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]

It is good that they limit posting to registered users. I don't want to waste my time reading posts from people who will not bother to take the time to register. And, of course, it cuts down on spam.

As for the registration process, in what way have they changed it to make it "as hard as possible"? I registered quite a while ago, but I do not remember it being difficult.

[idata]

john4200 wrote:

As for the registration process, in what way have they changed it to make it "as hard as possible"? I registered quite a while ago, but I do not remember it being difficult.

Has anyone else "Logged out" from this site? I am unable to get back into my account, despite having the right password, password resets, etc. I finally gave up and created a new account. I suppose it is good that Gmail offers an unlimited number of free email addresses, so that I'll continue to be able continue to post when necessary.

[idata]

Hmm, I just bought my 320-series drive, and was going to hold off installing it until they release the fix. The fact that they're actually telling you to buy another one instead of waiting however, weakens my resolve. I'll probably just take the risk now, and if it fails, oh well. RMA.

Edit: To clarify. It sounds like they're expecting it to take them quite a while to release the fw update.

[idata]

MartinNPN, it's disturbing that an Intel representative told you to return the drive and buy another brand. I've been sitting on my 320 SSD for two months now, waiting for a fix so that I can reinstall Windows 7 and get my new system going.

MartinNPN, was your correspondence via email? If so, can you copy and paste Intel's response?

There is a new post by George Greene at /thread/23879?tstart=0 this thread saying that they "hope to have a fix in the next few weeks", but not to hold them to that. That's only slightly more encouraging than the response MartinNPN got.

Now I don't know if I should keep waiting or not... UGH.

[idata]

Thanks for that info. "In the next few weeks" won't cut it for me though. I've been letting my desktop stand unused for a week now, a machine that otherwise is on close to 24/7. I guess I'll install Windows tomorrow and just make sure to clone the drive once a week or so.