Intel Tests SSD 320 Bug Fix, Offers To Replace Some Drives

The company is also offering replacement SSDs to customers who have experienced the problem.

However, Intel warned, customers who have experienced the problem will likely not be able to recover their data.

Intel late last month acknowledged the "Bad Context 13x Error" bug after complaints from multiple users about only being able to see 8 MBs of capacity on their SSDs.

Intel in March introduced its SSD 320 line. The line includes 40-GB, 80-GB, 120-GB, 160-GB, 300-GB, and 600-GB models.

Reports about the "Bad Context 13x Error" surfaced over two months ago. It appeared on a random basis after the SSD is powered off and then on again. Intel on July 11 said it is aware of the problem.

Intel in a Saturday blog post wrote that a firmware update for the Bad Context 13x Error is being tested and will be available shortly.

"The new firmware update is in final validation testing and is targeted for release on Intel Communities within the next two weeks. Intel takes firmware updates and issues of reliability very seriously and is taking extra steps to support a smooth release. We appreciate your patience," Intel wrote.

The problem, Intel wrote, is "due to an unexpected power loss under specific conditions. Once this error occurs, no data on the SSD can be accessed and the user cannot write to or read from the SSD."

Intel is advising customers who have not experienced the "Bad Context 13x Error" yet to frequently back up their data, regularly power down their computers per the normal power-down sequence, and download the SSD firmware update when it is ready.

For those who have already experienced the bug, Intel will provide a replacement SSD for those customers who do not download the firmware update. Users can also use the company's SSD Toolbox or similar tools to do a secure erase to restore the SSDs to proper operation. However, Intel wrote, "the pending firmware update will not recover user data."