SDFtool Flasher

[cinerama19806]

Update to my previous posting: it appears the "startindex" error might be a "showstopper" after all as it appears the earlier poster had the same error and the same inability to choose drive letters in the application. (I'm not inclined to use the command line version unless absolutely necessary.)

[MartyMcNuts]

Many thanks for all your efforts here. Hopefully this one's an easy fix and I'm just missing something simple trying to use the SDFtool Flasher. (Side note: I previously successfully flashed an Asus drive but I don't remember when or how, and that drive has pretty much given up the ghost for burning and hasn't successfully opened a 4K disc in ages (lots of grinding) even though it's Libradrive enabled.)

I've now purchased a Verbatim external 4K drive from Amazon (not too many options out there now) which Makemkv is reading as

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: MO6PAKA5435
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 82

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

When I open the SDFtool Flasher for this drive I get the same error previously noted: StartIndex cannot be less than zero (which I believe is not a "show stopper". Once I advance to the software window, I don't see a drive available for flashing (i.e. there's no option available in the pulldown menu for the drive. I don't know if it matters, but I've removed my previous Asus drive as an option and have assigned the new drive the "D" drive letter. (I believe I'm OK with the flash version needed and it's available to me from the "all you need firmware pack" (LG Slim BU40N) - but I can't get there without being able to select a drive.) Please let me know what I'm missing here.

Ensure you have MakeMKV installed in the default location (C:\Program File (x86)\MakeMKV).
Ensure there is no disc in the drive and the tray is closed.

If the drive still isn't seen, try changing ports. Best to use USB ports direct from the motherboard, not case ports. An AC self-powered USB hub of at least 24w is even better.

Once the drive is showing in SDFtool Flasher, flash it to BU40N 1.03-MK.

[MartyMcNuts]

Hey MartyMcNuts!

Thank you so much for replying.

It is an internal Sata. Works with CD's and DVD's.
I'm running Windows 11 Pro 25H2 OS Build: 26200.7462

Cheers!

I know what the model is as it's in the MakeMKV drive info.

So is it installed internally and connected via SATA or externally using something else?

It is installed internally and connected via SATA, yes.

Did you power cycle the PC after flashing? Not restart, full shutdown and power back up after a minute.

Also, it might have something to do with your SATA ports, especially if using an AMD board/chipset. If using AMD, I think it should not be connected to SATA ports 0 or 1. If not using AMD, you still might need to change SATA ports anyway.

Other options are to try a SATA to USB powered adapter with your PC or connect the drive to another PC to flash.

[benraro]

Hello, I'm having trouble understanding which firmware I should use. I get that it's MK version, but I'm unsure which one.
I have the SDFtool, and downloaded the list here: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=19113

Since mine is BU40N with UHD compatible, but made in Taiwan on the back I wasn't sure if I should use: \mk-firmware-pack-20200720\MK\HL-DT-ST\BU40N-R-Tier2-Taiwan\
Or another one. Thank you.

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: MODPAKB1710
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 76

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

I ended up figuring it out. Thank you very much.

Did you grab my all you need firmware pack from the same place you downloaded the SDFtool Flasher? If so, it has BU40N 1.03-MK in it. Flash this. You can then leave it on BU40N 1.03-MK or you can flash it down to BU40N 1.00 for more UHD software compatability.

[cinerama19806]

Many thanks for all your efforts here. Hopefully this one's an easy fix and I'm just missing something simple trying to use the SDFtool Flasher. (Side note: I previously successfully flashed an Asus drive but I don't remember when or how, and that drive has pretty much given up the ghost for burning and hasn't successfully opened a 4K disc in ages (lots of grinding) even though it's Libradrive enabled.)

I've now purchased a Verbatim external 4K drive from Amazon (not too many options out there now) which Makemkv is reading as

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: MO6PAKA5435
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 82

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

When I open the SDFtool Flasher for this drive I get the same error previously noted: StartIndex cannot be less than zero (which I believe is not a "show stopper". Once I advance to the software window, I don't see a drive available for flashing (i.e. there's no option available in the pulldown menu for the drive. I don't know if it matters, but I've removed my previous Asus drive as an option and have assigned the new drive the "D" drive letter. (I believe I'm OK with the flash version needed and it's available to me from the "all you need firmware pack" (LG Slim BU40N) - but I can't get there without being able to select a drive.) Please let me know what I'm missing here.

Ensure you have MakeMKV installed in the default location (C:\Program File (x86)\MakeMKV).
Ensure there is no disc in the drive and the tray is closed.

If the drive still isn't seen, try changing ports. Best to use USB ports direct from the motherboard, not case ports. An AC self-powered USB hub of at least 24w is even better.

Once the drive is showing in SDFtool Flasher, flash it to BU40N 1.03-MK.

Are we referencing the same thing about a drive not being "seen"? I can burn discs with no problems, but no drive is visible in the pulldown menu of the tool. (Someone a page or so back said they had the same problem with the startindex error and resorted to the command line version of the software to perform the flashing.) (Someone on reddit noted some time ago that the pull-down for the drives is very small and perhaps even smaller on a 4K monitor. I had to resort to the "change high DPI settings" to get the software window to a point where I could see anything.)

[MartyMcNuts]

Many thanks for all your efforts here. Hopefully this one's an easy fix and I'm just missing something simple trying to use the SDFtool Flasher. (Side note: I previously successfully flashed an Asus drive but I don't remember when or how, and that drive has pretty much given up the ghost for burning and hasn't successfully opened a 4K disc in ages (lots of grinding) even though it's Libradrive enabled.)

I've now purchased a Verbatim external 4K drive from Amazon (not too many options out there now) which Makemkv is reading as

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: MO6PAKA5435
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 82

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

When I open the SDFtool Flasher for this drive I get the same error previously noted: StartIndex cannot be less than zero (which I believe is not a "show stopper". Once I advance to the software window, I don't see a drive available for flashing (i.e. there's no option available in the pulldown menu for the drive. I don't know if it matters, but I've removed my previous Asus drive as an option and have assigned the new drive the "D" drive letter. (I believe I'm OK with the flash version needed and it's available to me from the "all you need firmware pack" (LG Slim BU40N) - but I can't get there without being able to select a drive.) Please let me know what I'm missing here.

Ensure you have MakeMKV installed in the default location (C:\Program File (x86)\MakeMKV).
Ensure there is no disc in the drive and the tray is closed.

If the drive still isn't seen, try changing ports. Best to use USB ports direct from the motherboard, not case ports. An AC self-powered USB hub of at least 24w is even better.

Once the drive is showing in SDFtool Flasher, flash it to BU40N 1.03-MK.

Are we referencing the same thing about a drive not being "seen"? I can burn discs with no problems, but no drive is visible in the pulldown menu of the tool. (Someone a page or so back said they had the same problem with the startindex error and resorted to the command line version of the software to perform the flashing.) (Someone on reddit noted some time ago that the pull-down for the drives is very small and perhaps even smaller on a 4K monitor. I had to resort to the "change high DPI settings" to get the software window to a point where I could see anything.)

The SDFtool Flasher GUI is a front end for the MakeMKV CLI application and requires MakeMKV to be installed in the default location. I said this because of the StartIndex error you said you were getting.

[RSMegane]

I know what the model is as it's in the MakeMKV drive info.

So is it installed internally and connected via SATA or externally using something else?

It is installed internally and connected via SATA, yes.

Did you power cycle the PC after flashing? Not restart, full shutdown and power back up after a minute.

Also, it might have something to do with your SATA ports, especially if using an AMD board/chipset. If using AMD, I think it should not be connected to SATA ports 0 or 1. If not using AMD, you still might need to change SATA ports anyway.

Other options are to try a SATA to USB powered adapter with your PC or connect the drive to another PC to flash.

Yep, I shut down every day.

I just attempted it again as I've shut down multiple times since the first attempt, but it didn't work.

I also switched the SATA port from 5 to 1, then tried it again, still no luck

[MartyMcNuts]

It is installed internally and connected via SATA, yes.

Did you power cycle the PC after flashing? Not restart, full shutdown and power back up after a minute.

Also, it might have something to do with your SATA ports, especially if using an AMD board/chipset. If using AMD, I think it should not be connected to SATA ports 0 or 1. If not using AMD, you still might need to change SATA ports anyway.

Other options are to try a SATA to USB powered adapter with your PC or connect the drive to another PC to flash.

Yep, I shut down every day.

I just attempted it again as I've shut down multiple times since the first attempt, but it didn't work.

I also switched the SATA port from 5 to 1, then tried it again, still no luck

You are trying to flash WH16NS60 1.02-MK firmware aren't you? If so, I'm out of ideas. As I said, you may need to try a SATA to USB powered adapter from the Ultimate UHD Drive Flashing Guide 2026 or try a different PC.

[RSMegane]

Did you power cycle the PC after flashing? Not restart, full shutdown and power back up after a minute.

Also, it might have something to do with your SATA ports, especially if using an AMD board/chipset. If using AMD, I think it should not be connected to SATA ports 0 or 1. If not using AMD, you still might need to change SATA ports anyway.

Other options are to try a SATA to USB powered adapter with your PC or connect the drive to another PC to flash.

Yep, I shut down every day.

I just attempted it again as I've shut down multiple times since the first attempt, but it didn't work.

I also switched the SATA port from 5 to 1, then tried it again, still no luck

You are trying to flash WH16NS60 1.02-MK firmware aren't you? If so, I'm out of ideas. As I said, you may need to try a SATA to USB powered adapter from the Ultimate UHD Drive Flashing Guide 2026 or try a different PC.

Good news. I tried something I probably shouldn't have, and it worked.

I used the RECOVER DRIVE option instead of the WRITE FIRMWARE option, and it wrote it.

I am now able to read the Blu-Ray disc through MakeMKV

[cinerama19806]

Ensure you have MakeMKV installed in the default location (C:\Program File (x86)\MakeMKV).
Ensure there is no disc in the drive and the tray is closed.

If the drive still isn't seen, try changing ports. Best to use USB ports direct from the motherboard, not case ports. An AC self-powered USB hub of at least 24w is even better.

Once the drive is showing in SDFtool Flasher, flash it to BU40N 1.03-MK.

Are we referencing the same thing about a drive not being "seen"? I can burn discs with no problems, but no drive is visible in the pulldown menu of the tool. (Someone a page or so back said they had the same problem with the startindex error and resorted to the command line version of the software to perform the flashing.) (Someone on reddit noted some time ago that the pull-down for the drives is very small and perhaps even smaller on a 4K monitor. I had to resort to the "change high DPI settings" to get the software window to a point where I could see anything.)

The SDFtool Flasher GUI is a front end for the MakeMKV CLI application and requires MakeMKV to be installed in the default location. I said this because of the StartIndex error you said you were getting.

MakeMKV 1.18.2 is installed in the default location. I'll be attempting to burn a double layer disc soon. If that works, the ability to read 4K discs (and copy to one of my many hard drives) is just "icing on the cake" Side question: is there anywhere to find step-by-step instructions for using the command line tool? (As noted earlier, I don't know now how and when I successfully flashed my most likely dead ASUS.)

[MartyMcNuts]

Are we referencing the same thing about a drive not being "seen"? I can burn discs with no problems, but no drive is visible in the pulldown menu of the tool. (Someone a page or so back said they had the same problem with the startindex error and resorted to the command line version of the software to perform the flashing.) (Someone on reddit noted some time ago that the pull-down for the drives is very small and perhaps even smaller on a 4K monitor. I had to resort to the "change high DPI settings" to get the software window to a point where I could see anything.)

The SDFtool Flasher GUI is a front end for the MakeMKV CLI application and requires MakeMKV to be installed in the default location. I said this because of the StartIndex error you said you were getting.

MakeMKV 1.18.2 is installed in the default location. I'll be attempting to burn a double layer disc soon. If that works, the ability to read 4K discs (and copy to one of my many hard drives) is just "icing on the cake" Side question: is there anywhere to find step-by-step instructions for using the command line tool? (As noted earlier, I don't know now how and when I successfully flashed my most likely dead ASUS.)

The Ultimate UHD Drive Flashing Guide 2026 has the commands needed.