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

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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

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"8/13 Update on "Bad Context 13x Error" for Intel SSD 320 Seriesreply from sogersortep in Solid State Drives - View the full discussion Now you've done it, typical loser mentality, you don't mind handing over your money to corporations when they make stuff that doesn't work, therefore you just pretend the problem doesn't exist and you simply minimize it, no wonder our world has become a moral junkyard, too many knuckleheads who don't mind getting screwed by the corporations. I bet you don't mind overpaying your taxes either...assuming you pay taxes, which I doubt, I was just curious, do you work to earn your money or you're still at home with mommy ? Reply to this message by going to Intel CommunitiesStart a new discussion in Solid State Drives at Intel Communities"What the hell is this? It doesnt matter that you or the admin deleted this comment because we all got a copy in our email.

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The 320 disks are still the only series from Intel with a 5 year warranty, which was surprisingly extended from the initial 3 year warranty quite some time after the 320 series was released.

Not even the new expensive 7xx enterpries series has this kind of warranty.

This oddity does not increase my confidence in the 320 series. On the contrary, I think Intel knows they have a stinker at hand.

[Vegan]

If the SSD tool kit has updated the firmware and the device is still crapping out, then get an RMA

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UPDATE.

Just now the 320 crashed again.

I think it is replicable.

I restarted windows 7.

When my bios was loading the marvel LAn driver it froze.

After about 30sec's I restarted. Again a freeze on loading the marvel.

Then I shutdown the system for 10sec.

I was able to start and the 320 had crashed and was showing 8Mb memory. Secure erase will get it back.

[Vegan]

I have often harped on the backup bandwagon.

In light of the problems, use a HD and backup your SSD in case the unthinkable happends again