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    Intel 320 SSD 8MB brick?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by JonCordova, Jan 5, 2012.

  1. JonCordova

    JonCordova Notebook Consultant

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    Putting on the n00b hat for this one: I think I've bricked my Intel SSD.

    While connected via the USB adapter provided, I ran it through the Intel Acronis imaging software, which caused the laptop to reboot but then hang at a black screen.

    After a couple of tries, Acronis shows the drive as 8MB, and neither Windows Explorer nor Intel SSD Toolbox even show the drive at all. Google search seems to be rather pessimistic on this issue.

    Can anything be done?
     
    JonCordova, Jan 5, 2012
    #1
  2. saturnotaku

    saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    saturnotaku, Jan 5, 2012
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  3. Highlander8

    Highlander8 Notebook Enthusiast

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    It's a known bug,there is a fix available in the form of a firmware update,you will not be able to recover the data that was written to the drive.

    Firmware update now available - Addresses Bad Context 13x Error

    If you cannot secure erase the drive with Intel toolbox,your only option might be to RMA the drive,unless you can find other software to do so.

    Also,Intel toolbox may not see the drive because it is connected via USB,and not via sata,which you may want to try as well.
     
    Highlander8, Jan 5, 2012
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  4. svl7

    svl7 T|I

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    svl7, Jan 5, 2012
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  5. JonCordova

    JonCordova Notebook Consultant

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    Ugh, raw code...it's like Kryptonite...it burns us....

    Thanks, everyone, for the quick feedback. I'm working on the iso image first, although that bootable Ubuntu will be my second-to-last resort.

    Just out of curiosity, am I correct that this glitch is happening to 320-series users after they've been imaged, installed, and used as the primary drive for a period of time? And then all of a sudden the drive reports itself as full? (Because if that's the case, that's pretty terrifying.)
     
    JonCordova, Jan 6, 2012
    #5
  6. Highlander8

    Highlander8 Notebook Enthusiast

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    The error can occur at any time,after a sudden power loss,but not always,only under certain circumstances.It is indeed quite an oversight on Intel's part, it however should be noted that Intel SSDs otherwise had a good reliability track record.
     
    Highlander8, Jan 6, 2012
    #6
  7. skriefal

    skriefal Notebook Consultant

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    Intel's "fix" for the 8MB firmware bug does not work. I and others have experienced the bug even after installing the updated drive firmware. Until they actually fix the bug I have to recommend against any purchase of an Intel 320 series SSD.

    January 23, 2012 update: I just had the drive replaced under warranty. Hopefully the replacement drive will be more reliable. Only time will tell.
     
    skriefal, Jan 7, 2012
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