So I was wondering whether my Vertex 2 SSD had a firmware update and it appears it has: (I'm on v1.11)
[url]http://www.ocztechnology.com/ssd_tools/OCZ_Vertex_2,_Vertex_LE,_Agility_2/[/url]
But I was wondering, is it worth updating and what do you think the chances are of it wiping my drive clean?
I'd prefer not to have to bother backing up because I'm lazy.
Pretty picture for content:
[img]http://www.itechnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/OCZ-Vertex-2-SSD.jpg[/img]
Unless you are experiencing problems or there is a performance gain, there is no point in updating.
Why not setup an automated backup on a schedule? It's always best to keep up to date with your firmware though the chances are it may be a pointless update which doesn't directly effect you. It's unlikely it'd cause the drive the malfunction, but it's a risk you have to take if you want to update.
Actually, I would advise always running the latest firmware on SSD's. Newer firmware often improves garbage collection.
[QUOTE=birkett;27350185]Actually, I would advise always running the latest firmware on SSD's. Newer firmware often improves garbage collection.[/QUOTE]
what do you think the chances are of it wiping my drive clean?
Please change the title to SSD please mr birkett, heh.
[QUOTE=jaybuz;27350200]what do you think the chances are of it wiping my drive clean?[/QUOTE]
Slim unless you interrupt the process.
[QUOTE=Ragy;27350213]Slim unless you interrupt the process.[/QUOTE]
Would have to agree. It's not like they create these updates and just send them out without testing. I'm sure they ran it several times before releasing it.
If you're that worried about losing the data, it should be backed up.
I updated a few week ago from 1.10 to 1.24. I didn't notice a visible change but some user do not BSOD anymore in special occasions and some even say it's faster.
Anyway, as it has been already said, the latest Firmware should be used as it increases certain parts such as the Garbage Collection so your drive performs better and will last longer. Also: Read the release-notes of the different Firmwares to find out what's new.
Note: For a firmware upgrade, do the following
[list]
[*]BACK UP YOUR DATA FROM THE SSD - Just in case something worse happens. But it should work without any issues.
[*]Your OS for updating must be Windows, preferable 32bit but x64 works for most people too (but there are x64 issues)
[*]Your SSD must be run in SATA AHCI mode and not in IDE-Mode
[*]Your OS from where you are updating the SSD musn't be installed on the SSD. Otherwise the update-process may fail during flashing which can either result in a not updated Firmware or a corrupted drive if you are unlucky
[*]After the firmware update, POWER OFF your PC completely (pull plug for 10 seconds). Otherwise, the SSD might not be recognized anymore by the BIOS.
[/list]
I updated my Vertex 2 120 GB from a Windows 7 x64 installed on that drive and my PC just froze. I waited about 20 minutes until the OS (which just looked to be frozen) BSOD. Then, the drive was inaccessible even after several reboots but after I pulled the plug, it worked again with an updated firmware.
[QUOTE=jaybuz;27350089]what do you think the chances are of it wiping my drive clean?[/QUOTE]
VERY slim, but I would still back it up just in case.
[QUOTE=aVoN;27352757]Note: For a firmware upgrade, do the following
[list]
[*]BACK UP YOUR DATA FROM THE SSD - Just in case something worse happens. But it should work without any issues.
[*]Your OS for updating must be Windows, preferable 32bit but x64 works for most people too (but there are x64 issues)
[*]Your SSD must be run in SATA AHCI mode and not in IDE-Mode
[*]Your OS from where you are updating the SSD musn't be installed on the SSD. Otherwise the update-process may fail during flashing which can either result in a not updated Firmware or a corrupted drive if you are unlucky
[*]After the firmware update, POWER OFF your PC completely (pull plug for 10 seconds). Otherwise, the SSD might not be recognized anymore by the BIOS.
[/list][/QUOTE]
Are all SSDs this hard to update? You can't use a live CD because it has to be Windows, you can't use your Windows because it's installed on the SSD and x64? I doubt many users have two Windows' installed.
[QUOTE=aVoN;27352757]
Note: For a firmware upgrade, do the following
[list]
[*]BACK UP YOUR DATA FROM THE SSD - Just in case something worse happens. But it should work without any issues.
[*]Your OS for updating must be Windows, preferable 32bit but x64 works for most people too (but there are x64 issues)
[*]Your SSD must be run in SATA AHCI mode and not in IDE-Mode
[*]Your OS from where you are updating the SSD musn't be installed on the SSD. Otherwise the update-process may fail during flashing which can either result in a not updated Firmware or a corrupted drive if you are unlucky
[*]After the firmware update, POWER OFF your PC completely (pull plug for 10 seconds). Otherwise, the SSD might not be recognized anymore by the BIOS.
[/list]
I updated my Vertex 2 120 GB from a Windows 7 x64 installed on that drive and my PC just froze. I waited about 20 minutes until the OS (which just looked to be frozen) BSOD. Then, the drive was inaccessible even after several reboots but after I pulled the plug, it worked again with an updated firmware.[/QUOTE]
I have a vertex 2 but I cannot be bothered to do all that shit. Maybe when I'm incredibly bored I'l gove it a go.
[QUOTE=Robber;27354032]Are all SSDs this hard to update? You can't use a live CD because it has to be Windows, you can't use your Windows because it's installed on the SSD and x64? I doubt many users have two Windows' installed.[/QUOTE]
There are several reasons for this: Once it's going to be updated, it's internally disconnected from the PC - No active firmware means to way to access it. The x86 being suggested thingy was from the past but still it's recommended. AHCI should anyway be enabled when you run a SSD, so at least there shouldn't be a problem. And for the OS: Currently, there is no Linux Firmware updater. But there are links to how to create windows live-cds (not BartPE) on the OCZ forums.
[editline]11th January 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=Generic.Monk;27354376]I have a vertex 2 but I cannot be bothered to do all that shit. Maybe when I'm incredibly bored I'l gove it a go.[/QUOTE]
Actually all what you have to do is:
[list]
[*]Make your SSD run in AHCI mode (should anyway be enabled for SSDs, otherwise there is not TRIM -> Slower writes over the time)
[*]Get a Windows live CD (not BartPE) or get an old HDD and install windows on it.
[/list]
Also: SSDs aren't that easy to handle compared to HDDs. You have to have a TRIM aware OS (Windows 7, Linux), run the SSD in AHCI Sata mode, have the correct driver installed for sata which supports TRIM and have the partitions aligned to the erase-blocks of the SSD (otherwise, writing data takes double the time and wears off the drive also at double rate). Furthermore, you shouldn't use backup-programs anymore which are SSD incompatible (e.g. TrueImage Home 2010 is still incompatible - It writes back a backed-up partition "un-aligned" except you use some nasty tricks. No idea if it's finally fixed in 2011).
[QUOTE=Robber;27354032]Are all SSDs this hard to update? You can't use a live CD because it has to be Windows, you can't use your Windows because it's installed on the SSD and x64? I doubt many users have two Windows' installed.[/QUOTE]
This is why I keep a barebones custom XP installation on a spare harddrive on a shelf.
For moments when Windows is actually needed. :/ (I cringed having to type that) >_<
[QUOTE=Pixel Heart;27359862]This is why I keep a barebones custom XP installation on a spare harddrive on a shelf.
For moments when Windows is actually needed. :/ (I cringed having to type that) >_<[/QUOTE]
Except that's useless if you want to use it on different computers, if you try to use it on the computer it wasn't installed on it'll screw up due to drivers for a specific hardware configuration being installed.
ALso, why the shame about windows? For most home use, or if you're doing even the slightest bit of gaming, then windows is probably better than linux for a headache free experience. At the very least it's better than Ubuntu.
[QUOTE=aVoN;27354789]Currently, there is no Linux Firmware updater. But there are links to how to create windows live-cds (not BartPE) on the OCZ forums.
[*]Get a Windows live CD (not BartPE) or get an old HDD and install windows on it.
[/list]
[/QUOTE]
A Win-PE image (such as a Vista or 7 install DVD) works fine.
Boot from the CD, select a language, Shift+F10 to open a command prompt.
[QUOTE=birkett;27366440]A Win-PE image (such as a Vista or 7 install DVD) works fine.
Boot from the CD, select a language, Shift+F10 to open a command prompt.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, a real Win-PE but not BartPE to my knowledge. But there are workarounds. More information are in the OCZ forums.
I actually updated it last night and it went without a hitch until it came to rebooting which is impossible as the BIOS doesn't even see it. Reading aVoN's post gives me hope though as it sounds like an easy fix.
Luckily I am running it in AHCI mode.
[QUOTE=aVoN;27352757]I updated a few week ago from 1.10 to 1.24. I didn't notice a visible change but some user do not BSOD anymore in special occasions and some even say it's faster.
Anyway, as it has been already said, the latest Firmware should be used as it increases certain parts such as the Garbage Collection so your drive performs better and will last longer. Also: Read the release-notes of the different Firmwares to find out what's new.
Note: For a firmware upgrade, do the following
[list]
[*]BACK UP YOUR DATA FROM THE SSD - Just in case something worse happens. But it should work without any issues.
[*]Your OS for updating must be Windows, preferable 32bit but x64 works for most people too (but there are x64 issues)
[*]Your SSD must be run in SATA AHCI mode and not in IDE-Mode
[*]Your OS from where you are updating the SSD musn't be installed on the SSD. Otherwise the update-process may fail during flashing which can either result in a not updated Firmware or a corrupted drive if you are unlucky
[*]After the firmware update, POWER OFF your PC completely (pull plug for 10 seconds). Otherwise, the SSD might not be recognized anymore by the BIOS.
[/list]
I updated my Vertex 2 120 GB from a Windows 7 x64 installed on that drive and my PC just froze. I waited about 20 minutes until the OS (which just looked to be frozen) BSOD. Then, the drive was inaccessible even after several reboots but after I pulled the plug, it worked again with an updated firmware.[/QUOTE]
Those are some good instructions, mine is working now! :biggrin:
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