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]

Vegan, Thanks.

Interesting article on using SSD for caching rather than the OS. I use this for biz without a lot of graphics, etc. but I do have 10 or so programs going all day. Your suggestions seem to make sense to someone like me that only knows enough to be dangerous and I have found that gamers seem most adept at tweaking systems for optimal performance.

I would like to get the info off first if possible. Still no word from Intel as to whether this is even possible. My guess is I'm hosed. In any case, I want to see what fix Intel has for the firmware as that would probbaly be better than making it work now and then having to potentialy wipe it all when they do get a fix.

[Vegan]

Microsoft has listened to gamers lots and those features are very popular.

I suggest a fast SATA SSD for a cache as it will boost performance in games big time.

Lots of corporate types ride on gamer experiences to learn how to make servers run better.

Then server types help bring prices down with volume purchases so its win/win

[idata]

Wait for firmware, at least untill Intel gives an answer is it destructable for user data or not.

What about S.M.A.R.T. data can you see it for your SSD? If yes can you post it?

You can use http://hddscan.com/ http://hddscan.com/ program to get it.

Just run the program, select proper drive (ssd) and press S.M.A.R.T. button

In the next window you will see the results, do a printsreen and post the image online

Thank you.

[idata]

As for me, I prefer to use SSD as usual hard drive, as it should be for this class of media (MTBF is similar to magnetic media, desktop class), absolutely no reason to reinvent the wheel, building some "readyforkillingmyssdboost" cache from ssd instead using it as normal drive, IMHO.

I don't trust Intel drives anymore, so my OS SSD is not Intel one and backup is done once per day. If you don't like USB drives use networking ones (NAS or Media players) for backups.

[Vegan]

I like my USB HD dock, I pop a HD in and its ready to go

they are cheap on eBay, and some can hold 2 disks