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OWCs Finger in my backside

rantingrich

rantingrich

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 10, 2009
190
5
Southern Illinois
Many of you know I have had NOTHING but grief and wasted time and money taking my OWC SSD Drive out of the drive bay and onto a Sonnet TEMPO SSD PCI card, which of course I bought from OWC

Well after a week of hair pulling I finally got the Sonnet with the SSD Drive to be bootable. KAY fine. Looks like I picked a bad week to stop huffing paint...

"NOW KEEP IN MIND, THIS IS ALL AFTER NUMEROUS CHAT/SPOKESPERSONS GUARANTEED ME THIS WHOLE SET UP WAS 100% PLUG AND PLAY! EASY EASY EASY! NO GRIEF EVER."

*************

Sonnet was blaming OWC, OWC was blaming Sonnet. Democrats blaming Republicans, Republican blaming Democrats....

But after a week I got the rig to startup.... BUT......

There are some issues with this set up. SPEED being one.. Not what I would expect for $150. PLUG AND PLAY PCI card

So OWC says you need to update your firmware on the SSD Drive... And they assured me once again "NO PROBLEM, just get a USB Drive follow the directions you will be good" Where have I heard this before?

YOU CAN NOT!! REPEAT!!!!!!! CAN NOT!!!! make a bootable SSD Firmware Update USB drive following the OWC Video directions IT CAN NOT BE DONE!

I even found some videos on HOW to work around the ******** UP OWC Video. Which got me around two of the major ****** ups. BUT still the DRIVE is NOT BOOTABLE or seen in the start up drive preferences area. If one follows the direction your suppose to OPTION START and select the EFI Drive.. Really! REEEAAALLLY? Good luck there!

I use to be one of OWC biggest supporters, and excuse makers...

NO ONE MORE SECOND WILL I STICK UP for these F**KS.

Does ANYONE here have any idea HOW I can update my Mercury Extreme 6G SSD Drive?

I very Pizzed off OWC PAST Customer
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ssd

Baunkjaer said:
Any reason to not just return the Sonnet and go the Velocity Solo x2-way??
Click to expand...

Well that means I need a NEW SSD Drive as the one I got from OWC ONE CAN NOT UPDATE THE FIRMWARE as per OWC Detailed instructions.

I have the card RUNNING with the OWC SSD on it after a week of messing with it. BUT one can NOT update the firmware the SSD on the Card.

I plan to **** can the whole night mare mess when I can afford a SAMSUNG SSD and a Veocity rig then rage a complain to make sure NO one ever send WOC their hard earned money
 
Might want to calm the hell down, jesus christ. Your username shouldn't be a description of your inability to form coherent thoughts without rage.
 
If the hardware is new, why can't you just return it for a refund, then use that money to purchase more suitable gear?

Regarding the firmware upgrade. You probably (like most all ssds) need to put the ssd in a native drive bay for the firmware update. I had to update the firmware on my Samsung SSD and it required placing the drive in a drive bay and booting from my DVD drive to run the loader software. 10 seconds later I put it back in the Solo X2 card and was on my way. BTW the update had nothing to do with booting or compatibility. It was a garbage collection and wear leveling update.

Return the thing already...
 
Ssd

crjackson2134 said:
If the hardware is new, why can't you just return it for a refund, then use that money to purchase more suitable gear?

Regarding the firmware upgrade. You probably (like most all ssds) need to put the ssd in a native drive bay for the firmware update. I had to update the firmware on my Samsung SSD and it required placing the drive in a drive bay and booting from my DVD drive to run the loader software. 10 seconds later I put it back in the Solo X2 card and was on my way. BTW the update had nothing to do with booting or compatibility. It was a garbage collection and wear leveling update.

Return the thing already...
Click to expand...


Well the SSD drive is over 2 years old. ie in need of a firmware update.

The card is new I can return that..

Now the issue is I can't update the firmware because as instructed it is impossible.

YOU CAN NOT MAKE A BOOTABLE USB Drive as instructed. Yes I could put the SSD back in the drive bay but still Can't update the SSD firmware if I did.

Now mind you this is after the People at OWC assured me in no uncertain terms All this was as easy as a Illinois Government gets indicted. NO PROBLEMO! Easy as You plug and play.

Now if OWC had told me I would need a PHD in IT I would of gone with anything else other than their products, but was assured of simplicity of their grand products and support and when OWC and Sonnet started pointing the finger at one another I should of demanded RA number for the whole Shooting match

My misstake
 
rantingrich said:
YOU CAN NOT MAKE A BOOTABLE USB Drive as instructed.
Click to expand...
jesus, what's your problem? after reading your rant I realized I had the same ssd as you and also needed to do the update.
Followed the instructions at OWC, and now 15 minutes later my SSD is updated. Don't know what the hell you're so upset about, the instructions are fine.

Maybe let us know which part of the procedure is giving you problems and we could help. And don't shout.
 
rantingrich said:
Well the SSD drive is over 2 years old.
Click to expand...

Ahh.. I understand. If it's been running that long without the update, it must not be that critical to it's operation, so I wouldn't worry about it unless it addresses a specific problem that happens to plague you.

rantingrich said:
The card is new I can return that..

Now the issue is I can't update the firmware because as instructed it is impossible.
Click to expand...

I would return the card then as stated in the other threads you have.

rantingrich said:
CAN NOT MAKE A BOOTABLE USB Drive as instructed. Yes I could put the SSD back in the drive bay but still Can't update the SSD firmware if I did.

Now mind you this is after the People at OWC assured me in no uncertain terms All this was as easy as a Illinois Government gets indicted. NO PROBLEMO! Easy as You plug and play.

Now if OWC had told me I would need a PHD in IT I would of gone with anything else other than their products, but was assured of simplicity of their grand products and support and when OWC and Sonnet started pointing the finger at one another I should of demanded RA number for the whole Shooting match

My misstake
Click to expand...

Well, I don't have that brand card, but if I get a chance later, I'll have a look at their bootable USB instructions and see if I can find the problem. I can think of no reason that you're not able to make bootable media for the purpose of this update. I'll let you know what I find (when I get a chance).

I really think you just need to send back the Tempo card and replace it with something like the Solo x2 or the Duo x2. I don't believe that flashing the SSD will have any effect on your ability to use this drive.
 
crjackson2134 said:
If the hardware is new, why can't you just return it for a refund, then use that money to purchase more suitable gear?

Regarding the firmware upgrade. You probably (like most all ssds) need to put the ssd in a native drive bay for the firmware update. I had to update the firmware on my Samsung SSD and it required placing the drive in a drive bay and booting from my DVD drive to run the loader software. 10 seconds later I put it back in the Solo X2 card and was on my way. BTW the update had nothing to do with booting or compatibility. It was a garbage collection and wear leveling update.

Return the thing already...
Click to expand...

I had the same experience as Mr. Jackson. I posted this in July of last year:

flowrider said:
How to Update Samsung SSD Firmware With an Apricorn Velocity x2 Card:

You can't do it with the Solo x2 Card as the interface between the drive and the MOBO.

1. Go Here for Update instructions and Firmware Update:

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

Scroll to the bottom for the Mac files.

2. Attach the SSD drive to an SATA interface connected directly to the MOBO. If the card is mounted to the Solo x2, when you restart and you use the Samsung Firmware Update CD you created, it will not recognize the disk and will never start. I used the SATA cable for the second DVD drive.

3. Complete as per instructions on the PDF.

4. Remove the drive from the MOBO SATA interface and Replace on the Solo x2.

Note: The Samsung instructions say that when the firmware updates, it will destroy the information on the SSD, but I found this not be true. All the information was still intact and I'm using it now as the StartUpDisc.

Hope this helps someone. It took me four days to figure it out.

Lou
Click to expand...
 
I am surprise at so many bad issues with OWC.
I have purchase quite a few products over the years and never really encountered any issue that would make me angry at them.
Their products are more expensive, so I have been going a different route lately but I would still consider get things there.
I will upgrade my cMP memory there because they pay for used memory and I need to replace my old and small sticks from Apple. Even though they don't pay much for it but at least is something.
 
gugy said:
I am surprise at so many bad issues with OWC.
I have purchase quite a few products over the years and never really encountered any issue that would make me angry at them.
Their products are more expensive, so I have been going a different route lately but I would still consider get things there.
I will upgrade my cMP memory there because they pay for used memory and I need to replace my old and small sticks from Apple. Even though they don't pay much for it but at least is something.
Click to expand...

Since they don't pay much (almost nothing) it might be to your advantage to hang onto it for diagnostic purposes. When a system goes wacky, extra parts are a geeks best friend. ;)
 
crjackson2134 said:
Since they don't pay much (almost nothing) it might be to your advantage to hang onto it for diagnostic purposes. When a system goes wacky, extra parts are a geeks best friend. ;)
Click to expand...

Interesting, never though of that. Yeah, they would pay $30 for 4 sticks of 2gb.
 
Email to OWC

I have my/your Mercury Extreme mounted and running on the Sonnet card. Which took me about a week to become BOOTABLE.
(Even though your people and sonnet told me numerous times it is simple plug and play, but the firmware on the SSD may be this issue as Sonnet suggested)
Okay water under the bridge.

Speed tests on this setup are not much higher than when your 6G was in the drive bay
(even though your people said I should see a significant speed increase something along the lines as at least double)

One guy at OWC told me I should update the firmware on the 6G
(again simple to do. Follow the direction on the Video for Firmware updates and wall)

I have tried for two days to make a USB Thumb Drive Bootable during OPTION START to update the firmware, as detailed in your online video. IT CAN'T BE DONE!

Oh one can make the DOS-FAT Drive but it will not startup or show up in the Start up disk preferences or my machine wont even start up with OPTION START with that disk inserted. Without the dick inserted no problem

I might also ad a few people have had the same issues following your video(s) and have run into many errors, such as I and THEY have even produced some work arounds germane to that video. I think you need to revaluate your firmware update video. I have followed these videos as well and still no bootable drive.

Now that I am in so deep I had to buy your $5 Thumb drive for some more loot. I wasn't going to spend four time the Cost of the drive to get it here next day air so shipped in via US mail.

Now when this (DISK) Product arrives, more than a week from now and it is NOT BOOTABLE!, I am going to make VOODOO dolls of you all…. Specially you CHAS! and when you feel a pinch in your backside, that will be me, shoving a Cork screw up Your VOODOO dolls arse…

I have been strongly reprimanded by many people in many forums and blogs for not only using OWC as a source but even more stringent objections have been made to the Manufacture such as Sonnet and Mercury Extreme SANDISK SSDs and such.

I got my cork sew all ready and gunna be making that VOODOO doll tonight!!!!
 
I literally have no idea what this thread is about or what the actual specific problem is about. Which is mostly due to the rage-ariffic fashion of the writing.
 
Life is too short. Buy a different SSD... Those OWC SandForce drives are not great with any compressed content (which means any type of photo, video or audio content) and the fact you got two years out of it already means it's probably living on borrowed time. Better yet, stop taking years off your life with this kind of upgrade stress (which doesn't appear to be your thing) and just get a nMP and be zen. :)
 
Do you have ANY other computer in your life, particularly a Windows computer? Maybe one at work? Open it up, plug your SSD into the connections used by the internal hard drive, set the boot drive to the USB stick and go to town.

Then put everything back together and your extra computer works like nothing ever happened.

But I don't see how that would fix it's ability to boot. Unless they had some very weird version of the Sandforce controller (which is uncommon). Even my 3 or 4 year old OCZ SSD boots just fine in my Mac Pro. Its a Sandforce based drive.
 
goMac said:
I literally have no idea what this thread is about or what the actual specific problem is about. Which is mostly due to the rage-ariffic fashion of the writing.
Click to expand...

No doubt! I read thru the first paragraph or so then realized that even if I had a worth while comment it would probably be ignored by the OP because he clearly doesn't want help but rather just wants to b@&$? And moan...
 
Ah yes, the joy and ease of Mac hardware upgrades ... these kinds of stories are far more common than they are for Windows users.

For this reason I gave up on upgrading PCIe cards on Macs long ago. If it doesn't plug into a port I assume that the changes of it causing this kind of experience are high. And with Macs, even if it plugs into a port, I count on getting some grief far more often than I should. I'm thinking of the USB bugs Apple had for YEARS, and the Thunderbolt bugs we're all enjoying now.
 
BIZARE Event

In a BIZARE twist to all this OWC is apparently very interested in me and my website. Now I never told OWC what or if I had a website. I wonder why they are paying so much attention to my website
 

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  • OWC attack.jpg
    OWC attack.jpg
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... taking the thread a whole new direction, you can add me to your website visitors. :roll eyes:

I too had a Mac IIci. Not my first Apple, but definitely the pinnacle of their quality control, speed, and being WAY ahead of anyone else making computers. For some reason, it always stuck with me that from the time you hit the start button until it was ready to use was 7 seconds :D
 
macIIci

pertusis1 said:
... taking the thread a whole new direction, you can add me to your website visitors. :roll eyes:

I too had a Mac IIci. Not my first Apple, but definitely the pinnacle of their quality control, speed, and being WAY ahead of anyone else making computers. For some reason, it always stuck with me that from the time you hit the start button until it was ready to use was 7 seconds :D
Click to expand...

Yea I wish I still had that machine, When I bought it I upgraded the Video card and that alone then was $1200 Sheet today what would that be like half a Mil? LOL! I miss that box.

I learned though I have never parted with any of my new machines. When I get a new one I just move them all down the line. Oldest now is an old Blue and white G3 Tower still runs like a top. I use it for an old app called genuine fractals thats on it AND once in a great while the original DUKE NUKEM
 
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