Samsung 840 SSD: firmware update?

[malch]

Hi there,
I've had the Samsung 840 SSD (250GB) in my MBP (4.1) for a number of months now... Overall, very pleased with it.
Lately, and this may be completely unrelated, my MBP has—very occasionally—suddenly gone to sleep in an odd way while I've been using it, and I have to wake it up... I don't know why.
In case it's my SSD, I checked for any firmware updates and see that there is one for the 840 series. Indeed there is, and it addresses a problem with "Dirty Drives".
But it may just be for Windows computers.
Two questions:
1. how do I know if I've got an 840 SSD or an 840 Pro SSD?
2. do I need to install new firmware for this SSD? (I'm running 10.8.3 OS, in case this figures into things).
regards,
malch

 

[lordboogie]

If you have a 250 GB you have the Samsung 840.
The pro variants come in 128/256/512, the regular 840 is 120/250/500.

The firmware is still version 1.0, so you shouldnt need to update it. Check this page for more info.

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/MZ-7TD250BW

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Actually, check this page too they offer a Mac-usable firmware update tool for the 840 and 840 Pro. Scroll to the bottom of the page

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/samsungssd/downloads.html

 

[wonderspark]

1. System Information > Serial ATA will tell you if it's 840 PRO series, and the current firmware revision.

2. Samsung's website (bottom of this linked page) will show you the current firmware, and you can compare that with what yours is, shown in System Information.

 

[malch]

Thank you both very much... Very helpful.
I was able to check in Serial-ATA, and indeed I have the non-Pro model.
But where do I look to see what firmware is running for this drive?
regards,
malch

 

[wonderspark]

Right below the model number, you should see Revision. That's the number.

 

[malch]

Right below the model number, you should see Revision. That's the number.

Aha!!!
Revision is: DXT06B0Q

At the bottom of the page both of you directed me to, I don't see any firmware update for this particular SSD, so I guess I'm fine.

Thanks very much, once again,
malch

 

[johnnnw]

Aha!!!
Revision is: DXT06B0Q

At the bottom of the page both of you directed me to, I don't see any firmware update for this particular SSD, so I guess I'm fine.

Thanks very much, once again,
malch

There actually is one there. Look closer. Beside the 840 it says DXT07B0Q.

Yours is currently DXT0SIXB0Q (6)

 

[malch]

Ooh boy. I feel a bit dumb. I saw the 'DXT07B0Q', and didn't realize that was the new firmware (I don't know what I thought).
That's good news, because I just had another one of those weird moments when my whole screen goes black, and I have to hit, not just a key to wake my MBP, but the start button.
So... I will update the firmware for my SSD and hope for the best.
Thanks for chiming in John.
Regards,
malch

 

[malch]

me again.

I naively assumed I'd just have to double-click on a firmware installer, and it would update, but that's not the case. So I need a bit of advice.
The Read-Me file says I have to "Create a bootable CD/DVD containing the ISO image"
Does it have to be a CD or DVD, or can I simply add the ISO image file to a bootable fw drive I've got handy?
thanks,
malch


 

[malch]

The Read-Me file says I have to "Create a bootable CD/DVD containing the ISO image"
Does it have to be a CD or DVD, or can I simply add the ISO image file to a bootable fw drive I've got handy?

Am trying again to get advice re this, as I don't want to make a mistake with my precious SSD drive.
I found a thread from May 2011, in which a MBP user tried—and failed—to update his SSD firmware without an optical drive.

Is this because the linux kernal for the update tool only has drivers for an optical drive? If the update tool doesn't have firewire drivers, then I guess trying to update from an external firewire drive just can't be done.

My issue here is that I don't really trust the DVD drive in my MBP... I've managed to get it working, by cleaning it with a credit card covered by a thin, soft cloth (this actually worked), but I don't trust it to keep working.

Any advice would be appreciated...
thanks,
malch