Category: Intel 320 Series

Only Intel SSD Firmware Recovery Addressed and not Data Recovery

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intel ssd firmware recovery

Intel’s 320 Series is its third generation of solid state drives that promise unparalleled speed and unmatched reliability. They are available in six different capacities namely 40GB, 80GB, 120GB, 160GB, 300GB and 600GB. In terms of sequential speeds, it can reach up to 220MB/s for writing and 270MB/s for reading.

 

When it comes to IOPS or input/output operations per second, it can reach 23,000 in random writes and 39 500 in random reads. They use the Serial ATA-300 interface as well as the 25nm NAND flash memory.

 

The Notorious Glitch

With its vastly improved capabilities compared to its generation two predecessors, there was much hype for the Intel 320 series. However, no one expected that the series would become the talk of the internet for the wrong reason.

The 25nm NAND flash memory allows the SSDs to perform at significantly greater speeds; however, it has also made them more prone to errors. One of these errors can be triggered after the drive is subjected to a sudden power outage.

Instead of initiating a proper shutdown like it is supposed to, the 25nm NAND flash memory may instead keep on trying to reconnect via the SATA port. This will eventually result in a glitch in the SSD. The drive’s serial number will be changed to BAD_CTX 00000130 and it will report only a total storage capacity of 8MB and all its data will become inaccessible.

 

300 Dollar Data Recovery’s Intel 320 Series SSD Data Recovery from Brian Cometa on Vimeo.
 

 

Firmware Yes, Data No 

Less than a month before the first reports of the 8MB bug surfaced, Intel released a firmware update to try and remedy the problem. Users are given access to several tools that can restore a 320 series to its factory settings and make it usable again.

The users can also choose to send their bugged SSDs back and the company will send them a brand new one in exchange. Though owners were pleased with the Intel SSD Firmware Recovery tools Intel presented, many where still frustrated that the company was not able to provide a means of how they can get their lost files back.

 

Third Party Service Providers

Intel acknowledged that it is not capable of recovering lost files from bugged SSDs and it has advised that users seek the help of data recovery companies along with a warning that the said companies may charge $1000 to $10000. Fortunately for 320 series owners, Brian Cometa and the other data recovery technicians of 300 Dollar Data Recovery can provide Intel SSD Firmware Recovery with file retrieval services for the bargain price of only $300.

Aftermath of the Firmware Bug is the Biggest of the Intel 320 Series Common Problems

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searching for bug

The “BAD_CTX” firmware bug that can happen on its gen 3 320 SSD series still plagues Intel up to this day, more than three and a half years after it was first reported. Many consumers are enraged since reliability is supposed to be one of the things that solid state drives are a lot better than hard disk drives. The bug, however, throws this reliability completely down the drain. How can one consider a drive that can lose all the data written on it after it experiences a power failure “reliable”? Not only are the files erased, the drive also becomes unusable since only 8mb of its entire storage capacity remains accessible.

 

Stonewalling Intel

 

At first, users of the bugged SSDs tried to understand and wait patiently for a solution from Intel. However, all they got was a false promise. Intel gave all 320 series users a firmware update that it said would fix the issue. Unfortunately, the update failed to protect drives from the 8MB bug. After a new wave of rage from consumers, Intel answered with another firmware update that contained the same promise. And the cycle of updates and promises went on until Intel finally decided to just refer users to data retrieval companies. The fact that most companies back then charged one to ten grand to restore SSD files just infuriated the consumers even more.

 

Consumer Sentiments

 

Most users consider their drives as one of the most valuable parts of their computers since they are the ones that contain their files. They can brush off a worn out graphics card or a burnt up motherboard but not a suddenly unusable SSD. This is more so because some decided to switch from HDD to SSD because they thought the latter eliminated the need for a backup. The silence of Intel aside from the firmware updates also made consumers feel abandoned. They simply want to know:

 

  • What is going on?
  • Why does the SSD truncate specifically to 8MB?
  • Why does the bug remain despite several firmware updates?
  • Why does Intel claim that the bug is fixed even if it’s not?

 

Until Intel decides to finally answer these questions, the firmware bug remains to be the most prominent of the Intel 320 Series Common Problems. If you unfortunately encounter the bug, do not fret, Brian Cometa and the other data recovery technicians of 300 Dollar Data Recovery got your back.