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Why are two successive SSDs failing and what is the solution.

While at the end of the booting process, my screen went completely dark and would not finish the boot cycle. The machine continued to have a completely black screen, even with booting from various other sources (CD, Flash Drive).

However, once I removed the SSD, the machine booted from external sources and was recognized by my other laptop via the Firewire master-slave connection. Everything checked out (& I do mean everything) normally.

When I installed a new SSD from OWC, the new HD accepted the OS (10.8) without a whimper. Upon booting up from this disk after OS installation, the exact same series of events occurred.

Very briefly, some of the initial text was evident on the screen but within 3-4 secs, screen black and computer did not boot. Once again, removal of the now 2nd HD allowed the computer to be booted from external sources. Once again, the remainder of the computer checked out.

I can't ascertain the status of either SSD as I can't find a SSD tester set, like OWC sells for traditional HDs.

My question is this: Should I spend $200+ on a Logic board replacement or convert my MacAir into a doorstop? I appreciate any and all insight into this dilemma. Thanks!

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Please give us the make and model number of the SSD drive. How was it formatted and the system installed?

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Also have you check the systems firmware is it the latest? Follow this Apple T/N: About EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Mac computers

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My sincere apologies to both responders. Sometimes the real world takes over the digital one which happened to me. To mayer, it was my understanding that SSD are not formatted per se. The initial drive was the one supplied with the MacBook Air. The second drive from OWC was an Aura 120 GB. The OS installed on the first drive was Mt. Lion. The same system was successfully installed on the second drive without problems. On the next boot, the second drive behaved exactly as the first when it crashed. I saw the initial wording on the initial black screen then the black screen persisted. Like the first drive, upon removal of the drive, the system booted normally from an external drive. Everything other than the SSD was nominal, powered either from battery or adapter. The firmware in both cases was up to date. What I really need to know is whether the logic board is the only logical culprit.

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At this point I think you need to try testing the original Apple SSD in the Envoy case with a different Mac system. Try running Disk Utility Disk & Permissions Repair to see if anything pops up.

If the drive only has permission problems, see if it will boot up the other Mac. Hold down the Option key to get to the Boot manager and select your SSD drive. If it boots up OK, shut down the Mac and put the drive back into your Air to see what happens. If it still fails I guess your logic board has a problem ;-{

Did you get your system wet or spill something on it? I've not encountered issues with the Platform Controller Hub in these so I find it hard to believe thats the issue. Did you use proper ESD precautions when opening it up? You could you have zapped your system.

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The Envoy will only work with the original Air SSD. There apparently is no enclosure for the OWC drive I tried to replace it with. Give me a few days to get the Envoy. I did not get it wet and used the appropriate ESD precautions. Remember the original drive failed before opening the case and there were no changes to the system prior to failure. If the SSD is toast, I am stuck with an Envoy I can't use unless I can get an original drive.

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Correct! You need to install the Apple SSD into the Envoy case. I wonder if the original Apple SSD is really bad which is why I think you need to test it. And Yes, the OWC SSD won't work in the case which I still am not clear why. If it could work I'd would have suggested giving it a try.

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So with the new SSD in hand after what the first SSD did, you installed it, booted from the same external media and then installed the OSX, and now after installing the OSX it is not booting correctly? I would say that this is a bad OSX install, i cant see the board or 2 SSD being bad, if i were you i would try a different OSX and install it on these drives and see if you get the same conclusion

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Unfortunately, your suggestion can't be implemented. Neither drive can be re-installed as the system will not boot past the initial black screen. Although I can't be certain, both SSDs act like they are toast. Since the system was running great, without any recent changes to the OS, the abrupt failure of the first drive argues for a component failure likely on the logic board. All I would like is some good opinions as to whether I should spend for a new logic board or buy a new Air (when funds become available). It would be helpful if there was a way to check either SSD outside the computer (as can be done for traditional HDs. Thanks to all for your suggestions.

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Putting the original Mac Air SSD in the recently acquired Envoy case revealed that the original SSD is toast. Envoy unit not recognized by Mac Air or several other Macs. Conclusion: Bad Logic Board. Decision: Do I spend the money to replace the Logic Board or save up and buy a new Mac Air? Opinions welcomed. Thanks to all who commented on this tragedy.

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