Intel SSD new firmware (v1.7 aka 2CV102M3) from 18 January 2011

[taltamir]

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18363

This firmware revision fixes enumeration and slow-boot issues on SATA 6Gb/s
controllers, adds improvements to S.M.A.R.T. attributes for more accurate
reporting of drive health, improves NCQ capability, and fixes possible drive
hangs when reading S.M.A.R.T. self-test log.

I had just reinstalled windows today, I deleted all partitions on the SSD and then installed windows. After rebooting midway through the install the mobo would always freeze while AHCI detected drives. Changing to IDE, or moving it to the Jmicrion SATA ports (IDE or AHCI) solved it, putting it back unto the intel ports with AHCI caused hangs...
Udating the firmware to this version solved the problem. I am guessing AHCI looks at smart and caused the drive to hang which caused the boot process to hang due to an unrelated bug in it (a bug where boot hangs if the SSD hangs).

Anyways, great update. Glad to have it. Though I would share

 

[pcunite]

Cool, just flashed my X25-M with this ... went well.

 

[Thor86]

Cool, just flashed my X25-M with this ... went well.

Was this with OS installed? Data all intact after firmware update?

 

[curlysir]

Was this with OS installed? Data all intact after firmware update?

Flashed mine (2 - 80GB and 120GB) with OS installed (Did Full backup, just in case!) without any loss of data. Booted without any problems.

 

[pcunite]

Was this with OS installed? Data all intact after firmware update?

Yes, no data loss suffered. There are just releasing themselves of responsibly should something go wrong.

 

[Emulex]

nice how come it took so long to get to the street?

 

[Thor86]

Awesome, thanks everyone.

 

[sticks435]

So is this update needed with the 510? The site lists it as compatible, but the release notes don't mention them, except to say it fixes enumeration and slow-boot issues on SATA 6Gb/s controllers. Are they referring to motherboard controllers?

 

[Majic 7]

nice how come it took so long to get to the street?

It didn't. I've had it installed since Feb. Got it from Intel. There was a thread here about it.

 

[Mr Dohz]

my 320 120gb has version 4PC10302

erm , which firmware is newer ?

 

[killster1]

how much faster does this make the drive?

 

[Majic 7]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2139065&highlight=2cv102m3 There are some benches in this thread. Results vary. My AS SSD went from 440 to 460 but my WEI shrunk by a tenth. Could be age. Don't think the benches really mean anything.