News - Intel pulls SSD firmware update amid reports of unbootable drives

[djfarmo]

As an additional side note, those running Windows Vista and 7 should note that if you successfully updated your X25-M G2 to 02HA and have been using the SSD Toolbox to manually / additionally TRIM your drive, you may be subject to corrupted System Restore points. The Intel site contains details on what configurations can cause this issue and they have published a workaround for those in that situation at present. This corruption won't happen if you simply stop using the manual optimization feature of the SSD Toolbox. Intel is working on an updated version of their tool. I suspect that new tool will likely be made available alongside the updated / fixed TRIM firmware, once released.

http://www.pcper.com/comments.php?nid=8009

[dangel]

I'm still not sure what to do - whether to try and recover the drive or simply RMA it. It's not even clear what the problem actually is.

[GheeTsar]

Surely it's worth trying to recover it if you can, and failing that, then RMA it?

[dangel]

Yup, it's just that I have to contact customer support first for instructions and haven't had the time (or the drive handy for the serial number etc) to do it. Will do it this weekend, miss it I do

[Fraz]

Someone's head in the Intel SSD firmware division has got to be rolling soon. Glad I still haven't bothered ordering components for my new rig yet...

[dangel]

Their testing seems pitiful to say the least - these are basic problems with pretty average configurations that intel certainly have access to.

[GheeTsar]

Still no update from Intel it would seem - they said they would have the fixed firmware ready before the end of November, but nothing has materialised.

[Fraz]

Still no update from Intel it would seem - they said they would have the fixed firmware ready before the end of November, but nothing has materialised.

[GheeTsar]

Neptune has agreed to carry the Olympic torch?

[dangel]

New firmware available - updated mine last night, went fine. Then ran chkdsk off the windows DVD and it found no errors.. not sure what to do so i've emailed intel for recovery instructions (do I need to HDDerase the whole thing to avoid corruption?). I don't (yet) have smart errors as the drive was only booted once with the bad firmware so if i'm lucky..

[GheeTsar]

Sounds like you might be in luck and have a fully functioning device again.

[dangel]

Sounds like you might be in luck and have a fully functioning device again.

It's possible - just nervous about using it again and getting a bad SMART count (as many have) as a result. I figured flashing the firmware wouldn't do any harm and might prevent further damage. I have yet to read out the SMART data to see how far the counts incremented (erroneously) if at all.. Will see what intel say - bit of a pain not knowing whether i can just plug it in and use it or not (haha)