Hi kford-Intel,
My motherboard is ASUS Z87-Pro and the BIOS version is 1504
Intel 530 SSD 240GB SSDSC2BW240A401(Received through RMA by Intel)
Windows 8 Pro 64bit
i7 4770K (stock)
G.Skill RipjawsX DDR3 2133 16GB
After cloning the replacement SSD through the Intel SSD Toolbox, was prompt that I can start using it. On restart the SSD was missing in BIOS and Windows too.
I had to unplug the power cord and also all USB devices and leave it for half an hour and reconnect all the USB devices and power on the PC. At start-up BIOS detected the Intel SSD, double click my "Computer" the Intel SSD was present.
To test if BIOS and Windows would detect my Intel SSD after doing a "restart"; yes it was detected during three "restarts".
To see what happens when I have the PC shutdown for 5 minutes and power on again, this time both, BIOS and Windows could not detect the Intel SSD but my Samsung EVO 120GB where I installed my Windows 8 Pro is always detected by BIOS and Windows.
If I want BIOS and Windows to detect the Intel 530 SSD ( which is still connected in my PC ) ;- waiting for some miracle to happen, I will have to unplug the power cord and everything mentioned earlier, and leave it for 30 minutes then power up the PC and it will be recognized by BIOS and Windows.
Hope you can come up with a solution.
Seems like the Intel SSD couldn't wake up or lock up after PC power off.
BTW I have my motherboard replaced (new same model) and also changed a new Corsair RM650 PSU yet nothing seems to work.
Hope this helps you in your quest for a new firmware to solve all this problem.
Thank you.