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]

Well, I gave an end to the Intel 8M farse, went out and bought a few of those 500G seagate momentus SSD's who don't seem to need very much help to make them perform properly, they work with pretty much all my systems and so far (for 2 weeks) I have had no issues, the price is not bad either, $139 for 500G

[idata]

All attempts to get Windows booting from a USB drive so I could leave the SSD attached to the Sata port, went nowhere. I have to find someone who still owns a desktop system with more than one Sata connector... Could be days...

INTEL! *shakefist*

[idata]

Serial Number after the crash:

BAD_CTX 000001

Image:

http://harlekin.me/fileups/badintelssd.jpg http://harlekin.me/fileups/badintelssd.jpg

edit:Parted Magic shows the Serial Number as BAD_CTX 00000130

[ZStan]

So it has nothing to do with 13x error which firmware update adresed... for all we know it might be just HW failure

[idata]

Same problem as harlekin, on a retail drive purchased in late October that apparently came with the new 362 firmware. Imac froze up unexpectedly and I rebooted (not knowing anything about this problem). What kind of "hard drive" loses all your data whenever your computer crashes? That's crazy.

http://i.imgur.com/wjt4z.jpg http://i.imgur.com/wjt4z.jpg

They should just recall these drives.