Sandisk 480GB and the old firmware update
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:26 amIf you have a Sandisk Extreme SSD and have a Mac, this might be very helpful.
The Sandisk Extreme 480GB handles automatic trash cycling internally (trim tasks) and you shouldn't have to worry about any speed issues. There have been a few posts about trim recently.
The SanDisk firmware update is Windows only, but they offer a very very very manual update procedure. If you have a new Mac or unibody, you are in for an adventure. Here's the manual upgrade link:
http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10476/kw/extreme%20manual
The latest firmware version is R211. You can check this in System Information (inside Utilities) by selecting the SanDisk drive in the Serial-ATA tab.
This procedure requires:
1. A DVD drive to burn the .iso file (maybe a thumb drive would work too)
2. A SATA connection on a motherboard
This is where an old Mac tower will come in handy with 4 easily accessible drive bays. Apparently, you can't do the update to the drive while connected to an adapter (like the Seagate thunderbolt hack). Also, the bays on a Mac Pro are made for 3.5" drives, so this 2.5" won't really fit. Unless, of course, you hold it in place with one hand while navigating install options with another. That's what I had to do without a 2.5" kit.
All this work, and my firmware is current. You are definitely in for a treat when you see the firmware update graphics. Hello, 1984.
Hope this helps someone else.
The Sandisk Extreme 480GB handles automatic trash cycling internally (trim tasks) and you shouldn't have to worry about any speed issues. There have been a few posts about trim recently.
The SanDisk firmware update is Windows only, but they offer a very very very manual update procedure. If you have a new Mac or unibody, you are in for an adventure. Here's the manual upgrade link:
http://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10476/kw/extreme%20manual
The latest firmware version is R211. You can check this in System Information (inside Utilities) by selecting the SanDisk drive in the Serial-ATA tab.
This procedure requires:
1. A DVD drive to burn the .iso file (maybe a thumb drive would work too)
2. A SATA connection on a motherboard
This is where an old Mac tower will come in handy with 4 easily accessible drive bays. Apparently, you can't do the update to the drive while connected to an adapter (like the Seagate thunderbolt hack). Also, the bays on a Mac Pro are made for 3.5" drives, so this 2.5" won't really fit. Unless, of course, you hold it in place with one hand while navigating install options with another. That's what I had to do without a 2.5" kit.
All this work, and my firmware is current. You are definitely in for a treat when you see the firmware update graphics. Hello, 1984.
Hope this helps someone else.
