{"id":1112,"date":"2011-08-01T04:25:45","date_gmt":"2011-07-31T18:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vbtechsupport.com\/?p=1112"},"modified":"2011-08-19T00:59:51","modified_gmt":"2011-08-18T14:59:51","slug":"intel-320-ssd-series-bad-contact-13x-error-firmware-update-needed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vbtechsupport.com\/1112\/","title":{"rendered":"Intel SSD 320 series fault – power loss results in “Bad Context 13x Error” firmware update soon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Intel has been investigating an possible issue with their Intel SSD 320 series SSD. Unexpected power loss may result in what Intel terms a \u2018Bad Context 13x Error<\/a>\u2019. Unexpected power loss, may result in the Intel 320 SSD series only reporting a SSD capacity of only 8MB in system BIOS. Intel reported that this \u2018Bad Context 13x Error<\/a>\u2019 has been fixed via a SSD firmware update which they are currently testing.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve just had a few vB clients move over to using these Intel 320 SSD series drives in their web and database servers – paired with hardware raid controllers which have battery back ups (BBU). \u00a0So wonder if the BBU and\/or battery back UPS units will prevent possible occurrences of \u2018Bad Context 13x Errors\u2019 due to power outages ? Anyway, as with any SSD disks, always have a backup routine in place. For linux servers, I prefer using R1Soft CDP Enterprise backup<\/a>.\u00a0 Reasons outlined here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Straight from Intel community discussion forums and <\/a>Intel 320 SSD firmware update<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Update: August 18th<\/strong>
\nIntel has released the Intel 320 SSD firmware fix update for Bad Context 13x Error<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Status:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Intel has posted a firmware update for the Intel\u00ae SSD 320 Series\u00a0 (firmware 4PC10362) which addresses the Bad Context 13x Error being discussed on the Communities site and elsewhere. You can download the new firmware here:<\/p>\n

www.intel.com\/go\/ssdfirmware<\/a><\/p>\n

Also posted at this link are Read Me, Release Notes, and SSD Firmware Update Tool Guidelines which provide detailed firmware update instructions and other relevant information such as the most current firmware revision available.<\/p>\n

What should I do if I have not experienced this issue?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In order to provide the best user experience, Intel always recommends users download and install the latest firmware.\u00a0 As with any storage device, Intel recommends users frequently back up their data and periodically check for firmware updates.\u00a0 The\u00a0\u00a0Intel\u00ae SSD Toolbox<\/a> provides a host of utilities to monitor your SSD, including displaying detailed information such as the currently installed firmware revision.<\/p>\n

What should I do if I have already experienced this issue?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you have already experienced a drive failure or encounter this problem before the firmware update was released, please contact your Intel representative or Intel customer support (via web:\u00a0\u00a0www.intel.com<\/a> or phone:www.intel.com\/p\/en_US\/support\/contact\/phone<\/a>) for an SSD replacement.\u00a0 An alternative option is to use the Intel \u00ae SSD Toolbox or similar tools to perform a secure erase in order to restore the SSD to an operational state;\u00a0 all data will be erased.\u00a0 After secure erase, update your SSD with the new firmware.\u00a0 The firmware update will not recover user data.<\/p>\n

Background:<\/strong><\/p>\n

For users unfamiliar with the issue, an Intel SSD 320 Series drive may exhibit a drive capacity of 8MB and an electronic serial # field containing a message of \u201cBAD_CTX 0000013x\u201d caused by an unexpected power loss under specific conditions.\u00a0 Once this error occurs, no data on the SSD can be accessed and the user cannot write to or read from the SSD.<\/p>\n

rgds,<\/p>\n

Alan<\/p>\n

NVM Solutions Group<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Update: August 13th<\/strong><\/p>\n

Status:<\/strong>
\nIntel has reproduced, identified root cause, and developed a firmware update which addresses the Bad Context 13x Error being discussed on the Communities site and elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Response plan:<\/strong>
\nThe new firmware update is in final validation testing and is targeted for release on Intel\u00ae Communities within the next two weeks.\u00a0 Intel takes firmware updates and issues of reliability very seriously and is taking extra steps to support a smooth release.\u00a0 We appreciate your patience.<\/p>\n

What should I do if I have not experienced this issue?<\/strong>
\nTo minimize occurrence, if a system requires a shut down, Intel recommends using that system\u2019s standard power shut down sequence.\u00a0 As with any storage device, Intel recommends users frequently back up their data.\u00a0 Download and install the new firmware when it is available.\u00a0 As with our previous firmware updates, a secure erase is not required.<\/p>\n

What should I do if I have experienced this issue?<\/strong>
\nIf you have already experienced a drive failure or encounter this problem before the firmware update is released, please contact your Intel representative or Intel customer support (via web:\u00a0\u00a0www.intel.com<\/a> or phone:www.intel.com\/p\/en_US\/support\/contact\/phone<\/a>) for an SSD replacement.\u00a0 An alternative option is to use the Intel \u00ae SSD Toolbox or similar tools to perform a secure erase in order to restore the SSD to an operational state;\u00a0 all data will be erased.\u00a0 After secure erase, update your SSD with the upcoming firmware.\u00a0 The pending firmware update will not recover user data.<\/p>\n

Background:<\/strong>
\nFor users unfamiliar with the issue, an Intel SSD 320 Series drive may exhibit a drive capacity of 8MB and an electronic serial # field containing a message of \u201cBAD_CTX 0000013x\u201d due to an unexpected power loss under specific conditions.\u00a0 Once this error occurs, no data on the SSD can be accessed and the user cannot write to or read from the SSD.<\/p>\n

Rgds,<\/p>\n

Scott
\nIntel Corporation<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Intel has been investigating the \u2018Bad Context 13x Error\u2019 as seen on select Intel\u00ae SSD 320 Series drives.\u00a0 This was previously noted in the Intel community post as \u201cSSD Power Loss\u201d.\u00a0 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\u2019s BIOS reports an SSD as an 8MB capacity drive.<\/p>\n

Intel has reproduced \u2018Bad Context 13x Error\u2019 utilizing strenuous testing methods. This \u2018Bad Context 13x Error\u2019 can be addressed via a firmware update and Intel is in the process of validating the firmware update.\u00a0\u00a0 A future update will define the schedule to deliver the firmware fix.<\/p>\n

The Intel SSD 320 Series continues to be shipped and is available for purchase.\u00a0\u00a0 If you experience this error with your Intel SSD, please contact your Intel representative or Intel customer support (via web:\u00a0 www.intel.com<\/a> or phone:www.intel.com\/p\/en_US\/support\/contact\/phone<\/a>) .<\/p>\n

For those with Intel SSD 320 series SSDs who are concerned but currently unaffected, Intel advises the following actions:<\/p>\n