2011 Macbook Pro 13 - many beachballs with 510 SSD

[mac jones]

15" 2.3 Ghz, 8gb ram, high res, anti glare, 750gb HD

First i took out 750 GB Harddrive out of machine, dident even start it up
I put in the new Intel SSD 510 250 gb into the laptop, startet the macbook with the CD they shipped with it. Made 1 big partition, installed osx 10.6.6, inst. bootcamp 50gb windows / 200gb osx
Installed Windows 7, no problem
updatet osx from 10.6.6.to 10.6.7


Been running stress test for the last 3-4 hours with no problems

This just further points to this issue being the cable, where his cable is one the batch that can handle the increased bandwidth. If this is the case, these cables are just spec'd wrong for the higher bandwidth. Some work, some don't.

But even the ones that work could be right on the edge and could fail at anytime. A bad situation if true.

Of course this is just speculation. I really don't have a clue 😀

 

[MacsMyName]

Intel 510 SSD on 7" MBP

All,

I have a 2011 17" MBP HiRes AntiGlare, 2.2 GHz, 8 Gig RAM. I installed the Intel 510 250 Gig SSD in my 17" MBP and have all the same problems as everyone else here.

I upgraded from an October 2010 17" 2.8 GHz, HiRes AntiGlare, 8 Gig RAM to my new 2011 MBP. After reading these posts, I swapped the cable from my 2010 model with my 2011 model and it definitely helped but it did NOT solve the problem completely. 😡 I am still having slowness and temporary freezing issues both on 10.6.6 and now on 10.6.7 (the software updates seem to have made no discernable difference).

With the cable swapped back to the 2010 cable I can at least get to the system profiler and see that I am getting a negotiated link speed of 6 Gig (SATA III), but I am still having freezing/slowness issues. When it does work it is very fast, but for whatever reason I am still experiencing beach balls at times with just an OS install and nothing else (except the before and after updates).

I have a Corsair F240 SSD that runs well with either cable but it is only SATA II. Please let me know if there is any other information I can give to help anyone else out. Thanks.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

15" 2.3 Ghz, 8gb ram, high res, anti glare, 750gb HD

First i took out 750 GB Harddrive out of machine, dident even start it up
I put in the new Intel SSD 510 250 gb into the laptop, startet the macbook with the CD they shipped with it. Made 1 big partition, installed osx 10.6.6, inst. bootcamp 50gb windows / 200gb osx
Installed Windows 7, no problem
checked if it was running 3 or 6 gbs, it was running 3 so i did a reset of PRAM SMC etc. a few times to be sure it was reset
After that it was running 6gbs
i then updatet osx from 10.6.6.to 10.6.7


Been running stress test for the last 3-4 hours with no problems

Thank you . I have the same system and trying to decide to get this Intel or wait it out.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Well any sources for this cable might just be worth buying regardless.

 

[bodaay]

All,

I have a 2011 17" MBP HiRes AntiGlare, 2.2 GHz, 8 Gig RAM. I installed the Intel 510 250 Gig SSD in my 17" MBP and have all the same problems as everyone else here.

I upgraded from an October 2010 17" 2.8 GHz, HiRes AntiGlare, 8 Gig RAM to my new 2011 MBP. After reading these posts, I swapped the cable from my 2010 model with my 2011 model and it definitely helped but it did NOT solve the problem completely. 😡 I am still having slowness and temporary freezing issues both on 10.6.6 and now on 10.6.7 (the software updates seem to have made no discernable difference).

With the cable swapped back to the 2010 cable I can at least get to the system profiler and see that I am getting a negotiated link speed of 6 Gig (SATA III), but I am still having freezing/slowness issues. When it does work it is very fast, but for whatever reason I am still experiencing beach balls at times with just an OS install and nothing else (except the before and after updates).

I have a Corsair F240 SSD that runs well with either cable but it is only SATA II. Please let me know if there is any other information I can give to help anyone else out. Thanks.

So changing the cable did the trick, but still having some issues?
I have both intel and c300, for me with the old cable my machine wouldn't even boot normally, it takes ages to boot. C300 was actually much worse with the old cable.

Once I've swapped the cable, it did work for both. But honestly I've not stressed test Intel , I did HD benchamrk for both, and when I saw the results for random read/write for C300 was better. I've just decided to continue using it regardless and I'm using it right now and everthing is really smooth and fast. I keep trying opening all apps on the dock and close them. I love the way they all bounce once now 🙂

I have not tried that with intel. But one thing, if changing the cable helped me with both, especially c300, it means the machine doesn't really have any problem running SATA III now, and if there is a problem with Intel in doing so, I don't know, maybe really some compatibility problems?

PRAM reset also helped out with boot times, from 1 minute to 25 seconds.

Best of luck to all of you guys

 

[SeniorGato1]

Has anyone contacted Intel tech support?

 

[Weaselboy]

Has anyone contacted Intel tech support?

There is a thread going on here at the Intel support forums, but I have not heard of anyone that called Intel over this. That si what I would be doing if I had problems with the drive.

 

[bodaay]

There is a thread going on here at the Intel support forums, but I have not heard of anyone that called Intel over this. That si what I would be doing if I had problems with the drive.

Actually I did, on day one
here is their response which I have not bothered to reply back to

Thank you for contacting Intel® Customer Support.

For initial support, Intel recommends that you contact your point of purchase, who is in the best position to carry out troubleshooting and honor the warranty.

Should your reseller be unable to provide support, we need some system information and description of the problem to identify the root cause and to provide an adequate solution.

In order to assist you with your enquiry, we would like to suggest some troubleshooting steps which could solve the issue. Please reply to this email answering the questions below and we will forward your enquiry to our technical team if further support required:

SA and Serial number (iSN) of SSD (where can I find these numbers)
How old is the system?
To which motherboard or laptop is the SSD connected?
Is the SSD being used as a raid member or in AHCI configuration?
Troubleshooting steps if you are encountering a problem with your SSD:

(please answer “YES” or “NO” in the field “A:”)

1) Is the SSD recognized in the BIOS and /or in the OS?
A:

If you answered “YES” to this question, go to step 2 otherwise go to step 5


2) The SSD is working but freezes from time to time or is losing performance?
A: (please describe)

If you answered “YES” to this question, go to step 3 otherwise go to step 7


3) We suggest updating the firmware of your SSD. Does the issue persist?
A:

If you found any errors during the firmware upgrade please, add the error message below.
Error message:

If you answered “YES” to this question, go to step 4 otherwise go to step 7

4) We suggest formatting the SSD using a 3rd party tool (e.g. HDAT2) or the DriveCleanser from the Intel Data Migration Software. You will need to install the operating system again if this is your boot drive! The data will be deleted irreversibly! Does the issue still persist?
A:

If you found any errors during the SSD formatting please, add the error message below.
Error message:

If you answered “YES” to this question, go to step 5 otherwise go to step 7

If the SSD could not be formatted, please provide the error message.

5) We always recommend testing the SSD connected to a second motherboard or laptop. Does the issue persist?
A:

If you answered “YES” to this question, go to step 6 otherwise go to step 7


6) Please reply to this email by answering the questions above and providing a copy of your original proof of purchase as attachment to the email or by faxing it to: 0044 (0)870 5673012. We will contact you back soon.


7) Your SSD should be working as expected. If the issue appears connected to one specific motherboard or laptop, please contact the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the motherboard or laptop for further assistance.

You are encountering a problem with Intel® Toolbox or Intel Data Migration Software:

If are experiencing an issue with the Intel Toolbox or Intel® Data Migration Software, please provide screenshots of the error (if possible).


* If we do not receive a reply from you within three working days we will assume that your issue is solved and close your Service Ticket. If you contact us after three working days we will simply re-open your Service Ticket.


If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

I thought I'll just get direct answer, but I think they are just following some sort of procedures (which is right somehow).

 

[DarwinOSX]

Bottom line is: Apple needs to fix this, like yesterday.

No. Its not Apple job to ensure compatibility with every SSD out there in every configuration possible. Its the SSD vendors job. Plenty of PC laptops and desktops have issues with various SSD's also.

 

[VTMac]

No. Its not Apple job to ensure compatibility with every SSD out there in every configuration possible. Its the SSD vendors job. Plenty of PC laptops and desktops have issues with various SSD's also.

No. It's Apple's job to support the SATA3 spec properly from a hardware, firmware, and driver perspective on their machines.

It's the SSD manufacturers job to support the SATA3 spec properly from a hardware, firmware and driver perspective on their SSDs.

Unless you know conclusively which is deviating from the spec, you can't say who's fault it is. We can infer things. For example if a given SSD only has issues in Macs, but works on a broad array of other hardware, then it is probable that Apple is at fault. If a given SSD is failing in the same manner across a broad array of hardware, then it is probably that the SSD is at fault.

That's the best any of us can do short of hooking up kernel debuggers ourselves.

 

[hehe299792458]

No. It's Apple's job to support the SATA3 spec properly from a hardware, firmware, and driver perspective on their machines.

I agree with you 100%, but to be fair, Apple hasn't indicated its support for SATA3 yet. It's something their hardware is capable of from a specs point of view, but they don't have to support it.

However, they'd be stupid if they didn't support it; and if they screw me on this (which is frankly even worse than the 25nm disaster with Vertex), I would probably just get a PC next time, considering how even WinTel has a better track record of customer support. Come on, Apple, FIX THIS ALREADY!!!

 

[bodaay]

Update:

Although everything running fine now. but now after one day of usage, I've noticed the sometimes I get a freeze for like 30 seconds with beach ball(it happened twice today). Everything freeze for about 30 seconds then it returns to work normally. I don't know, is the cable still not good enough, or is there a bug that really needs to get updated. (Btw, I'm using 10.6.7)

Kind of disappointed, but at least I can live with that until they fix it

 

[hehe299792458]

Update:

Although everything running fine now. but now after one day of usage, I've noticed the sometimes I get a freeze for like 30 seconds with beach ball(it happened twice today). Everything freeze for about 30 seconds then it returns to work normally. I don't know, is the cable still not good enough, or is there a bug that really needs to get updated. (Btw, I'm using 10.6.7)

Kind of disappointed, but at least I can live with that until they fix it

Too bad. I was hoping if all else fails, I could at least source a new cable and fix the whole thing. I'm curious though - has anyone actually gotten this thing to work without any problems for significant periods of time? I want to know if there are people so lucky as to be able to use their SATA III SSD without any sort of problems?

 

[bodaay]

Too bad. I was hoping if all else fails, I could at least source a new cable and fix the whole thing. I'm curious though - has anyone actually gotten this thing to work without any problems for significant periods of time? I want to know if there are people so lucky as to be able to use their SATA III SSD without any sort of problems?

Yeah I know
I've just tried runnning benchmark (10 cycles) to reproduce the problem, but it is working fine. This thing now happening randomly.

 

[sacraments]

PRAM reset also helped out with boot times, from 1 minute to 25 seconds.

Best of luck to all of you guys

Mine boots up in 18.6sec

 

[hehe299792458]

Yeah I know
I've just tried runnning benchmark (10 cycles) to reproduce the problem, but it is working fine. This thing now happening randomly.

Sorry to hear of your problems. Are you still using the C300 or Intel 510? Have you tried both by any chance? If so, they both exhibit random beachballs?

 

[Weaselboy]

I'm curious though - has anyone actually gotten this thing to work without any problems for significant periods of time? I want to know if there are people so lucky as to be able to use their SATA III SSD without any sort of problems?

I have been using a Intel 510 in a 2011 13" MBP for a couple weeks now with absolutely no problems.

 

[bodaay]

Sorry to hear of your problems. Are you still using the C300 or Intel 510? Have you tried both by any chance? If so, they both exhibit random beachballs?

C300, I've sold Intel 510 to my friend.

I've been using my machine yesterday for almost 8 hours, it did freeze twice for about 30 seconds. As I've said, I can live with that 😛

 

[hehe299792458]

I have been using a Intel 510 in a 2011 13" MBP for a couple weeks now with absolutely no problems.

Nice! Could you post some benchmarks for your drive?

C300, I've sold Intel 510 to my friend.

I've been using my machine yesterday for almost 8 hours, it did freeze twice for about 30 seconds. As I've said, I can live with that 😛

Did you by any chance have a chance to try the Intel 510 before you sold it?

 

[Weaselboy]

Nice! Could you post some benchmarks for your drive?

Sure... some links.

Here

Here

Here

 

[00286247]

🙁

I wish MacRumors, or some other tech site would post something on this issue. I don't think we're gonna get any real answers until this issue becomes acknowledged by the internets.

 

[jobesucks]

From reading the posts, it seems to me Apple MAY have 2 different revisions of motherboards. This would explain why some people are having issues and others not. Just my guess

 

[hehe299792458]

From reading the posts, it seems to me Apple MAY have 2 different revisions of motherboards. This would explain why some people are having issues and others not. Just my guess

That may be the case. Or it's the cable. Or the controller. Or the Memory. Or a combination of those.... unfortunately, we can't say which right now. Whatever it is, Apple needs to fix it quick

 

[bodaay]

Nice! Could you post some benchmarks for your drive?



Did you by any chance have a chance to try the Intel 510 before you sold it?

Just ran benchmarks. 5 cycles
Then put back C300

 

[UNC81]

I'm not convinced this is a hardware issue. I have a stock 13" 2011 MBP, and put in the Intel 510 250GB SSD, and immediately had issues with a fresh OS X install. Doing several reinstalls, and trying some of the suggestions here (SMC reset, PRAM reset, etc) had no effect on it - I was getting constant freezes, beachballs, etc.

The reason I don't believe it's hardware is that I put a Bootcamp partition on it with Windows 7 Ultimate x64, and it's been running flawlessly for a couple of weeks now. The problem is ONLY in OS X.