Update on "Bad Context 13x Error"

[Alan_F_Intel]

Intel has been investigating the 'Bad Context 13x Error' as seen on select Intel® SSD 320 Series drives. This was previously noted in the Intel community post as "SSD Power Loss". To summarize the error: In certain circumstances, after an unexpected power loss, a small percentage of SSDs may experience this error on the next attempt to boot the system. In this situation, the system's BIOS reports an SSD as an 8MB capacity drive.

Intel has reproduced 'Bad Context 13x Error' utilizing strenuous testing methods. This 'Bad Context 13x Error' can be addressed via a firmware update and Intel is in the process of validating the firmware update. A future update will define the schedule to deliver the firmware fix.

The Intel SSD 320 Series continues to be shipped and is available for purchase. If you experience this error with your Intel SSD, please contact your Intel representative or Intel customer support (via web: http://www.intel.com/ www.intel.com or phone: http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/contact/phone www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/contact/phone) .

For those with Intel SSD 320 series SSDs who are concerned but currently unaffected, Intel advises the following actions:

• As with any storage device, backup your data regularly
• When shutting down your system, follow your system's standard shutdown process
• Minimize unplugging the SSD while your system is powered

Intel takes these issues seriously. Please watch for further updates on this site.

Rgds,

Alan

Intel's NVM Solutions Group

[idata]

Do you know if I will be able to get my data back on a drive that has this issue with the firmware fix?

[idata]

Great.

I have the same problem with the Intel X25-M G1 160GB model that had the same error. Do you plan to issue a firmware for these devices so I can revive the device again?

[idata]

Phew. I am relieved.

Though my 120GB 320Series model is fine so far (knock on a tree) it is nice to know fix is coming

[idata]

Is there information on which batches/serial # s are affected by the bug?

I'm receiving shipment on a 160GB 320 and would obviuosly rather wait for the new firmware before installing an OS.

[idata]

Hi everyone,

I bought an Intel 320 120Gb less than a week ago.

Ran the firmware update tool and was told it had the latest version of firmware.

I wasn't aware of the "BIOS Password Issue" (http://www.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/sb/CS-030724.htm http://www.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/sb/CS-030724.htm) but read about the power issue elsewhere.

I enabled password on the drive, rebooted a couple of times (asking me for password each time) and proceed to install Windows 7 onto it.

Halfway through the installation (~20+%), i decided i should perform a secure erase on the drive first (to replace the hardware based encryption key),

hence i powered off the notebook.

---

Each Intel SSD 320 Series has a unique key when it

leaves the factory. The user can simply start using the SSD and data is encrypted with that unique key. However, if the user prefers a new key, one can be generated by executing a Secure Erase or Enhanced Secure Erase on the SSD.

Source: http://download.intel.com/design/flash/nand/325201.pdf http://download.intel.com/design/flash/nand/325201.pdf

---

I put the drive into an external USB3.0 enclosure (using VIA VL700 chipset)

(http://www.hornettek.com/pcaccessory/index.php/25q-hdd-enclosure/usb-30/panther http://www.hornettek.com/pcaccessory/index.php/25q-hdd-enclosure/usb-30/panther)

and connected it to another Windows 7 machine so that i could run Intel's SSD Toolkit on it.

It could not detect the drive and then i realized it was password protected.

Disconnected the USB enclosure, took the drive out from the enclosure.

Put the drive back onto the machine (which i enabled the password on, and was installing Windows 7).

Powered it up, asked for password, keyed it in...it didn't recognize my password anymore!

I've attempted this many times and it doesn't work on either notebooks i had.

Connected the drive to a PC, ran SSD Toolkit, drive is detected but unable to perform a Secure Erase (as drive was password locked).

Full LBA was detected.

I exported the SMART attributes and i could put it up somewhere if anyone wants to take a look.

So, my conclusion at this time, ATA password on the 320 Series 120Gb drive was corrupted due to sudden power-loss.

I didn't thought it would be this serious as Intel has enchanced protection against it (http://download.intel.com/design/flash/nand/325207.pdf http://download.intel.com/design/flash/nand/325207.pdf)

Now i'm stuck with the drive bought just a few days back.

Hope Intel will look into this issue too and let all of us know if the new firmware will fix this or would i need to RMA the drive?