SBW-06D5H-U, BU51 bootloader - rawflash reports success but writes nothing (13 attempts)

[bikepilled]

Looking for help identifying the correct firmware for a drive with a MT1959 Boot BU51 bootloader, and understanding why rawflash reports success while committing nothing.

The drive

Code: Select all

Model (sticker)  ASUS SBW-06D5H-U (ultra-slim external USB, bus powered 5V 2.0A)
Manufactured     March 2026
Factory ID       SP1
P/N              15100-18282400
Enclosure        Buffalo bridge, USB ID 0411:55aa

Reports itself as:  ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.02
Drive ID:           ASUS_BW-16D1HT_3.02_211711241413_MO4P58C1526
Platform:           MTK19xx firmware module v1.30
Bootloader (0x3000): "MT1959 Boot BU51"
                     hex 4d543139353920426f6f742042553531

It was crossflashed with desktop BW-16D1HT 3.02 firmware before I got involved. Only the main firmware was overwritten - the bootloader was left intact, which is why the drive still enumerates and responds normally.

Which firmware should this be?

I scanned every image in the MartyMcNuts "All You Need" pack and the official mk-firmware-pack-20200720 (79 images). Exactly one has a BU51 bootloader:

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MK/HL-DT-ST/BU50N/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU50N-1.00-NM00100-211711211006.bin

[MartyMcNuts]

Looking for help identifying the correct firmware for a drive with a MT1959 Boot BU51 bootloader, and understanding why rawflash reports success while committing nothing.

The drive

Code: Select all

Model (sticker)  ASUS SBW-06D5H-U (ultra-slim external USB, bus powered 5V 2.0A)
Manufactured     March 2026
Factory ID       SP1
P/N              15100-18282400
Enclosure        Buffalo bridge, USB ID 0411:55aa

Reports itself as:  ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.02
Drive ID:           ASUS_BW-16D1HT_3.02_211711241413_MO4P58C1526
Platform:           MTK19xx firmware module v1.30
Bootloader (0x3000): "MT1959 Boot BU51"
                     hex 4d543139353920426f6f742042553531

It was crossflashed with desktop BW-16D1HT 3.02 firmware before I got involved. Only the main firmware was overwritten - the bootloader was left intact, which is why the drive still enumerates and responds normally.

Which firmware should this be?

I scanned every image in the MartyMcNuts "All You Need" pack and the official mk-firmware-pack-20200720 (79 images). Exactly one has a BU51 bootloader:

Code: Select all

MK/HL-DT-ST/BU50N/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU50N-1.00-NM00100-211711211006.bin

This drive should be cross-flashed to a BU40N. Since someone has screwed it up by flashing desktop firmware to it, I suggest you do the following:

1. Use a Windows 11 64 bit PC, if not already.
2. Using SDFtool Flasher, select the drive.
3. Choose RECOVER and a window will pop up.
4. In the popup window, select the BW-16D1HT 3.02 firmware that is currently on the drive from my firmware pack.
5. Now, in the normal firmware selection drop down box, choose the BU40N 1.00 firmware from my firmware pack.
6. Press START.

[Sayaka]

Should you be using a Mac or a Linux distro, if having to use Windows should prove to be too much of a hassle, I will add that I should be able to provide the command line steps if you need them.

EDIT : Also, make sure the drive is "offline" and has no power until you are ready to perform the flashing operation. The longer you leave a slim drive powered on with a desktop firmware, the more likely it is to die.