I recently installed Linux Mint on a new SSD for an old PC, but after a few days, I got stuck at the login screen and ended up in the BusyBox initramfs shell. I tried several commands from a YouTube tutorial like `sudo fsck` and `e2fsck -f -y /dev/sda3` to fix it, and even disabled journaling with `sudo tune2fs -O ^has_journal /dev/sda3`, but nothing worked. I attempted a fresh install of Linux Mint afterward, but now I'm unable to delete, format, or wipe the SSD. Checking the SSD's health with SMART, I found a warning saying 'DISK IS LIKELY TO FAIL SOON' and noticed several concerning stats. Can corrupted files lead to this issue, or is it possible that the SSD is defective even though it's brand new? Any suggestions on how to recover it or wipe it completely would be appreciated.
4 Answers
Keep in mind that corrupted files are generally a symptom of a failing SSD, not the cause. Just because your SSD is new doesn't mean it's of good quality. Sadly, it's not uncommon for low-quality or refurbished drives to be sold as new, so keep an eye on that.
For SSDs, it's essential to check their health using tools like `smartctl` as mentioned in the ArchWiki. While an SSD shouldn't fail right out of the box, occasionally you might get a defective one. And if it's really failing, make sure to back up your data immediately and pursue a warranty claim.
It's pretty unusual for a new SSD to fail this quickly. Do you have a second SSD you can use for testing? If not, you might want to check its warranty and gather all the information you can because you might need to file a claim.
Honestly, I found that SSDs or HDDs either fail right away or last for years. It's totally possible that your SSD is just one of the bad ones. Don't hesitate to seek a replacement if you can.
Nope, I don't have another SSD to spare for this PC.