Phison PS2251-68 (PS2268) Firmware 01.00.10 Issues and Solutions

User question

PS2251-68(PS2268) - F/W 01.00.10 [2013-02-04]

Artificial Intelligence Response

Direct answer to the question

• “PS2251-68 (also marketed as PS2268) – F/W 01.00.10 [2013-02-04]” is the identification string of a Phison USB-flash-drive controller and its factory firmware build dated 04 Feb 2013.
• If your drive is malfunctioning (write-protected, 0 MB, not recognised, etc.) recovery requires a Phison Mass-Production (MP) tool set (MPALL/MPTool) plus the matching Burner (.BN) and Firmware (.FW/.BIN) files that support BOTH the PS2251-68 controller AND the exact NAND flash ID inside your stick.
• There is no “universal” firmware; flashing a mismatched file can permanently brick the device.

Detailed problem analysis

1. Controller architecture
   • Single-chip USB-2.0 controller, 8051-based core, single channel, BCH-ECC ≤24 bit.
   • BootROM (OTP) → Burner (BN) RAM-loader → Main FW (.FW) in NAND.
   • NAND parameters (page size, block size, bad-block map, timings, TLC/MLC/SLC) are hard-coded in each FW release.

2. Typical failure modes observed with FW 01.00.10
   • Controller enters “panic” read-only or ISP/Test mode after ECC overflow.
   • Capacity reads 0 bytes or “Please insert disk”.
   • VID/PID changes to 13FE:3E00 or 2304:**** (Phison ISP IDs).

3. Diagnostic workflow
   a. Read the controller and NAND IDs with ChipGenius, Flash Drive Information Extractor or flashboot.ru’s GetInfo.
   b. Note:
   ‑ Controller = PS2251-68 (68-xx, UP23N silkscreen).
   ‑ Flash ID example 983A A892 = Toshiba TC58NVG7T2JTA00 (TLC-8 k page).
   c. Inspect PCB for physical damage; verify 5 V on VBUS (~4.75-5.25 V).

4. Firmware recovery theory
   • BootROM enumerates as Phison PRAM/ISP if it cannot find valid FW.
   • MPALL loads Burner → initialises NAND → writes new FW → low-level formats.
   • After a clean low-level format the stick re-enumerates under its normal VID/PID and can be partitioned by the OS.

Current information and trends

• Newer drives moved to USB-3.x PS2251-xx (e.g., PS2251-09, PS2251-17); MPALL is still maintained (2024 latest MPALL v3.72.0C).
• Growing use of 3D-TLC/QLC requires updated BN/FW pairs with enhanced ECC (LDPC).
• Community repositories (usbdev.ru, flashboot.ru, elektorda) still actively exchange PS2251-68 resources even though Phison no longer lists the chip in its public portfolio.

Supporting explanations and details

• Recommended MP tools known to support PS2251-68:
MPALL v3.30.0C, v3.33.0C, v3.36.0A, v3.40.0A, v3.70.0E.
• Typical file set:
‑ BN68Vxxx.bin (Burner)
‑ FW68FF01V10010.bin (Firmware 01.00.10)
‑ MPParam.cfg / Setting.ini (sets VID/PID, scan mode, capacity).
• Error-code crib sheet:
0x8602 ‑ Burner–NAND mismatch → try other BN file.
0x8904 ‑ Bad-block over limit → NAND worn-out.
0x8A01 ‑ TestMode not entered → need manual short (see below).

Ethical and legal aspects

• BN/FW binaries are proprietary to Phison and the OEM; redistribution may violate NDAs or copyright.
• Flashing tools erase all data; if the stick contains personal information, ensure compliance with privacy laws (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.).
• Opening the casing or shorting pins voids warranty and may breach safety regulations if done in commercial settings.

Practical guidelines

1. Back up any readable data first (logical imaging in read-only).
2. Download several MPALL bundles that explicitly list PS2251-68 support.
3. Extract and launch MPALL → Setting → load correct BN & FW → set “Scan & Repair” mode 3.
4. Plug the faulty drive; if not detected, force TestMode: open case, short NAND pins D0-D1 (or use 10-Ω resistor) while inserting USB, then release.
5. Click Start, wait for green PASS.
6. Remove, reinsert, quick-format in the OS.
7. Run H2testw/USB Flash Drive Tester to verify full capacity (>1 write-read cycle).

Potential challenges & mitigation
• Burner loops forever → wrong BN; try older/newer BN.
• Stick reports half capacity → wrong “Flash Config”; edit MPParam.cfg or load alternative FW set.
• Continual ECC errors after reflash → NAND worn out → irreversible.

Possible disclaimers or additional notes

• Success rate drops sharply with TLC NAND older than ~10 years due to retention loss.
• Some OEMs encrypt firmware – such drives will refuse third-party BN/FW.
• If the PCB uses stacked MCP (combo NAND+DRAM), standard BN may not initialise it.

Suggestions for further research

• Dump original FW with Flash Extractor and compare against public sets to build custom firmware.
• Investigate open-source replacements for proprietary MP tools (e.g., Sigrok-based ISP loaders).
• Study LDPC/ECC progression in later PS2251 generations for improved data retention.

Brief summary

The string you provided identifies a Phison PS2251-68 USB-flash controller running firmware 01.00.10 from February 2013. Devices based on this chip commonly fail by locking themselves read-only or showing 0 MB; repair requires Phison’s MPALL utility plus a BN/FW pair that exactly matches both the controller and the NAND flash inside the drive. The process is destructive to data and legally restricted by firmware copyright, so back up first and source files responsibly. If flashing with the correct set succeeds, the stick normally returns to full functionality; otherwise the NAND is likely exhausted and the drive must be replaced.

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.