External SSD can't initialize "the request failed due to a fatal device hardware error"

spapakons · Aug 2, 2023

If you don't need to transfer the disk between computers, you can consider buying an internal PCIe to M.2 card which should work and also be faster than the USB 3.0 enclosure. You can even install Windows there, if you provide Windows Setup with the adapter drivers so it can detect the disk.

spapakons · Aug 2, 2023

First thing I would test the NVMe disk on another computer to see if it is OK, most likely yes. Then I would replace the enclosure or buy an internal PCIe to M.2 card as I suggested in my previous post.

Scannerman · Aug 2, 2023

BrianInEngland said:
I had a Sabrent NVMe enclosure. During a large file copy the enclosure got so hot I couldn't touch it, now the drive inside isn't recognized. Either the enclosure is destroyed or the disk is. It was a Samsung 970 Pro drive.
The internal NVMe I was writing to only reached 45C, before the external failed it was showing 62C in Crystal Disk Info, but it felt MUCH hotter than that.

I've had no problems with Sabrent USB-SATA SSD cables, three of them work fine.

I never really understood why people would run NVMe in a USB enclosure. I expect it might be useful for the purposes of cloning (or forensics) but apart from this I don't see the practicality in it. Now M.2 makes sense in an external enclosure as you won't nearly be attempting to reach speeds that are beyond what is optimum for SATA drives. These external enclosures get hot enough to be safety hazards in some cases and I've had a few fry on me before it occurred to me that I was trying to make a drive designed to connect directly to the system board work in a less than ideal environment. Yes, two of these enclosures were Sabrent but the flaw is not in the brand name. USB3 simply wasn't designed to run NVMe.

gabgab · Aug 2, 2023

SO,

i bought this just because i have the M2 of my other laptop i wanted to get access on, no specific reason, i already have a fast T7. I wouldn't use that PCIe card, there's so many M2 slots inside this new motherboard i installed on my desktop PC.

Anyway, interestingly UGREEN just answered me so the mystery is solved, it cannot read that particular M2 - it's so confusing since they list so many Enclosure models on their site, so i will return it today.

"Dear customer, Thank you for your interest in UGREEN M.2 NVMe Hard Drive Enclosure. This hard drive enclosure is only compatible with NVMe M.2 hard drives. But X400 M.2 2280(256GB) is NGFF SSD. So it can not be used with this enclosure. We hope the answers will help you. With warm regards Your UGREEN Team"

spapakons · Aug 2, 2023

The sole purpose is to make the drive portable so you can connect it to multiple computers, not just one. You may want to use a very fast M.2 disk instead of a mechanical hard disk if you are using it for gaming or video rendering or whatever you want great speed for. I would also use a 2.5" SATA SSD in a SATA-to-USB enclosure for the same purpose. It makes sense. One the other side, if you don't want to transfer the disk and you will be using it in one computer only, it makes sense to buy an internal PCIe to M.2 card. If you have no free PCIe slot or you have a laptop, your only option is a USB enclosure.

Scannerman · Aug 2, 2023

gabgab said:
SO,

i bought this just because i have the M2 of my other laptop i wanted to get access on, no specific reason, i already have a fast T7. I wouldn't use that PCIe card, there's so many M2 slots inside this new motherboard i installed on my desktop PC.

Anyway, interestingly UGREEN just answered me so the mystery is solved, it cannot read that particular M2 - it's so confusing since they list so many Enclosure models on their site, so i will return it today.

"Dear customer, Thank you for your interest in UGREEN M.2 NVMe Hard Drive Enclosure. This hard drive enclosure is only compatible with NVMe M.2 hard drives. But X400 M.2 2280(256GB) is NGFF SSD. So it can not be used with this enclosure. We hope the answers will help you. With warm regards Your UGREEN Team"

Yup. I wondered about that. Not all of these enclosures are the same and even some NVMe runs B keys as well as M keys so you can't even go by that either. Some enclosures were designed to be able to do both but I find them dubious. UGREEN is not a bad company. I use many of their products. At least you're only using a standard M.2 in an enclosure and that makes sense. I hope you get the appropriate enclosure. Keep us posted :)

gabgab · Aug 2, 2023

guess this one is the right one? Gosh they have 28 models lol

https://www.amazon.de/UGREEN-Enclosure-Aluminum-Cooling-Compatible/dp/B09T8P9LKQ/

this is M2 NVMe and SATA as well as M-Key/M+B Key - should support old M2s and new M2s?

My SSD I need to read is like this one (but would be cool if it can read "any" M2)

Scannerman · Aug 2, 2023

Ich sprechen bischen Deutsch aber... I have to log in with my English account to check that.

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Enclosure-Aluminum-Cooling-Compatible/dp/B09T8P9LKQ/

Yes, that does appear to be in order. It says it can handle both SATA and NVMe.

I still don't recommend leaving this plugged in and on while connected to your PC when you're not using it.

I just don't trust these enclosures after killing two of them so easily.

It does state that M SATA isn't supported. Make sure you have the right key for that.

spapakons · Aug 2, 2023

mSATA is not the same as M.2 or newer! Please take a photo of your disk (the side with the sticker) and post it here so we can see the exact model and guide you properly.

Scannerman · Aug 2, 2023

Oh boy. That would be something if he's connecting to mSATA. Yes, a picture would help.

gabgab · Aug 2, 2023

Thanks guys

Its a regular M2.. actually here is a pic

Sandisk X400 SSD M.2 2280 256GB
SD8SNBU-256G-1002 FW: X4131002

Plus ideally if it can read newer ones a bonus. Got it not to leave it connected for long. Burning. Lol

Or this one? That is why i am confused.. too many models!

This one also says Sata and slightly cheaper.

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/UGREEN-adapter-housing-aluminium-compatible/dp/B09C8DPNZJ

One more thing

uGreen said that my sandisk is NGFF SSD but didnt say which adapter to get lol

spapakons · Aug 2, 2023

So you need an enclosure for M.2 2280 disks. They usually support smaller sizes, 2230 and 2260 as well, so you can use them, but the most common and cheaper I think is the 2280 type. Check the specs and the adapter photo before buying to make sure the disk can be connected there.

Scannerman · Aug 2, 2023

Yes, that should work if you want to plug it into a USB3 port. If it won't work then there's a problem elsewhere but there shouldn't be.

gabgab · Aug 2, 2023

Ok cool but which model? I linked 2 here. One costs 5€ more, both say SATA compatible tho one also says

M-Key/M+B Key

Yet the photo differ, hence my confusion!

gabgab · Aug 2, 2023

ugreen answered me and i took this one, end of story for now... arriving Friday

https://www.amazon.de/UGREEN-Enclosure-Aluminum-Cooling-Compatible/dp/B09T8P9LKQ/

Thanks for all feedback guys

Scannerman · Aug 2, 2023

gabgab said:
ugreen answered me and i took this one, end of story for now... arriving Friday

https://www.amazon.de/UGREEN-Enclosure-Aluminum-Cooling-Compatible/dp/B09T8P9LKQ/

Thanks for all feedback guys

Sorry I didn't get to this sooner but I needed a nap. I'm guessing you got the more expensive one. That's likely a better choice as it may be more flexible and versatile. I recall that one of those links advertised that it worked with NGFF as well. :)

gabgab · Aug 6, 2023

hi, just some feedback from me, so i got the slightly more expensive one yes, works perfectly with the Sandisk drive and guess what? Overheating not an issue, it barely reaches 35-36 C when doing copy operations or during speed test with Crystalmark for example, pretty good, so it's not really "burning" as some were thinking here, really nice case, there's the thermal pad that is in close contact with the SSD and is in aluminium which also helps and i keep it in a cool place too. Very nice case. Recommended this one!

Scannerman · Aug 6, 2023

gabgab said:
hi, just some feedback from me, so i got the slightly more expensive one yes, works perfectly with the Sandisk drive and guess what? Overheating not an issue, it barely reaches 35-36 C when doing copy operations or during speed test with Crystalmark for example, pretty good, so it's not really "burning" as some were thinking here, really nice case, there's the thermal pad that is in close contact with the SSD and is in aluminium which also helps and i keep it in a cool place too. Very nice case. Recommended this one!

I'm glad it worked out for you. All's well that ends well. :)

SIW2 · Aug 6, 2023

gabgab said:
hi, just some feedback from me, so i got the slightly more expensive one yes, works perfectly with the Sandisk drive and guess what? Overheating not an issue, it barely reaches 35-36 C when doing copy operations or during speed test with Crystalmark for example, pretty good, so it's not really "burning" as some were thinking here, really nice case, there's the thermal pad that is in close contact with the SSD and is in aluminium which also helps and i keep it in a cool place too. Very nice case. Recommended this one!

Heat shouldnt be an issue with your sata m.2 disk, but it might be an issue with nvme ssd.

techcraze · Dec 6, 2023

gabgab said:
hello there,

Resurrecting this thread, so i got a UGREEN NVMe M.2 Enclosure with Sandisk SSD and it's not working, this is my Disk Management:

UGREEN NVMe M.2 Enclosure USB 3.2 NVMe SSD Case Adapter with Cooling Pad 10Gbps for NVMe PCIe M-Key/M+B Key in 2230/2242/2260/2280 with USB CC and AC Cable Tool-Free

Sandisk X400 SSD M.2 2280 256GB
SD8SNBU-256G-1002 FW: X4131002

View attachment 66452

Initialize Disk, either options returns:

View attachment 66453

I've just tried what mentioned here, including trying different USB ports and same story, also on my Win10 laptop, same story. I don't think the SSD is fried.

The device uses this:

View attachment 66454

PC is all up to date and all drivers installed, chipset etc... i could of course put the SSD inside my desktop PC but for now i wanted to test it on the enclosure.

OH fun fact: i tried to plug the enclosure WITHOUT the SSD inserted in the slot, and it's exactly the same... i think something's not right here???

Also tested on 2 laptops, don't have any USB 2.0 ports anymore.

Any suggestions?

thank you

I was having the same issue, turns out stupid old me didn't push the nvme all the way into the slot, once I did there was a *click* and the drive instantly recognized. Hope this helps.