Solved Is there any way to check the viablity of a SSD?

lbeck · Aug 23, 2024

Yesterday I purchased online a 64 TB (yes, TB) SSD from a Chinese market. I checked one-star reviews after sending credit card info:

Slow delivery - no problem
Slow data transfer - no problem
Capacity not as advertised - no problem
Files recorded okay but retrieved as corrupted - BIG PROBLEM
Files seem to record okay but aren't on SSD - BIG PROBLEM

So my question is this, Is there any way to check performance issues like accurate recording and longevity of storage prior to using it as a backup? I'd lke to check the SSD on receipt. If It is useless for my purposes I'll return it for a refund.

hsehestedt · Aug 23, 2024

Best utility for that purpose (and free):

GRC | ValiDrive

ValiDrive, Fraudulent and Fake Drive Detection

www.grc.com

I almost guarantee that it is a fake SSD unless you paid a couple thousand for it. Main purpose of the util is for validating that it is a "legit" drive with the reported capacity.

It does some performance metrics, but for that you might want to use CrystalDiskMark

CrystalDiskMark

About CrystalDiskMark CrystalDiskMark is a simple disk benchmark software. Download Standard Edition Aoi Edition Shizuku Edition System Requirements OS Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10/11Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022 Architecture x86/x64/ARM64 Key Features Important Notice -> FAQ Unit M...

crystalmark.info

bobkn · Aug 24, 2024

If it's an external USB device, I suggest Validrive. That will tell you whether it's a fake.

(Edit: "hsehestedt" posted while I was writing my response.)

If it's an internal drive, I know of no comparable tool.

But it's fake. And completely useless.

lbeck · Aug 24, 2024

Thanks. I'll check out Validrive.

It is an external USB drive.

MisterEd · Aug 24, 2024

Of course it is fake. You don't need to test it. Either get your money back or throw it in the garbage.

BTW, Nimbus has a 64 TB SSD for only $10,900 US. That is about $170 per TB.

glasskuter · Aug 24, 2024

See here for another post from someone who fell for same scam

Could not open any folders and in it empty in SSD

I copied some folders into portable ssd, it was shown in ssd and all items was in the folder but as soon as you open other folder all the items disappear from the folder although the folder was still there. When you copied another folder to ssd the last folder items disappear only the empty...

www.elevenforum.com

lbeck · Aug 24, 2024

Thanks for the link, glasskuter. I followed it and feel stupid. This wasn't a gift. I ordered it myself and actually believed that it may be true. All the talk about the Chinese challanging the US in chip mfgr. I thought that maybe they eliminated middlemen and other things that generate high markups,

I'll send it back for a refund - or.... maybe it really is a $25 64 TB SSD !!

zbook · Aug 24, 2024

Please post images or share links with the validrive results.

PerpetualCycle · Aug 24, 2024

BTW, from whom did you order it if you don't mind telling?

MisterEd · Aug 24, 2024

Right now external SSDs go for about $50-$100 US per TB. Keep that in mind when you look for an external SSD to buy. The old saying applies here, "If it is too good to be true, then it probably is".

lbeck · Aug 25, 2024

Zbook - I don't have it yet. I'll post the validrive results when it arrives. I tried to cancel but couldn't yet since it's in transit from China.

PerpetualCycle - The seller can be found here

MisterEd - Anyone who believes in a talking horse will believe anything

SIW2 · Aug 25, 2024

DerBauer taking it apart

MisterEd · Aug 25, 2024

Here is review I watched back in 2022 of someone taking apart a fake 8TB external SSD.

iWish: I bought an 8TB External Drive from Wish...and it went as well as you would expect

Here is what he found inside

garlin · Aug 25, 2024

That's ingenious. I mean you could upgrade the SSD's capacity by swapping out thumbdrives!!

hsehestedt · Aug 25, 2024

lbeck said:
MisterEd - Anyone who believes in a talking horse will believe anything

Maybe, but he's not the one who believed he could get a 64TB SSD for $30

MisterEd · Aug 25, 2024

garlin said:
That's ingenious. I mean you could upgrade the SSD's capacity by swapping out thumbdrives!!

In the video it was found that there were 4 very cheap 32GB flash drives inside. Each one reported to Windows that is was 2TB. The way that is done is that the manufacture reprograms each flash drives firmware so that it reports 2TB instead of the true 32GB to Windows. Also, each was very slow in reading/writing data.

lbeck · Sep 1, 2024

Well, you guys are right (except about the talking horse

). It was indeed too good to be true. Thanks Hsehes* and bobkin for the tip about Validrive. I tried it as soon as I got the "62 TB" SSD and, as anticipated, it shows that the drive has far less than the advertised capacity.

Also a big thanks to other posts here that directed me to others who have been scammed by the same people or scammer wannabes.

My only remaining question is whether the stuff that the bogus drive actually saves is indeed "valid". My $23 is wasted for a "62 TB" SSD but it does appeaar to save about a TB. I'm thinking about keeping it for file transfers rather than going to the trouble of returning it hoping for a refund. I know that I can get a one TB drive for less than I paid, but I may avoid the hassle and instead give the drive (and company) a poor review that'll likely never get posted. But I don't want to transfer corrupted files thinking that they're valid.

Anyway, thanks to all for your expert help.

bobkn · Sep 1, 2024

lbeck said:
(snip)

My only remaining question is whether the stuff that the bogus drive actually saves is indeed "valid". My $23 is wasted for a "62 TB" SSD but it does appeaar to save about a TB. I'm thinking about keeping it for file transfers rather than going to the trouble of returning it hoping for a refund.

If you can figure out a way to make the firmware revert to the true size of the drive, do it.

If not, the drive is worthless. Don't compound your mistake by trying to use it.

MisterEd · Sep 1, 2024

lbeck said:
My only remaining question is whether the stuff that the bogus drive actually saves is indeed "valid". My $23 is wasted for a "62 TB" SSD but it does appeaar to save about a TB. I'm thinking about keeping it for file transfers rather than going to the trouble of returning it hoping for a refund. I know that I can get a one TB drive for less than I paid, but I may avoid the hassle and instead give the drive (and company) a poor review that'll likely never get posted. But I don't want to transfer corrupted files thinking that they're valid.

You should not even try to use it. Windows still thinks it is 64TB. When Windows goes past its actual size it will just start overwriting the data already on it.

The manufacturer has special equipment to program the firmware with fake information. Without that you won't be able reprogram this yourself. Also, the manufacturer has probably used cheap or defective flash memory in the drive.

glasskuter · Sep 1, 2024

lbeck said:
I'm thinking about keeping it for file transfers

Why in the world would you want to create future problems for yourself by trying to use it. Chaulk it up as a $23 learning mistake for buying a piece of Chinese junk and beat that sucker with a hammer so no other poor unsuspecting person gets a hold of it.

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