Cross-flashing LG WP50NB40?

[DH_Leon]

Hi there!

I've scoured the forums before posting to try to make sure this hadn't been answered already, and couldn't find a clear response. From what I gathered:

WP50NB40 == BP50NB40
Only diff. appears to be the BP50NB40 includes a little software pack-in.

However, the firmware is ever so slightly different, at least in the name scheme being WP and such, which is where I'm getting thrown off. Following this post, would I be correct in thinking I would flash the firmware of a LG WP50NB40 to HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070929.bin then cross-flash over to HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP60NB10-1.00-NM00200-211711211720.bin, or might that be a mistake?

With the linked instructions I was able to easily flash a LG BP50NB40 then cross-flash (if I'm using that term right) to BP60NB10, but I found I could return that drive, which I just got, and get basically the same thing (LG WP50NB40) cheaper, hence asking. Before I go around and return the drive and save a little cash though, I want to ensure I can replicate the firmware flashing/crossflashing process, which I believe can be done just as easily, just not sure if I have the right idea with the aforementioned flash sequence.

TL;DR:
To cross-flash LG WP50NB40, would you write HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070929.bin to the drive then proceed to write HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP60NB10-1.00-NM00200-211711211720.bin to it?

Thanks ahead of time, and load of thanks to the folks that have developed the tools to make all this possible.

[Carlos G]

What did you end up doing? I am in the same position. I have a WP50NB40 that I need to cross-flash.

This is what MartyMcNuts got around this, but I have not found cross flashing instructions that work.

What I did was flash my BP50NB40 from 1.01 to 1.01-MK. That is when I discovered it is not UHD friendly. So I created the HBD firmware for this drive. So I then flashed my BP50NB40 to BP60NB10 using the HBD firmware and now it is recognized as a BP60NB10, can read UHD and has libredrive enabled.

viewtopic.php?t=21071

Yes, I've been through dozens of forum threads: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19634

Might just buy another drive at this point.

Thanks

[Billycar11]

What did you end up doing? I am in the same position. I have a WP50NB40 that I need to cross-flash.

This is what MartyMcNuts got around this, but I have not found cross flashing instructions that work.

What I did was flash my BP50NB40 from 1.01 to 1.01-MK. That is when I discovered it is not UHD friendly. So I created the HBD firmware for this drive. So I then flashed my BP50NB40 to BP60NB10 using the HBD firmware and now it is recognized as a BP60NB10, can read UHD and has libredrive enabled.

viewtopic.php?t=21071

Yes, I've been through dozens of forum threads: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19634

Might just buy another drive at this point.

Thanks

Follow the bp50 section in the guide
Or get an automated flasher from me or Marty that will do it all for you

[iamamish]

I've gained a lot from these forums so I wanted to be share back what I learned.

In essence, I followed the instructions here. I had a vanilla WP50NB40 drive (manufactured in 2017). I used the SDFtool to first save my vanilla firmware, then I flashed it to the HL-DT-ST/WP50NB40-NB50 version in the firmware pack. That gave me a libre-compatible drive, but alas - no UHD reading (this is expected).

So, I then patched it a 2nd time, only this time I used the HL-DT-ST/BP60NB10 firmware that I believe Marty recommended.

I am now able to read UHD discs.

Huge thanks to everyone who makes these tools and keeps these forums up-to-date!

[ahmaudt]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I just bought the WP50NB40 and will attempt to flash it today, so knowing the steps you took saves me some time looking through threads to ensure I'm on the right track.

[Schwift3D]

I followed all the steps you listed but still wont read any of my uhd blurays.. I flashed my vanilla software for my WP50NB40 Drive to DE_LG_WP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin then flashed it to DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK.bin tested it out and didn't work so thought maybe id flash DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.02-MK.bin (still didn't do the trick) looks like I can still backup and read regular bluray discs so no harm done I suppose. what did I miss? was I supposed to reset my computer after each flash? or... what?

[MartyMcNuts]

I followed all the steps you listed but still wont read any of my uhd blurays.. I flashed my vanilla software for my WP50NB40 Drive to DE_LG_WP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin then flashed it to DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK.bin tested it out and didn't work so thought maybe id flash DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.02-MK.bin (still didn't do the trick) looks like I can still backup and read regular bluray discs so no harm done I suppose. what did I miss? was I supposed to reset my computer after each flash? or... what?

Use the recovery option for the cross-flash. See SDFtool flasher thread for instructions.

[Schwift3D]

@martyMcnuts sorry not sure what you mean? do you mean to use the recovery option to flash my external disc drive to its original vanilla version? or are you saying that I need to use the recovery option after flashing a custom software for it to work? (meaning after I use recovery my drive will be unlocked and be able to read uhd blurays?) sorry just trying to clarify. appreciate you taking the time to respond

[MartyMcNuts]

@martyMcnuts sorry not sure what you mean? do you mean to use the recovery option to flash my external disc drive to its original vanilla version? or are you saying that I need to use the recovery option after flashing a custom software for it to work? (meaning after I use recovery my drive will be unlocked and be able to read uhd blurays?) sorry just trying to clarify. appreciate you taking the time to respond

Your previous comments sound as if the cross-flash didn't work and your drive is on 1.03-MK firmware as you can read standard BD discs.

So, use the recovery process to complete the cross-flash to enable UHD readability. I recommend the DE BU40N 1.00 firmware over the BP60NB10 1.00-MK firmware as the BU40N firmware works with all popular ripping software.

[Schwift3D]

appreciate the response and trying to help but I can't seem to figure it out. not sure what firmware to select for booting in recover mode. don't want to take up more of your time. but in theory if I did select the right software and got past the recovery step would I just select (Write firmware) and use the DE BU40N 1.00 you suggested?

[Schwift3D]

scratch that, I was able to use recovery and get everything back to the original software. question tho, If I Buy the DIY Single Drive Flasher that will be able to flash my external bluray drive to run 4k uhd automatically for me? just wanna make sure. thinking of going that route

[MartyMcNuts]

scratch that, I was able to use recovery and get everything back to the original software. question tho, If I Buy the DIY Single Drive Flasher that will be able to flash my external bluray drive to run 4k uhd automatically for me? just wanna make sure. thinking of going that route

Not if your drive is NB52

[Schwift3D]

ah gotcha. (mine is NB52) thanks for letting me know. and thanks for trying to help

[MartyMcNuts]

ah gotcha. (mine is NB52) thanks for letting me know. and thanks for trying to help

Why not use the recovery process in SDFtool Flasher? It's very simple.

1. Flash the drive normally to WP50NB40 1.03-MK.
2. Now select recovery, in the popup, select the WP50NB40 1.03-MK firmware that you flashed in the previous step.
3. In the normal firmware selection dropdown box, select the BU40N 1.00 firmware.
4. Press START and the entire process will be done in around 30 seconds.

[Schwift3D]

THANK YOU! lol got it to work. (I didn't quite have the recovery process down) so I was finally able to get it with the steps you just provided. works like a charm, can't tell you how grateful I am for all your help. YOU THE MAN! <3