OCZ SSD firmware update for Macs? Forget it!

[50548]

I spent most of my afternoon today trying, JUST trying, to update the firmware in the expensive OCZ Vertex 3 SSD that is installed in my iMac.

In fact, I have been patient enough to delve into dozens of different and confusing instructions posted by OCZ, a company which never fails to boast its "expertise" and "leadership" in selling its SSD drives to stupid customers like me. I also had to read gazillions of other third-party pages which state that their solutions DO work under Lion, to no avail.

Macs have been using Apple and third-party SSDs for like four years or more now; however, companies like OCZ are mentally, technically and commercially INCAPABLE of releasing a single stupid little piece of software that would allow us to update the firmware in our SSDs.

No, we are supposed to use Windows or Linux for that, and EVEN that doesn't work. I've installed Ubuntu in a USB stick, I've installed Windows 8 under Parallels, and NONE of the so-called "toolboxes" work for various reasons:

- Because they must be in a different disk than the boot disk;

- Because the idiotically confusing instructions posted on http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/f...-for-OCZ-SSD-s&p=714722&viewfull=1#post714722 fail to tell you that the USB Linux boot instructions DO NOT WORK no matter what you do;

- Because when you try to copy the Linux SSD boot solution into a USB disk or CD/DVD, all you get a command-line "grub" prompt with no SSD updater ever loaded;

- Because stupid customers with older firmwares are NOT supposed to use the latest toolbox - they need to download a different ISO file which, even when all instructions are followed, does NOT boot as Linux (regardless of media type, be it USB disk or CD/DVD);

- What about the Windows toolbox? Well, Parallels won't help you because you need to boot Windows from a SEPARATE disk, and THEN run the toolbox just to discover that it doesn't find your own OCZ SSD.

In conclusion, this rant should serve as a wake-up call to the lazy and/or incompetent staff at OCZ, who are unable to come up with a SIMPLE solution for the thousands of Mac customers out there, even after so many years of complaints and negative feedback.

You don't have in-house Mac programmers? Hire an effing consultant to do that 7-day job!

In an ideal world you would all be answering to a judge right now for misleading advertisement, empty promises and fraudulent behavior...absolutely pathetic.

 

[northernbaldy]

I gave up entirely on my OCZ drive

 

[iMarvin]

I was actually going to buy OCZ vertex 4, but thats not going to happen now. Second choice is Samsung 830.

 

[hartwig]

Return it and buy the Samsung 830

Just installed mine yesterday and the whole process was a breeze!

Samsung even provides a helpful installation video

 

[50548]

Successful Firmware Update - PLEASE READ

So following a number of exchanges with OCZ, you may wish to read below:

I have finally been able to update the Vertex 3 firmware successfully to version 2.22. I had no specific reason to do it apart from what OCZ itself says: to keep your drive up-to-date and performing at its peak.

Here are the suggestions provided to OCZ:

- Create a Mac-specific instruction page without mixing it with Windows or Linux instructions - this page would contain the following:

1) Clear download links for BOTH old firmware owners and new ones (versions 3.16 and 3.20.4, respectively);

1bis) PLEASE provide, on the same page, a link to the consolidated release notes for firmware updates and their benefits (I haven't been able to find one for the Vertex 3);

2) How to create a CD/DVD from an ISO image - you simply download the image from OCZ, unzip it, drag it to the left pane of Disk Utility and click "Burn" (with the recordable media already inserted, of course);

3) After that, you simply reboot the Mac with "C" pressed down to allow for a CD/DVD boot (which will then boot into the Linux system and updater utility); I had no need to go into text mode;

4) Using your mouse, go to the Linux "dock" and choose the Mac Updater option - it will probably tell you that AHCI is necessary, so you should choose "YES" to that option - after this, just proceed to the update, which takes a few seconds;

5) After that, you may also wish to use the temperature fix option (which I did) to report a less insane temperature under iStat Pro and similar widgets;

6) Then just choose "Exit" and all is fine.

This sounds WAY easier than whatever else currently posted; so I have suggested they re-design the Mac support page to reflect the clear steps above.

IMPORTANT: There is NO need to create a USB disk or CD/DVD from Windows utilities, and NO need to use emulation/virtualization/boot camp at all. It's all on the Mac, with the exception of the Linux boot disk itself.

 

[daneoni]

I hated the tedious process which is why i promptly returned my Vertex 3 at the time.

 

[omvs]

Did you have a compelling reason to upgrade the firmware, or just doing it to be safe? I generally wouldn't suggest novices to do it just in case of screwups...

Personally, I thought the OCZ toolbox (boot CD) was one of the better firmware updates I've done - I just downloaded, burn, booted, and did what seemed obvious and both the Vertex2 & Agility updated without problems.

Frankly, I'm always shocked when manufacturers give a way that doesn't involve booting Windows (or even DOS) - doesn't seem like it happens. Had to use windows to update the firmware of my Seagate Momentus XT, which was a PITA.

And to be fair, they have a point - outside of the macbook's and mac pro's, the drives aren't 'user' replaceable - you really think there's enough demand to hire an engineer to write an OSX version of the firmware updater, which requires much more hardware knowledge than general app programming?

 

[50548]

Did you have a compelling reason to upgrade the firmware, or just doing it to be safe? I generally wouldn't suggest novices to do it just in case of screwups...

Personally, I thought the OCZ toolbox (boot CD) was one of the better firmware updates I've done - I just downloaded, burn, booted, and did what seemed obvious and both the Vertex2 & Agility updated without problems.

Frankly, I'm always shocked when manufacturers give a way that doesn't involve booting Windows (or even DOS) - doesn't seem like it happens. Had to use windows to update the firmware of my Seagate Momentus XT, which was a PITA.

And to be fair, they have a point - outside of the macbook's and mac pro's, the drives aren't 'user' replaceable - you really think there's enough demand to hire an engineer to write an OSX version of the firmware updater, which requires much more hardware knowledge than general app programming?

They did it for Linux and Windows, right? What blocks them from hiring a few days of consultancy to come up with such a small piece of software?

Besides, my last message above shows that another big problem is the confusing set of instructions, as well as the fact that there is NO dedicated page for Mac users. I am sure thousands of customers are reason enough to do that.

 

[omvs]

I hear your frustration, but I still think expecting Mac firmware upgrade is a fantasy. Just for the crap of it, I looked up a few other popular ones

Samsung 830 SSD Firmware - ONLY windows utility. No boot disk at all, so linux/OSX people have to get a win install going.

Crucial M4 Firmware- windows, and a boot disk (same as OCZ)


I won't argue that the instructions are possibly confusing, since I haven't read them. But I'd think anyone able to disassemble an iMac (not something I consider trivial) could easily do the OCZ firmware update without any problems.

I don't want to sound like an *ss, but maybe you should give it another try later when you're less frustrated....

 

[Spacedust]

A-Data S599 firmware is a nightmare. Updater works only on Windows, partition must be formatted in NTFS, OS must be running from different drive, supports only Intel SATA chipsets working in AHCI mode. It doesn't work on a Mac Pro 2008 :/

If you need an update you will have to build cheap PC and then flash it. Also no support at all. They do not reply for my e-mails.

 

[50548]

I hear your frustration, but I still think expecting Mac firmware upgrade is a fantasy. Just for the crap of it, I looked up a few other popular ones

Samsung 830 SSD Firmware - ONLY windows utility. No boot disk at all, so linux/OSX people have to get a win install going.

Crucial M4 Firmware- windows, and a boot disk (same as OCZ)


I won't argue that the instructions are possibly confusing, since I haven't read them. But I'd think anyone able to disassemble an iMac (not something I consider trivial) could easily do the OCZ firmware update without any problems.

I don't want to sound like an *ss, but maybe you should give it another try later when you're less frustrated....

I did it and it's working...see my revised post above.

 

[cjfbio2]

All in one ocz vertex 3 temperature / firmware / sata update apple mac os x lion

*** check it out.. it updates the firmware also - but i haven't done it yet will back up first - but i was in there and it was working ***
My mini mouse was going ape***** - no scroll and jumping.. reset pram and smc - lion then recognized a glitch with the ssd (ocz) vertex 3 - that the temp was stated to be 128 (the memory size) - basically caused the fan to run at 5000 rpm.. (too fast) - found this thread:

http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?103483-MAC-ONLY-Firmware-update

clicked the temp fix only - will update after i get all of my data backed up.. holy 555555hhhiiiiitttttt... first though i broke the fan.. then that apple didn't like my ocz - was in the desert - thought i had to do a clean install.. it's an easy fix - (CLICK PARTITION TAB FIRST THEN RESTORE - WHEN SETTING UP USB and ALWAYS SHUT DOWN FULLY - LIKE THE GUY SAYS.. )

 

[MRrainer]

Macs have been using Apple and third-party SSDs for like four years or more now; however, companies like OCZ are mentally, technically and commercially INCAPABLE of releasing a single stupid little piece of software that would allow us to update the firmware in our SSDs.

AFAIK, most of the world drivers and firmware are nowadays written in some "emerging market".
Knowledge of how to handle this stuff on the Mac might not exists there.
In addition, almost all drivers and firmware are developed, written on and written for Windows, with Linux being an afterthought mostly.
Frankly, I sure hope that there will be an Apple "DriverStore" in the near future, where 3rd-party drivers for Macs are being vetted by Apple before released to the world and we are at least spared the greatest stupidities...

I've thought about getting a MacMini and fitting it with an SSD, and the firmware-update nightmare has played a role in those thoughts.