Question:

I have recently purchased a Kingston SA400S37 960GB SATA SSD and installed it as a secondary drive on my laptop. However, I am experiencing extremely low write speeds and frequent system freezes when I try to install or transfer large files, such as games. I have tried partitioning, reseating, and reformatting the drive several times, but the problem persists. I also cannot run CrystalDiskMark to test the drive performance, even with a 1GB test size. The CrystalDiskInfo shows that the drive health is good and the temperature is normal. What could be the cause of this issue and how can I fix it?

Answer:

How to troubleshoot a slow Kingston SA400S37 960GB SATA SSD

Solid state drives (SSDs) are faster, more reliable, and more energy-efficient than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). However, some users may encounter problems with their SSDs, such as low write speeds, system freezes, or inability to run benchmark tests. In this article, we will discuss a possible cause and solution for these issues, using the example of a Kingston SA400S37 960GB SATA SSD.

A user reported that they have recently purchased a Kingston SA400S37 960GB SATA SSD and installed it as a secondary drive on their laptop. However, they are experiencing extremely low write speeds and frequent system freezes when they try to install or transfer large files, such as games. They have tried partitioning, reseating, and reformatting the drive several times, but the problem persists. They also cannot run CrystalDiskMark to test the drive performance, even with a 1GB test size. The CrystalDiskInfo shows that the drive health is good and the temperature is normal.

The cause

One possible cause of this problem is that the SSD is running in SATA 2 mode instead of SATA 3 mode. SATA 2 and SATA 3 are different standards for connecting and transferring data between storage devices and the motherboard. SATA 2 has a maximum data transfer rate of 3 Gbps, while SATA 3 has a maximum data transfer rate of 6 Gbps. Therefore, if the SSD is running in SATA 2 mode, it will not be able to achieve its full potential speed and performance.

There are several reasons why the SSD may be running in SATA 2 mode instead of SATA 3 mode, such as:

• The laptop’s motherboard does not support SATA 3 mode.
• The laptop’s BIOS settings are not configured to enable SATA 3 mode.
• The SSD’s firmware is outdated or corrupted.
• The SSD’s SATA cable or connector is faulty or loose.

The solution

To fix this problem, the user needs to check and change the following things:

• Check the laptop’s motherboard specifications and make sure it supports SATA 3 mode. If not, the user may need to upgrade their motherboard or use a different SSD that is compatible with SATA 2 mode.
• Check the laptop’s BIOS settings and make sure they are configured to enable SATA 3 mode. The user may need to access the BIOS menu by pressing a certain key (such as F2, F10, or Del) during the boot process and look for options related to SATA mode, AHCI mode, or RAID mode. The user may need to consult their laptop’s manual or manufacturer’s website for more details on how to access and change the BIOS settings.
• Check the SSD’s firmware and make sure it is up to date. The user may need to download and install the latest firmware update from the Kingston’s website or use the Kingston SSD Manager software to check and update the firmware automatically.
• Check the SSD’s SATA cable and connector and make sure they are not faulty or loose. The user may need to open the laptop’s case and inspect the cable and connector for any signs of damage or wear. The user may need to replace the cable or connector if they are defective or use a different SATA port on the motherboard if available.

After

checking and changing these things, the user should reboot their laptop and run CrystalDiskMark again to test the drive performance. The user should see a significant improvement in the write speeds and no more system freezes. If the problem still persists, the user may need to contact Kingston’s customer support or seek professional help.