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]

Every drive is going to fail some day, there's no exception to that. HDD drives fail, SSD drives fail. If the data are so valuable, you should definitely backup regularly. Yes, Intel 320 drives have some issues right now, but that does not mean the other drives are safe - there's plenty of reports about SSD failures over the net. I'm just pointing out that the logic "Intel 320 has a bug, let's use an SSD from someone else because then my data will be safe" is flawed.

No drive can ever eliminate the need of backups. This is especially true for SSD drives, because they tend to to fail suddenly. The spinners OTOH usually fail over a period of time, so it's possible to do notice that (S.M.A.R.T. warning, strange sounds, ...) and backup the data somewhere else.

[idata]

that is true, but I don't expect a brand new drive to fail after 3 weeks just prior to a client presentation.

[idata]

Don't confuse HDDS with car parts, there is a difference, the reason SSD's are attractive (and expensive) is because there are no moving parts if we have to trash them the first 2-3 weeks defeats the whole purpose, obviously there is a problem with the 320 series, pretending it doesn't exist makes you (and intel) look like fools, no wonder you call yourself fuzzy, have a fuzzy day buddy.

[idata]

Hmmmm, I see. I've bought the SSD for my personal workstation and it works fine so far, but I wouldn't put that into a system that needs reliability. It's not a good idea to use v1.0 hardware in such cases, and this one actually has a known bug.

But once again - I don't think the other SSDs are more reliable. According to some studies (e.g. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-reliability-failure-rate,2923-3.html http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ssd-reliability-failure-rate,2923-3.html) the SSDs fail at about the same rate as HDD - something like 3% annually, plus the spinners fail much more gracefully. So I'd probably get a spinner.

[Vegan]

I have noted that the updated firmware seems to not completely resolve the issue. Here and on other forums and web sites I have noticed more instanced with the dreaded 8 MB problem.

I updated my web page on the topic. I think that using that HDDErase tool I link to is probably the best route, but keep in mind it erases the disk.

http://www.hardcore-games.tk/wp/ssd.html http://www.hardcore-games.tk/wp/ssd.html

So backup your data, if you do not, do not blame anyone but yourself.

I rely on corporate users for more information and I will update the page as more news surfaces.