Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2023

[Coopervid]

Look in the OLD folder.

Just flash the same firmware verion number but using the MK version and then flash what you like and is compatible.

[Billycar11]

Hi, I just purchased a WH14NS40 drive and tried to downgrade the firmware to 1.02 but ran into some problems. It's a MT1959 drive that came with the 1.05 firmware (Image 1)

At first, I tried the Unlock Flasher Tool from @blackened2687 and the YouTube Guide. But when I ran the flasher, I got an error saying "CheckSum is mismatched," followed by a Windows "Program Compatibility" error on the Flasher (Image 2). After doing a little more reading, I came to the conclusion that the firmware on my drive might be encrypted. So I decided to try the Command line approach (the V2 version of the YouTube guide).

This time, it actually went most of the way through the flash but then stopped at 98% and gave me the error: "Command produced error code 0x8f052603." (Image 3). So, now I'm at a loss. Seems like others are doing fine with the tool, but I'm not having any luck either way. I'm including some images of the drive info and the error codes. I'd really appreciate any help, thank you.

Read the guide your flashing to the wrong firmware

Hi Billy. Thank you for the reply. I read your guide at the beginning of this thread as well as MartyMcNut's guide on the SDFtool Flasher thread. I downloaded the Flasher and the "all you need" firmware pack. It only had firmware for the WH16NS60. Also reading your recommended list of firmware to flash to I saw this: "WH14NS40 on any Firmware directly to > WH16NS60 1.02MK." So I'm now a thoroughly confused. Should I be flashing the WH14NS40 to the WH16NS60 1.02MK, or is there something quite obvious that I'm missing?

Yes flash it to WH16NS60 1.02mk

[Coopervid]

I might be wrong. What was he doing wrong?

[Billycar11]

I might be wrong. What was he doing wrong?

What you said would work too he was trying to flash directly to WH14NS40 1.02 from 1.05 and you can do that from 1.04 and beyond.
As you said going to 1.05 mk would work but I prefer for them to go to WH16NS60 1.02mk because of the sleep bug fix .
I still get a few emails a week asking why their drive makes bad grinding sounds when they leave a disc in it when they are not on WH16NS60 firmware

[Coopervid]

Thanks! Somehow I assumed the encrypted 1.05 is the problem. But I didn't know that you can shortcut it by flashing WH16NS60 1.02. While a downgrade flash to WH14NS40 < 1.05 would not work directly. I guess this is not trivial and also not well documented.

Anyway - great work as always!

[ijomun]

Read the guide your flashing to the wrong firmware

Hi Billy. Thank you for the reply. I read your guide at the beginning of this thread as well as MartyMcNut's guide on the SDFtool Flasher thread. I downloaded the Flasher and the "all you need" firmware pack. It only had firmware for the WH16NS60. Also reading your recommended list of firmware to flash to I saw this: "WH14NS40 on any Firmware directly to > WH16NS60 1.02MK." So I'm now a thoroughly confused. Should I be flashing the WH14NS40 to the WH16NS60 1.02MK, or is there something quite obvious that I'm missing?

Yes flash it to WH16NS60 1.02mk

Thank you Billy and Coop. Couldn't have done it w/o your help! I'll do just that now. Just a quick check before I do: Use the SDFtool with 'enc' checked?

[ijomun]

Read the guide your flashing to the wrong firmware

Hi Billy. Thank you for the reply. I read your guide at the beginning of this thread as well as MartyMcNut's guide on the SDFtool Flasher thread. I downloaded the Flasher and the "all you need" firmware pack. It only had firmware for the WH16NS60. Also reading your recommended list of firmware to flash to I saw this: "WH14NS40 on any Firmware directly to > WH16NS60 1.02MK." So I'm now a thoroughly confused. Should I be flashing the WH14NS40 to the WH16NS60 1.02MK, or is there something quite obvious that I'm missing?

Yes flash it to WH16NS60 1.02mk

Hi Billy and Coop. Thank you for this. I couldn't have done it without you! Lookie here ... (UPDATE: Successfully ripped a BD as well, my first rip ever!)

[spinning11joy]

Thank you for your amazing work, I'm here to report that Unitek Y-1039 USB to sata cable is no longer supporting Optical drive, maybe due to new UASP protocol they offered as a feature upgrade.

The official link of this product is:
https://www.unitek-products.com/product ... ta-adapter

From the Amazon US webpage:
https://www.amazon.com/Unitek-Adapter-C ... B00GLL41MA

Capture.PNG (166.64 KiB) Viewed 8412 times

It says specifically optical drive is not supported.
Out of curious I still ordered one at the price of $15 and I can confirm I get " Device Descriptor Request Failed (Unknown USB device)" error when using it.

[norwegianbite]

Hey im a noob at this and trying to find the right way to flash my drive, and if it is possible to do so. anyone that can point me in the right way ?

[MartyMcNuts]

Hey im a noob at this and trying to find the right way to flash my drive, and if it is possible to do so. anyone that can point me in the right way ?

Try reading the first post in this very thread!

[MartyMcNuts]

Thank you for your amazing work, I'm here to report that Unitek Y-1039 USB to sata cable is no longer supporting Optical drive, maybe due to new UASP protocol they offered as a feature upgrade.

The official link of this product is:
https://www.unitek-products.com/product ... ta-adapter

From the Amazon US webpage:
https://www.amazon.com/Unitek-Adapter-C ... B00GLL41MA

Capture.PNG

It says specifically optical drive is not supported.
Out of curious I still ordered one at the price of $15 and I can confirm I get " Device Descriptor Request Failed (Unknown USB device)" error when using it.

In the images of the official link you provided, it still shows SATA ODD.

[norwegianbite]

Hey im a noob at this and trying to find the right way to flash my drive, and if it is possible to do so. anyone that can point me in the right way ?

Try reading the first post in this very thread!

Hey i tried using the SDFtool Flasher and got this error 0x8f1e7101 used the firmware for BU40N in the "The all you need firmware pack" what did i do wrong ?

[MartyMcNuts]

Hey im a noob at this and trying to find the right way to flash my drive, and if it is possible to do so. anyone that can point me in the right way ?

Try reading the first post in this very thread!

Hey i tried using the SDFtool Flasher and got this error 0x8f1e7101 used the firmware for BU40N in the "The all you need firmware pack" what did i do wrong ?

First, ensure that there is no disc in the drive and the tray is closed. Now, try the following one at a time.

1. Toggle the drive encryption by clicking on the red X and try flashing again. If this works then it's all good and you can stop now. If not, then proceed.

2. Try flashing the BU40N 1.04 firmware from the MK folder. If this works, you can then try flashing the 1.03 firmware. If it didn't work, toggle the drive encryption back to the red X and repeat this. If it still hasn't worked for you let us know.

[Urbshky]

Hi All!

Thanks for the extensive guide posted here. I've tried a few things and it seems to be working so thanks for the help.

I do have a question, so after flashing with a USB cable (Unitek Y-3324) i flashed my new drive BH16NS55 with HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BH16NS55-1.05-NM00400-212004211049. When the drive is connected to the USB cable everything work as intended. But after i tried to connect it to the mainboard (with power and etc). It does not detect the drive anymore. Is this intended or should i trouble shoot my set-up further. (In other words, should it be possible to use the mainboard SATA connection for a flashed disk instead of the USB cable?)

[MartyMcNuts]

Hi All!

Thanks for the extensive guide posted here. I've tried a few things and it seems to be working so thanks for the help.

I do have a question, so after flashing with a USB cable (Unitek Y-3324) i flashed my new drive BH16NS55 with HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BH16NS55-1.05-NM00400-212004211049. When the drive is connected to the USB cable everything work as intended. But after i tried to connect it to the mainboard (with power and etc). It does not detect the drive anymore. Is this intended or should i trouble shoot my set-up further. (In other words, should it be possible to use the mainboard SATA connection for a flashed disk instead of the USB cable?)

Of course! Try power cycling the PC and see if that helps. You may need to check for any motherboard / sata controller updates.

Also, don't use BH16NS55 1.05-MK firmware as it is crap. Lots of regular read errors. If you want to use NS55 firmware go with 1.04-MK or DE 1.02. If you just want the best firmware for the drive, go with WH16NS60 1.02-MK as it's faster and removes the sleep bug.