Update from Intel's NAND Solutions Group - Toolbox issue

[Alan_F_Intel]

To 34nm (G2) Intel® X25-M Solid-State Drive consumers,

• Microsoft* alerted Intel to an issue with the Intel® SSD Optimizer tool and Intel is working on a fix to the issue. After the SSD Optimizer is run, the SSD Optimizer renders all previously set Windows* system restore points unusable. However, user data is not affected . The SSD Optimizer tool is part of the Intel® SSD Toolbox (ver 1.1).

• This applies only to users who meet all four criteria below:

• Use Windows*7 or Vista and

• Use the System Protection feature which sets system restore points (enabled by default in Windows*7 and Vista*) and

• Have installed 02HA firmware and

• Have used Intel SSD Optimizer (which was available from intel.com from 10/26 to 11/4).

• A workaround for this issue and additional details are available http://support.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/sb/CS-031073.htm here . Intel will give regular updates on this issue. Please note this issue is not related to the Intel SSD firmware update process covered in a separate announcement (Intel® Solid-State Drive Firmware Update).

*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

Alan

NAND Solutions Group

Intel Corporation

[idata]

The Intel(R) Chipset Device Software installs Windows*

INF files to the target system. These files outline to the operating system how to configure the Intel(R) chipset components in order to ensure that the following features function properly:

- Core PCI and ISAPNP Services

- PCIe Support - IDE/ATA33/ATA66/ATA100 Storage Support  - SATA Storage Support  - USB Support - Identification of Intel(R) Chipset Components in the Device Manager

[idata]

Fair comment, although that quote is from an Intel produced "white paper". Most likely you are right however. The Intel support guys don't seem to know anything and the documents are misleading.

[Macdonald_V_Int]

@ GlugGlug, Your response is correct

- Yes, Trim is automatic with a drive that supports it in Win7 IF you are using Microsofts AHCI drivers

- Yes, no need to run the Intel SSD Optimizer in this usage model

- Yes, if you are using the current Intel Matrix Storage Manager (IMSM), it does not pass Trim commands through to the drive, so you need the Intel SSD Optimizer if using IMSM.

Don

Intel NAND Solutions Group

[DZand]

@ DSSDGuy:

Thanks for your clarifications regarding the drivers, which do and which do not pass the Trim commands.

Unfortunately you didn't mention the new generation of Intel's AHCI and RAID drivers named "Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology"(IRST). The first IRST drivers v9.5.0.1037 are already available. Do these drivers pass the Trim commands or will the upcoming official IRST drivers support Trim?

Thanks in advance!

Fernando

[idata]

Regarding the operation of TRIM, do we finally agree the optimizer isn't needed if you have Windows 7, Microsoft AHCI driver, and BIOS set to AHCI?