SSD 510 compatibility problems with Macbook Pro

[idata]

Hello,

it seems there is a compatibility problem between the Intel 510 Solid State Disks and the new (early 2011) Macbook Pro. A lot of people (including me) are experiencing problems with this SSD in their new Macbook Pros. See for example

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=12192122# post12192122 http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=12192122# post12192122

http://www.macuser.de/forum/f10/welche-ssd-fuer-425659/index107.html http://www.macuser.de/forum/f10/welche-ssd-fuer-425659/index107.html (German)

To be fair, there seem to be similar problems with Crucials C300

http://forum.hardmac.com/index.php?s=0c6a8e832764fd8a9497e34b57df7b68&showtopic=9921&pid=17870&st=0&... entry17870

The problem may be related to the SATA 3 mode utilized between the mentioned SSDs and the Intel Sandy Bridge SATA-Controller. I don't know and can't tell if Apple or Intel are responsible for these problems, but I think it is in the uttermost interest of Intel to resolve them (or make Apple resolve them). Otherwise Intel will have a hard time selling new SSDs to Apple owners...

The http://www.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/sb/CS-029623.htm# 4 Intel SSD FAQ states:

All Intel Mainstream Solid-State Drives are tested and validated on the latest Intel-based notebook and desktop platforms.

I bought Intel for getting a reliable SSD for use in my Intel based notebook. Now it isn't working properly at all. I'm very disappointed.

regards,

Markus

[idata]

hi tlambert,

Your method sounds promising. Do you mind guiding me thru the method of changing the KEXT?

Not too familiar with that.

It seems like ppl at Crucial has the problem fixed with a firmware update.

http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD/Macbook-Pro-2011-random-drive-freezes/td-p/41868/... http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD/Macbook-Pro-2011-random-drive-freezes/td-p/41868/...

Not sure if it is related though.

[idata]

My MBP negotiated 3 Gbps with an intel ssd 510, but still experienced the beach ball problem.

I thought resetting the SMC was a good idea, and since then the link it at 6 Gbps - with the same amount of beach balls.

I found this strange. The original apple drive works fine and runs at 3 Gbps, but why did the 510 SSD not manage this?

And yes, I really regret resetting the SMC, but was desperate for a solution. My hope now is for the 10.6.8 update (due in a few days), and possibly the tin-foil method. Even getting a stable 3 Gbps would be acceptable.

[idata]

Hi Stefan,

I manage to get beachball free on 3gbps. Strange.

As for 10.6.8, do not be too hopeful on the final release. I have tried the beta 10.6.8 10K537, beachballing came back after two hours.

As for tin foil method, I have strange result.

Tin foil the Sata3 cable - Can't boot from cold start - from shutdown (getting mach_kernel read error - status 6)

*manage to get it to boot by using the Install CD and point it to Startup from the HDD. Not a single beachballs.

* removing the tin foil will allow the MBP to boot again. Beachballs will occur

From the test results, the sata cable is highly sensitive to interference if runs on 6gbps.

[idata]

You may need a shielded SATA cable, some are, some aren't, and almost impossible to tell by looking at them.

IMO, the main problem here is simply due to the way Apple/MACs basically are, using products not found in the apple tree are at your own risk. The item may work fine if you are a techie-type expert on the internals of Apple products, but otherwise their PCs are not anything goes hardware-wise as Windows PCs are. Apple products are on the opposite end of the "open source" concept of PC software and peripherals. As stated in a post at the beginning of this thread, Apple does not support products that are not "approved" by them. While that may be changing due to the anger of their customers, we have yet to see products like SSDs that state "Compatible with Apple..." on the box. Apple might sue them for doing that.

[idata]

I have a 15" 2011 MBP with an intel 510 and was suffering from the intermittent 30 second freeze/beachballs described in this thread. So far, the only solution I have found is described over at the crucial forums. Basically you ping the drive to avoid LPM (power management) from locking up the drive.

http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD/mbp-2011-sata-6-temporary-DIRTY-fix/td-p/50446 http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD/mbp-2011-sata-6-temporary-DIRTY-fix/td-p/50446

Packaged up in script format:

http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD/M4-512gb-Macbook-Pro-15-i7-2-3-2011/m-p/51534/mes... U51534 http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD/M4-512gb-Macbook-Pro-15-i7-2-3-2011/m-p/51534/mes... U51534

I don't think these LPM freeze bugs are anything new (you can google and see people having them under windows, it just so happens that they can more easily disable LPM.)

Not super thrilled about the nature of this workaround, but I have not beachballed since applying it.

Lance