Torqx 128GB Firmware FAIL - error at ..\host_mass_production.c 957

[grunk]

I just purchased the PFZ128GS25SSDR (128GB Torqx SSD). Right away I attempted to upgrade the firmware but received the following errors:

Size of SDRAM is 64 MB
SATA/SDRAM test 100%
initialize flash
bank 00(A0) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 01(B0) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 02(C0) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 03(D0) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 04(A1) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 05(B1) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 06(C1) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 07(D1) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 08(A2) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 09(B2) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 10(C2) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 11(D2) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 12(A3) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 13(B3) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 14(C3) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank 15(D3) low: EC D7 D5 29 38 high: EC D7 D5 29 38 ERROR
bank_bmp = 0000
ERROR: bank configuration error (must be FFFF)
error at ..\host_mass_production.c 957


Anyone have any ideas on this? My gut instinct tells me the drive is probably bad. I wrote tech support 48 hours ago and have not yet received input so I figured i'd throw this out there.

Cheers

[earls]

Did you install the jumper?

[grunk]

I did place the jumper before installing the firmware. And just to test it I removed the jumper and verified that the firmware won't install without it.

I read in another post that errors may occur if you already have the latest firmware and attempt to upgrade it. So I figured I would try installing it in my macbook pro.

Taking advice from another thread, i attempted to initialize the drive as GPT in Vista so the Mac could see it. After playing for a few minutes with my Vista Home install I decided to just use gparted to format it as ext2. Note: I am not sure if i really needed to do this or not, it was just a precaution.

On the Mac, after playing with Disk Utility for a minute to format the drive (Osx Journaling), it recognized the drive and was ready to install. "Hooray!", I thought to my self.

However, 6 minutes into the install my machine froze. At this point I think that either my drive is bad, there is a bug in the latest firmware, or this drive is not mac compatible.

I hope to hear from tech support soon. I will keep you posted...

[VAPhishen]

I had the same issue, plus HD Tune didn’t list the correct firmware version 1571, listed it as 00-0f or something. I rma’ed with newegg per support. The replacement drive had them same issue. I rma’ed the replacement with Patriot and they are sending me a drive that has the latest firmware. Told me I can check the firmware version if I pause the screen in boot up. They said they after testing they had issues with some chipsets and were releasing a new firmware in a couple of days. My motherboard is Asus P6T Dex v2.

[grunk]

The motherboard I am using to flash my drive with is GigaByte GA-EP45-DS3R. I have no idea what the Macbook Pro motherboard/chipset is but I assume that it is supported since this drive is advertised as being Mac compatible.

In the mean time I guess we are all waiting for firmware. Maybe I will go visit some friends that have SATA in the meantime...

[grunk]

I tried installing Snow Leopard and Leopard several different ways. Every now and then i actually got it to install. The installs that did work would eventually fail. Usually the FAIL would occur during massive writes. It's almost as if I kept hitting bad patches on the disk and when i did get it working i was just getting lucky.

I still haven't heard from support and from your reply above I have a feeling i know what they will say. So, I am RMA'ing the drive to newegg in hopes that the next one just works right out of the box. At this point, it is pretty obvious that the drive is faulty.

[grunk]

I received a new drive from newegg today. The MBP recognized the drive right away. I installed Snow Leopard and have had no issues yet. I did not need to downgrade EFI firmware or anything. I am hoping that last drive was just a fluke.

BTW, I never did receive a reply from patriot support. On the other hand, the forums were there for me from day one. Thanks for all the help guys.

Cheers,

[wdbutrym]

I have a 13" MBP and had this happen to me twice. I have my second RMA for the Torqx 128gb drive out right now. I don't think I am going to install the 3rd drive until there is an update to the 1.6 and 1.7 EFI firmware. Please keep us posted on how the second drive works for you.

The first RMA I did was through Newegg, the second was via Patriot. I had absolutely no delays contacting Patriot though the support@patriotmem.com. I received a response to my question within 3 hours and an RMA within 8 hours.

I hope you have better luck than I did but I suspect you will be removing that drive again. Hopefully Apple can get there stuff together.

I too have the GA-EP45-DS3R motherboard that I used to flash the drive.

[chrisdglong]

I received a new drive from newegg today. The MBP recognized the drive right away. I installed Snow Leopard and have had no issues yet. I did not need to downgrade EFI firmware or anything. I am hoping that last drive was just a fluke.

BTW, I never did receive a reply from patriot support. On the other hand, the forums were there for me from day one. Thanks for all the help guys.

Cheers,

The one downside to patriot is their email / phone support... or lack thereof.

[Patriot_Ben]

You can always initiate RMA through me here as well.

While I am only watching the forums I know our in-house support guys are working hard dealing with support tickets.

I know that sometimes mails will go through spamboxes as well.

Whatever the case, give me a shout and I'll see what's going on with your return call or email inquiry.

[chrisdglong]

You can always initiate RMA through me here as well.

While I am only watching the forums I know our in-house support guys are working hard dealing with support tickets.

I know that sometimes mails will go through spamboxes as well.

Whatever the case, give me a shout and I'll see what's going on with your return call or email inquiry.

Nice. In the future if I have an issue I will shoot you a message. You seem to be much faster at responding then the phone support or email. Thanks a lot, you are a huge asset to patriot.

[gilstrac]

I picked this drive up yesterday. Had this exact same error when trying to update the firmware. Is the solution replace the drive?
Thanks

[grunk]

Yes. Replacement is the only thing that got my drive to work. However, when i received the new drive i never did run the firmware update since it already had the latest installed.

Off topic, I haven't had any real issues with the SSD in my mackbook pro since. The only problem that i have encountered is when i shut the lid to make the laptop sleep and open it up before it finishes saving the machine will hang. Other than that its been clear sailing :)

[gilstrac]

The system blue screen putting it in standby today. It didin't the last couple.

[gilstrac]

Just used HDTune...It shows 1571 firmware. Maybe that is the reason it errored.