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FirstChip FC1178BC USB2DISK (VID FFFF PID 1201) Intel QLC 89D3AC32C600 Recovery

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User question

Description: [H:]USB Mass Storage Device(NAND USB2DISK)
Device Type: Mass Storage Device

Protocal Version: USB 2.00
Current Speed: High Speed
Max Current: 100mA

USB Device ID: VID = FFFF PID = 1201

Device Revision: 0000

Manufacturer: NAND
Product Model: USB2DISK
Product Revision: 0.00

Controller Vendor: FirstChip
Controller Part-Number: FC1178BC
Flash ID code: 89D3AC32C600 - INTEL - 1CE/Single Channel [QLC]

Artificial Intelligence Response

Direct answer to the question

  • Your USB stick is in FirstChip “ROM/Factory” mode (VID=FFFF, PID=1201), which happens when the controller cannot load valid firmware or cannot initialise the NAND.
  • The controller is FirstChip FC1178BC; the NAND is Intel QLC, single CE/single channel.
  • To revive it you must run a compatible FirstChip Mass‑Production Tool (MPTool) for FC1178BC and re‑initialise the drive (low‑level format + firmware reload). This will erase all data and may reveal a smaller, real capacity if the device was misprogrammed.

Key points

  • FFFF:1201 = boot/emergency mode, not a usable storage device.
  • Intel QLC + single channel is demanding on firmware/ECC; only a matching MPTool build will work.
  • Data recovery via software is generally not possible from this state; “chip‑off” is the only forensic option.

Detailed problem analysis

  • Enumeration
    • USB 2.00, High‑Speed, 100 mA, generic strings (“Manufacturer: NAND / Product: USB2DISK / Revision: 0.00”) are all typical of ROM/factory mode on FirstChip. The controller exposes a minimal USB device to accept factory commands from MPTool rather than a SCSI disk.
  • Controller/Firmware boot path (how it fails)
    • FC1178BC has an internal ROM loader. On power‑up it probes the NAND for a firmware area, reads the flash translation layer (FTL) metadata, and builds a logical‑to‑physical map. If firmware/FTL is missing, corrupted, or the NAND ID is unsupported, it falls back to ROM mode with emergency VID/PID (FFFF:1201).
  • NAND characteristics and impact
    • Flash ID decoded by your tool: Intel vendor (0x89), QLC, 1 CE, single channel. QLC stores 4 bits/cell with lower endurance and tighter read margins than TLC/MLC; it requires stronger ECC and carefully tuned read‑reference tables. A mismatched firmware build often leads to “no media,” 0 MB capacity, or FFFF:1201.
  • Why normal OS tools cannot help
    • In ROM mode there is no block device, so partitioning/formatting utilities cannot see media. Only the factory MPTool, which speaks FirstChip’s private commands, can push firmware, scan the die, build the bad‑block table, and create the FTL.

Current information and trends

  • FirstChip FC1178/FC1179 families share workflow across MPTool builds; newer MPTool revisions add NAND ID tables/ECC profiles for late‑generation QLC/TLC.
  • Cheap “high‑capacity” sticks frequently ship with firmware that overstates capacity; once the controller rescans the flash with correct parameters, the usable size often drops to the real capacity.
  • On modern Windows (10/11), unsigned factory tools can trigger AV/SmartScreen; running them as Administrator and on a spare/isolated Windows machine is standard practice.

Supporting explanations and details

  • Essential MPTool roles
    • Push or select the correct controller firmware for FC1178BC.
    • Identify the NAND by ID, set geometry/ECC tables, and scan for bad blocks.
    • Create the FTL, assign the final LUN size (true capacity), and program USB descriptors (VID/PID, strings).
  • Typical but not guaranteed NAND geometry for recent Intel QLC
    • Large page sizes and blocks (e.g., 16 KB page, ~1 MB block) are common in late‑gen QLC; exact parameters come from the MPTool’s NAND table for your specific ID and should not be forced manually unless instructed by the tool’s profile.
  • Capacity reality check
    • Final capacity = (good blocks × pages per block × page size) − spare/ECC overhead. Single channel and 1 CE limit bandwidth; don’t expect >30 MB/s on USB 2.0 even when healthy.

Ethical and legal aspects

  • Firmware and MPTools are vendor–proprietary; redistribute only where licensing permits.
  • Many “too‑cheap” drives are counterfeit/misdeclared; do not use them for critical data.
  • If the stick ever contained personal data and you cannot re‑initialise it securely, treat it as e‑waste and destroy the NAND before disposal.

Practical guidelines

  1. Prepare the environment
    • Use Windows 10/11 on a spare PC or VM. Disable antivirus temporarily if it blocks the tool. Run MPTool as Administrator.
    • Plug the device directly into a rear‑panel USB 2.0 port (avoid hubs/front panels to reduce timeouts).
  2. Obtain an FC1178BC‑compatible MPTool
    • Choose a recent build that explicitly lists FC1178BC and QLC support. Prefer packages that include NAND tables/configs matching Intel QLC. Avoid mixing tools for other controller families.
  3. Configure MPTool
    • Launch the tool; your stick should appear in one of the slots as FFFF:1201.
    • Enter settings (often via a gear icon or hotkey). If asked for a password, common defaults are blank or “320”.
    • Ensure the NAND Flash ID matches what you reported (89 D3 AC 32 C6 00) and that the tool selects an Intel QLC profile automatically. Do not guess geometry if the tool already has a matching entry.
    • Select a full/low‑level scan (factory scan). Enable bad‑block scan; leave ECC to “Auto” when available. Leave capacity to “Auto/Calculate.”
  4. Run the mass‑production (MP) process
    • Start the process. The tool will erase, re‑learn the NAND, program firmware, and build the FTL. Expect 10–60 minutes (or longer) depending on capacity and scan level.
    • On PASS, replug the stick. Windows will prompt to format; choose exFAT for capacities >32 GB.
  5. Verify reality and stability
    • Run H2testw (Windows) or F3write/F3read (macOS/Linux) over the whole device to confirm error‑free true capacity.
    • If repeated FAIL occurs with “Unknown/Not Support Flash,” try a newer MPTool build. If errors point to excessive bad blocks or ECC failures, the NAND is likely worn or incompatible—replacement is more economical.
  6. Data recovery considerations
    • From ROM mode there is no file‑level recovery. If data is irreplaceable, a chip‑off service can desolder the NAND, read it with a programmer, and attempt FTL reconstruction. Costs and success vary; with QLC the success rate is modest.

Common pitfalls and remedies

  • Tool sees the stick but won’t start: move to a native USB 2.0 port; try a different PC; avoid USB 3.x hubs.
  • Password/locked settings: some bundles are vendor‑locked; try another FC1178BC bundle.
  • “Capacity too large/smaller than expected”: accept the tool’s calculated size; forcing the advertised size will cause data loss later.

Possible disclaimers or additional notes

  • Any MP process wipes the device completely.
  • Using an incorrect firmware/profile can brick the controller until you re‑enter ROM mode; proceed carefully and document defaults before changes.
  • A successful re‑initialisation on aging QLC may still yield a short remaining lifespan; treat the drive as non‑critical.

Suggestions for further research

  • Obtain and share: advertised capacity, exact symptom in Disk Management (0 MB/no media/write‑protected), Windows version, and MPTool log/error codes. These details allow selection of a known‑good MPTool build and configuration profile.
  • Explore whether your FC1178BC PCB exposes test pads for factory strap/boot; some boards allow forcing ROM mode or UART logging, useful if the stick stops enumerating.
  • Read community repair threads specific to FC1178BC with Intel QLC to find a bundle that already includes your Flash ID table.

Brief summary

  • Your FC1178BC‑based stick enumerates in ROM mode (FFFF:1201) because the controller can’t load valid firmware/FTL for its Intel QLC NAND.
  • The only practical fix is to run a recent FirstChip MPTool that supports FC1178BC and your NAND ID, perform a full factory scan, and reload firmware—this erases all data and sets the real capacity.
  • If MPTool cannot complete with a recent build, the NAND/controller is likely defective; consider chip‑off recovery (for critical data) or replacement.

If you want, I can help you pick an MPTool build and outline the exact settings once you share the stick’s advertised capacity, your Windows version, and what Disk Management shows (no media/0 MB/unallocated).

User question

The labeled capacity on the stick and any capacity Windows currently shows. labeled as 1 TB; Windows currently shows 1GB Whether Windows shows “No media” or asks to format. Didn't ask for format. A photo of the PCB (controller and NAND markings). N/A Any error text you’ve already seen when trying a tool. N/A

Artificial Intelligence Response

Direct answer to the question

  • Your 1 TB‑labeled USB stick being shown by Windows as 1 GB, without a “Please format” prompt, is characteristic of a fake‑capacity device or a controller that has fallen back to a minimal/real capacity after firmware/FTL corruption.
  • Expect that the true physical capacity is far below 1 TB (often a few GB or even ≈1 GB). You cannot restore it to 1 TB because that silicon does not exist on the PCB.

Key points

  • Do not write anything further to the stick if you care about data (data on fake‑capacity media is inherently unsafe).
  • First confirm the controller and the real capacity; then either re‑initialize the controller to “honest” size or retire the device.

Detailed problem analysis

  • How fake‑capacity sticks work: The USB controller firmware (FTL—flash translation layer) lies about LBA range so the OS sees “1 TB.” Once writes cross the real flash size, the controller wraps/overwrites earlier LBAs, causing silent corruption. After sufficient errors or a power‑loss during an update, many controllers revert to a fallback/ROM or a “safe” configuration that exposes only a tiny LUN (commonly around the real capacity, e.g., ~1 GB).
  • Why Windows shows 1 GB and no format prompt:
    • If the controller presents a tiny, already‑partitioned LUN, Windows mounts it without asking to format.
    • 1 GB is not a normal by‑product of writing an ISO/boot tool (those typically leave 32 GB partitions or a few GB, not 1 GB). The 1 GB figure strongly suggests the controller has collapsed to its minimal usable geometry or the true NAND capacity is ≈1 GB.
  • Absence of PCB photo/markings: Without controller/NAND markings we can’t lock to a specific vendor tool yet, but many counterfeit “1–2 TB” sticks from recent years use FirstChip FC1178/FC1179, Chipsbank CBM209x, Alcor AU698x, Realtek RTS5xx, or Phison. Each family needs its own factory “MPTool” if you want to re‑initialize it properly.

What’s most likely here

  • A counterfeit stick whose controller firmware has dropped the illusion and is now exposing ~1 GB (or a placeholder) as a last‑resort configuration. You won’t recover 1 TB; at best you can rebuild it to its honest capacity (which testing will reveal).

Current information and trends

  • 2023–2025 saw a surge of counterfeit “1–2 TB” USB products on large marketplaces. They often use very low‑bin QLC/TLC dies with budget controllers; reported capacities are faked in firmware. Genuine 1 TB USB sticks use reputable controllers (Phison/SMI/Realtek) and cost significantly more and exhibit much higher sustained throughput. Industry guidance continues to be: verify new media with capacity‑fill tests and buy only from vetted channels.

Supporting explanations and details

  • LBA overreporting: The firmware’s mapping table advertises far more logical sectors than physically exist. When the host writes logical sector N beyond the real range, the controller remaps it into existing blocks (wraparound), overwriting earlier data.
  • “No Media” vs “Format” behaviors:
    • “No media” in Disk Management usually indicates the controller enumerated but the LUN is not presented—often ROM mode or hard failure.
    • “Please format” appears when a LUN is presented but the partition table is missing/damaged.
    • Your case shows a mounted small volume, meaning a LUN is presented and contains a filesystem—just tiny.

Ethical and legal aspects

  • Selling devices that misrepresent capacity is fraud. If purchased recently, pursue a refund/chargeback and report the listing to the marketplace and, if applicable in the US, to the FTC or state consumer protection.
  • MPTools are legitimate factory utilities but are commonly flagged by AV; only obtain them from trusted communities/repositories and use on a non‑critical PC.

Practical guidelines

  1. Capture identification (non‑destructive)

    • In Windows:
      • Disk Management: Note Disk size, partition(s), and whether there is unallocated space.
      • Device Manager → Disk drives → Properties → Details → “Hardware Ids” and “Bus reported device description.”
    • Run a USB info tool (e.g., ChipGenius, Flash Drive Information Extractor, USBDeview) to read:
      • VID:PID, controller model (if reported), and flash ID (if the controller exposes it).
    • Share the raw text output; that determines the correct factory tool family.

  2. Verify actual capacity (non‑destructive to controller config)

    • Run H2testw (Windows) or F3/f3probe (Linux/macOS) against the currently visible 1 GB volume.
    • Outcomes:
      • Pass across entire 1 GB: physical capacity is at least that much; controller currently exposes ≈1 GB.
      • Errors even within 1 GB: the NAND is severely degraded; further effort may be pointless.

  3. If the controller family is identified

    • FirstChip FC1178/FC1179 → FirstChip MPTool.
    • Phison → MPALL/Phison MPTools.
    • SMI (SM32xx/SM325x) → SMI MPTool.
    • Realtek (RTS5xx) → UMPTool.
    • Chipsbank (CBM209x) → CBM MPTool.
    • General process with any MPTool:
      • Use a desktop’s rear USB 2.0 port.
      • Run as Administrator, temporarily disable AV.
      • Auto‑detect Flash by ID; select “Real/Auto capacity”; perform a full scan to build a fresh bad‑block table; do not force 1 TB.
      • Expect a final capacity that matches the tested real size (often a few GB or even ~1 GB on the worst fakes).

  4. If you cannot or do not want to use an MPTool

    • On Linux/macOS, run f3probe against the whole device (not just the volume). It will infer safe size and can output a command (f3fix) to create a right‑sized partition. This does not fix firmware lies but can limit the filesystem within working LBAs. Only use if the controller isn’t wildly overreporting anymore.

  5. After any rebuild/repartition

    • Quick‑format (exFAT/NTFS).
    • Re‑run H2testw/F3 over the full reported capacity to validate. If it fails beyond a point, reduce capacity or discard.

  6. When to stop

    • If ROM mode/no‑flash errors persist across multiple known‑good tool versions, or the drive fails within the first gigabytes of H2testw, the NAND/controller is defective. Do not store data on it.

Possible disclaimers or additional notes

  • All factory tools will erase the device completely. Data recovery from fake‑capacity devices is rarely feasible because data beyond true capacity is overwritten.
  • Exact menu names and options vary per tool build and language; screenshots/logs help tailor precise settings.
  • 1 GB outcome: While unusual for a modern “1 TB” label, it is plausible for the cheapest counterfeits; accept that as maximum, or replace the device.

Suggestions for further research

  • Identify the controller definitively (ChipGenius/FDIE log). Provide:
    • VID:PID
    • Reported controller model
    • Any flash ID string if shown
  • If it is FirstChip: locate an FC1178/FC1179 MPTool build that lists your flash ID in its FlashList; we can provide concrete parameter values (CE/channels, scan level, ECC) once you share the tool version and flash ID.
  • Read independent guides on detecting fake storage and on using H2testw/F3 for acceptance testing of new media.

Brief summary

  • The 1 TB label vs. 1 GB shown in Windows, without a format prompt, strongly indicates a fake‑capacity USB stick whose controller now exposes only a tiny/real LUN. You cannot make it 1 TB. Confirm the controller with a USB info tool, verify actual capacity with H2testw/F3, and—if you wish to salvage it—rebuild it with the appropriate manufacturer MPTool to its honest size and validate. Otherwise, seek a refund and replace with a genuine drive from a reputable vendor.

If you share the ChipGenius/FDIE output and a screenshot of Disk Management, I’ll map you to the exact tool and provide step‑by‑step settings for your controller.

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