FAQS

A new SSD must be initialized before use. Follow these steps to set it up:  
1. Press Win + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and open Disk Management.  
2. Locate the SSD marked as “Not Initialized,” right-click it, and select “Initialize Disk.”  
3. Choose GPT (for drives over 2TB) or MBR (for drives under 2TB).  
4. Right-click the “Unallocated” space, create a new volume, and format it as NTFS or exFAT.

- Verify Connections: Test by swapping SATA / NVMe cables or trying different slots.
- Check BIOS Settings: Confirm if the SSD is detected in BIOS.
- Disk Management Tool: Use Win + R to open diskmgmt.msc and check if the disk appears.
- Update Drivers: Update SSD drivers in Device Manager.
- Troubleshoot with CMD:
  1. Open Command Prompt (as administrator).
  2. Enter `diskpart` → `list disk` to check SSD detection.

Traditional hard drive (HDD) diagnostic tools don’t work for SSDs because SSDs don’t use spinning disks and don’t have "bad sectors." For checking your SSD’s health, it’s best to use tools specifically designed for them, like SP ToolBox.

Possible causes include:  
- Incorrect BIOS settings: Enter BIOS and set SATA to AHCI mode.  
- SSD controller chip issues: Try unplugging and reconnecting the SSD. If the problem continues, repair or replacement may be needed.  
- Partition table corruption: You can reinitialize the SSD using Disk Management, but this will erase all data.

This difference comes from how manufacturers and computers calculate storage:

- Manufacturers use the decimal system: 1GB = 1,000MB  
- Computers use the binary system: 1GB = 1,024MB  

For example, a 1TB (1,000GB) SSD will show up as about 931GB on your computer. Additionally, the system keeps some space reserved for caching and backups.

- Avoid excessive writing: SSDs have a limited write lifespan (TBW), so try not to perform large-scale, continuous writes.  
- Keep enough free space (10-20%) to help the garbage collection (GC) process run smoothly.  
- Regularly update your firmware to ensure optimal performance and stability.  
- Use an SSD monitoring tool like SP ToolBox to check your drive’s health and lifespan indicators (TBW, bad sectors, etc.).

You can check your SSD status using the following methods:
- SP ToolBox (Windows): Monitor SSD health, total data written (TBW), and bad blocks.
- Speed tests: Use CrystalDiskMark on Windows or Blackmagic Disk Speed Test on Mac to measure read/write speeds.
- Temperature monitoring: Keep an eye on SSD temperature—if it exceeds 70°C, it may impact stability.

SSD overheating (above 70°C) can cause slowdowns or crashes. To prevent this:  
- Ensure your computer has good airflow.  
- Use heatsinks on M.2 SSDs or built-in motherboard cooling solutions.  
- Avoid extended heavy write tasks like 4K video editing.

SSDs are ideal for system drives, boosting your startup times and app loading speeds. Recommendations:
- Install Windows OS yourself.
- Use a GPT partition scheme for drives 2TB or larger.
- Install Windows on the SSD and enable AHCI mode for best performance.
- Turn on the TRIM command to help extend your SSD’s lifespan.

SSD performance can slow down over time due to extended use. Key factors and solutions include:  
- Avoid filling your drive completely: Keep at least 10-20% free space to help the garbage collection (GC) process.  
- Enable TRIM: Both Windows and macOS automatically activate TRIM commands to maintain peak SSD performance.  
- Limit long, heavy file writes: For tasks like 4K video editing, use an HDD as a storage drive.  
- Restart regularly: This allows the SSD’s internal garbage collection to run and boost performance.

Possible solutions include:  
- Enable CSM (Compatibility Support Module) in BIOS, then rescan for the SSD.  
- Install the Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver, which is required on some Intel platforms for SSD detection.  
- Disable the VMD (Volume Management Device) Controller in BIOS settings.