FUT 3.0.10 refuses to update 540S firmware, says to use FUT instead

[Nealix]

System is a NUC 5i3RYK

Boots CDROM with FUT just fine.

FUT barfs immediately after giving permission to start firmware update with "The firmware update process cannot be completed in Windows or Linux for this firmware. Please use the Intel SSD Firmware Update Tool."

Catch 22!

Okay, where are they hiding the REAL FUT for 540s?

Thanks muchly,

Neal

[JosafathB_Intel]

Hello Nealix,

Thank you for contacting Intel® Memory and Storage support.

As we understand, you need assistance with your Intel® SSD 540s Series firmware update. We received your feedback related to the Intel® SSD Firmware Update Tool Version: 3.0.10 (Latest) and this unexpected behavior you are experiencing, and we are going to be working on your inquiry.

We will contact you back as soon as we have an answer or in case further information is required.

Best regards,

Josh B.
Intel® Customer Support Technician

[JosafathB_Intel]

Hello Nealix,

Thank you for your patience.

We were working on your inquiry, and we have found that there is an issue with the latest version of the Intel® SSD Firmware Update Tool Version 3.0.10 (Latest).

-The solution is the following:

1- Download the Intel® SSD Firmware Update Tool Version: 3.0.9 (Previously Released)

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29812/Intel-SSD-Firmware-Update-Tool

2- Create bootable media.

3- Boot FUT 3.0.9 and update the firmware.

- For further information on how to use this tool, visit the User Guide:

https://downloadmirror.intel.com/29812/eng/Intel_SSD_FUT_User_Guide.pdf

We are going to follow up with you again next Friday, the 27th of November 2020, if we do not receive an answer from you. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a different date for the follow-up.

We will be looking forward to your reply in case you need further assistance.

Best regards,

Josh B.
Intel® Customer Support Technician

[Nealix]

Josh,

Thanks for the quick response.

I downloaded the .iso and ran FUT 3.0.9. After about a minute it said "Firmware update failed.".

It did however manage to change the firmware version number:

Original   LSBG100

3.0.9 version   LSF042C

After FUT   LSB042C

Trying to run either 3.0.9 or 3.0.10 again results in the message "The selected Intel SSD contains current firmware as of this tool release."

The drive appears to function normally.

Should I be concerned about the version number discrepancy?

Regards,

Neal

[JosafathB_Intel · Accepted solution]

Hello Nealix,

Thank you for your reply.

We are glad to hear that you were able to update your SSD firmware to version 42C, do not worry about the error message since now it is reflecting a newer version.

Based on the Firmware Versions for Intel® Solid State Drives and Intel® Optane™ Memory article (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000017245/memory-and-storage.html). The latest version of the firmware for your Intel® SSD 540s Series is the following:

256/512 GB LBF017C              

All Other Capacities LSF043C

To update the SSD firmware, please follow the instructions in the Video on Intel® SSD Firmware Update and Health Monitoring Using Intel® Memory and Storage Tool (Intel® MAS) article:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000057393/memory-and-storage.html

Download the Intel® Memory and Storage Tool CLI (Command-Line Interface) from here:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29917?v=t

We are going to follow up with you again next Monday, the 30th of November 2020, if we do not receive an answer from you. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a different date for the follow-up.

Best regards,

Josh B.

Intel® Customer Support Technician.