MyDigitalSSD Bullet Proof 128GB mSATA Review

Dos Software update doesn't seem to detect mSATA port.

Tried it on my Y470 and said no SATA drive was detected.

I managed to update to S5FAM011 using Windows 7 PE software though... but did'nt see any performance difference...


Edit: Read the Reply on your site. Software simply says no compatible SATA drive available.

 

when i did scanport in dos, detected 3 things, first one was ssd, 2nd was hdd, and third i believe was bluraydrive. Selected 1 and updated it with all PASS. there was like 10 things to pass. y470 2.08 bios only has achi or compatible option, i picked compatible.
not sure about performance increase though... here is the screen.

 

Looks like it has to be done in compatible mode... mine detected it after switching the option... now I have to remember to switch it back as compatible mode causes BSOD win Win7

 

I attempted the update on my T420. However it is unable to detect the drive (64 GB version): "No valid SATA Device Exist !!"

I did set the bios option to "Compability" mode, and even removed the main drive to see if that causes an issue.

Any ideas?

 

well thats what guide tells, switch it, then once upgraded switch it back. i did it in first try, and took me 2 minutes.
now looking at my provided screen, what are your thoughts on performance?

 

Wow... I feel dumb... I completely missed where it said that...

So far... performance seems to have a slight improvement in the write department...

Original firmware



updated firmware

 

yeah its not huge increase, but its something at least. why does your ssd after update has only 45gb? old one had 60

 

Old ws clean install of windows, new is clean OEM restore... so it has the 14GB partition hidden for the OneKey recovery software.

 

oh i see. kind of waste of ssd space, in my opinion. it probably can be moved to hdd right?

 

I tried... but no dice... I'm keeping it though... since I can get my PC back to they way it was in case of any failure.

 

No; not any failure (eg. SSD dies).

Can't you simply make recovery dvd's with it (once)?

Then, SE the SSD and install from the RDVD's.

This may take a little time (too long for me: a clean install is easier), but saving 25% of your SSD's capacity is a huge benefit.

 

Well... I have like 20 programs intalled... I just upgraded the firmware on the SSD which wipes my whole SSD... I simply installed the OEM system with the DVD's... then used the one key restore to have it as it was before wiping the SSD... all programs running and all

 

firmware upgrade wipes whole SSD?

 

yes it does...

 

Will this be supported in my laptop? I heard mSATAs weren't really compatible in all laptops even though they can fit into the Mini-PCI-e Slots. If that has changed or if you can tell me my laptop (Dell Inspiron 1520) is compatible w/this, I'll gladly purchase the 128GB drive have shown here.

 

No, the Mini PCI-e slot needs the appropriate electronic circuit/logic to make the connected SSD bootable.

Unless your specific notebook shipped with mSATA as an option - then it will not work.

 

Thanks man, I truly appreciate the one-on-one help you're giving!

 

Glad to be of help.

Knowledge is of no use if it's hoarded.

 

I have applied the firmware update to my 128GB sample. As documented, it does wipe the drive, so make a good backup.

I shall post comparisons as soon as I have my operating system back online and fully configured again.

The "No valid SATA Device Exist!!" is normal.

The key to upgrading on the T420 is to add the "-slave" switch after the memory address in your flash command. Without this, the flash utility will not find the drive. This allowed my flash to go through properly. The mSATA slot is considered a slave, at least when the SATA interface is set to Compatibility mode in the BIOS.

 

@MyDigitalSSD
is the current (as of 11-6-2011) batch of the 128gb on your site still the 32nm version?

Also can you confirm these will be working & bootable in the Dell M6600 as well?


@LoneWolf:
U've been running this SSD for a while now. Have u had any reliability issues with it thus far? Any speed decreases?


thanx
Ron

 

Ronthendo, we had more 128GB 32nm built and have around 140pcs left at this time. They will be hitting the resellers soon. The newest and upcoming batch of 64GB are going to be 24nm, all 32nm 64GB have been blown out of the market. So anyone ordering now will get the 24nm product. The differences will be very small and almost unnoticeable in most cases.

This is the speed of our newly tested 64GB mSATA with 24nm flash.

CDM 4k 10/23
ATTO seq 270/240

Here are the speeds we tested the 128GB 24nm at.

CDM 4k 10/38
ATTO seq 270/240

Still plenty fast and should make no noticeable difference in every day computing vs. the 32nm.

I will get everyone a more detailed report on these #'s once I actually have them in my hands to test.

Regarding your computer.

At this time it has not been confirmed to work with mSATA SSDs. There is a running list located here.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sol...age/541361-msata-1-8-sata-ssds-available.html

If you have found information confirming that it will work please share it with us on that thread and it will be added.

MyDigitalSSD

 

Hi MDSSD,

thanks for getting back to me on this.

THis thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...iew-warning-large-pics-personal-opinions.html tells me the ssd should work, but since there hasn't been a standard set I would prefer to make sure before ordering and getting it shipped from the US to Australia just to find out it doesn't work

I heard back from MyDigitalDiscount that sells these SSD's with this

However, it is quite pricy to get it shipped to Australia (and back in case it doesn't work) so if anybody can confirm that these things work in the Dell it'd appreciate that.

cheers
Ron

 

Wow that is one good review. mSATA SSD is compatible with that computer for sure. The Dell Mini Card SSD is an mSATA. Dell has their own name for it (confusing I know).

But according to some people reported by MyDigitalDiscount there are some computers out there configured without the port.

I cannot confirm or deny this at this time as I have not seen it for myself. So I personally still cannot grantee it will work for you. Does anyone else have any info to share on this subject?

MyDigitalSSD

 

No issues, and no speed dropoffs to speak of. Of course, I'm using an OS that supports TRIM; as long as you do that, I don't see any issues.

The firmware update does seem to have made things a bit more responsive. I'll be re-running the benchmarks from the first page in order to see what has really changed.

 

Yes that is one of the best reviews I've ever seen and definitely helped me go for the Dell rather then the Clevo which I couldn't find any in depth reviews on .

The rest of your answer to b honest confuses me ....
So u are saying the port should support it but u cannot guarantee it worx?!?!?!?

That kind of leaves me where I was before and definitely doesn't help me wanna invest around 300$ (including shipping to OZ). I know you can't test it, which is fair enough so continue to ask if anybody else knows if this will work?

Sorry but I seriously do not know what to make out of your answer yet.

thanx for the update - much appreciated !

 

ronthedon, I was told some of the Dell 6600 computers do not have the mSATA port on the MB. No idea if that is true or not as it is hearsay from a customer that returned a working SSD and was the owner of a Dell 6600.

If yours has the mSATA port like the on in the review you should be all set.

 

So, how would this stack up against the 160GB intel X25M that ships from Lenovo? I just received my gorgeous X220 with the above mentioned SSD (only for 130 dollars more than the version with the 7200rpm HDD *wow*) but was planning taking it out to be used in my desktop.

I have to dual boot between W7 and Linux and use a lot of programs on both ends, and do a lot of image processing (relatively large data files). So I can either go with mSATA + hdd or the shipped SSD + external drive. But, this thing needs to be as snappy as possible booting and loading apps.

The benchmarks out there make it seem as if these two (intel vs bulletproof) are pretty negligible...but I know mSATA runs slower than regular SATA hdd.

Help?

I'll probably end up benchmarking these two against eachother for future reference, since all the data I could find out there for both of them somehow have always been done in different conditions. But before I go and drop another $200, I'd like to know what the forums think.

Thanks!

 

Ali0chka, Loanwolf15 posted bench marks of his HDD vs. the Intel and the MyDigitalSSD in his review. A hard drive is about 10-40 or more times slower than an SSD on average for small 4k file reads and writes.

If you need to carry data I suggest the mSATA HDD combo. If you don't need space and just want the fastest possible system then go with a 2.5" SSD alone.

MyDigitalSSD

 

MSI WindPad 110W W7Hpr
old SanDisk P4, 17+15gb, test non system part 15gb.
new MyDigitalSSD 128gb, new SSD firmware S5FAM012, 15+105gb, test non system part 105gb.

 

1806, did you get a bench on the 32GB SSD that was originally in the machine? If so please share.

Gota feel a lot more comfortable about loading some HD movies on there now.

MyDigitalSSD

 

@MyDigitalSSD:

ok thx. I should be getting the Dell today so I will see and then hopefully order.

thanx
Ron

 

I ordered a 128GB MyDigitalSSD “Bullet Proof” mSATA SSD for my Dell Precision M6600 you can see at my signature. I am confident that it will work. But it will take time until I get the mSATA SSD because I live in Austria in Middle Europe.

Further more I am absolutely not sure if someone recognized that I posted for "Spread the word and save up to $15 on MyDigitalSSD mSATA SSDs!" a Link in the comment box: Re(2): Notebook zum Zocken gesucht

(Hopefully somebody from MyDigitalSSD will consider it.) They did, as I could see on my credit card invoice - thanks.

 

Robitti80, your drive should be on the way as MyDigitalDiscount just got a shipment in on Monday.

They also sold out that same day before they could even get them up in stock. A small shipment of 128GB are on the way and should arrive on Monday. There are also a bunch of 64GB on the way, supply issues with that part should be solved and we should continue to have inventory in the market places indefinitely. 128GB supply issues should be solved by the end of next week.

FYI, everyone we are still using 34nm flash chips in everything even the 64GB mSATA that I said would be 24nm in a earlier post. I have instructed my buyer to only buy 34nm Toshiba Chips until it is to cost prohibitive or until supply dry's up.

MyDigitalSSD

 

Thank you very much for your information.
Great news, the reliability of 34nm chips is much better that is why I love my old Intel Postville G2 SSDs.

Do I have to make a firmware flash/update or is the newest firmware on the SSD?

 

Robotti80, the drive will have the latest FW on it.

MyDigitalSSD

 

Hi, today I got my MyDigitalSSD 128GB.
Shipment only took 5 days from USA to Austria (Middle Europe) including customs clearance - that is extremely impressive and amazing!
Dispatched on November 21 and delivered on November 26 on another continent. Great job!

The SSD came with firmware version S5FAM011 and thus not with the latest firmware that should have been S5FAM012.

I managed to upgrade S5FAM012 on my Dell Precision M6600.
You should add to your firmware upgrade tutorial that if you do not have installed the mSATA Mini PCIe SSD as master drive, you have to type:
S5FAM012 0x80f0 -slave

Otherwise the upgrade process will fail.
You must specify not only the memory address (0x80f0 in my case), but -slave or the drive wount be detected so far.
I think that is important to know for any other potential buyers.


One more question:
How do I check (software or code on Toshiba flash chips) if 34nm flash chips are equipped as you promised?

 

Are all experiences still positive with MyDigitalSSD Bullet Proof 128GB mSATA? I am about to order one...

_______________________________________________________
IP
Current: w520 16GB RAM 1TB RAID0 storage.
Future: w520 16GB RAM 1TB RAID0 storage +
128GB MyDigitalSSD mSATA SSD

 

Thank you for the tips we will be adding them to the tutorial soon.

Regarding the Flash Chips - I am not sure how to look the part # up to see what nm flash is on-board. I do know that the current shipment we got today has the same part # as we have had in the past. I am starting to see some major resistance from Toshiba on shipping 34nm flash. I will update you guys soon but I can tell you the chips on the 64GB in the channel starting today has the same part # on it as before.

MyDigitalSSD

No problems on this side as far as returns or defects. I think we are up to 4 defects at this point. That is out of around 3K units shipped. I have been in the SSD biz since 2007 and have never seen anything even close to this. To be honest I have never dealt to date with any other SSD with less than a 3% mortality rate and we are talking way less than 1% here.

MyDigitalSSD

Ok guys I have an update.

At this time the last of the 64GB 34nm are in the market. I have been told by Toshiba that they will not be able to support 34nm flash for our 64GB and under solutions.

We will be offering the 128GB in 34nm until further notice.

MyDigitalSSD

 

So here is the MyDigitalSSD 128GB you sold me.
Are there 34nm flash chips built?

Spoiler

 

They are definitely 34nm and will be for at least the next 220pcs on the market as we have already finished production. 90 of them have already shipped out of TW and should land at our resellers by Wednesday.

 

Hey MyDigitalSSD, I placed your link in my signature in this forum.
Will I get my discount of $15? Just received my shipping email (and I placed the request in customer notes in the order as well...) Thanks, IP
http://forum.notebookreview.com/solid-state-drives-ssds-flash-storage/599675-mydigitalssd-bullet-proof-128gb-msata-review-10.html#post8106936

 

Thanks for buying our product, I talked to the guys you purchased the special part #MDMS-50128xBF made special for the Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale. That had a $20 discount. The promo you wanted to take part in does not apply in this case. That promo is only good for this part #MDMS-50128.

Please PM me directly with any other questions or concerns you may have.

MyDigitalSSD

FYI, for anyone that missed out on the last of the 34nm 64GB Drives MyDigitalDiscount had in stock recently there are 15pcs left at our other reseller Memoryc.

MyDigitalSSD

P.S. not meant to be an advertisement if anyone is offended by this please PM me and I will delete it instantly.

 

Hi MyDigitalSSD do you have any 64GB drive with 34nm??? If yes is it possible to get one ? I wanted to bought but i do not know if i can get 34nm or the new one .

 

You should test if it is actually "bullet proof" and of course the standard for this test is a .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle.

 

Yes MemoryC still has 9pcs in stock. Those are the absolute last of them.

 

MyDigitalSSD, is the 128GB mSATA compatible with the Y470? Asking because I've been seeing a lot of Y470 users with 64GB mSATA installed but I don't think I've seen anyone using the 128GB.

And can anyone point me to detailed instructions on installing an mSATA SSD into a compatible Windows 7 machine? I'm getting a brand new Y470 in a few weeks and am trying to figure out what I'll need to do. Sorry, total noob. What I'm getting from my readings are:
- Make recovery discs
- Install SSD (small compartment for the Y470)
- Restore OS & drivers to SSD (do I need to remove my HDD before this step? Or are there options in Windows I need to tweak before restoring? Will I need to reformat the HDD to erase content?) I also heard others mentioning a "fresh install" - how do I go about doing that and is that better than restoring from DVD?

Thanks for any info - I'm completely clueless about HDD and SSD as this will be my first time to tinker with a laptop.

Lenovo Y470 | Core i7 | RAM: 8GB | HDD: 750GB | SSD (to install):
128GB MyDigitalSSD mSATA SSD or 64GB MyDigitalSSD mSATA SSD

 

dcgirl, Yes the 128GB will work with your system.

Regarding install of your OS, forgive me if I am wrong but after physically installing the mSATA Drive you should be able to change the boot order to CD Rom Drive #1 Boot device in your BIOS. Then insert your Windows 7 Recovery Disk and upon boot up your system should ask you where you want it installed chose the mSATA Drive. After all is done go into your BIOS and change the boot order to make the mSATA port #1.

If anyone else has any other pointers or a better guide for dcgirl please chime in.

MyDigitalSSD

 

Hi MyDigitalSSD,

Just want to drop you a msg to thank you for a great product! Ordered the 128GB mSATA SSD online and had my cousin handcarry back to Singapore for me. Installation was a piece of cake and the performance is great!

Just would like to check, how do we find out what firmware is my mSATA SSD please?

Cheers!

 

You can check the firmware version with software such as Everest Home/Ultimate Edition: Drive -> ATA -> Revision

or HWiNFO64: Drives -> (S)ATA/ATAPI Drives -> SATA SSD -> Drive Revision

I had to do an update on S5FAM012.

 

Great! Thanks for the info.

Just installed HWiNFO64 and it states that my Drive Revision is S5FAM011. Oh well, will not upgrade to a later time, too much of a hassle.

Cheers!