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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Not that I'm aware of, I even tried running the ISO in VMWare but it fails to find the SSD drive, not that we should be expected to have to rely on PC emulation anyway. (I think I read somewhere that the tools rely on having an IDE controller!?)

Guess I need to figure out how to RMA a drive in the UK, something tells me that isn't going to be a pleasent experience either

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First off, have you restored the drive to it's original capacity by performing a secure erase via HDDErase? This needs to be done before it can be updated.

Also, have you tried the latest Update Tool (1.92)? Apparently it's supposed to fix some issues related to updating on Mac.

Lastly, you do know that the .iso is bootable and shouldn't be run from an OS environment, don't you? Sorry if it seems like a stupid question, just trying to eliminate possibilities of user error.

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My steps @ MacBook Pro

1. Create a Bootcamp Partition

2. Install Windows

3. Boot into windows and Install the Intel SSD utility

4. Start the software and try to do a secure erase. Maybe you have to unplug / replug your SDD while the Macbook is ON and the Intel Software is RUNNING.

5. Do a secure erase

6. Reboot into OSX and partition your SSD

7. Burn the ISO to a CD / DVD

8. Boot from the DVD with the internal Superdrive. If you have an optibay setup, you have to switch your HDD with the Superdrive. Most Macbooks can only boot OSX from an external DVD drive. USB sticks are not supported too

9. Do the firmware upgrade. After the upgrade turn OFF you computer and wait for a minute

10. Reboot into OSX and delete the Bootcamp partition.

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Holy cow, I appreciate the step by step instructions, but seriously, I think I'd rather return the drive for a refund than go through all the pain of installing Windows just to run a couple of tools. Intel doesn't really deserve the sale, my business or any Mac customers business if they think that its reasonable to expect users to go through all that time and effort to continue using a product they frankly screwed up on!

[idata]

Before doing all that stuff, have you tried to use the Firmware Update Tool version 1.92 as already suggested???

The actual step-by-step instructions to update the SSD on a Mac are those written by Intel in their "SATA SSD Firmware Update Tool Guidelines.pdf" available at:

http://www.intel.com/go/ssdfirmware http://www.intel.com/go/ssdfirmware

And, frankly, it's a 5 minutes (at most) process!!

Mauro.