OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX120G Question

[Jen]

Recently I downloaded SSDLIFE to see how my drive was doing and found out it states i have 7% health remaining. What I am wondering is this utility reporting health of this drive correctly? Firmware it has on it is 1.5 which is what it came with. And I just did a fresh install of windows 7 and it reports same again. Any suggestions ? Or do i start looking for another SSD ?


hugs

Jen

 

[groberts101]

Hi Jen. I have 9 of those drives and have been an active member of the OCZ forums for quite some time now and can honestly tell you that there is little to be concerned about with these types of utilities.

But what happens after the drive reaches 0% though, right? Well.. the counter will reset to 100% and life goes on just the same.

However, I will tell you that the newer firmware versions will actually have lower write amplification and can help the smart data to become more accurate. Not that it really matters since even with the later firmwares.. the conter will still reset to 100% when it hits 0% once more. I have even seen some members drives go to 3 times the actual PE/c ratings for these drives(upwards of 15k) and still maintain fresh speeds similar to new.

So, I would recommend going to the forums and updating the firmware to the latest. Backup your data just as a precaution, but since it's non-destructive you should be fine. Hope that helps reduce the concerns and lets you keep the drive alive that much longer. Good luck with it

 

[Jen]

Hi Jen. I have 9 of those drives and have been an active member of the OCZ forums for quite some time now and can honestly tell you that there is little to be concerned about with these types of utilities.

But what happens after the drive reaches 0% though, right? Well.. the counter will reset to 100% and life goes on just the same.

However, I will tell you that the newer firmware versions will actually have lower write amplification and can help the smart data to become more accurate. Not that it really matters since even with the later firmwares.. the conter will still reset to 100% when it hits 0% once more. I have even seen some members drives go to 3 times the actual PE/c ratings for these drives(upwards of 15k) and still maintain fresh speeds similar to new.

So, I would recommend going to the forums and updating the firmware to the latest. Backup your data just as a precaution, but since it's non-destructive you should be fine. Hope that helps reduce the concerns and lets you keep the drive alive that much longer. Good luck with it

tried to flash to firmware 1.6 and use identify utility however it doesnt see this drive on this board for some reason. likely i am missing something.

system is

ecs h67 h2 i (mini itx)

ssd set to ide mode

firmware 1.6 on cd (iso bootable)

failed to see drive , no selection possible

same with the identify utility couldnt see drive

tried both sata ii and sata iii ports

and different sata cables

 

[Jen]

small update

finally was able to flash firmware up to 1.7 on this drive , hopefully i dont have to go through this madness again anytime soon

health now reports 100% after this update , makes me wonder

hugs

Jen

 

[groberts101]

Hi again Jen. Sorry to hit and run like that without much more info. Didn't think you would have many issues but you seem to have found your way.

In response to your PM.. I would highly advise running the identity tool.. writing the exe file number down somewhere safe for later use. This is because these drives rarely actually die(contrary to popular belief).. but simply go into a panic locked state. This can be easily overcome by using the destructive flash which is available via special request at the OCZ forum(in the Indlinx section). All you would need is the exe identity number and the staff will send you the file needed to recover that drive.

This avoids 99% of needed RMA's for this particular drive and should be kept in mind down the road. I only wish many more SSD's would give this option. Especially the Sandforce controlled drives.. but unfortunately.. no jumpers to force the controller into engineering mode like the Indilinx.

Just a friendly FYI to help you down the road a bit further if needed. Good luck with it.

PS. yeah.. disregard smart data and just use it. With backups of course. lol

 

[Coup27]

Either I don't understand SMART data, or it just isn't accurate.

According to my Intel SSD toolbox, my X25-M G2 has had 34 unsafe shutdowns. I know this to be rubbish as it's only had one when I had a power failure. Haven't a clue where it's got the other 33 from.