On January 31st, Intel Corporation has discovered a design issue in a recently released support chip, the Intel® 6 Series, code-named Cougar Point. The chipset is utilized in PCs with Intel's latest processors, code-named Sandy Bridge. In some cases, the Serial-ATA (SATA) ports may potentially impact devices such as hard disk drives and DVD-drives. ASRock has stopped shipping all products with faulty Intel® 6 Series chipset.
For customers who purchased ASRock product with the affected chipset, ASRock will provide exchange service after new chipsets are received in late February. We will inform customers through www.asrock.com once exchange service is available. To reassure our customers, ASRock will offer a free one year warranty extension from the date of replacement if exchanged before June 30th, 2011. Affected customers may contact their original point of purchase for replacement and benefit from the extended warranty.
ASRock is working with Intel to solve the issue. Intel expects to begin delivering the updated version of the chipset in late February and expects full volume recovery in April. ASRock will begin shipping products with new version of Intel® 6 Series chipset as soon as possible.
Q: What is the issue with Intel® 6 Series chipsets?
A: Intel announced the discovery of a design error in the Intel® 6 Series chipset. 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. However, there is no imminent failure and this issue does not impact SATA3 ports connection.
For detail, please refer to Intel's Customer Announcement: "Chipset Circuit Design Issue Identified"
Q: What models are impacted?
A: Fatal1ty P67 Professional
P67 Extreme6
P67 Extreme4
P67 Pro3
P67 Pro
P67 Transformer
H67DE3
H67M-GE/HT
H67M-GE
H67M
H67M/SI
Q: I have an ASRock P67/H67 Series motherboard affected by this issue. What should I do next?
A: First, please verify your computer setup. If you are using SATA3 ports, you have not been affected and do not need to do anything. If you are using SATA2 ports, please reconnect devices to SATA3 ports. For eSATA2 device, ASRock suggest not using it until you receive the replacement motherboard.
How to identify SATA2 and SATA3 ports?
Q: When will the exchange service be available?
A: ASRock will provide exchange service after new chipsets are received in late February. We will inform customers through www.asrock.com once exchange service is available.
Q: What is the process for exchanging ASRock P67/H67 Series motherboard?
A: ASRock recommends our customers to contact the local dealer where you originally purchased in March. ASRock will provide the Intel® 6 series chipset motherboard with the new B3 stepping chipset as soon as possible in order to reduce any inconvenience to our customers. If the product is not available at that time, please leave the your personal contact details and MB serial number and wait for further notice.
Q: Does ASRock offer any special after service for ASRock P67/H67 Series motherboards?
A: To reassure our customers, ASRock will offer a free One Year Warranty Extension from the date of replacement if exchanged before June 30th, 2011.
Affected customers can contact their original point of purchase for replacement and benefit from the extended warranty.
For Example:
In 1-year-warranty territory, customers who purchased ASRock motherboard in January, 2011 and exchanged the flawed board on April 15th, 2011, then the warranty expired date will be extended to April 15th, 2013. If customers purchased ASRock motherboard in January, 2011 but are located in the 2-year-warranty territory, then the warranty expired date will be extended to April 15th, 2014.
Please note that failure to replace the flawed motherboard before June 30th, 2011 will be considered as waiver.
