Sandisk 480GB and the old firmware update

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David Chapman

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Sandisk 480GB and the old firmware update

PostWed Feb 27, 2013 1:26 am

If 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.
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David Chapman
Just another creative dude with a camera.
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Darryl Gregory

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Re: Sandisk 480GB and the old firmware update

PostWed Feb 27, 2013 1:33 am

Nice Dave thanks,
But does the Auto Trim only work if the drives is used internally as a HD?

I'm confused :roll:
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Christian Schmeer

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Re: Sandisk 480GB and the old firmware update

PostWed Feb 27, 2013 1:48 am

So you've updated it to the newest firmware and can confirm that it still fully works with the BMCC? Just wondering considering what happened to the Samsung SSDs that stopped working properly in the BMCC after Samsung issued a Firmware update.
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David Chapman

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Re: Sandisk 480GB and the old firmware update

PostMon Mar 04, 2013 10:11 am

I've been shooting the past week on the newest Sandisk firmware without issue. Also, after I have transferred the footage from the SSD, I am using Disk Utility to erase the drive (Mac OS Journaled).

From what I can tell, the trim or garbage collecting is doing its thing without any technical involvement from me—which is exactly what I want.
David Chapman
Just another creative dude with a camera.

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