Crucial’s M4 SSD is inherently faulty - AVOID

[truckerCLOCK]

I read that Crucial M4 SSD users are reporting that the drive is failing at around 5200 power on hours (POH). The failure causes the host system (running Windows) to blue screen. The BSOD shows error code 0x00000f4. From what I've been reading, this problem is not firmware dependent (updating the firmware does not provide recovery from this error, nor does having the latest firmware prevent the error from occuring), and it probably affects all M4 products since 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB users are reporting it.

The main source of the information above is from this thread on Crucial's web forum (started on 12/13/11 with 142 posts to date):...http://forums.crucial.com/t5/Solid-S...4GB/td-p/76392

 

[Mem]

This has nothing to do with data usage but actual hours powered on, if that's what you're talking about.



I love my 128GB M4, no one is disputing that it's easily one of the best.

However, now that the drive has been out for a while and people are getting 5200+ hours on them, there is a few reports of failures. I'm not going to go out and say it's widespread, but it could be. And that's what makes me a little worried, to be honest, even though I'm no where near that time use.

That being said, I have hopes that crucial will get to the bottom of it and is able to issue a firmware update that addresses the problem, if there is one.

I'm not worried, have mine setup as SSD cache drive so even if it dies I still get full use of my Samsung 1TB HD ,got to love Z68 cache features hehe.......I know Crucial will send me a new SSD replacement fast as well if it ever happens.

I normally get my bad luck with PSUs,hope my new Corsair 850w PSU lasts 5 years .


Last point look how many OCZ SSDs have failed,far more then Crucial.

 

[ikachu]

Looks like Crucial has found the issue...

We are aware of an issue that is currently affecting a small number of users whereby their m4 causes their system to require a restart. This issue occurs after approximately 5,000 hours of actual “on time” use. Following the initial reboot, the system then requires subsequent restarts after each additional hour of use. However, the data on the SSD is unaffected and will not be lost due to this condition.

Through our investigation, we have determined the root cause of the problem and will be releasing a firmware update that rectifies the situation. We are currently running through our validation and compatibility process. Once this process is complete, the firmware will be made available to our customers. Although we understand the desire of some people to start using unreleased firmware now, we want to ensure that our solution works across multiple chipsets, systems, and operating systems before publishing the release code. We are currently targeting the week of January 16th, 2012 to publicly release the new firmware update.

We understand the impact that this is having on some users right now and apologize for this inconvenience. We appreciate your continued support, feedback, and patience as we finalize code and resolve this issue.
Dude, Crucial Employee, US

http://forum.crucial.com/t5/Solid-State-Drives-SSD/0x00000f4-error-on-M4-64GB/td-p/76392/page/15

 

[Lotheron]

Well that was quick. I'm glad its fixed via firmware.

 

[bobmitch]

Interesting. New user, just registered to make the first post that actually agrees with the OP. And like the OP, he provides zero evidence to back up his outrageous claims. Coincidence? Probably.

Is it possible that there is an issue with the m4 at 5200 hours? Sure, but it's also possible that the Mayans were right in believing that a strange planet will sneak up on us in 2012 and kill us all. I think that I'm going to take an "innocent until proven guilty" attitude with the m4 unless/until we start seeing some solid corroborative evidence.

Understand that I posted this because, first of all, I have a lot of respect for Anand and thought that my findings (through another board) would be helpful. I am glad that the issue is finally going to see a resolution. As you can see, I was not making it up.

 

[ikachu]

An update from Crucial

Once you hit the ~5000 hours of on time, the issue will happen regardless of how you use the drive.
Dude, Crucial Employee, US

 

[isekii]

I <3 M4 128gb So quick.

 

[Grooveriding]

Finally got around to installing mine the other day. Had to put it off because my Vertex started failing and getting corrupted so wanted a full re-install rather than using a backup.

Mine came with FW 0009, assuming this new release will be 0010 ? So far the drive is great, no issues. I can't tell the difference between this and an original Vertex 120GB though fwiw, except if I run a disk benchmark. :sneaky:

 

[sequoia464]

Someone mentioned that Corsair was checking into this as well - just curious if this affects all drives with Marvell controllers, or if this is specific to Crucial's firmware.

Anyone know if the C300's have been affected by this?

 

[bryanW1995]

Intel 510 series also has a marvell controller, but I haven't heard about this happening on those drives.

BTW, clearly this was a serious issue. And while I still think that the OP could have expressed his thoughts/opinions better, it is good to see that crucial is taking it seriously and has a fix in the works. Now we get to see if they have OCZ-like engineers (6+ months to finally update firmware to fix vertex 3) or intel-like engineers (2 days to fix 320 series).

 

[Coup27]

Now we get to see if they have OCZ-like engineers (6+ months to finally update firmware to fix vertex 3) or intel-like engineers (2 days to fix 320 series).

The SSD industry can only handle one OCZ.

 

[kbp]

The SSD industry can only handle one OCZ.

Took OCZ 5000 hours of user use before they had a fix!
I finally gave up and bought 2 Intel 320's. The next week they released firmware 2.15.

 

[bryanW1995]

Man, I really hope that ssd's continue to drop in price. I'd really like to get 2 x 256gb drives in Raid 0 on BF this coming year, but I just don't see paying $800 for that setup.

 

[Coup27]

Took OCZ 5000 hours of user use before they had a fix!
I finally gave up and bought 2 Intel 320's. The next week they released firmware 2.15.

Don't be too worried, that wasn't the end of it. I keep an eye on their forums and there were still plenty of users having big problems long after 2.15.

 

[groberts101]

What?.. a Sandforce drive that doesn't agree with 100&#37; of all systems and configs in existence?

Who would have thunk it after such a stellar success rate with all the Sandforce first gens manufactured out there? lol

 

[bryanW1995]

I wonder how long it will take intel to get validation/testing done on the 520 series? 3 months? 6?

 

[Soulkeeper]

The more of these kind of threads we get ...
the closer to $1/GB the M4 becomes

I like

 

[Lotheron]

Intel 510 series also has a marvell controller, but I haven't heard about this happening on those drives.

BTW, clearly this was a serious issue. And while I still think that the OP could have expressed his thoughts/opinions better, it is good to see that crucial is taking it seriously and has a fix in the works. Now we get to see if they have OCZ-like engineers (6+ months to finally update firmware to fix vertex 3) or intel-like engineers (2 days to fix 320 series).

Agreed. A discussion starting with a clear and logical post would have been much better than the emotional drivel that it started as.

Anyway, I will be awaiting the firmware and will upgrade as soon as it's released. I'm glad Crucial is being serious with said issue.

 

[Infraction Jack]

Good thing I read this topic so I could cancel my order in time.

 

[Coup27]

Why have you cancelled your order?

Apart from a bizarre issue after 6 months of 24/7 usage, the m4 has shown to be generally reliable.

What are you going for instead?

 

[Mem]

Good thing I read this topic so I could cancel my order in time.

Fix out next week,besides take you 6 months to a year before you have the issue.


Mine is still working great since November.

 

[Obsoleet]

I'm an Intel or Crucial M4 kinda guy... problem is I only own Intel SSDs (160GB G2, 80GB G2, 40GB G2) since roughly 2009, and have had ZERO problems.

I've been recommending Crucial to people who have asked due to their (to my knowledge) quality controller from a reputable company and native SATA6gb speeds. Until the native Intel 6Gb controller arrives it's what I'd buy for myself.

But now, I think sticking with Intel controllers, even with massive performance deficits is probably the way to go.

I will not buy OCZ or Sandforce products (I've owned most controllers on the market since 2008, and have come to INTEL SUPERIORITY through experience).

 

[Obsoleet]

Took OCZ 5000 hours of user use before they had a fix!
I finally gave up and bought 2 Intel 320's. The next week they released firmware 2.15.

OCZ is garbage in my book.
320s are essentially G2s, you bought a SSD from 2009, but IMO it's the best SSD controller released to this day.

 

[=Wendy=]

320s are essentially G2s, you bought a SSD from 2009, but IMO it's the best SSD controller released to this day.

They are certainly the slowest controllers among the modern ones. :biggrin:

 

[groberts101]

OCZ is garbage in my book.
320s are essentially G2s, you bought a SSD from 2009, but IMO it's the best SSD controller released to this day.

that may be. but I'll take my 6 drive V2 array or garbage SF-2281 drive over those Intel drives mentioned any day of the week and twice on Tuesday. Especially if they give me not one bit of issue.

They make me more money on a daily/mothly/yearly basis with the extra workflow they allow over the Intels. Benchmarks mean squat in usage and the clock tells the true story at the end of the day.

Minutes a day.. hours a week.. days a year of time saved for this OCZ fanboy. That's good enough for me and my bank account regardless of all the neighsayers non-believers who dispute it without any testing or real life experience to back it up.

My sister had a Ford.. it broke. My brother had a Ford.. it too broke. Even my cousin's family had Fords break down by the dozens. But my Ford runs fine with over 300,000 miles on the odometer. Plus.. it has over 400 horsepower and is faster than your top rated Honda.

I like my Ford.. and you like your Honda. Drive what you want.