Intel Releases Firmware Update that Fixes SSD 320 Series 8 MB Bug

[btarunr]

Intel today released the much awaited fix for the "8 MB bug" (BAD_CTX 0000013x error) affecting some 320 Series solid state drives, which it announced it was looking into, back in July. The fix comes as a firmware update, version 1.9. The bug is caused by an unexpected power loss, which causes the drive to stop seeing data above 8 MB, resulting in a data loss. Intel fixed this bug with a new firmware update, which can by run by downloading the disk image (.iso file), burning it onto a blank CD, and booting from it. The firmware update can be downloaded from this page.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[mk_ln]

seems it doesn't do a reformat at least.

 

[happita]

I'm surprised it took them this long to release a fix for this. I guess they took their sweet ass time because I don't see these things flying off the shelves compared to the 510s.

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

About damn time!

 

[Mussels]

took em long enough... but hey, at least they solved it. a lot of other companies would sweep it under the rug and hope you bought their next product.

 

[ASharp]

Just flashed my 160GB with the new firmware. So far so good. Then again, I didn't have any problems with the older firmware either.

 

[btarunr]

Added News Poll.

 

[Yukikaze]

Voted for the sheer performance part for my home systems. My work laptop has had its HDD replaced by a SSD (all company laptops are on SSDs right now) by the company I work for anyway, so I guess they'd vote: "No, I've got a good backup plan", or something along these lines.

 

[rhyando]

Hello all,

i want to share my HP elitebook 8460p with SSD 320 series problems.

Hard drive Specifications :
1. Model Number : INTEL SSDSA2BW160G3H
2. Model SERIES : INTEL SSD 320 SERIES 160 GB (show as 8 MB in intel SSD toolbox)
3. Serial Number : BAD_CTX 0000013F (shown in intel SSD toolbox)
4. Firmware : 4PC10365

PROBLEMS :

1. Bluescreen error in windows vista enterprise 32 bit after automatic update in my company.

2. After restarting the notebook i got the following message in the startup "REBOOT AND SELECT PROPER BOOT DEVICE". My windows wouldn't even start.

3. I connect my SSD into another computer as secondary drive and boot to the windows. Check in the disk management, i found my harddrive is only 8 MB. Many of the forum called this "8 MB BUG". Note : my SSD harddrive is not shown in my computer.

SOLUTIONS TRIED :

1. HP software & driver : I downloaded "Intel Solid State Drive (SSD) Firmware Update" on website "http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareIndex.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodNameId=5056943&prodTypeId=321957&prodSeriesId=5056942&swLang=13&taskId=135&swEnvOID=2097" and trying to do install SP52887 directly from windows and it says "setup status : this harddrive model is not supported : ST380013AS" which is my first harddrive (not the SD). The most updated firmware, i try to install SP5508 and it says "update status : This harddisk model is not supported". SP52887 installer is also comes with disk images to update firmware from boot process, i also do this and it says "your harddrive is having the latest firmware, no upgrade is needed". So, i think i have no luck with HP software & driver.

2. Intel SSD toolbox : I downloaded Intel SSD toolbox from website "http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18455&lang=eng%20" and i cannot update to the latest firmware because of i have the latest firmware already. The only thing left is "SECURE ERASE" and it's the last thing i want to do because it will delete all the data in the SSD hard drive.

QUESTIONS :

Anybody know how to fix SSD 320 series harddrive without secure erase it ?

 

[Mussels]

you're going to have to update the firmware and see what happens. the data might come back, or it might be garbled and need a format/reinstall.


If you had critical data on there... well, backups.

 

[rhyando]

you're going to have to update the firmware and see what happens. the data might come back, or it might be garbled and need a format/reinstall.


If you had critical data on there... well, backups.

yes, the things is i am already on the most update firmware and the hard drive is only detected 8 MB in the disk management and not detected in my computer. I hope intel will find solution to 320 SSD series problem.

 

[Steevo]

Performance, and also why I keep all my important data on mechanical drives and backed up.

Issues like this however do cause concern due to the potential loss of productivity and system availability. Lemon laws need to be written to cover computer hardware, in a society where we have become reliant on technology the laws and rights have been severely sloped against the consumer.