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]

You are right!

To make this clear Intel should release to public their BAD_CTX error explanations. I can't find it anywhere.

[idata]

Is this error happening on drives used as auxillary/storage drives as well, or only on drives used as System/OS drives? I was thinking of getting a couple of 600GB's for extra on-board storage, but...

Thanks,

_Mike

[idata]

They seem to be doing OK for storage or back up units for me, but they blow cornchunks as OS drives...and that's where I really needed them, unfortunately they didn't deliver the goods as expected.

[PZ_BO]

Just to let you know:

I have 6x600GB, 2x300GB, and 3x160GB "320 series". I updated all of them with the latest firmware as offered by Intel, and this worked like a charm with the ISO CDROM.

I use all of them extensively since April 2011, for OS X, and Data storage, both internally on 3 Macs with Snow Leopard and Lion, and on external enclosure.

So far NO problem at all, before and after the firmware update.

I was also very happy with my 4x160GB X25 Postville for the last 2 years.

[idata]

Well, well, well - isn't that nice. I just got bit by the bug. Another one of those who updated just to find his SSD die about a month after.

And I can reassure everyone that the NEW bug that renders the SSD useless has nothing to do with a Power Failure (Laptop in Docking Station with Akku whilst pluged in - so double failsave), it has nothing to do with if you are on a Mac or not (HP Business Class Laptop) and it has nothing to do with the OS (Win 7 x64 Professional). It has all to do with this "oh so well tested" new update that introduced an all new bug, that not ONE person experienced before upgrading the drives Firmware.

Im now going to secure erease the drive, giving Intel Support the time to contact me, which they apperantly should do. At lease thats what some users on this forum have said.

Regardless, prepare for me rasing my voice again - when I'm back. Folks start your Twitter Clients, this just got very real. Your data isn't save on this drives. Tell your friends and tell the world. Tell your local news outlets too. Save others from loosing their data.

-

Blue Screen popped up while I was entering an url in a Browser. Drive wasn't even under heavy load.