on january 31st 2011, intel announced a design problem with the new intel 6 series support chipset, also known as cougar point. the chipset is utilized in pcs with intel's latest Second Generation Intel Core processors, code-named Sandy Bridge. Intel has stopped shipment of the affected 6 Series support chip from its factories. Intel has corrected the design issue, and has begun manufacturing a new version of the 6 Series support chip which will resolve the issue. The Sandy Bridge processor is unaffected and no other products are affected by this issue.

To proactively address this problem and fulfill our uncompromising quality pledge for providing the highest levels of product quality and customer service, ASUS is providing a number of options ranging from refunds to free product replacement, easy workaround solutions, and dedicated customer support for our valued customers. In addition, shipments of current ASUS Sandy Bridge based products affected by the Intel®6 series support chipset problem have been halted. This suspension covers all distribution and retail channels.

Read an open letter to ASUS’ valued customers and partners:
https://event.asus.com/2011/sandybridge/notice/

learn more about the intel6 series chipset design issue directly from intel:
https://newsroom.intel.com/community/intel_newsroom/blog/2011/01/31/intel-identifies-chipset-design-error-implementing-solution

https://www.intel.com/consumer/products/processors/chipset.htm?iid=en_us_01_chipset+gg_headline

asus motherboards
asus has confirmed with intel that the design error does not affect sata ports 0 and 1, which are the sata 6gb/s capable ports. additionally, asus as a leading motherboard designer and pioneer of new innovations offers extra sata 3gb/s and sata 6gb/s ports beyond intel specifications on a wide range of motherboards. asus has provided an easy workaround solution to the Intel design issue here. ASUS standard warranty and terms of service are still in effect for the affected products.

However, if this workaround is not acceptable, a free product replacement program is available directly from ASUS. ASUS will provide free 2-way standard shipping and an equivalent/new product replacement with warranty renewal at time of replacement*. Additionally, ASUS recommends contacting your E-tailer or place of purchase immediately (place of business from which you actually purchased the motherboard) for refund options if the workaround or direct replacement solution is not acceptable.

Product Replacement
For US and Canadian Customers Only - Please fill out the Service Registration Form to register your product(s) for replacement. Pending replacement part shipment schedules from Intel, it may take several or more weeks for replacement services to begin. Customers will be serviced based on their order form completion date.

*Warranty Renewal date will be set at time of shipment for the replacement product. The time to qualify for this special program will be limited in scope. An end date to complete the Service Registration form and receive RMA approval will be published in the near future. Customers not completing this form and receiving RMA approval within the specified time frame will not be eligible for the Warranty Renewal Program. However, the normal warranty period and terms of service based on their original purchase date will still be honored. Please check back to this site or other authorized ASUS sites periodically for updated information regarding this program.

Proactively responding to the Intel-identified Sandy Bridge chipset design error

Intel on January 31, 2011 announced the detection of a design error in the new Sandy Bridge-based Intel 6 Series support chip, also known as Cougar Point. The shipment of existing Sandy Bridge products has been suspended by Intel and the production of an updated support chip has commenced. The design error affects only the support chip, and not 2nd generation Intel Core™ processors such as the i5 and i7.

Acting on our philosophy and promise of inspiring innovation and persistent perfection, ASUS has created a comprehensive response to this development to safeguard the best interest of ASUS customers around the world. ASUS will provide total warranty services to maximize computing and usability as each ASUS product is delivered with an uncompromising quality pledge. This includes the hassle-free return and/or replacement of all affected ASUS products. We’re doing all this effective immediately – and as a first step, shipments of current ASUS Sandy Bridge-based products have been halted. The suspension covers all distribution and retail channels — ASUS only sells quality-assured products, at all times and across all product segments.

For all customers who already own any ASUS product affected by the design error identified by Intel, simply visit https://event.asus.com/2011/sandybridge/notice for detailed warranty and service hotline information. we’ll be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding this issue, as well as provide information on future updates to sandy bridge technology.

asus notebook and desktop products are covered by a warranty service that addresses the design error, with both swap and sales return offered as options to customers.

for motherboards, we’ve confirmed with intel that the cougar point design error does not affect sata ports 0 and 1. additionally, asus has been a pioneer in including extra sata 3gb/s and sata 6gb/s ports beyond intel specifications on a wide range of motherboards. these ports are not affected by this design error, offering customers an option for uninterrupted computing. however, we’re also offering you the option of returning any possibly affected motherboard for a swap or sales return. all warranties for affected motherboards will be reset to give you enough time to carry out any exchanges.

asus has also started an initiative to contact customers regarding this issue, and we’ll cover all channel partners, distributors and registered buyers of affected asus products. as mentioned above, you may opt to return any affected products to asus for a swap or sales return.

we’ll post updates through our official website and other channels regarding any developments or fixes to sandy bridge products. thank you for your understanding, support and cooperation, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

msi north america responds to intel 6 series chipset issue with replacement or upgrades for affected units
customers can register online for replacement of affected p67 and h67 motherboards or upgrade for affected notebook
msi computer corp., a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, today announced that it has stopped shipments in north america of sandy bridge products following intel’s announcement of a design issue in the recently released intel 6 series chipset. the company is quickly responding to this issue by working with retailers, distributors and channel partners to stop all shipments, msi is also offering end users replacements and upgrades for the affected motherboards and notebooks respectively at its intel 6 series motherboards and notebook Support page .

MSI North America takes the quality of its products and service to its customers very serious, therefore the company is working closely with Intel to accept the return of Intel P67 and H67 motherboards, as well as its HM67 gaming laptops. MSI’s All-in-One PCs based on the new generation of Intel Core i processors are not affected, and are still scheduled to launch in late March 2011.

MSI encourages end users who want to return their MSI Intel P67 and H67 motherboards or affected gaming notebooks, to contact the original place of purchase for more details on the return or refund policy. Alternatively, end users can register their Intel 6 Series notebook or motherboard with MSI by April 30, 2011 at https://us.msi.com/snb_replacement to be eligible for the following options.

1. hm67 gaming notebooks: end users are eligible to receive an upgrade to msi’s next generation gaming notebook upon its availability.
2. p67 and h67 motherboards: end users are eligible for a replacement with the new b3 stepping of the intel 6 series motherboard when it is available in channel.
3. shipping: to make the replacement as smooth as possible, msi will provide end users with a ups 3 day shipping label for returns and will deliver the brand new item by ups 3 day shipping, both at no cost.

"MSI is wholly committed to both our customers and to the overall quality of our products," noted Andy Tung, vice president of North American sales for MSI. "While we work with Intel to resolve the chipset issues, we want to make sure our customers know their concerns are our top priority. We believe offering future replacement options will help alleviate some of the discomfort this issue has caused."

For questions regarding replacement of MSI Intel P67 or H67 motherboard and HM67 notebook, end users may contact MSI at SNB_Support@msi.com.

For news from Intel on chipset design error, please visit Intel’s newsroom

Intel statement:
"As part of ongoing quality assurance, Intel Corporation has discovered a design issue in a recently released support chip, the Intel 6 Series, code-named Cougar Point, and has implemented a silicon fix. In some cases, the Serial-ATA (SATA) ports within the chipsets may degrade over time, potentially impacting the performance or functionality of SATA-linked devices such as hard disk drives and DVD-drives. … For computer makers and other Intel customers that have bought potentially affected chipsets or systems, Intel will work with its OEM partners to accept the return of the affected chipsets, and plans to support modifications or replacements needed on motherboards or systems."

To learn more about MSI’s complete product lines, please visit: https://us.msi.com

ecs usa's Commitment to its Intel 6 Series Express Chipset Motherboard Customers
ECS ELITEGROUP USA (ECS USA) branch office has worked with Intel and has been made aware of a design flaw in its newest generation Intel 6 Series Express Chipsets (codenamed Cougar Point, B2 Stepping) which could, under normal operation, experience an issue with SATA ports 2-5 that may result in these SATA ports experiencing a functional issue over time.

ECS USA, along with all motherboard manufacturers, is working closely with Intel on containing the distribution of the B2 Stepping of this product on its motherboards. ECS USA takes pride in its products' quality and is passionate about offering the best possible customer experience. ECS USA stands by its products and is committed to its customers by offering the following:

- Immediate suspension of all sales of Intel 6 Series Express Chipsets (codenamed Cougar Point, B2 Stepping) in its channel.
- Upon availability of the new B3 Stepping of the Intel 6 Series Express Chipsets, ECS USA will replace customer's product with a brand-new one. New motherboards are expected in April. ECS USA will keep its customers updated on this schedule.
- Replacement for products currently in the market that are affected: P67H2-A(1.1), P67H2-A2(1.0), P67H2-A3(1.0), H67H2-M(1.1), H67H2-M3(1.0)
- Work closely with its distributors and reseller channel on the return and replacement of current inventory

For end users in the U.S. (48 contiguous states), ECS USA offers the following:
- Customers have the option to return the product at the original point of purchase for a refund.
- Customers who wish to keep the product or have any issue returning the product at the point of purchase, ECS USA will absorb the cost of the product exchange 100% by offering a product swap. If a customer has one of the above products, please communicate with ECS USA via one of the following methods to arrange a replacement once they become available:
Via e-mail (preferred method): elite@ecsusa.com or Via voice-mail: 510-771-0208 (voicemail, only).

Whichever method is used, customers should provide the following information in order to create a case number and allow for ECS USA to respond:
- Customer Name, Model Name, Serial Number, Purchased From (optional), Contact Number, E-mail Address, Shipping Address
- All support questions not related to the Intel 6 Series Express Chipset based motherboard replacement can be sent to our regular support channel.

"All motherboard manufacturers are affected by this news but we want to minimize our customers' exposure to the error detailed by Intel. This is why we want to offer our faithful customers the opportunity to get a refund. Or, if they want to wait for the fix we can get them a brand-new motherboard delivered to them at no charge" commented Ray Lin, Vice President of Motherboard and Graphics Card Business Unit of ECS USA.

ECS USA does not see the replacement of the Intel 6 Series Express Chipset based motherboards as a negative impact. Rather, it permits ECS USA to better tune its already greatly praised/ awarded Intel P67/H67 series and offer an even more perfect ECS Intel P67/H67 motherboards series, once Intel releases the new B3 Stepping chipset fixing the current issues.

For more information, please visit ECS at www.ecs.com.tw

biostar usa announcement regarding intel 6 series chipset design issue

on jan 31st intel announced a flaw with the 6 series where "In some cases, the Serial-ATA (SATA) ports within the chipsets may degrade over time, potentially impacting the performance or functionality of SATA-linked devices such as hard disk drives and DVD-drives.” This fix will require a hardware modification or motherboard replacement which cannot be fixed by BIOS updates. Biostar has initiated a service notice guide for the 6 Series products to address customer concerns. However if you are enjoying the product and wish to continue to use the product until revised parts available, (ETA for replacements parts is April, due to production time) you are welcome do to so, but with caution. Problem is said to be affecting 5% to 15% of the products over a 2 to 3 year usage. At this moment, Biostar has stopped all shipments of P67 and H67 chipset motherboards.

In the meantime we would like to offer suggestions to the community for those who wish to continue to use the product until replacement parts are available.

1. Always back up your data just in case something goes wrong.
2. All Biostar P67 and H67 motherboards have at least two SATA3 ports, please use the SATA3 ports as the primary devices Note: So far this design bug is related to the SATA2 ports, SATA3 ports are safe to use.Even if you have SATA2 or SATA1 devices, they are safe to be used on SATA3 ports as SATA3 is backwards compatible with SATA1 and SATA2.
3. If you are still concerned and would like to return the product, please contact your place of purchase for return procedures. Many of Biostar authorized dealer is aware of the situation and will help to assist you..
4. Note: For the Intel 6 series chipset design issue, Biostar will offer advance replacement program which will include a return shipping label in return for customer convenience. Details of the advance replacement program will be announced on Biostar website https://www.biostar-usa.com/app/en-us/news/index.php when parts are available. eta is april 2011.

biostar products affected, were only sold between 12-01-2011 to 02-01-2011