maybe I'll should upgrade again tomorrow, and when it fails, rerun the diagnostics and read the SrtTrails.txt file.