Original Firmware for Asus BW-16D1X-U (A105)

[rawlinc]

A couple questions about this drive:

• Does anybody have the original firmware for this variant of the Asus BW-16D1X-U (see info below)? I'm not sure if I'm comfortable flashing the drive to make it LibreDrive compatible if there is no way to get it back to the original firmware version (for warranty purposes, etc). I looked at the firmware dump from both MakeMKV and the the GUI SDF tool but they don't appear to be full firmware dumps as they are much smaller than some of the firmware files from the firmware packs listed on the forums.
• Other threads say that flashing the WH16NS60 1.02-MK firmware works on this exact model but the flashing guide recommends against cross flashing. Is it also possible to flash the ASUS-BW-16D1HT-3.10 firmware and would that be preferred over flashing the LG firmware.
• Does anybody know how to open the enclosures for the Asus BW-16D1X-U? I don't see any obvious ways to non-destructively open the enclosure to look at the original label on the 5.25" drive inside.

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: BW-16D1X-U
Revision: A105
Serial number: <removed>
Firmware date: 2120-12-02 11:14
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

[MartyMcNuts]

A couple questions about this drive:

• Does anybody have the original firmware for this variant of the Asus BW-16D1X-U (see info below)? I'm not sure if I'm comfortable flashing the drive to make it LibreDrive compatible if there is no way to get it back to the original firmware version (for warranty purposes, etc). I looked at the firmware dump from both MakeMKV and the the GUI SDF tool but they don't appear to be full firmware dumps as they are much smaller than some of the firmware files from the firmware packs listed on the forums.
• Other threads say that flashing the WH16NS60 1.02-MK firmware works on this exact model but the flashing guide recommends against cross flashing. Is it also possible to flash the ASUS-BW-16D1HT-3.10 firmware and would that be preferred over flashing the LG firmware.
• Does anybody know how to open the enclosures for the Asus BW-16D1X-U? I don't see any obvious ways to non-destructively open the enclosure to look at the original label on the 5.25" drive inside.

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: BW-16D1X-U
Revision: A105
Serial number: <removed>
Firmware date: 2120-12-02 11:14
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

1. No, we don't have the original firmware.
2. For all encrypted firmware (dated 2020+) only the cal data is dumped.
3. The guide recommends against cross-flashing slim drive firmware to a desktop drive and vice-versa. It is fine to cross-flash desktop drive firmware to desktop drive.
4. You could use either the BW-16D1HT 3.10-MK or WH16NS60 1.02-MK firmware. The latter does read faster and removes the UHD disc sleep bug.
5. No idea how to open it. Check under the feet for screws? Or do some google-fu!

[Haggis]

I recently bought a new ASUS BW-16D1X-U and copied the firmware using SDFtool Flasher if you still want a copy. Now I'm trying to figure out what firmware to flash because there seems to be a couple options.

[MartyMcNuts]

I recently bought a new ASUS BW-16D1X-U and copied the firmware using SDFtool Flasher if you still want a copy. Now I'm trying to figure out what firmware to flash because there seems to be a couple options.

If the tar file is 71kb it is only the calibration data, not the entire firmware.

For UHD compatibility, WH16NS60 1.02-MK is recommended. The drive itself would be a LG BH16NS40/WH16N40.

[Dnguyen04]

I recently bought a new ASUS BW-16D1X-U and copied the firmware using SDFtool Flasher if you still want a copy. Now I'm trying to figure out what firmware to flash because there seems to be a couple options.

Any chance you'd be will to send over a copy of that firmware, I am trying to get my drive to read my disc and it's not working on the recommended firmware.

[Billycar11]

I recently bought a new ASUS BW-16D1X-U and copied the firmware using SDFtool Flasher if you still want a copy. Now I'm trying to figure out what firmware to flash because there seems to be a couple options.

Any chance you'd be will to send over a copy of that firmware, I am trying to get my drive to read my disc and it's not working on the recommended firmware.

flashing his fw cal data to your drive is asking for trouble
again as marty said this is not a fw backup it is caldata only

[temp435]

I have an older ASUS BW-16D1X-U, but I'm guessing the enclosure is still the same. You can open it with little to no damage by removing the rubber feet (use something plastic to gently pry them up). Two have screws under them, two have slots to pop out clips. It's still plastic, but it's not too bad to open and you shouldn't have too much difficulty if you have a long, thin (1.5mm) philips screwdriver, as well as maybe a flathead to push into the clip areas. Be gentle, you'll get it.

For firmware, you probably shouldn't take someone else's dump; I've read elsewhere that the tech inside can vary dramatically. Use the SDFTool Flasher, it's dead simple.