Intel - 34nm G2 - TRIM f/w update

[v0dka]

If you installed Win7 in IDE mode, do you have to do a reinstall to get the AHCI drivers working?

I found some guide on how to get the AHCI drivers working after an install in IDE mode, but that was written for XP in 2007. Not to mention I get lots of BSOD's when switching to AHCI mode. http://forum.msi.com.tw/index.php?topic=106575.0

[Ao1]

If you installed Win7 in IDE mode, do you have to do a reinstall to get the AHCI drivers working?

No. You can modify the registry to enable ACHI mode. I've already posted how this can be done somewhere...just search the forum or google it

[ghmz]

Received yesterday. Flashed the firmware, and installed Win7.

[chuckbam]

Go to the device manager. Select IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers. If you see Standard AHCI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller then you are using the correct MS driver to enable auto TRIM.

If not you can uninstall the Intel controll drivers and when you reboot the standard MS drivers should install.

With the x58/ i7 I don't have a ATA/ATAPI controller. So, I will be using the tool till Intel gets it together. I am using the Intel Rapid Storage Technology 9.5.0.1037. That is the Matrix Storage Manager with a new GUI.






http://cid-e878665d2e592e77.skydrive...9.5.0.1037.zip

[dcl]

Since installing the MS AHCI driver, Windows doesn't think my DVDRW can burn DVD's anymore? It recognizes it as a DVD-RW but burning software will say its not compatible. Any ideas?

[ghmz]

I thought I was running in AHCI mode, but I am not sure anymore..

I have "SATA AHCI Mode" Enabled, but "Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl Mode "IDE". Am I running under IDE or AHCI?

[felix_w]

I thought I was running in AHCI mode, but I am not sure anymore..

I have "SATA AHCI Mode" Enabled, but "Onboard SATA/IDE Ctrl Mode "IDE". Am I running under IDE or AHCI?

You probably have 2 SATA controllers, one from SB and one Secondary onboard. See your board's manual to find which setting reffers to each one.

[SteveRo]

No problem using the new f/w update via bootable CD on x58.
Could NOT get the f/w app to find the x25-mg2 on evga 680i for some unknown reason.

[cx-ray]

If you installed Win7 in IDE mode, do you have to do a reinstall to get the AHCI drivers working?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

[Stems]

No problem using the new f/w update via bootable CD on x58.
Could NOT get the f/w app to find the x25-mg2 on evga 680i for some unknown reason.

I just tried the 02HD firmware on my P5K Deluxe (P35) The CD booted without issue but then went on to say it could not detect my 160GB G2...

[chuckbam]

I just tried the 02HD firmware on my P5K Deluxe (P35) The CD booted without issue but then went on to say it could not detect my 160GB G2...

Set the drive to IDE mode (for the flash only)

[Stems]

Set the drive to IDE mode (for the flash only)

I'll give that a shot and report results! Thanks.

EDIT: Worked perfectly, thank you.

[dcl]

I flashed mine in AHCI mode with no dramas. The Intel documentation makes no mention of using IDE mode?

[chuckbam]

I flashed mine in AHCI mode with no dramas. The Intel documentation makes no mention of using IDE mode?

It is in the Readme.txt

************************************************** **********
*
*
* Intel(R) SATA SSD Firmware Update Tool Instructions
*
* This document makes references to products developed by
* Intel. There are some restrictions on how these products
* may be used, and what information may be disclosed to
* others. Please read the Disclaimer section and contact
* your Intel field representative if you would like more
* information.
*
************************************************** **********
************************************************** **********
* DISCLAIMER: Intel is making no claims of usability,
* efficacy or warranty. The INTEL SOFTWARE LICENSE
* AGREEMENT contained herein completely defines the license
* and use of this software.
*
************************************************** **********
************************************************** **********

************************************************** **********
* CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT
************************************************** **********
NOTES:
- The Intel SATA SSD Firmware Update tool now supports X18-M
and X25-M 34nm products (silver case) as well as the X18-M,
X25-M and X25-E 50nm products (black case).
- Please refer to the RELEASE NOTES also located on the
download page for the specific firmware fixes for each
product family for each release.


This document contains the following sections:

1. Requirements for using the firmware update tool
2. Known Issues
3. Instructions on updating firmware
4. Intel Software License Agreement

************************************************** **********
* 1. REQUIREMENTS FOR USING THE FIRMWARE(FW) UPDATE TOOL
************************************************** **********
Intel strongly recommends that you backup your SSD before
changing or removing your drive password and attempting the
firmware update process.

These instructions are intended for experienced users. If you
need step by step instructions, please see the Intel SSD
SATA Firmware Update Guideline.

POWER
Please ensure if you are updating a mobile system that your
battery is charged up and your system is plugged into a wall
socket. Do not unplug your system during the firmware update
process as this could render your SSD inoperable.

DRIVE PASSWORD
Before removing Drive Passwords, please review the known issues
listed in the following website:
http://www.intel.com/support/ssdc/hpssd/x25m/

This tool will not run correctly if your Drive Password is set.
Please ensure that your Drive Password is turned off (in your
BIOS Settings) before beginning the firmware update process,
then after the firmware update has completed successfully,
please turn the drive password back on again.

BIOS STORAGE CONFIGURATION
This tool will only function correctly with the BIOS SATA ports
configured to "Legacy" / "Compatibility" mode, or "AHCI" mode.
Some BIOS configurations support SATA port modes such as "IRRT",
"RAID", and "Native + IDE" mode, which are not supported by this
utility.

TOOL MEDIA
This Intel SATA SSD Firmware Update Tool is designed to run on a
CD-R that has been loaded with the Intel SSD FW Update ISO
image.
NOTE: Burning an ISO image cannot be accomplished by simply
copying the ISO file to a CD-R.

To correctly burn an ISO image to a CD-R requires:
1) A read and writable (R/W) CD-ROM Drive
2) An image loading software package

Most R/W CD-ROM drives already come with software that can
manage to burn an ISO image correctly to a CD-R. If yours
does not, there are many software packages available over
the internet that can burn an ISO image to a CD-R. Some are
free, some can be purchased online. Please select one that
is best for you by searching on the internet for "How to
copy an ISO image."


************************************************** **********
* 2. Known Issues

************************************************** **********

1. "Drive not recognized" on Nvidia chipset based Macintosh systems
ISSUE: The firmware update tool may not recognize Intel 50nm SSDs with
8610 FW when used on some Nvidia chipset based systems
including the Nvidia based Mac systems.

WORKAROUND:
Remove the SSD from your system, and complete the update
using a non-Nividia based system. After a successful
firmware update, reinstall the drive into your Nvidia based
Apple system and reboot.

2. "Drive not recognized" in AHCI SATA mode
ISSUE: Some platform BIOS implementations of SATA port settings
are not compatible with the update program's process for
locating the SSD within the system in AHCI mode.
WORKAROUND:
For best compatibility, configure the BIOS SATA port mode to
The "Legacy" or "Compatibility" mode to perform the firmware upgrade

3. RAID Configurations
ISSUE: The SATA SSD Firmware Update Tool cannot execute a firmware
update when the SSDs are in a RAID configuration.
WORKAROUND:
Go into the BIOS and disable RAID mode, using "Legacy" or
"Compatibility" mode for the firmware update. If the system
is using IMSM, it is important that you do not disable RAID
within IMSM or other software configuration utility.
After configuring BIOS to "Legacy" or "Compatibility" mode,
reboot the system following the update instructions below.
Once all RAID drives have been updated and verified, enable
RAID in BIOS reboot to complete the process.

4. MSI K9A2 Motherboard
ISSUE: The SATA SSD Firmware Update Tool cannot detect SSDs on ports
3,4,5 & 6
. Only ports 1 & 2 are visible to the tool.
WORKAROUND:
Move your SSD to port 1 or 2 before running the update process


************************************************** **********
* 3. INSTRUCTIONS ON UPDATING THE FIRMWARE
************************************************** **********

1. Load the .ISO image onto a blank CD-R using a CD-ROM Burning
software of your choice. (See Intel SATA SSD Firmware
Update Guide)
2. Ensure the Intel SSD is attached to a SATA port in the system.
For best results, ensure the SATA port is a native control
port of your south bridge controller (generally
SATA ports 0 through 4). SATA ports attached to a 3rd party
SATA controller bridge chip or add-in SATA controller
expansion cards are not recommended for use when updating
the firmware. For more details, consult your system technical
documentation.
3. Insert the Intel SATA SSD Firmware Update CD into the system.
4. Ensure the CD-ROM drive is enabled as a bootable device in BIOS,
and the CD-ROM boot priority is ahead of the drive containing
the OS boot partition. For more details, consult your
system's technical documentation.
5. Complete a safe system shutdown and power off completely, count 10
seconds, then reboot the system. A restart or warm reset
(CTRL-ALT-DEL) is not adequate.
6. Power on your system and the update process begins.
- The tool will prompt you through the update process
for all the SSDs that qualify for the firmware update
in your system
- To verify that the firmware update is complete, power down per step 5
above with the CD still installed and let the
firmware update software scan for SSDs in your system
again. The scan should now display your SSD and the
firmware should now show the new firmware number for your
specific SSD.
- Once the firmware has been verified, remove the CD-ROM and
power down the system again per step 5.

If you have questions about any of these steps, please contact
Intel Customer Support for further assistance at the following
website: http://www.intel.com/go/ssdsupport/

************************************************** **********
* 4. INTEL SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT (OEM / IHV / ISV
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[dcl]

Ahh got it. It doesn't necessarily state to put it in IDE mode though.

This tool will only function correctly with the BIOS SATA ports
configured to "Legacy" / "Compatibility" mode, or "AHCI" mode.

[chuckbam]

Ahh got it. It doesn't necessarily state to put it in IDE mode though.

It is the same thing. I depends on what your bios calls it. They are using a generic term. Most modern bios call it IDE mode because that is what it emulates.

[SteveRo]

How do I know if trim is enabled?
Below from left to right 2xacardR0, x25m-g2, mtron mobi all on evga 680i, w7.
Does the nvidia controller pass the trim command?

[Ao1]

^ There is no way of telling if trim is working (unless you benchmark to see if the drives performance has degraded).

Trim will be working automatically however if you are using the ACHI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller driver that came with Win 7.

Win 7 optimisations that were supposed to have occurred automatically do not happen (Defrag etc). I don’t know if that is a Win 7 or Intel issue.

If you are not using the ACHI 1.0 Serial ATA Controller driver, i.e. you are using Intel or Nvidia chips in ACHI mode trim will only work via the toolbox. (Which has been pulled because it deleted system restore points. No eta on a new version as of yet).

[dcl]

What exactly is the benefit of the Intel Matrix Storage Driver?

Are we giving up performance on our other drives by not using it in favour of the MS one for TRIM?

[Ao1]

^ I’ve ran benchmarks with the native AHCI drivers, Intel Matrix Storage Drivers and Intel Rapid Storage Technology drivers and they all have around the same performance. The Rapid Storage drivers are currently beta, but they edged out in front on performance, but nothing of any significance.
It doesn’t really matter which drivers you are using if you use the Intel Toolbox to run trim once a day. You can do it manually, which takes a couple of seconds or you can schedule it to occur at a set time.

[Stems]

After updating my 160GB G2 to the 02HD firmware (thanks for the help; see post(s) above) I got a pretty nice performance boost!

[JohnZS]

I found this on the Intel Forum.
Anyone else who has a Gen1 Drive and feels slightly miffed about us being left behind on Firmware Updates. Click here and sign the Petition
John

[icywater]

i updated bought of my G2, raid0

[CedricFP]

Writes looking a little low there, buddy (except for 4k).

[Stems]

Yeah, the Seq and 512K writes should be in the 200's at least.