Intel: SSD 320 power loss bricking bug can be fixed
In the meantime, try not to have a power loss
SaaS data loss: The problem you didn’t know you had
The bug making Intel SSD 320s shrink to 8MB bricks is close to being fixed, according to Intel.
A posting on the Intel Support Community website states:
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 summarise 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' ... 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.
In the meantime Intel's message is: don't stop buying the drives, only a small percentage of are affected. If you have one, back up your data regularly, as although the SSD 320 is non-volatile memory, the bug makes it very volatile indeed and you lose data.
Shut down your system in the standard way: don't just turn the power off. Also, try to minimise unplugging of the SSD 320 when your system is powered.
Hopefully there is not too long to wait before the 8MB brick bug is fixed for good. ®
COMMENTS
Seagate SD15
If you think firmware faults like this are a reason to avoid SSDs, I suggest you google the title of this comment...
There's that phrase again...
"a small percentage"
Top spin phrase of the moment for firmware cocks ups.
Oh how people's memories...
... are so darn short!
Have we all forgotten the Seagate firmware bug fiasco in 2009?
And whilst there is a risk of an SSD failing it's not like spinny drives have an illustrious safety record, a statistically significant number die within the first few weeks of life and take people's data with them, and once older they certainly cannot be trusted!
Mine's the one with 3 fully functional Intel 320s in the pocket.
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