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Intel Solid-State Drive Firmware Update Dec. 1, 2009

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http://communities.intel.com/community/tech/solidstate?view=discussions

Intel® Solid-State Drive Firmware Update Dec. 1, 2009

Intel has released a new firmware (02HD) and firmware update tool (version 1.5) to fix the issue with the firmware update process on 34nm (G2) Intel® X25-M SSDs (80GB and 160GB).

Intel recommends that end users Download this firmware update tool and upgrade your SSD
• This new firmware provides Trim support (on 80GB and 160GB) and better sequential write performance (on 160GB)
• If you experience any issues during the upgrade process contact Intel Customer Support

I’ve downloaded it. Going to try to update…

***EDIT 03DEC09
Everything went good. I had already seen a performance bump with the previous version. I’ve also backed up and restored the disk with Acronis TI.
FYI – My AS SSD Benchmark has ranged from 395-401 with booth v1.4 and v1.5 firmware.

Updated Intel Statement On SSD Firmware Issues

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Just saw this updated statement in the Intel SSD forums:

Intel Solid-State Drive Firmware Update — Nov. 16, 2009

Intel has confirmed an issue with the firmware update process for 34nm (G2) Intel® X25-M SSDs (80GB and 160GB). This predominantly affected Windows* 7 (64bit) users during or immediately after the upgrade process to 02HA firmware using the firmware update tool (version 1.3). Intel plans to release a fix for this issue by the end of November 2009.

Please see below to decide what you should do:
– If you have not upgraded to 02HA but using 02G2 or 02G9 – then use new tool when available to upgrade to new firmware to get Trim support and better sequential write performance (160GB)
– If you have successfully upgraded to 02HA – then continue using the SSD, there are no known issues.
– If you have received a SSD with 02HA pre installed – then continue using the SSD, there are no known issues.
– If you have unsuccessfully upgraded to 02HA – then contact Intel Customer Support for instructions on how to recover the SSD via secure erase or return SSD to Intel for replacement or refund.

http://communities.intel.com/community/tech/solidstate?view=discussions

New Intel SSD Downloads

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*IMPORTANT UPDATE
Intel has pulled the firmware update. It seems it is cause no shortage of problems for people (thankfully it didn’t bite me. yet…).
See this thread at the Intel forums.

Intel SATA SSD Firmware Update Tool v1.4
This firmware update tool provides the latest firmware for the following Intel SSDs in all capacities:
– Intel® X25-M/X18-M SATA SSD on 50nm (black case) – updates to FW version 8820
– Intel® X25-E SATA SSD on 50nm (black case) – updates to FW version 8850
– Intel® X25-M/X18-M SATA SSD on 34nm (silver case) – updates to FW version 02HA

Intel Solid-State Drive Toolbox v1.1
The Intel® SSD Toolbox provides a set of applications to easily manage the health and optimize the performance of your Intel SSD. The Toolbox includes a powerful set of management, information, and diagnostic tools, and is designed to work best with 34nm Intel® High Performance SSDs.
The Intel SSD Optimizer utilizes the new ATA Data Set Management Command (Trim Attribute) to help maintain performance of the 34nm Intel® High Performance SSD at out-of-the-box levels and is specifically designed to run with Microsoft Windows 7*. Intel SSD Optimizer also works with Windows Vista* and XP* through the use of the Intel SSD Toolbox.

*edit – Anandtech has benchmarks and more info: The SSD Improv: Intel & Indilinx get TRIM, Kingston Brings Intel Down to $115