Windows 10 Instability and data corruption issues

[Oli_M]

Since W10 (and I do like it) I have had multiple BSOD resulting in no longer being able to start windows, with start up repair saying
unable to fix errors, lots of file corruptions (system and “unable to open ...user/desktop/ as location is corrupt or unreadable), and on at
least three occassions (in 3 months) the start menu has stopped working (won't pop up) and some taskbar icons have dissappeared (usually at the same time as start menu error), mail and edge won't open, backup option becomes unavaliable, and windows update won't install up dates. Not all of the above at the same time but each issue has happen multiple times quite a short period.

When I have gone through all the usual steps to repair these errors, like chkdsk, sfc, create new user, reinstall windows apps and manually installing updates, stop/starting backup and shadow copy services, the issue has not been resolved and I have had to either reset my PC, reinstall windows or recover from a system image, many times.

Note with my most recent failures (the following occured all within one day), including start menu not popping up, mail and edge not opening, windows apps icons missing from taskbar, backup no working, and corrupt/unreadable /user/desktop location (which made me write this post/request for help), sfc verification was successful with no errors being found (confusing).

My gut feeling is its a memory issue, but I have tested my RAM with memtest (always passed every test) and checked out my SSD with
vender software (OCZ Guru) which reported 99% heath and tonnes of life left.

Is it likley to be any of the following?

1. not enabling overprovisioning within windows partition of SSD (but plenty of spare space);
2. the SSD is faulty; and/or,
3. malicious software (I have done secure erases of SSD but not HDDs).

Or any other ideas?

I am getting really frustrated, it is ruining my productivity, I just want to get back to a stable system and get on with my work.

I am considering buying a new hard disk, but don't want to spend £100+ if it won't solve the problem.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Oli_M]

Just tested ssd with seatools and it passed the long test 100% OK.

I am out of ideas here, please help.

 

[Oli_M]

Ok my last post was lengthy and perhaps not very clear so I have re-posted my error, hopefully in a clearer way.

With my OCZ vertex 4 ssd im getting constant BSOD, data corruption, windows apps stops working and windows 10 can no longer start issues due to corruption of system files.

Have had to reinstall windows multiple times only to get the same issues straight away.
Installed windows on normal HDD and been fine so far.

I have run many tests on my ssd:

OCZ Guru says drive is healthy and loads of life left.
SeaTools 'long test' says 100% pass
memtest on my RAM passes all tests
chkdsk (when getting errors but windows still bootable) says no errors
sfc (when getting errors but windows still bootable) says 100% ok
Malwarebytes (when getting errors but windows still bootable) nothing found
windows defender (when getting errors but windows still bootable) nothing found

My ssd firmware is 1.5 (up to date)
MSI firmware also up to date.

Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated??

 

[Oli_M]

OK, someone on another site suggested that my SSD was not the culprit but was the victim of what ever is causing the errors/BSOD.

Any ideas as to what may be causing corruption of system files on my hard drive?

Bad RAM? (but it passed memtest tests

 

[Tim Locke]

SSDs can fail. One of their failure modes is that cells don't erase properly.

 

[Trouble]

Please stop cross posting to multiple sub-forums.
So far you are the only one contributing to your own threads and not only is this considered bad forum etiquette but it also results in confusion.
I have merged all your threads into one.
If you think the problem is your SSD, then check with the manufacturer and make sure you have installed the latest firmware for that specific drive.
If you think it might be memory, the use MemTest86+ and run 6 passes and see what it produces. http://www.memtest.org/ Get the ISO burn it to a CD, boot your computer from the CD and run it for at least 6 passes.
IF you are getting multiple BSODs then....

First make sure your machine is configured properly to facilitate the collection of .dmp files.

Go to Start and type in sysdm.cpl and press Enter
Click on the Advanced tab
Click on the Startup and Recovery Settings button
Ensure that Automatically restart is unchecked
Under the Write Debugging Information header select Small memory dump (256 kB) in the dropdown box
Ensure that the Small Dump Directory is listed as %systemroot%\Minidump << where your .dmp files can be
found later.
Click OK twice to exit the dialogs, then reboot for the changes to take effect.

Then copy the contents of the C:\Windows\MiniDump folder to another folder on your desktop, zip it up and attached the zip file to a post in this thread.
Maybe someone with the requisite skills will have the time and an opportunity to take a look at them.

 

[Oli_M]

Please stop cross posting to multiple sub-forums.
So far you are the only one contributing to your own threads and not only is this considered bad forum etiquette but it also results in confusion.
I have merged all your threads into one.
If you think the problem is your SSD, then check with the manufacturer and make sure you have installed the latest firmware for that specific drive.
If you think it might be memory, the use MemTest86+ and run 6 passes and see what it produces. http://www.memtest.org/ Get the ISO burn it to a CD, boot your computer from the CD and run it for at least 6 passes.
IF you are getting multiple BSODs then....

First make sure your machine is configured properly to facilitate the collection of .dmp files.

Then copy the contents of the C:\Windows\MiniDump folder to another folder on your desktop, zip it up and attached the zip file to a post in this thread.
Maybe someone with the requisite skills will have the time and an opportunity to take a look at them.

My apologies, point taken, I am new to forums, and was desperate to sort out my issue, not sure exactly which forum to post it.

Thanks for your advice