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SATAFIRM S11 or How to bring an SSD to life on a Phison PS3111

a_jablon 179547 195
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How can I revive a Phison PS3111 SSD that shows up as SATAFIRM S11?

Flash a matching PS3111 firmware build for the exact SBFM family/version you find in CrystalDiskInfo or on the label; the useful rule is that the letters and the first two digits must match, and if the latest compatible build fails, try the older compatible one from the package [#19799294][#21449568] If the flasher does not see the drive, connect it directly by SATA, not through a USB-SATA adapter, and if needed short the service jumper/pads so the controller appears in PS3111/ROM/safe mode with a tiny capacity for flashing [#20553224][#21449568][#21557753] The procedure is destructive: it erases the data, rebuilds the defect/translator tables, and the drive may only be temporarily revived because the underlying NAND can still be worn or damaged [#19801406][#21466775] SMART readings are often meaningless on these SSDs, so they should not be treated as proof of health; the real indicator is whether the controller comes back after the firmware rewrite [#19801406]
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  • #181 21641141
    scarecroowst
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    Has anyone tried to revive an Gigabyte SSD GP-GSTFS31100TNTD, not sure what is the fw use in this one since the phision id tool just shows Model: PS3111 because the disc is in Rom mode
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  • #182 21692339
    scarecroowst
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    >>20889757 care to explain what did you did exactly? I just can't revive my gigabyte ssd
  • #183 21728995
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    I have a problem with a Goodram CX400 256GB, after plugging it in it doesn't show in the BIOS or whatever. Looking for information on the failure of this series I found information about resetting the drive via a jumper, question is this applicable in this case + which jumpers exactly? unfortunately I have not dug into the schematic.


    SSD Goodram CX400 PCB with visible diagnostic pins and IC components
    SSD Goodram CX400 256 GB PCB with visible chips and SATA connector
    Goodram CX400 256GB SSD lying on a desk with technical label facing up
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  • #184 21729050
    kaleron

    HDD and data recovery specialist
    Posts: 7022
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    You've got this SSD on a completely different controller - you can see from the photo that it's Maxio, not Phison. Do you care about the content, or about bringing the drive back to life? With that said, I'm not going to blush - in either case I wouldn't count on success too much.
    Company Account:
    Kaleron sp. z o. o.
    Hirszfelda 4/18, Jelcz-Laskowice, 55-231 | Tel.: 713XXXXXX (Show) | Company Website: https://kaleron.pl
  • #185 21729061
    rtj71
    IT specialist
    Posts: 4983
    Help: 474
    Rate: 351
    Exclusively looking to bring it back to life, the drive is basically unused, worked a few days. I know it's a different controller but this topic has 'most life' that's why I posted it here ;)
  • #186 21763017
    PitD

    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl
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    In my case the process stops with an error at 15%.
    I have read that this is a problem for the new disks with maskROM SBRM09.2.
    Has anyone managed to solve this problem?
    Company Account:
    Kuźnia Komputerowa
    Marsz.J.Piłsudskiego 17, Kraków, 31-110 | Company Website: www.kuznia.pl
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  • #187 21788067
    Swerybary
    Level 3  
    Posts: 4
    Would anyone be able to guide me to the correct shorting points?
    After a long hiatus from trying to resurrect the drive, I got back into it. To start, I wanted to put it into the correct mode by shorting it on the board, but I'm not sure if I'm doing it in the right place (red line in the picture). After this process the drive just disappears completely, and is only restored by another unplugging.
    Its model is specifically a Goodram CL100 gen 3 480GB with TB2AG23AYN2241 bones.
    I'm also wondering if it's me doing something wrong, or if it's just that the drive is dead after my previous attempts to upload FW (it seems to me that those few months back the programs were seeing it normally, now it's only visible in the system when there's no jumper, as "SATAFIRM S11").

    EDIT:
    now I'm still looking, that after jumpering in these places, it is visible in the Intel Rapid program as "PS3111" with FW "SBRM09.2". The question is why can't other programs, such as MPTool, see it?
    On the other hand, without the jumper, in the same program, as the former "SATAFIRM S11" with the correct capacity, but with FW "SBFMLAW5".
    Goodram CL100 SSD PCB with marked potential short-circuit jumper point
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  • #188 21788219
    kaleron

    HDD and data recovery specialist
    Posts: 7022
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    You're plugging in the right place. What MPTool doesn't see it? This thread has gotten so big that I would ask for more detail where we touch on individual cases.
    Company Account:
    Kaleron sp. z o. o.
    Hirszfelda 4/18, Jelcz-Laskowice, 55-231 | Tel.: 713XXXXXX (Show) | Company Website: https://kaleron.pl
  • #189 21788332
    Swerybary
    Level 3  
    Posts: 4
    MPTool v2.2.85, however the information about its malfunction is no longer valid. Programs started to see the disk normally, but e.g. MPTool throws "Device Invalid!" when trying to start.
    All other fixes fail (including an attempt to change the FW with a flasher, where the process stops at 15% and the drive then enters ROM mode on its own).
    I don't know if this drive has such damaged NAND's that my rescue attempts won't help, or maybe I'm doing something wrong and, for example, uploading the wrong FW (I've only tried with "SBFM61.5", which, according to colleagues abroad, is supposed to fit instead of the current "SBFMLAW5").
    MPTool screenshot showing NAND Flash IDs only for channels 0 and 1
  • #190 21788415
    PitD

    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl
    Posts: 3945
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    So the same problem as with me :(
    I have read on other forums that it is a problem with MaskROM SBRM09.2
    However, I could not find a solution.
    Company Account:
    Kuźnia Komputerowa
    Marsz.J.Piłsudskiego 17, Kraków, 31-110 | Company Website: www.kuznia.pl
  • #191 21815964
    Parnyschab
    Level 9  
    Posts: 3
    Hello, the Goodram CX400 512GB in crystaldiskinfo has the name satafirm s11 has gone into super position, it is both alive and can be read, it is visible normally under windows but at the same time it is dead, because nothing can be written on it, I mean it can be, but the content disappears after restarting the computer. My question is whether it is possible to restore it without destroying the data, or is the only way to restore it usable is the method described in this thread? Thank you in advance for your reply.
  • #192 21816188
    kaleron

    HDD and data recovery specialist
    Posts: 7022
    Help: 954
    Rate: 2309
    You may have another problem. In order to realistically write/erase content on NAND chips, the Fowler-Nordheim tunneling phenomenon is used, which requires raising the voltage to several volts (the exact value depends on the memory chips used). If the voltage boost process fails, the electrons do not physically get through the insulator layer, the charge in the floating gate does not change, and the effect you are writing about follows. The drive thinks it has written something, but in fact it has not, and after a reset it continues to read the old contents.
    Company Account:
    Kaleron sp. z o. o.
    Hirszfelda 4/18, Jelcz-Laskowice, 55-231 | Tel.: 713XXXXXX (Show) | Company Website: https://kaleron.pl
  • #193 21816189
    pidar
    Mass storage specialist
    Posts: 11332
    Help: 1568
    Rate: 3554
    @Parnyschab Current detection of this SSD present to us for analysis.
    Spoiler:
    Firmware Upgrade Notice

    WILK ELEKTRONIK SA has improved firmware versions for GOODRAM SSD series.
    Firmware update can be processed with this software solely on GOODRAM SSD series.
    WILK ELEKTRONIK does not take any liability for any kind of data loss and restoration that may occur during the installation or execution of this Software.
    User of this application has to take complete responsibility.
    This firmware update process is done entirely at the user's risk.
    We strongly recommend to backup or make a copy of important files before performing firmware update.
    Unless stated otherwise, firmware update process will not erase any data on the drive if performed correctly.
    If the firmware update process is interrupted for any reason or wrong firmware is applied, data may be lost and SSD may be unusable.
    If using notebook computer, we recommend to connect it to AC power adapter.
    GOODRAM WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DATA LOSS OR DAMAGED DRIVES.
    BY USING THIS SOFTWARE YOU ACCEPT THE AFOREMENTED TERMS.
    Attachments:
    • GOODRAM SSD firmware updater v1.16 _x8.zip (20.33 MB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #194 21816236
    Parnyschab
    Level 9  
    Posts: 3
    Screenshot of SSD diagnostic tools showing SATAFIRM S11 model and 88% drive health

    I've already copied the data from it, I'm just wondering if it can be restored to working order or is it kaput and there's no point in wasting time on this drive?
  • #195 21816253
    pidar
    Mass storage specialist
    Posts: 11332
    Help: 1568
    Rate: 3554
    If this reading is true -> Screenshot showing “Host Writes Total: 634474 GB” in interface field (634TB ?), only disposal remains.
  • #196 21816545
    Parnyschab
    Level 9  
    Posts: 3
    >>21816253 >>21816253 So it died a natural death. Thanks for the information.

FAQ

TL;DR: 75 % of PS3111 “SATAFIRM S11” drives revived with forced-firmware flash were still usable one year later [Elektroda, a_jablon, post #21442780] “Not eternal but working” [Elektroda, a_jablon, post #21442780] Full reflash erases ALL data.

Why it matters: A 10-minute firmware reload can postpone landfill and save your files or warranty claim.

Quick Facts

• Affected firmware families: SBFM11.x, 21.x, 51.x, 61.x, 71.x, 91.x [Elektroda, a_jablon, post #19799272] • Typical flash-success rate with correct FW: 70-80 % on first attempt [Elektroda, rtj71, post #21473948] • Total data loss: 100 %—dynamic allocation table is wiped during flash [Elektroda, a_jablon, post #19799272] • Safe-mode capacity shown: 2–10 MB when pads are shorted [Elektroda, a_jablon, post #20330779] • Repaired drives average <1 % NAND wear after secure erase [Elektroda, a_jablon, post #19799272]

1. What is the “SATAFIRM S11/S10” error?

The Phison controller blocks access when its translation tables break or NAND defects exceed its threshold; the BIOS then shows a generic firmware string “SATAFIRM S11” (PS3111) or “SATAFIRM S10” (PS3110) with the drive capacity unavailable [Elektroda, a_jablon, post #19799272]

2. Which SSD brands are most often hit?

Documented cases include Goodram CX/IRDM, Silicon-Power S55/S60, Kingston A400/UV300/KC400, Plextor M6V, Patriot Burst, Gigabyte GSTFS31, Lite-On PH6 and TeamGroup Vulcan Z—any model using Phison PS3111 or PS3110 can trigger the fault [Elektroda, a_jablon, #19799272; rtj71, #20932141].

3. Can I recover my data?

Only with professional tools such as PC-3000 UDMA; DIY flashing destroys all user blocks. Forum users report zero success on home recovery once the controller is locked [Elektroda, a_jablon, post #19799272]

4. How do I choose the right firmware?

Match the first five characters (e.g., SBFM61) to what CrystalDiskInfo shows—even if a “W” or other letter is appended. Numbers after the dot may differ [Elektroda, a_jablon, post #19799272] Wrong family bricks the drive.

5. 3-step revival procedure (safe method)

  1. Connect SSD to a native SATA port.
  2. Run s11-flasher2-micron or ‑toshiba (no admin) to build fw.exe, place fw.bin inside.
  3. Launch fw.exe as Administrator, click UPGRADE, then power-cycle the PC [Elektroda, a_jablon, post #19799272]

6. Drive not detected by flasher—what now?

Open the casing and short the two service pads near the controller, then apply power; the disk appears as “PHISON3111” with 2–10 MB and accepts firmware [Elektroda, gradek83, post #20845925]

7. Flash halts at 85 % with “ISP” or “AP-KEY” error—fix?

This often signals heavily worn NAND. Re-short service pads, re-upload the SAME firmware once more; some users report success on the second pass [Elektroda, rtj71, post #20985229] If the error persists the memory is beyond repair.

8. How long will a repaired SSD last?

Forum sampling: 3 of 4 revived disks ran >12 months; one failed again within weeks—usually the one that fought hardest to flash [Elektroda, a_jablon, post #21442780] “Expect it to die first, trust it second.”

9. Can I flash over a USB adapter?

Usually not. The bridge masks ATA commands; only bridges with JM20329 or JMS578 in Mass-Production mode occasionally work [Elektroda, Marvell_88i8945, post #20513793] Use direct SATA wiring.

11. Why did the model name change to “SATA SSD” after flashing?

Generic flash packages overwrite the identity strings. Edit the serial/model fields in the hex header before rebundling fw.exe to keep branding [Elektroda, Marvell_88i8945, post #20804568]

12. How can I securely wipe data for warranty return?

Perform the firmware-flash procedure; allocation tables reset and data becomes unrecoverable without lab-level ECC reconstruction. Then fill the drive with junk and rerun Secure Erase to overwrite remaining blocks [Elektroda, MM2X, post #21443091]

13. Edge case: external USB-only SSDs

Hard-wired Asmedia bridges block the flasher. Solder SATA differential pairs from PS3111 to a spare connector or isolate USB power and use MPTool via Mass-Production mode [Elektroda, spade1984go, post #21554763]

14. Statistic: common firmware families & failure rate

In 35 documented flashes, SBFM61.x accounted for 40 % of successes; SBFM71.x showed the highest 15 % re-failure rate [Elektroda thread tally, 2025].

15. What if no matching firmware exists online?

Choose the closest lower revision of the same family (e.g., 61.3 for 61.5). Users have revived Kingston A400 with earlier builds when exact matches were missing [Elektroda, tomsebweg, post #19897121]
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