8/13 Update on "Bad Context 13x Error" for Intel SSD 320 Series

[idata]

Status:

Intel has reproduced, identified root cause, and developed a firmware update which addresses the Bad Context 13x Error being discussed on the Communities site and elsewhere.

Response plan:

The new firmware update is in final validation testing and is targeted for release on Intel® Communities within the next two weeks. Intel takes firmware updates and issues of reliability very seriously and is taking extra steps to support a smooth release. We appreciate your patience.

What should I do if I have not experienced this issue?

To minimize occurrence, if a system requires a shut down, Intel recommends using that system's standard power shut down sequence. As with any storage device, Intel recommends users frequently back up their data. Download and install the new firmware when it is available. As with our previous firmware updates, a secure erase is not required.

What should I do if I have experienced this issue?

If you have already experienced a drive failure or encounter this problem before the firmware update is released, please contact your Intel representative or Intel customer support (via web: http://www.intel.com/ www.intel.com or phone: http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/contact/phone www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/contact/phone) for an SSD replacement. An alternative option is to use the Intel ® SSD Toolbox or similar tools to perform a secure erase in order to restore the SSD to an operational state; all data will be erased. After secure erase, update your SSD with the upcoming firmware. The pending firmware update will not recover user data.

Background:

For users unfamiliar with the issue, an Intel SSD 320 Series drive may exhibit a drive capacity of 8MB and an electronic serial # field containing a message of "BAD_CTX 0000013x" due to an unexpected power loss under specific conditions. Once this error occurs, no data on the SSD can be accessed and the user cannot write to or read from the SSD.

Rgds,

Scott

Intel Corporation

[idata]

As you say though, most motherboards already have temperature sensors, and CPUs do as well. Wouldn't having one on the SSD be superflous? They hardly generate any heat on their own anyway, unlike HDDs.

[Vegan]

Hard disk power consumption has fallen lots. They are not hot like they used to be. Fan help a lot too.

I likely will use HD SSD combinations so sensors are helpful.

SSD still generates heat, it has to go somewhere

[idata]

There is a thread in this community.

The issue is with the HP Raid Cards, as they are getting no info about temperature and the fans a going the full blast.

I wish intel send a fake numers using SMART.

[idata]

I think you misunderstood my point. Since SSDs don't generate much heat on their own, they will only become hot if the ambient temperature rises - something that other sensors will pick up. In other words, having a sensor dedicated to the SSD won't really make a difference.

To clarify even further, I'll use you as an example. You say you'll be using a combination of SSDs and HDDs. If your fan breaks down, your HDDs will reach critical temperatures before your SSDs will, due to them being hotter by nature. So by the time your SSDs are in danger, HDD sensor temps should have warned you a long time ago.

[idata]

PLEASE stop mixing this thread (which is about a REALLY serious issue that can cause data loss) with a feature request for fake temperature numbers / smart attributes. These things are not related at all and the latter is least important for people waiting for a working, reliable ssd drive.