Sandy Bridge Design Flaw

I hope it would be a class action suit, so we can get some money out of it too, if something shady goes on.

 

Yes there is.

Courtesy of mythlogic who seems to have a really good handle on the problem in hand.

You can check the stepping using Hwinfo32 which will probably tell you more than you ever wanted to know about your system. It doesn't cost anything to run so if you find it useful please remember it also doesn't cost anything to say thank you to the author. http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...uestions-reports-suggestions-discussions.html


Here's what Series 6 chipset (H67/P67...) looks like with current B2 stepping. Yours might be a little different.



The new revised chipsets, when they become available, should show [B3].

 

You do not seem to have wider experience from hardware troubleshooting.

If you had you would realize that a controller that generates errors to the extent described by Intel is something to be very concerned about (if you value the integrity of your data).

You are correct that Intel has not said that the error would cause data corruption. However, they have not said that it would not cause data corruption either.

What they have said is that the faulty port would not damage attached devices, which is definitely not the same thing as "no indication of data corruption".

Backups are not of much help if you suffer low-level incremental data corruption that increases over time.

 

Thanks for the insight, JK. That was actually some valuable intel (pun intended).

We are often deceived by the things that don't get said.

'Nuff said.

 

I have plenty of insight thank you very much as I am a degreed engineer, MCP, A+ certified, and working in the automotive and computer field for over fifteen years, and building, troubleshooting, and managing windows PC's for nearly 20 years.

Besides I had stated that I am ***personally*** using ports 0&1 (about the ten thousandth time and people seem to ignore that) and only the blu-ray for movie viewing. So what part of that equation leads to data corruption or an issue? So I can't watch my movies eventually. Who cares. It'll be fixed in May/June.

And I don't know why people are so concerned about ***MY*** useage and what I plan on doing with it. If you don't want to use it, buy it, whatever, then don't. If you don't own a SB laptop right now, then it doesn't affect you, period. Let it be.

edit: sorry, I thought I was in yet another SATA controller thread specific to my particular laptop where I mentioned my useage patterns.

 

Whoopee! This thread needed a little hissing-cat "theatre" to jazz things up.

 

No, everyone keeps talking about this ad nauseum and pulling stuff out their rear, when everything pertinent has been disclosed even though it affects very few users here except for delaying their orders. It's not hard. If you already have a laptop and are concerned with it, return it. If you have one on order, you have to wait for Intel to ship fixed chips. End of story.

And assuming there will be data corruption without any evidence or indication of it, is speaking out of complete igonorance.

 

finally some common sense

 

I do not know (or care) about your particular usage.

I made a general post on the potential risk of data corruption with a failing SATA controller.

You quoted my post stating things like "There's been no indication of "data corruption"" and "Data is intact." .

I then merely pointed out the flaws in your statement and your care-free approach to data integrity.

 

UPDATES:

Intel and OEMs Find Workaround for Chipset Issue, Sandy Bridge Notebooks to Ship Again
Intel ships Sandy Bridge chipsets again, but should you buy one? | Crave - CNET
Intel Resumes 'Sandy Bridge' Chipset Shipments, with Restrictions | News & Opinion | PCMag.com

 

Thanks! Does this mean that if a laptop has something like "Raid 0" it will still be affected?

 

OEM's going to sell PC's with add-on Sata cards. I expected this & some argued this is not going to happen.

 

bigspin, I do remember that you did call that - (great insight!).

I still will not buy any H67/P67 based motherboards/systems - especially now. Nor can I recommend them to anyone else either.

 

I was planning on upgrading my desktop to Sandy Bridge. Is there no way I can buy a "defective" SB motherboard, pop in a cheap SATA controller, call it a day, and save some money?

 

I would wait for the z68 chipset, its actually worthwhile for us mobile people.

 

What is z68? Is that different than the affected "Cougar Point" I keep reading about?

 

The Sandy Bridge Review: Intel Core i7-2600K, i5-2500K and Core i3-2100 Tested - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

Different, better, faster - uh...

 

So Z68 is different than what we would've gotten? What's the primary benefit from non-hardcore users like myself? I'm too computer-bimbo-ish to understand the article

 

I think Z68 will support integrated GFX(like H67) and also overclocking(like P67). I am not sure overclocking will be that big a deal for notebooks. But enthusiasts wont mind at all.

 

I have no need for integrated graphics, I will be using my trusty 4890 or else upgrading to a 6970.

 

we all know that
too bad that when you finally set your mind on a laptop you go for a dell and the delay of the chipset...


the main selling point is that this is a new chipset, not a upgraded chipset like the 6 series was, the aforementioned overclocking possibilities and the use of the discrete is one selling points for notebooks, since it provides is with a no brainer choice, you get the best of both chipsets and not the handicaps of both. Off course it will probably have a handicap of its own, but we dont know that yet.

 

Same here, I never recommend OEM desktop. Single HDD+CD Rom notebooks not affect by this issue. Only dual HDD+ CD Rom or e-SATA notebooks will affect buy this issue, OEM's have to redesign the notebook mobo, they simply cannot use add-on card method with notebooks.

 

Z68 is the successor of X58(Great chipset)

 

No, X68 is the successor to X58. Z68, as stated, supports both the IGP and overclocking, rather than one or the other.

 

The feature that I want to see in action of the Z68 chipset is SSD caching...

That is why I'm not considering H67/P67 anymore.

 

So far I've read that Z68 is currently only slated for desktop, although it isn't farfetched to assume they will have a mobile version.

 

What are you talking about?

The mobile chips have 2 SATA3 ports, these will be used for the ODD and HDD in 2 device machines.

Its one with multiple ports that will use the SATA2 ports and be affected by this issue.

 

Ah, I get it now. Z68 is the mobo that (personally) I've been waiting for, correct? As opposed to the HM67 in the R3 now, which is one of very FEW models to support switchable/optimus, right? IC IC IC IC IC.

 

Notebooks with Dual HDD+ e-SATA & CD Rom can't use current B2 stepping faulty chips, but Notebooks with only single HDD & CD Rom can use sata 3 ports and B2 stepping is not going to be a issue. Just miss typed. I'll correct it

 

There's no guarantee that the odd will be wired to port 1. They may wire it to SATA 2 ports 2 and above. I can understand making sure the HDD is on a SATA 3 port.

 

Consider that if a laptop has two HDD bays, even if it only ships with one, they really can't take the chance of moving the ODD to a SATA-3 port. If they did, you would lose any option to RAID two SATA-3 HDDs, and that would cause as much vocal angst as the waiting game is.

 

The Z68 is almost certainly just for desktops. There's no need for it on laptops, as almost all laptops aren't designed for overclocking (and nor are the chips) so the H67 is perfectly acceptable as it does the integrated graphics + external graphics. The Z68 is just for people who need overclocking AND integrated graphics, which is really a pretty small group.

 

nevertheless I see also no need for the distinction in the desktop market, there is no need to choose between the igp or the dedicated gpu. I agree that it makes little sense, but since that the p series are out for laptops why not bring the other more complete one to the market?

 

UPDATES:

Looks like Intel's fixed Cougar Point chipset will ship this month (instead of the doomsday scenario of April). Production is forecasted as being ahead of schedule.


CIO Today
Intel: All Is Back To Normal With Cougar Point - International Business Times
Intel: Sandy Bridge repairs ahead of schedule | ZDNet

 

Information the Sager / Clevo resellers recieved has always been chips to them mid March, systems shipping tail end of March, beginning of April. Obviously every day matters.

 

Sounds like we can get some mid-end systems sorting out the pent up demand rather than everything waiting on April. Hopefully Marketing depts use this opportunity to confirm what they'll ship now with the 2-port chips and what they'll ship later with the full-port chips.

 

Is Z68 gonna be socket 2011?

 

No. They will still have an X68 or X68 that's planned for 4Q 2011 that will be the different socket. But that's desktop stuff... back on topic.

 

well, they're now verifying that. and those that can use the sata3ports only don't have to replace hardware. like my setup (see start of the topic). so the typical ordinary laptop can ship without having to wait for hardware (but might need some rewiring).

the benefit for the end-user? systems are now "forced" to be delivered with two sata3 ports available. so one can get a laptop with a hdd and an odd, and replace it with two sata3 ssds for maximum geekpoints.

 

Right. Not sure if it requires just a BIOS update or a hardware change though. I'm sure many laptops are already configured using only ports 0 & 1, the more that are the better. If it's just a BIOS update then that shouldn't take long either.

Either way progress being made. :thumbsup:

 

just got the mail from my reseller today, if i want to get a refund, or wait and get a replacement for free. i should just use port 0 and 1 till the replacement is there.

i chose replacement. i wouldn't actually even need it, as this system won't ever use more than 0 and 1. but hey, it's for free


(do i actually have to send back the flawed mainboard? )

 

Gigabyte Cougar Point chipset bug checker
Gigabyte Releases Cougar Point SATA Bug Checker - Softpedia

 

Good find. I will use this when I get my laptop

 

Yeah good find, +1.

Even though the article says "not just for gigabyte boards" but the utility itself says "for gigabyte motherboards only".

Just ran it on my laptop which is SB, and here it is. Not real useful because it doesn't say what's connected to it. In my case it's the Blu-ray reader.

 

Smiles as he looks at his first-gen i5 lappy

[/IMG]

 

Do you have a sandy bridge chipset(mobo)? If not, I don't think this thread applies to your unit, fyi.

 

That was the point Take a look at his name if you need further hints.

 

LOLz. Also his FAIL pic. Hilarious haha.

 

Thanks for the rep!
6 series is another name for this chipset.

I'm actually still using an "old" G73JH but I was thinking of upgrading.
The thing that is holding me back, besides this bug, is the lack of a faster GPU in the new SW.

Edit: Whoops! sorry for going off topic.

 

UPDATES:


Intel to ship fixed chipsets to OEMs beginning Feb 14th.

Intel to begin shipping updated Sandy Point chipsets Feb 14th | ZDNet
Intel to start shipping B3 stepping LGA 1155 chipsets by February 14 | TechConnect Magazine