www.makemkv.com

Okay, again:

"If your external Buffalo / Archgon / LG BU40N has encrypted firmware, flash BU40N 1.03-MK first, then you can either leave it as is or flash BU40N 1.00 or Buffalo BU / BN firmware if you want to."

I don't see the BU40N 1.03-MK in the all you need firmware pack, only the stock ...

I'm re-reading that thread, and in the "The all you need firmware pack," I only see the stock firmware I already had for LG slim BU40N, not the patched BU40N 1.03 MK that I thought I need in order to bypass the lock for downgrade protection/encrypted firmware/anti-rollback checks.

I can't edit my response as it's not showing up yet, but it's only connection is USB-C.

Thanks for your patience, I'm rusty at dealing with tweaking drive firmware.

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom1
Current profile: BD-R SRM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: MO8PAKC0341
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17 ...

I did, thanks, but I found that the SDFtool will not detect my slimline drive, as it's only for full-size desktop drives.

I've been unsuccessful in flashing my HL-DT-ST / BD-RE BU40N from this forum and GitHub. I might return it and buy a pre-flashed one here if one becomes available, but not sure when that will be.

In the meantime, I'll try to get the OmniDrive MT1959 firmware bundle. If someone could DM me a VGPC ...