Update on "Bad Context 13x Error"

[Alan_F_Intel]

Intel has been investigating the 'Bad Context 13x Error' as seen on select Intel® SSD 320 Series drives. This was previously noted in the Intel community post as "SSD Power Loss". To summarize the error: In certain circumstances, after an unexpected power loss, a small percentage of SSDs may experience this error on the next attempt to boot the system. In this situation, the system's BIOS reports an SSD as an 8MB capacity drive.

Intel has reproduced 'Bad Context 13x Error' utilizing strenuous testing methods. This 'Bad Context 13x Error' can be addressed via a firmware update and Intel is in the process of validating the firmware update. A future update will define the schedule to deliver the firmware fix.

The Intel SSD 320 Series continues to be shipped and is available for purchase. If you experience this error with your Intel SSD, 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 those with Intel SSD 320 series SSDs who are concerned but currently unaffected, Intel advises the following actions:

• As with any storage device, backup your data regularly
• When shutting down your system, follow your system's standard shutdown process
• Minimize unplugging the SSD while your system is powered

Intel takes these issues seriously. Please watch for further updates on this site.

Rgds,

Alan

Intel's NVM Solutions Group

[idata]

Well said. My thoughts exactly.

[idata]

It would be good not to produce this issue at all. Issue must be "isolated" on the developing stage of the product, not when it manufactured and sold out. This time it can be fixed with new firmware, not so crazy like for the P67 users, who used RMA to get the new motherboard/chipset revisons. Yes it's all free of charge, but WTF?

[idata]

Thank you, intel engineers. It's relieving to hear that I may put my worries to rest.

[idata]

Alan,

Thank you very much.

Will it be possible to apply the upcoming firmware fix to drives that are already suffering from this issue (thus restoring their capacity), or was it designed only to prevent it from happening in the first place (in which case all currently affected drives would have to be exchanged through RMA)?

[idata]

1. Are the "old" generations of the Intel SSD affected too (I have seen some reports for G1 and G2 about "8MB bug") or it's related to the other hardware problem?

2. New upcoming firmware will fix SSD with data loss or will restore capacity with user data on it?