Troubleshooting a Drive that won't Flash.

[PB-Panda]

Hello all,

I am having trouble flashing my disc drive to read 4k UHD Blu-Rays.

Background info:
Drive: LG WH16NS40
Manufactured: 2023
Firmware version from factory: 1.05
SVC Code: NS50
MakeMKV Version: 1.17.4
I am using this drive with a Windows 10 laptop and a SATA to USB adapter—more info on that below.

I followed Billy’s Guide (viewtopic.php?t=19634), using the "LG 5.25 desktop" firmware in the “all you need firmware pack” and Marty’s GUI flashing tool (1.3.5). I first saved the default firmware in the drive to my computer, and then flashed the aforementioned firmware to the drive. I tried three times with two different SATA to USB adapters, and the drive firmware has not changed.

SATA to USB Adapters I have:

Wavlink ST504CP (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5R3J5VR?ps ... ct_details). Windows dinged when I plugged the drive in, but I could not see the drive in device manager, and MakeMKV did not recognize any drive (on either SATA port).

Fideco ‎FC-PL06 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077MXC8SV?re ... tails&th=1). Tried for first and second flashes. Successfully rips ISOs and MKV files from DVDs before and after flashing.

Unitek Y-4230 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EHDTRJ6?ps ... ct_details). Tried for the third flash. This one is on the whitelist on Billy’s guide, so I am disappointed and confused why it did not work.

Belcheri PL3969C (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MZRFQN?ps ... ct_details). This one is the worst of them all; I did not get a ding from Windows; it did not show up in device manager, and MKV did not detect the drive (on either of the SATA ports).

On the two adapters that I was able to get working, it looks like the flash is complete from the perspective of the flashing tool, but the drive firmware doesn't change. The attached screenshot is what I see from MakeMKV both before and after flashing. Am I missing anything obvious? Thanks in advance.

[dcoke22]

Well, the obvious thing you're missing is the screen shots.

[MartyMcNuts]

Hello all,

I am having trouble flashing my disc drive to read 4k UHD Blu-Rays.

Background info:
Drive: LG WH16NS40
Manufactured: 2023
Firmware version from factory: 1.05
SVC Code: NS50
MakeMKV Version: 1.17.4
I am using this drive with a Windows 10 laptop and a SATA to USB adapter—more info on that below.

I followed Billy’s Guide (viewtopic.php?t=19634), using the "LG 5.25 desktop" firmware in the “all you need firmware pack” and Marty’s GUI flashing tool (1.3.5). I first saved the default firmware in the drive to my computer, and then flashed the aforementioned firmware to the drive. I tried three times with two different SATA to USB adapters, and the drive firmware has not changed.

SATA to USB Adapters I have:

Wavlink ST504CP (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5R3J5VR?ps ... ct_details). Windows dinged when I plugged the drive in, but I could not see the drive in device manager, and MakeMKV did not recognize any drive (on either SATA port).

Fideco ‎FC-PL06 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077MXC8SV?re ... tails&th=1). Tried for first and second flashes. Successfully rips ISOs and MKV files from DVDs before and after flashing.

Unitek Y-4230 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EHDTRJ6?ps ... ct_details). Tried for the third flash. This one is on the whitelist on Billy’s guide, so I am disappointed and confused why it did not work.

Belcheri PL3969C (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MZRFQN?ps ... ct_details). This one is the worst of them all; I did not get a ding from Windows; it did not show up in device manager, and MKV did not detect the drive (on either of the SATA ports).

On the two adapters that I was able to get working, it looks like the flash is complete from the perspective of the flashing tool, but the drive firmware doesn't change. The attached screenshot is what I see from MakeMKV both before and after flashing. Am I missing anything obvious? Thanks in advance.

The adapter is most likely your issue. None of those adapter models are mentioned in Billy's guide. Unless it specifically specifies that it works with optical drives, then there is no chance of it working. Most adapters available do not work with optical drives. Unitek changed to a different chip and now most (if not all) of their models no longer work with optical drives.

The only one I have found that still works with optical drives is the Alxum, which is mentioned in Billy's guide.

[PB-Panda]

Well, the obvious thing you're missing is the screen shots.

I hit attach twice on the OP... trying again.

[PB-Panda]

Thanks for the clarification! One clarification before I go ahead with the Alxum drive: I live it the US and the adapter on your website is for NZ. I can use a VPN to purchase it, but I want to make sure I can use it. Is it just a standard 12V 2A adapter? If so, I have one lying around with US plugs that I could swap out for the NZ plug.

[MartyMcNuts]

Thanks for the clarification! One clarification before I go ahead with the Alxum drive: I live it the US and the adapter on your website is for NZ. I can use a VPN to purchase it, but I want to make sure I can use it. Is it just a standard 12V 2A adapter? If so, I have one lying around with US plugs that I could swap out for the NZ plug.

No, I don't ship to the US. Try Amazon for the Alxum.