Crucial SSDs - Firmware not updating

[Rigo]

G'day Folks,
Crucial had been my primary brand but I have been getting quite a few lately with firmware concerns.
The latest batch just can't update the firmware even though their software says there's update available.
Plus some early failures where I had to redo it all for the customer within my 3-month labour warranty terms.
I've been updating firmwares religiously following a number of inconsistencies in Windows that disappeared by firmware update only.
Is there a concern?
What's everybody's else's take on the firmware issue?

 

[Metanis]

In the single case I ran up against this I found I had to connect the Crucial drive to a "generic" SATA controller. The old motherboard in question had a Marvell controller that didn't allow utilities to work correctly with the Crucial drive. The Marvell controller was an early iteration of 6gb sata. The generic controller was 3gb and worked like a champ.

All I'm saying is the motherboard controller can be a factor.

 

[nlinecomputers]

In the single case I ran up against this I found I had to connect the Crucial drive to a "generic" SATA controller. The old motherboard in question had a Marvell controller that didn't allow utilities to work correctly with the Crucial drive. The Marvell controller was an early iteration of 6gb sata. The generic controller was 3gb and worked like a champ.

All I'm saying is the motherboard controller can be a factor.

This and it also isn’t going to work via a USB connection either. Needs to be real SATA.

 

[Rigo]

Definitely connected to real SATA.
Tried 3 different drives (different sizes) to 3 different PCs (2 x Ryzen 5 + 1 x older I7 on Asus mobo) same failure error.
These PCs had worked doing it in the past .
Had a couple of drives whose firmware were detected as 'OEM'. Couldn't format, erase or do anything. RAMed them, the replacements worked fine.

 

[fincoder]

The latest batch just can't update the firmware even though their software says there's update available.

What drive models?

I use lots of Crucial MX500 2.5" drives for upgrades and repairs of older computers. Very good prices for 500GB & 1TB with 5yr wty. I don't use the slightly cheaper BX500 3yr wty models.

I don't think I've ever attempted to update firmware in these, have had no particular reason to.

 

[britechguy]

Just BTW, Crucial Storage Executive says that my BX500 (1TB) model is up to date on its firmware, which is noted as version M6CR030.

 

[Rigo]

Crucial MX500 2.5" drives for upgrades and repairs of older computers

Same I use too, for the 5-yr wty as well.
My preference until now: Crucial - WD - Samsung.
Trying to save a few bucks then wasting time due to sub-par hwre, I might have to revise this order.
I run all new drives through the utility to make sure it won't come back to me too soon. That's how I caught the OEM firmware issues.
I always try to clear potential hardware issues before trying to tackle further hiccups.

 

[labtech]

Firmware is software related issues, not hardware.

In the initial post you mentioned "firmware concerns".
How exactly does that manifest?

My opinion: Crucial has been problematic overtime. In the beginning it was hardware (cheap components), now more firmware issues.

Why? Because Crucial does not make its own components. For example, it uses Micron NAND flash chips (not so great) and Silicon Motion controllers (known to be problematic). It is difficult to have a reliable SSD when trying to optimize the firmware on mixed hardware components from various vendors.

In comparison, Samsung and WD (Sandisk under the hood) in general make their own components.

 

[Rigo]

In the initial post you mentioned "firmware concerns"

I had a couple of cases where the OS would not load first time at boot up requiring a couple of goes or so to get there. Same drives had worked for about 3-4 months without any issue then suddenly this started happening.
First one in a hunch I did firmware update once in Windows and it stopped the problem.
Next one I had an idea of where that might be coming from, and it indeed worked.
That was about 6 years or so ago.
I don't think that I ever had an actual dead drive from Crucial so far bought by myself as such. Firmware problems galore lately.
Yes, a couple of BX series that came in on customers' computers.