Major flaw in SandForce SSD controllers (as used in SSD 520, etc)

[idata]

Hello.

I am posting this here as a warning to others to stay away from any SandForce based SSD (as used in Intel's 5xx series and others, included).

We have now had a number of catastrophic failures of these drives. It is patently apparent that SandForce couldn't design a compliant and stable SATA based SSD controller if their lives depended upon it.

The AES256 issue itself was unforgivable, but it at least it didn't lose data, although it shows well enough that such a "flaw" to pass any kind of due diligence and testing means that either there wasn't any proper testing, or worse, that they knew about it and just hoped that no one would discover it.

Now users are having major issues with the failure of the SSD's SATA controller to properly respond to ATA Sleep/Wakeup and SATA Disconnect/Reconnect events. The result is bad context restoration and corruption of the drive state information resulting in a drive locked in a "panic mode" where the controller will fail to reset and the drive will no longer appear as a SATA device to the host.

Basically, if you have an SSD that is SandForce based, you *will* lose your data at some point. It is only a matter of time.

For those shills proclaiming that "it's an incompatibility with SATA controllers", it's most definitely not - it's an incompatibility with their moron "engineers" who can't read and properly implement the SATA specification documents.

For those who will claim "mine is still working fine" all I can say is consider yourself lucky and ensure you back up your data whilst you can.

In our testing the issue is most prevalent when using SATA6G host interfaces, but it may well also occur at lower speeds.

We are in discussions with Intel and some recovery companies attempting to recover our data, but are hindered by SandForce's use of forced encryption as an attempt to obscure the data. This is not about your data security, it's really all about them trying to hinder attempts at analysis of their controllers after such failures to hide their culpability.

Not that I blame Intel directly, but I would have expected a company that values its global reputation to have performed more stringent in house testing before it committed to using and putting its name on drives that used such a flawed controller.

Mario.

[idata]

I know what company to not buy SSDs from now. I always thought that Intel was a trusted name, hell... I use their CPUs. Guess they aren't as trustworthy in the SSD category though. Grabbed myself a Samsung 840 Series SSD to replace it.

[IB_]

I am sorry i didn't read this forum before i went to buy a 300$ 240gb intel 520ssd drive

I can't even seem to be able to install normal windows 7 on it... always asking for a driver in beginning

It's so frustrating... IS IT THE END OF INTEL FOR ME AFTER ALMOST 20 YEARS OF DISTRIBUTION??

Is Intel headed down with unreliable hardware??? i hope not!!

HELP SOS!!!

IKA

[NRoma2]

I own two 240 GB Intel 520 SSD's and my second drive (for file storage) just failed. I ran the Serial Number check on the Warranty page and it claims the service is temporarily unavailable so I will have to call tomorrow. I have owned these drives for two years and recently moved them to a new laptop. What troubles me is that the primary drive (OS, Programs) is running fine and is used 24/7 yet the secondary drive that had limited use failed.

My original laptop had a Sandy Bridge chipset but my new one is the Haswell chipset. I wonder if this contributed to the failure? I tested both drives using a Sata to USB cable while waiting for my replacement and could access the data on both without issue.

Also to Mario: How has the experience been with the Warranty process? One of the major draws for my purchase was the 5 years. It seemed paying extra would be worth it. Especially with other companies offering larger storage capacity and performance at lesser prices. I also am wondering if we are really SOOL here or if replacement 520's will have better support, coding, etc. Your input is greatly appreciated.

[Jose_H_Intel1]

Hello,

I am sorry to know about the bad experiences some of you have had.

For those of you with unsolved issues I would recommend contacting your local Intel® support team for further assistance.

http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/contactsupport Contact Support

Ika, in regards of your issue, please note the Intel® SSDs do not require drivers as they are operating system independent. However, Windows* 7 may be requiring a driver for the motherboard's SATA controller. Please refer to the drivers and support provided by the system or motherboard manufacturer.

[IB_]

Believe me i tried every single driver in existence... My motherboard is DX58SO2 latest bios update from yesterday!!!

I tried marvell 9 & 6 and all... nothing works

Please help me!!!