I have the exact same error message. My PC is 2-3 months pasts it warranty.

However the error occured after I installed the BIOS upgrade using the Dell intsallationsoftware / manager !!!!!

Now when in setup, the only hard drive that can be selected in the boot menu is 'STEC PATA 16GB-(PM)'

I have a 16GB SSD drivee and use XP also.... ahhhhhh

Hope someone is able to offer both of us a some advice

You will need to replace the SSD -- there is no way to install a conventional hard drive in this system.

It should not be.  Solid state drives are still in development - and just as 20-30 years ago it wasn't uncommon to see memory modules fail routinely (wheras now that's rare), SSDs haven't been optimized yet, so they do fail - at rates higher than mechanical hard drives do.

Fully appreciate that EJN63...  just hope when the SSD is relaced the fault is still not the same, could the BIOS affect the new install? Please excuse my lack of understanding how a pc works.

Many thanks for the prompt responses. I will take the opportunity to upgrade to a 32GB SSD which also has a faster write speed.  Dell are not good with their telephone support and I have been cut off twice....  looks like they are not so good with their SSD either :)

I will post an update when I have it running (figures crossed)

Fitted the new SSD, booted from an external CD drive and re-installed the OS system, XP and drivers. The PC is at leats 4 x faster than it was before. 

Really pleased. Thank you for your help, much appreciated

Just had the 16GB SSD fail 14 months into a 12 month warranty. Sounds like this is a common fault.

Ah well - I wanted an excuse to get rid of the STEC drive anyway...

I can email you a utility that STEC emailed me that updated the firmware and restored my 16Gb...  Dell should have this available to everyone.. Waste of peoples money to send netbooks back and buy SSD..

I can email you a utility that STEC emailed me that updated the firmware and restored my 16Gb...  Dell should have this available to everyone.. Waste of peoples money to send netbooks back and buy SSD..

I am having this same problem and would love to get the Stec Utility! <ADMIN NOTE: Email id removed per privacy policy>

Hello I have the same problem with my Mini 9. You say you have a program to fix that? How would I use it if the PC does not boot? Can you email me more to <  ADMIN NOTE : Email id removed per privacy policy >? Its greatly appreciated thanks!! Stefan

Stefan,I am having the same problem as you. Can you please tell me if you solved it. Really appreciate it:)

Please mail it my way,too:) Thanx in advance:):)

Anybody get this "STEC Utility"?

So far I haven't seen the mysterious "STEC Utility" from STEC mentioned in this forum. I would ask if possible if anyone has an e-mail address that would get me to the right people to acquire such utility. Thus far I had to purchase a new solid state hard disk and would like to know if the  older solid state drive is actually recoverable. I did try the boot-able Dell Drivers and utilities CD which Dell provides all that was there were some diagnostics that cannot recover the solid state Hard Disk.

What is needed to assist all of us:

STEC Technical Support / Support E-mail address

STEC Utility

Process verification of how-to use

All other rants are just that, rants. I haven't seen any proof of life on this Magic Utility from STEC and have been searching for 7 months for it. If anyone has this utility or know how to download it I would be grateful if you could post it's location.

Signed,

Broke Disk Dog!

Find the STEC Utility for recovering the Solid State Hard Disk and run it.