Firmware update now available - Addresses Bad Context 13x Error

Thanks Alan, will give it a shot.

Thanks.  Installed successfully, the only issue is that running the firmware update again from the CD does not validate the firmware but instead gives an exception error while checking for valid drives.  However, since SSD toolbox gives the updated firmware number, I'm not particularly worried about it.

Lloyd

I applied it to my 120gb 320 series with no issue. I didn't verify the firmware level with the flash utility afterwards. I used a windows utility to verify the firmware level, all looks well.

Thanks again.

Update went fine... 320 series 120Gb version

AS ssd score droped a bit from 381 to 368.. duno if its firmware related or data/usage drop in performance..

but anvil storage test score is same as with old firmware wich is done recently so its not firmware releted

Are there any plans to release firmware for the old generations too?

I ask you, because  Bad Context 13x Error is also can be found on the G1/G2 drives, I don't know is it related to power losses, but it's fact. Maybe you can provide us more information about this error and why it can appear? I am sure that not only firmware bug can cause that.

Hi Alan,

I have a 2011 MacBook Pro 15inch with the 320 Series 120GB Drive that has the same Bad Context 13x Error.  I do not have access to a PC.  I download the latest firmware, created a bootable CD from the ISO using the instructions found in the PDF, and booted off it.

It found the Intel SSD (Model # Intel SSDSA2CW120G3) and told me the serial number is (BAD_CTX 000001) and the current firmware is:  4PC10302.  I proceed to answer Yes to all the questions, and it said that the firmware was being applied and that I should wait 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

About 20 seconds into this step, it failed to update the firmware.  It displayed the "Intel SATA SSD Firmware update did not  completed" screen, asking me to try to Disable the Drive Password protection in the BIOS and try again.  It also asked me to Enable SMART in the BIOS, and finaly it told me to enable Legacy IDE mode in the BIOS.

None of the three things are possible in the MacBook Pro, so what are my options here?  I rather not RMA the drive since I was hoping the firmware would restore access to the SSD so I can get my files off of it. I do have a old backup, but it's about 1 week prior to the Error, and if possible I rather not loose all that work if I can help it

Any suggestions?

I even tried to download the firmware again on a different Macbook Pro, and burned a second CD from the ISO, and exactly the same problems.

I'm hoping you have some suggestions.

Thanks,

Zubin Anary

hi,

from previous update regarding the issue, i think you need to make your SSD back to operational state before you update the firmware

and maybe thats why the firmware update failed

"What should I do if I have experienced this issue?

If 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:  www.intel.com or phone:www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/contact/phone) for an SSD replacement.  An alternative option is to use the Intel ® SSD Toolbox or similar tools to perform a secure erase in order to restore the SSD to an operational state;  all data will be erased.  After secure erase, update your SSD with the upcoming firmware.  The pending firmware update will not recover user data. "

cmiiw, but afaik there no Intel SSD toolbox for mac yet, so you need to use bootcamp or other secure erase tools that works on osx

other than that, i think RMA the drive is the only way

Great that the fix is available, greater still if there were an Apple Mac compatible version (also of the other SSD tools)!

Colin

Colin wrote:

 

Great that the fix is available, greater still if there were an Apple Mac compatible version (also of the other SSD tools)!

Aha, the download says that it's only for Windows, but the instructions have an explicit section for Macs...

Since this is FreeDos, can I boot with a system that has 8GB ram installed?

What's the point? 8GB ram or 800 FREEDOS don't care . It will use only as much as needed.There is no maximum requirements, only minimal.

Anyway I have absolutely no problems running freedos with 16GB RAM installed.

Will there be a separate update for OEM versions of the SSD 320 or do we have to contact our OEM after some period of time? I was frustrated to find that the firmware update utility wouldn't run on my Lenovo / Intel SSD because it said the firmware version on the SSD already had the fix.

Thank you very much, Intel. Even in 2011 we have to use DOS, CDROMS and switch to IDE in BIOS to flash your SSDs. That is SO tommorow.

Seems to be successful with my MacBook Pro 15 2010

Thanks!