W520 and SSD upgrade issues

[Saint_]

So after searching around on the forum, I've only found a few dead threads about this issue (namely this one: http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-ThinkPad-Laptops/Restart-Quirky-with-W520-and-Intel-510-SSD/td-... I just bought a 120gb SSD (sandisk extreme) and installed it into my W520 two days ago. Now I'm facing a new set of issues when booting, the machine will hang for about 40 or so seconds when booting into Windows.

After turning off the quickboot and watching the boot diagnostics, I see this message coming up: "ThinkVantage Active Protection sensor diagnostics start  /" and then I get the hang up and 40 second boot time (from POST to windows login screen). According to the aforementioned thread, it was some sort of BIOS setting that needed to be changed, however I haven't stumbled upon any answer yet.

Suffice to say, I'm a bit bummed to see my boot times severely decreased after buying a SSD. On the bright side, everything past this 40 second boot hang up is quick and responsive as a SSD should be.

[huberth]

Yeah, the 40-50 second warm-boot delay has not yet been fixed, even with the latest BIOS version 1.36 

I had no idea it was also an issue with the SanDisk Extreme SSD - I thought it was only the Intel 510 SSD.

The Lenovo BIOS team knows about it and is working on it, I have been told. 

@someotherguy: Do we have any update on this?

[Saint_]

Ah hah! Well, that is excellent news. If there's anyway I can aid the development process let me know, I am more than willing to lend a hand.

[megatr0n]

OCZ Vertex 3 works fine on my W520!

[huberth]

It is interesting to note that the Sandisk Extreme (announced Feb 2012) uses the SandForce controller

http://pcworldpc.blogspot.com/2012/02/sandisk-interview-ssd-extreme-explained.html

whereas the Intel 510 uses the Marvell controller.

Therefore the 40 sec delay does not have anything to do with the SSD controller being used.

[ZipZap]

Hi, guys,

    Crucial M4 256GB under $300

    I see the Crucial M4 256GB is selling at about $300 from a number of sources. Who has had good experiences vs. not so good with this SSD? What about the Samsung 830 in the same size?

    Yeah, I am struggling to hold out for the Samsung mSATA 256GB, but might have to jump on the bandwagon.

                                                     ZZ

[ExJamJus]

By any chance there are any firmware update for the SanDisk SSD? I was using OCZ Agility 3 and it was working fine on the W520.

[Saint_]

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ExJamJus wrote:
By any chance there are any firmware update for the SanDisk SSD? I was using OCZ Agility 3 and it was working fine on the W520.

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As far as I know, there is not a firmware update for this SSD. I've checked all over their website and to no avail.

[someotherguy]

BIOS team found the problem with Intel 510 SSD and the 40-second warm-boot delay, and has committed to fixing it, although I don't have a release date yet.  This type of fix has to go through a more detailed test and certification cycle and it takes time.  Sorry I don't know more right now, but I'll keep you guys updated whenever I get more info.

[Saint_]

If I may be so bold as to ask, will the SanDisk Extreme SSDs be included in this fix as well?