HP / Intel SSD 320 Series 160 GB Firmware can't be upgraded - Tools issue

[DanTheMan2]

So, folks, my laptop came with HP branded Intel SSD 320 Series 160 GB drive.    I ran into the 8mb firmware bug (Code has a flaw where it reports the size as 8mb - something Intel acknowledge and created a firmware fix for and HP followed suit)

I recovered from that error by running Secure erase using PartMagic utility.  Lost all my data in the process.  As the drive is "Good" I'd like to continue to use it.  I have to upgrade the firmware in order to prevent this error from happening again.

HP lists several SPs for updating the firmware on this HD, the latest being SP61213.  I downloaded and it is unable to detect my drive, though windows and BIOS detect it just fine and the "Intel tools" detect just fine.  The HP utility is reporting my drive being model number VO0160ECHPL (that's also what's on the label next to the HP part number)

The utility clearly states that the supported 160 GB drive is model SSDSA2BW160G3H, so when it sees this "VO016..." it says the HD in my system is not supported.  I've gone through all the preceding SPs and they all seem to detect the drive, but list it as "not supported"

I called HP, and they ask me if the system is under warranty.  Naturally it's not, but I'm not asking for support on wear and tear or technical inexperience - this is a bug that Intel announced publicly and a problem that HP Utility is not properly coded with the model numbers.

Is anyone else running into this issue? the be specific has anyone else try to update the firmware using the HP utility when their drive is coded with this V0xxxx model number?  

All the online posts that I saw say the HP utility hasn't worked for them and unable to update the firmware.  

Would HP be kind enough to come up with a workaround? utility coded with the right model number? generic utility that can update firmware without checking the model compatibility and make the firmware bin file available? 

What are my options here? yes, buy another drive, throw away this one is the obvious solution, but I'm looking for a "better" option please?

[DanTheMan2]

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