100% Firmware Downgrade for ASUS BW-16D1HT and LG BH16NS55

[jonghotti]

Yeah I've got a couple units I need to send in for service and it won't look real good if they show up with 3.01 loaded on em so I was wondering how do I get them back to factory default. I quickly looked on the website and didn't see a firmware update utility but that's gotta be me not seeing it.

This might be a totally stupid question but I have the original firmware dump can I just use the dos flasher and write that back to the drive or does the original dump need to be blended with anything to make a complete firmware file?

Sometimes it surprises me how dumb I actually am

[st4evr]

Hey is there a clean ASUS 3.03 around?

I don't have one and I haven't seen one around. Just did a quick search on here and google. No luck.

Could you create one yourself by getting a 3.03 and hexing in the sections from a clean 3.02. (basically the reverse of what the EEPROM data mover does)???

May not be that simple unfortunately.

[st4evr]

Yeah I've got a couple units I need to send in for service and it won't look real good if they show up with 3.01 loaded on em so I was wondering how do I get them back to factory default. I quickly looked on the website and didn't see a firmware update utility but that's gotta be me not seeing it.

This might be a totally stupid question but I have the original firmware dump can I just use the dos flasher and write that back to the drive or does the original dump need to be blended with anything to make a complete firmware file?

Sometimes it surprises me how dumb I actually am

Many have updated from 3.01/3.02 to 3.03 willingly or accidentally. Using ASUS standard firmware update process should allow you to return it to stock.

Regardless, ASUS usually does not give as much of a shit as LG about this kind of stuff. Sending the drives back with 3.01 or 3.02 shouldn’t be a problem IMO. Their RMA techs may either not give a shit or simply not know the difference.

If they give you shit? Lie. Lol.

[MartyMcNuts]

Yeah I've got a couple units I need to send in for service and it won't look real good if they show up with 3.01 loaded on em so I was wondering how do I get them back to factory default. I quickly looked on the website and didn't see a firmware update utility but that's gotta be me not seeing it.

This might be a totally stupid question but I have the original firmware dump can I just use the dos flasher and write that back to the drive or does the original dump need to be blended with anything to make a complete firmware file?

Sometimes it surprises me how dumb I actually am

Try here https://www.asus.com/Optical-Drives-Sto ... _Download/

Just select your os.

[jonghotti]

Thanks, I was getting nothing after selecting my OS yesterday, works fine now.

And Steve, my bad, I did not mean "clean" 3.03 I was just looking FOR 3.03 lol. Thanks for keeping it real up in here.

[Billycar11]

Yeah I've got a couple units I need to send in for service and it won't look real good if they show up with 3.01 loaded on em so I was wondering how do I get them back to factory default. I quickly looked on the website and didn't see a firmware update utility but that's gotta be me not seeing it.

This might be a totally stupid question but I have the original firmware dump can I just use the dos flasher and write that back to the drive or does the original dump need to be blended with anything to make a complete firmware file?

Sometimes it surprises me how dumb I actually am

you can just flash back the original if you have it no need to merge it with anything it has the original calibration data.

[MartyMcNuts]

Yeah I've got a couple units I need to send in for service and it won't look real good if they show up with 3.01 loaded on em so I was wondering how do I get them back to factory default. I quickly looked on the website and didn't see a firmware update utility but that's gotta be me not seeing it.

This might be a totally stupid question but I have the original firmware dump can I just use the dos flasher and write that back to the drive or does the original dump need to be blended with anything to make a complete firmware file?

Sometimes it surprises me how dumb I actually am

you can just flash back the original if you have it no need to merge it with anything it has the original calibration data.

As Billy said, or you can just use the official ASUS updater. LOL, I think Alex was having a brain fart moment!!

[jonghotti]

you can just flash back the original if you have it no need to merge it with anything it has the original calibration data.

Thanks, I'm not used to going back to where I started.

[CyberGoth]

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask this here or not, If not please delete.

Is there anyone in the South London, UK area that can help me out by downgrading my Asus BW-16D1HT drive?

[Rickyrockard]

Hi Teddy,

I've just followed your very helpful FreeDOS instructions to downgrade. I'm not able to PM you (too new to the site) so I've attached my my backup copy of my firmware which you say that you'll kindly edit....?!

Are you able to do so for me?

Many thanks.

[Billycar11]

Hi Teddy,

I've just followed your very helpful FreeDOS instructions to downgrade. I'm not able to PM you (too new to the site) so I've attached my my backup copy of my firmware which you say that you'll kindly edit....?!

Are you able to do so for me?

Many thanks.

im 99% sure you dumped it wrong. most zipped fws are about 1.3 MB yours is 31 kb no way that is the firmware.

[FatMike]

Thanks Teddy for the awesome work and to everyone else for the tips and tricks. I read up on all the relevant threads while waiting for my drive to come in the mail and finally downgraded a BW-16D1HT to 3.01 using the methods provided in this thread. Thanks also to giomania for the great notes. And thanks to Mike for the great and powerful MakeMKV.

I successfully ripped 3 UDH films from my collection on the first try. Now to get my storage situation in order...

[apw63]

Hello I'm new to the forum. I'm trying to downgrade my BW-16D1HT. Ive been able to dump my firemare ver 3.03. The dump file is 2048 kb. I have tried to follow the windows instructions for HEX editing the clean firmware. When I flash the modified firmware i get write errors and the drives does not function. I can re flash the drive back to FW 3.03 no problems, drive returns to normal function. I must be doing something wrong witht the HEX editing. I'm using HxD as the editor. I have attached both my dump and modified files. Could some one take a look and see what ive done wrong.

Thank you

[Rickyrockard]

im 99% sure you dumped it wrong. most zipped fws are about 1.3 MB yours is 31 kb no way that is the firmware.

Nuts!!! My USB stick had run out of space. lol

Lets try again (attached).

[Rickyrockard]

Actually, not to worry. Now that I have the full file I was able to make the changes myself.

Brilliant guide Teddy. Thank you to you and all who contributed.