NSC High-End 2022 cautionary announcement

Friday 23 september 2022 16:50

This is a cautionary announcement regarding the Notebook Project High-End 2022 model, the Lenovo Thinkpad P15v 2nd Gen. In multiple instances we have found that users attempting to install a flavor of Linux, bricked (broken beyond repair) their solid state drive (SSD) either during installation, or shortly thereafter. This problem was reproduced together with the NSC. 

If you use Windows (any release), and do not (intend to) install a flavor of Linux on your primary SSD you are not affected. We have no reason to suspect that using a form of virtualization to run a flavor of Linux (like VirtualBox, Hyper-V, Windows Subsystem for Linux) causes this problem. If you replaced the SSD you are also not affected.

The affected SSD is a Kioxia BG5. You can check if your laptop has one (most likely if you have not had it replaced), by opening Task Manager in Windows, and checking the disk tab. It should tell you the make and model of the hard drive installed.

There is currently no known cause of the problem. Users with broken SSD's may of course use their warranty to request a replacement with the NSC.

To avoid the problem simply do not install a flavor of Linux on the Kioxia SSD for the time being. Installing it on an external drive or USB-stick should not be a problem, and is the recommended workaround while the problem is investigated by the manufacturer.

If there are questions, we recommend you get in touch with the NSC by email, through nsc@utwente.nl