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The Samsung 830 SSD thread

Acejam2k said:
How did you perform the update? Can you list the exact steps? I am assuming you ran the Samsung Magician Suite directly in a Bootcamp partition of Windows, and ran the "Windows Solution" to update the drive while booted into Windows?

On another note, it seems that a few users have reported BSOD's and their SSD's disappearing on a couple of other forums. In reaction, it looks like Samsung has taken the firmware down off their site, as it is no longer listed.
Click to expand...

I downloaded it and unzipped it. I then browsed to it it magician suite. I then hit start and it took about 20 seconds to perform the update. It then shutdown and I waited about 30 seconds to power my MBP back on and held down option to boot back into windows. I could tell it took the firmware update right away once windows started, as I got the ballon at the bottom right stating "found new hardware Samsung 830." I confirmed this by looking at the firmware version in magician suite.

My windows tower, however, did not go as smooth as this. I was a little nervous even to try on my MBP. I did the update on that one and it was in a constant reboot mode. I was able to restore to earlier time to get it to fix reboot and now it works fine.

I don't know if it matters but I have 256 GB in my MPB and 128 GB in my windows desktop
 
Last edited:
Wow, this thread is growing fast! :D

I just ordered a 256GB Samsung 830 at B&H, they have them in stock this evening for $370. Will report back as soon as I get it bolted in next Tuesday. :p :cool:
 
FWIW My Corsair 16GB pair uses Elpida chips rebranded as Corsair chips.. Part #'s = Elpida. My early 2011 15" MBP suns rock solid.

sfoalex said:
I have 16 GBs of OWC Memory. It's not Samsung memory. It's from a company called, Elpida. The modules are here. The part number is: EBJ81UG8BAS0-DJF, which is 8GB 2Rx8 PC3-10600S-9-10-F3.
Click to expand...
 
I tried using Boot Camp to create a Windows partition today. The Windows installation froze at the partitioning screen, so I held down the power button and turned off the machine. Now when I boot up my MBP, it can't find the drive. I booted into Internet recovery and used Disk Utility, and it can see the Samsung drive, but the capacity is only 1GB.

I took the drive out and hooked it up via SATA to my HTPC. Windows 7 also recognizes it as a "Samsung SATA Drive" and the reported capacity is only 1GB as well. I went into Disk Management and found the drive was not initialzed. I tried initializing it, but it fails with an I/O error every time. I even tried connecting it using the USB adapter that it came with, but still no luck.

Looks like it's time for me to reach out to Samsung. I even tried a few of the tools on Hiren's BootCD - and the drive isn't even showing up. :(
 
Sounds like you have a controller issue. That sucks, but it happens. Get it RMA'd for a new one. :)
 
I've RMA'd the drive and it has been sent back to Samsung. The guy on the phone told me others have had the same issue recently, except their issue occurred when updating the firmware on their drives. I never updated the firmware on mine, but both cases have the exact same errors. (Windows reports device I/O error, reported capacity shows up as 1GB, etc)

They were nice enough to pay for shipping to and form Samsung in NJ, both ways via UPS Next Day Air. Sure enough, it wasn't delivered to Samsung today due to UPS and "Adverse Weather Conditions.". I guess UPS can't handle 1" of snow? :(

Regardless, it seems like a real pain that there is no Mac firmware updater available for the Samsung drive. I finally managed to burn the ISO to a CD and boot off it, but the installer won't function because it utilizes a DOS library which requires a BIOS. Mac's don't have a BIOS, they use an EFI framework, so Samsung's current ISO updater won't function on any Mac properly.

I need to pick up an 8/16GB RAM kit again soon, and I thought about picking up a Crucial kit. I'm seriously debating on picking up a Crucial M4 256GB SSD now too, since I'll be able to update the firmware on the Mac itself. Between this issue, and my previous Corsair 16GB faulty RAM issue, I've opened my MBP too many times.
 
I received my 256GB 830 a few days ago. I'm happy to report that in my Late 2008 Macbook5,1 the drive is negotiating a link speed of 3GB without any problem.

I also messed around with trying to update the firmware. Ran into the same problems as others. My Windows VM (Fusion) failed to update the drive though it was visible and accessible. I finally just pulled out a cheapo PC laptop I had lying around and swapped out the drive. Booted with the firmware update ISO burnt to CD and updated without any problem. Original firmware was CXM01B1Q. New firmware is CXM02B1Q. I found it interesting that the firmware file itself was actually dated 11/25/2011.

I ran some before and after Xbench tests and WOW!!.... Original drive is a 750GB WD Scorpio Black 7200RPM. Xbench scores were in the 60-70 range. With the SSD scores are in the 350-380 range... :D
 
Planning on getting a 128GB Samsung 830 for use in my 2011 MBP along with a 500GB HDD in the optical bay.

Am I correct in believing that I must reformat my current HDD, thus making it non bootable, then recopy all the files that were on there back onto there? The SSD will be Lion, apps, and photo libraries only.
 
FuNGi said:
Planning on getting a 128GB Samsung 830 for use in my 2011 MBP along with a 500GB HDD in the optical bay.

Am I correct in believing that I must reformat my current HDD, thus making it non bootable, then recopy all the files that were on there back onto there? The SSD will be Lion, apps, and photo libraries only.
Click to expand...

You don't have to make the HD non-bootable but doing so will maximize the capacity and it should be simpler too.
 
Battery life

Hi all,

i have an early 2011 MBP 15", high end version,
and am thinking about putting in an 128gb Samsung 830 SSD as main disk, instead of the 750gb hdd, and putting the hdd in the superdrive slot (and the superdrive external).

Does anybody know from their experience how my battery life will be affected by this?



Regards
 
I was able to update the firmware on my 830 256. Mine shows a firmware version of CXM03B1Q though (not CXM02B1Q). I guess there was yet another update.

I booted to my bootcamp HD (optibay) and was able to update the drive from there.
 
ubercool said:
Wow, this thread is growing fast! :D

I just ordered a 256GB Samsung 830 at B&H, they have them in stock this evening for $370. Will report back as soon as I get it bolted in next Tuesday. :p :cool:
Click to expand...

Wellllllll how'd it go? What process/configuration did you decide on. File management?

My set is on order - just thinking through the process now and eager to hear more :cool:.
 
Samsung has sent out a new 830 SSD to me for my RMA. It was delivered this morning, so I'm planning to install it tonight.

I'm going to update the firmware on it first in case it's not already up to date.
 
Shredder- said:
well, my previous macbook was deadsilent, and people who buy SSD claims to get really silent computers too. i just wanna check to see if we're on the same page when defining "silent". My question though, if my computer is making noise (no i don't know whats causing it, but every macbook does) will the SSD guarantee it to be dead silent? i guess my macbook now is by definition quiet, but i want it inaudible
Click to expand...

with an SSD, you won't hear any noise from the drive, but will still hear noise from the fans if they are running AT ALL. they always run, so you will always hear a little something. if you're using your computer heavily, the fans will kick up and get louder. the SSD only stops ONE of the few sources of noise.
 
gsilver said:
I was able to update the firmware on my 830 256. Mine shows a firmware version of CXM03B1Q though (not CXM02B1Q). I guess there was yet another update.

I booted to my bootcamp HD (optibay) and was able to update the drive from there.
Click to expand...

Looks like CXM03B1Q was just released today. According to the release notes it only makes changes to the update utilities and not the firmware itself. I'll still be updating my drive just to stay on the most current version.

Samsung SSD 830 Series Firmware Release Note

CXM03B1Q
Release Date: 2012-01-19
Release Note
-Improved compatibility and stability of Firmware Update Tool.
(Fixed update scheme from previously released CXM02B1Q firmware package)
-Features and functionalities are identical to previous CXM02B1Q firmware.
- Added optimized firmware update package for each update solution (Windows, USB, CD)
Windows update folder name: Win_CXM03B1Q
Bootable USB or CD/DVD folder name: USB_CD_CXM03B1Q
Precautions during Windows-based firmware update:
- Use Windows-optimized firmware update package (contained in folder Win_CXM03B1Q)
- For the firmware update scheme to take effect, the PC must be turned OFF and then rebooted (a cold reboot).
(Some computers may still receive power even when the system is powered OFF. For these machines, unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet).
- As with any update, it is highly recommended that you BACK UP your data before completing the update to avoid any unforeseen data loss.
- Before firmware update, it is highly recommended that all other applications and processes are closed/quit.
Precautions during DOS-based firmware update:
- Use Magician to create a bootable USB drive or CD containing the DOS-based firmware update tool. The DOS-optimized firmware update package must be used (contained in folder USB_CD_CXM03B1Q)
- Some graphics cards may have difficulty displaying certain characters within the update tool. case, enter "Y" three (3) consecutive times and the firmware update will proceed.
- Older motherboards may not support booting from USB.

CXM02B1Q
Release date: 2012-01-10
Release note
- Improved stability when waking up from hibernation mode
(Blue screen, Hang problem solved)
- Improved compatibility with some external hard disk enclosure vendors
(partition error problem solved)
- Solved compatibility problem with some laptop vendors
(partition error problem solved) - Improved reliability
(Increased SPOR related stability - Power loss management)

CXM01B1Q
Original, factory-installed firmware on first-run SSD 830 Series drives.
 
I installed the new 830 SSD that Samsung sent me tonight. I put it into my HTPC first to check and make sure it had the latest firmware, which it did. (when running the firmware update CD I made a few days ago)

Installed it back into my 15" MBP, along with my new 16GB Crucial RAM kit. Installed Lion via internet recovery and so far everything is running well.

And then I find out there's an even newer firmware....though it appears only the update tool itself has change - the firmware has the same functionality as before. Therefore, I see no reason to upgrade at this point.
 
Have finally taken the plunge and ordered the 256GB model! If I install a Bootcamp Windows 7 partition, will I be ok updating the firmware?
 
Aidoneus said:
Have finally taken the plunge and ordered the 256GB model! If I install a Bootcamp Windows 7 partition, will I be ok updating the firmware?
Click to expand...

I have had no issues updating the firmware through my Win7 Bootcamp partition.
 
updated with latest version of magician (3.1) with windows method in my bootcamp windows partition on the same drive. version shows as "Revision: CXM03B1Q" in regular mac system report, or of course on magician.

**SAMSUNG, IF YOU READ THIS, PLEASE WRITE A MAC VERSION OF MAGICIAN !!**

I find I rarely use bootcamp except for the magician maintenance options--garbage and firmware updates.
 
I just ordered a new 15 MBP and I'm thinking of ordering the Samsung 830 256gb drive to replace the factory slow drive (5400RPM). I have two Crucial M4's in my desktop and they have been great SSDs so far, but I thought I would try the Samsung in the MBP.

Since this is the Samsung thread, where did you buy your SSD and for what price? Anyone find any good deals recently?
 
rebelmac said:
I just ordered a new 15 MBP and I'm thinking of ordering the Samsung 830 256gb drive to replace the factory slow drive (5400RPM). I have two Crucial M4's in my desktop and they have been great SSDs so far, but I thought I would try the Samsung in the MBP.

Since this is the Samsung thread, where did you buy your SSD and for what price? Anyone find any good deals recently?
Click to expand...

I got my 128GB 830 from Fry's who pricematched to Newegg for $199.

Installed in my media server MacPro and recieved some random infinite beach balls, but the problem was alleviated by turning off sleep and put hard drive to sleep options in the energy saver.
 
Took an image of my machine this morning, and replaced the Seagate Momentus XT 500GB drive with the 830 512GB SSD, and pushed the image down to the drive. My gosh what a difference. Still playing around with it now, but I should have gone with an SSD from the beginning.
 
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