Phison PS2251-19 USB Flash Drive "No Media" Issue – NAND Not Detected, Firmware Corruption, Write-Protect

User question

Phison 2251-19 no work
No media legend

Artificial Intelligence Response

Direct answer to the question

• “No media” on a Phison PS2251‑19 (PS2319) USB stick means the controller is enumerating over USB, but it cannot see a usable NAND array. Root causes are typically: NAND not detected (dead/unsoldered), translator/firmware corruption, or the controller has entered a write‑protect/EOL state.
• If you need the data: do not run mass‑production (MP) tools—those erase the NAND. Go straight to professional flash data recovery (chip‑off).
• If you only want a working stick: identify the exact controller/NAND and re‑initialize it with a PS2251‑19‑capable Phison toolset (STTool/C‑Tool, Restore, or MPALL with matching BN/FW). If the tool cannot read a valid Flash ID (00/FF/—), the fault is hardware.

Key points

• Confirm detection state and Flash ID first (ChipGenius/FDIE).
• Pick a tool version that explicitly supports PS2251‑19 and your NAND.
• For stubborn cases, force Test/Boot mode and reflash; otherwise it’s likely NAND failure.

Detailed problem analysis

• What “No media” means electrically:
  • USB layer up: the PS2251‑19’s USB device and mass‑storage endpoints enumerate, so Device Manager shows a disk, but capacity = 0 and Disk Management says “No media.”
  • Flash layer down: the controller either:
  • cannot read the NAND ID (open/short/ESD damage, cracked solder, dead die), or
  • reads the ID but fails early init (translator FTL tables corrupted, excessive bad blocks/ECC beyond threshold), or
  • has latched a permanent write‑protect/EOL condition.
• Typical symptom patterns by cause:
  • Flash ID = 00… or FF… in ChipGenius/FDIE → NAND not responding (dead IC, bad VCC/VCCQ, CE#/RE#/WE# line issue, cold joint under BGA/TSOP, or monolith internal break).
  • Valid Flash ID but capacity 0 → firmware/translator corruption, exhausted reserve blocks, or wrong NAND parameters stored in controller.
  • Device flips between VID/PID (often 13FE:xxxx for Phison) and disconnects → boot‑loop; controller tries main FW, fails, falls back to ROM.
• Controller/firmware specifics:
  • PS2251‑19 (PS2319) is very sensitive to NAND pairing (TLC/QLC, vendor‑specific timings). The BN (burner) and FW must match the NAND generation. Using the wrong pair usually yields CT‑errors or “Scan NAND fail.”
  • Several field reports for FW 10.04.5D (2021‑09‑29 class) show “No media” and write‑protect states after heavy usage; suitable STTool/Restore packages exist, but success depends on the NAND’s health.
• Data recovery vs repair:
  • MP tools (STTool/Restore/MPALL) perform low‑level re‑init, table erase, full scan, and re‑mapping. That permanently destroys user data. If any recovery is needed, stop before running them.
  • If NAND is physically bad but readable, chip‑off imaging and ECC correction in pro suites (PC‑3000 Flash/Flash Extractor) can rebuild data from dumps.

Current information and trends

• Numerous recent user cases with PS2251‑19 show:
  • “No media” with FW ~10.04.5D and Toshiba/Kioxia TLC; controller enumerates, but Windows shows 0 bytes.
  • Difficulty locating a tool build that explicitly lists “PS2251‑19” and supports their exact NAND; success improves with newer STTool/Restore or MPALL packages bundled with correct BN/FW for PS2319.
  • Write‑protect states that persist until a successful low‑level re‑init, if NAND is still serviceable.
• Industry trend: newer USB controllers increasingly lock down vendor tools; obtaining the correct, signed BN/FW for a specific NAND often determines success more than the MP tool version number itself.

Supporting explanations and details

• Minimal diagnostic matrix (what to check first):
  • Does it enumerate every time on multiple hosts/ports (prefer rear I/O USB2.0) without hubs?
  • ChipGenius/FDIE readout:
  • Controller: PS2251‑19(PS2319)
  • FW: e.g., 10.04.5D (date stamps help)
  • Flash ID: vendor/device bytes (e.g., 98… for Toshiba/Kioxia)
  • Linux dmesg will often say “No medium present” if the USB layer is fine but LUN=0 capacity.
• Hardware sanity checks (non‑destructive):
  • Inspect the Type‑A connector for cracked solder; re‑wet if needed.
  • If it’s a PCB design (not monolith), check 12/24 MHz XO presence and 1.2/1.8/3.3 V rails near controller/NAND. Brown‑outs can mimic “No media.”
  • Light finger‑pressure on NAND while enumerating can expose a marginal BGA joint (diagnostic only).
• Entering Test/Boot mode (advanced, at your risk):
  • Goal: force ROM enumerator so tools can see the device even if main FW is corrupt.
  • Methods vary by board and NAND package. Common techniques include momentarily asserting CE# low at plug‑in or shorting a designated test pad; the exact pins differ by NAND type (BGA132/BGA152) and board. Do not blindly short arbitrary pins—consult the chip’s pinout and look for labeled test pads. Improper shorting can kill the NAND or controller.

Ethical and legal aspects

• Using vendor MP toolsets and BN/FW blobs may be under NDA/licensing; obtain them from legitimate sources.
• Handling user data: MP procedures erase all content. Get consent and preserve chain‑of‑custody if recovering third‑party data.
• Warranty/RMA: Opening the casing or running non‑public tools can void warranties; consider manufacturer replacement if data is not needed.

Practical guidelines

Implementation (repair for reuse; data not required):

1. Baseline
   • Test on direct motherboard USB2.0 port; avoid hubs.
   • Disable USB selective suspend (Windows Power Options) during the process.
2. Identify
   • Run ChipGenius/FDIE; record VID/PID, controller, FW, Flash ID.
3. Tooling
   • Choose a PS2251‑19‑capable package (STTool/Restore or MPALL) that includes matching BN/FW for your Flash ID vendor/type. Prefer bundles that explicitly list PS2319 and your NAND family.
4. First pass (non‑destructive where possible)
   • Some tools offer identify/scan without full format—use that first to confirm solid communication with NAND.
5. Re‑initialization
   • Configure for Auto‑Detect Flash with Full Scan/Low‑level format enabled, single LUN, Removable disk.
   • Start; expect long scan on TLC/QLC (tens of minutes to hours).
6. Verify
   • After success, run an integrity test (H2testw/f3write+f3read) end‑to‑end. If errors appear, retire the stick.
7. If tools fail to see NAND (ID 00/FF) or throw CT‑errors immediately
   • Try forcing Test/Boot mode and retry. If still no go, assume hardware/NAND failure.
8. Data recovery path (if needed)
   • Stop MP tools. For PCB designs, perform chip‑off, dump with a supported programmer, reconstruct in pro software. For monoliths, use pinout adapters to access internal pads; this is specialized lab work.

Potential challenges and workarounds

• Tool won’t list PS2251‑19: you likely have a package not updated for PS2319. Source a newer bundle or a BN/FW set for your Flash ID.
• Intermittent enumeration: poor USB power or cracked connector—repair hardware first.
• Permanent write‑protect after “success”: indicates exhausted NAND; retire the device.

Possible disclaimers or additional notes

• Success is NAND‑health limited. When ECC/BCH error rates exceed thresholds, the controller will refuse to present media even after re‑init.
• Monolith designs (molded body) are far harder to service without specialized fixtures.
• Any FW/BN mismatch can soft‑brick the stick until you re‑enter Test mode.

Suggestions for further research

• Look up case studies for PS2251‑19 with your exact Flash ID (vendor/device bytes) to find a known‑good BN/FW pairing.
• Review professional flash recovery resources on PS2319 page layouts, XOR/ecc maps, and translator specifics for your NAND family.
• If you plan repeated recoveries, consider training on safe Test‑mode entry for BGA132/152 NAND and assembling a reference of PS2319‑supported BN/FW sets by Flash ID.

Brief summary

• “No media” on PS2251‑19 means the controller can’t build a valid LUN from the NAND. If you need the data, stop and use professional chip‑off recovery. If you only want the stick back, use a PS2319‑capable Phison toolset with the correct BN/FW for your NAND and do a full low‑level re‑init—only after you’ve confirmed a valid Flash ID. If the Flash ID is 00/FF or tools can’t stabilize the NAND, the device is a hardware write‑off.

If you want tailored steps, please share:

• ChipGenius/FDIE output (VID/PID, Controller, FW, Flash ID).
• Whether it’s a monolith or a PCB design (photos help).
• Exact symptoms (constant “No media,” intermittent detection, write‑protect messages) and any LEDs/heat behavior.
• Whether data recovery is required or you’re OK with erasing the drive.

Disclaimer: The responses provided by artificial intelligence (language model) may be inaccurate and misleading. Elektroda is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the presented information. All responses should be verified by the user.