Lite-On CMT-256L6M: Dual processor SSD

[avalanche]

Hello,

I have received in an usual SSD for recovery.

Lite-On CMT-256L6M
256 GB.
mSATA interface.

However, this model appears to have two Marvel processors (88SS9188-BJM2) with 128gb either side of the PCB.

If connected by an adapter to PC3000 there is a drive ID, but with capacity of 128GB. I suspect that the SSD is some internal RAID configuration which allows access to the 'two' sides of the SSD.

Has anyone worked on this kind of SSD before?

Thanks,
J

[avalanche]

Closer inspection shows that there are SATA channels either side and it looks like these are in a RAID 0. Wiring into the second side will be necessary. From what I can tell on other forum posts it is not uncommon for NAND on one 'half' off the SSD to fail.

[Amarbir[CDR-Labs]]

Source of the post Closer inspection shows that there are SATA channels either side and it looks like these are in a RAID 0. Wiring into the second side will be necessary. From what I can tell on other forum posts it is not uncommon for NAND on one 'half' off the SSD to fail.

Very Interesting,
But No Experience ,Ask Roman Sir He Possibly Will Put You To Right Direction

[Roman_TS]

Usually we get similar drives from customers, where two SSD were replaced on the same PCB from both sides, and one common LIF interface has been split between two drives. But anyway, we need active utility for working with the bad one - Unfortunately Lite-On are not supported now :\

[digitalsupport]

Have done 10+ af these Lite-On RAID mSATA, not CMT-256L6M but CMT-256L3M used in Acer S7 Ultrabooks.
Try to get complete image with DE of both drives and assamble the RAID from images.
Typical error is a few bads from one of the drives kicks it out of RAID and it will not boot any more.

[Roman_TS]

If we spoke about SSD with logical problems - it will work with DE without problem. But in case if at least one member of this SSD will have any FW issues or problems with translator, without active Utility we will not solve them. Anyway, Lite-On Utility is under developing, should be ready in this year.

[avalanche]

Got this sorted eventually - it was a fiddle getting access to the second side of the SSD. Fortunately it had not failed to badly - just some bad blocks. Imaged fine. RAID 0 assembled easily with a standard sized stripe pattern as determined by the mortherboard on the laptop.

[lcoughey]

Source of the post Got this sorted eventually - it was a fiddle getting access to the second side of the SSD. Fortunately it had not failed to badly - just some bad blocks. Imaged fine. RAID 0 assembled easily with a standard sized stripe pattern as determined by the mortherboard on the laptop.

Out of curiosity, how did you interface with the second controller?

[avalanche]

Hello lcoughey

It was necessary to locate the second set of SATA read channels then solder directly into these with wiring from SATA cable. Power the SSD with an appropriate adapter, then read the 'second' side of the SSD to a disk image.

John

[lcoughey]

@avalanche, that is what I was thinking, with the exception, not knowing which pin is which with the second channel. I've posted a thread on my company's data recovery forum, if you have anything you'd like to share.