Restore SSD from scratch? Only 32Kb visible

Your SSD controller failed on your Toshiba SSD, i.e. the SSD processor or "data bus"

The Toshiba SSD used at that time the sandforce controller.

Since processor and SSD is all one single unit, it is the entire SSD module that has failed and need be replaced. 😊

Macbook Air 2012 SSD, ......storage chips on right, SandForce controller on left

macuserinj

I then ran System Information, and like Anton I got the same 'odd' info

Its not "odd" 32KB is the size of the SSD Sandforce controller.

its all that your disk utility can read, the capacity of the controller ONLY.

Hi Anton, I have the same exact problem. One day out of nowhere, my macbook air froze, and I restarted it, and a flashing folder with question mark sign appeared. I've tried the PRAM/NVRAM reset, and the harddrive is still not recognized. It's showing up as a 33 kb sandforce, so I'm assuming that the SSD died. I would have gone to the Apple Store to get it checked out by an Apple Genius, but unfortunately I'm currently away from home, and there are no Apple Stores here. Right now, I'm just running my macbook via an external hard drive, and it works only with the external hard drive connected. I'm not sure which country you're from, but if there are Apple Service Centers or Stores where you live, I would suggest going there and have them check your macbook out. Hope this helps!

I have had the same exact problem. Originally occured when I was attempting to connect to an external monitor - machine would not reboot. Then for the next 2-3 days would randomly recognize the SSD, but finally comes up with "?" - and when I boot from a USB drive and go to Disk Utility - it only sees the 33KB for the Sandforce. Not sure what to do from here.

Exact same problem here. SSD died 4 weeks after warranty expired, same 33KB problem when using Disk Utility. Genius Bar tech said they'd send it out for SSD replacement for $280 or repair it in house (faster turn-around time) for almost twice that much.

If you're comfortable fixing your own, you can get a 120GB for much less than $280 here - http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Aura_Pro_Air_2012 - if I can't get my credit card to cover this repair under their 12mo extended warranty benefit, that's what I'll probably end up doing. Apple will probably only warranty their replacement work for another 6-12 months; that linked store covers their drives for 3 years.

Yeah it looks like that's the option I'm going to have to go for. I'm taking it into an Apple Store just in case they might have mercy on me since this seems to be a real issue stemming from the external monitor somehow. Does anyone have any ideas as to why connecting an external monitor might screw up the SSD?

fe304rd, did you connect the external monitor through a Thunderbolt > HDMI Cable or an adaptor and a regular HDMI Cable?

This is a failed SSD and possibly logic board. It just happened to my 2012 MBA 8GB yesterday. 😟. I am out of warranty by 68 days, no AppleCare, but they did say to replace it, and the logic board if that is shot too, it would be 889 + tax.

I think the Toshoba ssd for mid 2012 macbook air is just bad. It died approximately 2 months after warranty. The guy told me they would replace it for $280...I'm totally disappointed in Apple. No such things ever happen to me before. My first dream Mac will also be the last one.

I am also very disappointed about Apple!

mid 2012 macbook air:

My SSD is also failed 30 days over warranty.

And that after only one year! This is quality 😟

Now I´m working only with an external HDD, the repair is too expensive for me.

Hi to all!

MB Air 2012 11", Toshiba 128Gb SSD. Dead.

Still on the warranty till 14th of September. Lucky me.

Was sent to Apple on 27th of August from Finland.

Symptoms: SSD appears and disappears randomly, sometimes after it appear it is damaged, and need to be re-erased. Or Mac just sticks with a question mark folder.

I'm waiting to have it back on 9th of September, becouse I can barely study with only an iPad by my side..

In the end I want to say that it's a shame that Apple still hasn't arranged a repairing programme for these machines. The cases mentioned above are just the top of an iceberg. I'm really disappointed by Apple's service now. Why people, whose warranty has just expired have to pay money to fix their machines with a known problem? Does Apple even run any statistics research? I'm sure they do.. But then why they acts like a company, who are not interested in costumes at all? I've been using Apple since 2006, and now just don't know what to say.

PS: sorry for being so emotional, but I just had to release that.

Cheers!

Another mid-2012 SSD failure here as well. With so many early failures of the same model, Apple has to eventually respond.

I merely woke up on Friday morning, went to turn on my computer, and bam - gray screen of death. I was told today that I'd need a new hard drive - a mere year after purchasing the computer.

Hello Anton,

Did you get your MBA fixed?

I now have the same problem with my 11' 2012 MBA. I was surfing the net, and it just froze. When I restarted I got the folder icon with a question mark. I then started up from a USB drive. Neither Disk Utility nor TechTool Pro 6 on this USB drive could find the 128 GB SSD.

I then ran System Information, and like Anton I got the same 'odd' info re the SATA:

The MBA is still under warranty, so will phone Apple tomorrow.

I have the same problem!

Mine is also Mid-2012 MBA 13" with 120Gb toshiba ssd. It crashed two months after warranty deadline!

I was at apple store two weeks ago. I still can't believe that the repair cost is about 570 euros. I am schoked and I don't know what to do. I am still exploring other options like OWC ssd, ....

Before buying MBA I always thought that quality of the apple products is sth else. At leastI expected when they see that such thing happens widely to Toshiba ssd, they should act on that positively, not to lose any customer!

I am very disappointed. Well, I am happy it happened before I would go and buy iphone 5S.

Hello all! I have macbook air 11 2012. Today its happened. Blink grey folder with question mark. SSD 32kb visible by gparted live usb. "Create partition table" does not working. Now i write from ubuntu live usb.

Apparently, Mid-2012 MBA seems to be affected by this defect. And in most cases, it happens after its first yr. I suggest you visit Apple Service Center to have it checked. If your SSD indeed has crashed, then you cannot retrieve any files anymore and I hope you made a back up. The repair is by replacement of SSD, which is very expensive. I hope yours is still under warranty. If it is just a few months beyond warranty, I advise you to call Apple to request for warranty extension. Goodluck.

I got the same issue today on my 13' MBA Mid-2012 purchased December 2012 😟

Was working when it just freezed and restarted with the question mark folder that appeared and when check with Disk Utility, SSD of 32k only in list.

Fortunately still on warranty but had to left it in store.