I have a Dell Latitude laptop that worked well until it suddenly wouldn't boot anymore. I tried using Ventoy to load Windows, but I had no luck. After letting it sit for a few months, I ran an onboard diagnostic test and got an error code pointing to a failing SSD. I decided to check the SSD by connecting it to my desktop, where it appears to be working fine in the device manager, but I can't access the files in File Explorer. I'm confused about what to do next since the laptop's battery is also dead, and I'm powering it without a battery. I want to try and fix this myself before considering taking it to a shop. Any suggestions on what might be wrong or how to diagnose it further would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Keep in mind that Windows doesn’t catch every single error. Some SSD issues will only trigger alerts after they happen several times, while the S.M.A.R.T. system provides more accurate reporting. I recommend trying Hard Disk Sentinel as well, since it can give you a clearer picture of what's going on with the drive.
Try using Crystal Disk Info or a similar tool on the drive if you can connect it. These programs can read the SSD's S.M.A.R.T. data, which provides insights into its health and any potential issues. It might help clarify whether the drive is truly failing or if there’s another problem at play.
I attempted that, but it locks up my PC completely when I plug the drive in. As soon as I unplug it, Crystal Disk opens normally. It’s strange—my desktop shows two drive letters assigned to the SSD, but I can’t access anything.
So basically, you're suggesting I try Hard Disk Sentinel instead of Crystal Disk? Got it!