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]

Hi DutchDelight,

Like you, I couldn't wait for the fix. After I read that it would be a firmware update, I was happy to take the risk. I primarily wanted the 320 for the five year warrenty and all the horror stories coming out about other brands. Even with this bug, it is still the most reliable drive.

I installed it a week ago. I have done no 'sdd optimization' you can read about all over the net, figuring that Windows 7 will know how to handle it and a hands off approach is best. The only thing I have done is enable AHCI in the BIOS, which is essential for full speed.

Everything is fine so far! I get a 7.7 in the windows performance rating under hard drive. There is no need to do anymore, just use and enjoy!

I figure the chances of the bug occuring in the next weeks are so slim that it is not worth worrying about. I do, however, look forward to the firmware so I can put that fear right out of my mind of ever encountering it.

Regards,

Lloyd

[idata]

Hi Lloyd,

Yes a little bit same here thanks for your response.

I think you can do easy the ssd optimization if you want, it has nothing to do with this issue, so tune it and W7 off course.

The latest news i read here from the last poster is that Intel is releasing a new FW end of August. I'm wondering if this firmware keep the data on the SSD when users have no problems with this issue. For users with this issue, it seems to be a destructive upgrade.

Hope there will be any more info soon

Regards

Eric

[idata]

Hello, I have already encournted (probably)this problem twice. Am I the first guy in the world ?

And now I am using my original HDD instead of getting a new SSD, waiting for the firmeware fix.

But I feel sympthy for Intel engineers because I was also HDD engineer before( the company does not exist now), and it is really hard to recreate this kind of problem and narrow down the root couse.

In most case, engineer can not recreate problem intentinally ( most of the problem depends on some kind of timing which can be hardly controlled), so they need to test and test then test until they feel sure for their solution

[idata]

To get this back on topic... I called Intel a few days ago and the person I spoke with told me that they might not have a firmware update until the end of Aug. and that data probably won't be recoverable. I don't know how true this is however. Also I'm not happy with the ieda that I have to pay for shipping if I want to RMA the drive, this thing is under 60 days old. I know it a few bucks for shipping, but it's the principal.

[idata]

Hello,

>Also I'm not happy with the ieda that I have to pay for shipping if I want to RMA the drive,

I could send the broken SSD for RMA freight collect when I encoured this problem in May.

But I live in Japan, so I am not sure if it is the same in other courntries though....