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Alcor Micro Unknown Fa00 F W Fa04 Work __link__ < Recent >

Based on the specific terminology used, this request relates to a common scenario in electronics repair and forensic data recovery involving Alcor Micro USB flash controllers.

Here is a technical write-up regarding the "Alcor Micro Unknown FA00/FA04" issue, what it means, and the work required to resolve it.

Conclusion: No Longer Unknown

The string "alcor micro unknown fa00 f w fa04 work" represents a classic Windows driver odyssey. But by decoding the hardware ID, sourcing OEM-specific packages, and understanding mode-switching behavior, you can transform that yellow exclamation mark into a functioning device.

Remember: Always back up your current driver state before forcing INF installations. Use System Restore or DriverBackup. And when in doubt, the Linux kernel (drivers/usb/storage/alauda.c or drivers/ccid/ccid_usb.c) holds the canonical implementation – use it to reverse-engineer the correct Windows INF.

Now go ahead – make that FA04 work.

Keywords used: alcor micro unknown fa00 f w fa04 work, Alcor FA04 driver, VID_058F PID_FA04, USB CCID reader, Alcor Micro smart card driver.

To get your Alcor Micro unknown FA00 F/W FA04 device to work, you generally need to address a firmware identification error or a driver conflict. This specific combination of identifiers (FA00 controller with FA04 firmware) often appears when a USB flash drive or card reader is in a "stalled" state, showing 0 bytes or "No Media" in Windows. Understanding the Error

The "FA00" identifier is often a generic placeholder for Alcor controllers like the AU6989SN-TA or AU6989SNCS-TA

when the system cannot properly read the Flash ID (FID). "FA04" typically refers to the specific firmware version loaded onto that controller. When these appear together as an "unknown device," it usually means the hardware is functional, but the software communication has broken down. Step-by-Step Fixes to Get It Working 1. Reinstall the Driver via Device Manager

Before attempting complex firmware flashes, try a clean driver reset: Open Device Manager (Win + X). Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers or Memory technology devices. Right-click the Alcorlink USB 2.0 Card Reader or the "Unknown Device" and select Uninstall device.

Check the box to Delete the driver software for this device if available.

Restart your computer. Windows will attempt to reinstall a fresh generic driver upon reboot. 2. Use Manufacturer-Specific Drivers

Generic Windows updates can sometimes cause Alcor devices to stall. If you are on a laptop, download the official OEM driver:

HP Users: Visit the HP Software and Driver Downloads page. Search for "Alcorlink Card Reader" under the Storage or Chipset category for your specific model.

Dell Users: Use the Dell Support site to identify your system and download the "Memory Card Reader" driver under the Chipset section. 3. Firmware Restoration (For USB Flash Drives)

If the device is a flash drive showing 0 bytes, you may need a Mass Production (MP) tool to "re-stitch" the firmware: Identify the exact controller using a tool like ChipGenius. Download the corresponding version of AlcorMP (e.g., AlcorMP 16.11.01.MD alcor micro unknown fa00 f w fa04 work

In the tool settings, try setting Scan Mode to "Low Level Format" and MP Mode to "Capacity Optimize". Warning: This process will erase all data on the device. 4. Disable USB Selective Suspend

Power management settings can sometimes prevent Alcor readers from "waking up" properly: Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings. Click Change advanced power settings.

Expand USB settings > USB selective suspend setting and set it to Disabled. Quick Troubleshooting Checklist Potential Solution 0 MB / No Media Use AlcorMP tool to reflash firmware. Yellow Warning ! Uninstall driver and restart. Not Detected Try a different USB port (preferably USB 2.0). Code 47 Physically unplug the device and plug it back in.

0 MB on a 32GB USB stick - Storage Devices - Linus Tech Tips

When your USB flash drive identifies as Alcor Micro Unknown FA00 F/W FA04

it typically indicates a firmware corruption or a communication error between the controller and the NAND flash memory chip

. This specific "FA00" code often appears when the system cannot retrieve the correct Flash ID (FID), resulting in a "No Media" or "0 Byte" status. Troubleshooting and Repair Guide

If your device is showing this error, you can attempt to restore it using software tools or low-level formatting. 1. Identification via ChipGenius

Before attempting a repair, confirm the exact controller model. Since "FA00" is a generic error code, use a tool like ChipGenius to find the actual Controller Part-Number AU6989SN-TA

. This will allow you to find the specific mass production (MP) tool needed for your chip. 2. Use Alcor Micro Recovery Tools

Standard Windows formatting often fails for this error. You must use specialized recovery software: AlcorMP (Mass Production Tool)

: This is the official factory software used to re-flash the controller. Look for versions that support your specific controller part number. Alcor Recovery Tool

: Some simplified versions of these tools are available on third-party repositories like the Alcor Micro USB Repair Tool on Google Drive or specialized forums like 3. Command Line Reset (Diskpart)

If the device is still recognized by Windows but shows 0 bytes, try a hard reset of the partition table: Command Prompt as an administrator. and press Enter. to find your USB's disk number. select disk X (replace X with your drive number). to wipe the partition data. create partition primary followed by format fs=fat32 quick 4. Hardware "Test Mode" (Advanced)

If software cannot detect the drive at all, the controller might be stuck. Advanced users sometimes "short" specific pins on the NAND chip (typically pins 29 and 30) while plugging it in to force the controller into , allowing recovery software to recognize it. Warning: This carries a risk of permanent hardware damage. Common Causes for FA00 Errors Based on the specific terminology used, this request

The error "Alcor Micro Unknown [FA00] - F/W FA04" indicates a firmware or controller issue on a USB flash drive, typically identifying it as an AU6989SN-TA or AU6989SNCS-TA controller. This error usually occurs when the drive's firmware is corrupted, leading it to report generic identifiers like VID 058F and PID 1234 instead of its actual specifications. Troubleshooting Steps

To resolve this using AlcorMP (Mass Production Tool), follow these specific actions: Configure Driver Settings: Open AlcorMP and locate the Driver button.

Manually enter the VID/PID as 058F and 1234 (or the specific IDs shown by your device). Click Add VID/PID, then select Save InstallDrive. Detection & Test-Mode: Plug the USB drive into your computer.

If the drive is not detected, you may need to manually switch it into "test-mode" (this often involves shorting specific pins on the controller chip, though this is risky and usually a last resort). Click Refresh (R) in AlcorMP if it still doesn't appear. Firmware Repair:

Once detected, use AlcorMP to perform a High Level Format or Low Level Format.

Note: Low-level formatting may significantly reduce reported capacity if the tool detects bad sectors. Common Causes

Firmware Mismatch: The controller "FA00" is often a placeholder for unknown or generic Alcor controllers.

Hardware Failure: If AlcorMP cannot identify the Flash ID (FID), the drive may have a mechanical or electrical failure that software cannot fix.

Counterfeit Hardware: Some drives reporting these generic IDs are "no-name" or fake capacity drives that use Alcor controllers to spoof storage limits.

For standard drive errors without firmware corruption, tools like DiskGenius can be used to check for bad sectors or rebuild partitions.

Do you have the Flash ID (FID) or the specific VID/PID from a tool like ChipGenius to help identify the exact firmware needed? fake HP usb flash drives - HP Support Community - 5995925

Resurrecting Your "Unknown" Alcor Micro USB: Solving the FA00/FA04 Error

Have you ever plugged in your flash drive only to be met with a cryptic "Unknown Device" message? If you’ve dug into the hardware details and found labels like or firmware

, you’ve likely hit a wall. While these codes can seem like a death sentence for your data, they are often just a sign that your Alcor Micro controller has lost its way.

Here is how to understand—and potentially fix—this specific Alcor Micro headache. What is the FA00 / FA04 Error? In many cases, an Alcor controller reporting as Conclusion: No Longer Unknown The string "alcor micro

doesn't actually exist as a physical model. Instead, it is often a "dummy" or error state for controllers like the AU6989SN-TA . When the firmware (FW) displays

or the FID (Flash ID) comes back as a string of nonsense (like 898989...), the drive is essentially in a "panic mode" where it can no longer communicate with its own flash memory. The Recovery Strategy

To get the drive working again, you typically need a "Production Tool" to reflash the firmware. Identify the Real Controller : Use a tool like ChipGenius Flash Drive Information Extractor

to find the actual VID (Vendor ID) and PID (Product ID). Even if the system says "Unknown," these tools can often pull the raw hardware IDs. Find the Right AlcorMP Version : The most reliable source for these utilities is

, which hosts a massive archive of AlcorMP and FC MPTool versions. The "Driver" Trick button and manually enter your VID/PID (e.g., Add VID/PID Save InstallDrive

Unplug and re-plug your stick. This forces the utility to recognize the "Unknown" device. Using "Test Mode" (The Last Resort)

If the software still won't see the drive, you may need to enter

. This involves carefully shorting two pins on the controller chip (usually with a needle or tweezers) while plugging it in. This bypasses the corrupted firmware and forces the controller into a state where AlcorMP can finally see it and "re-burn" the correct firmware. Important Caveats : Reflashing the firmware will wipe all data

on the drive. This is a tool for repairing the hardware, not recovering files. Fake Drives

: These errors are extremely common in "fake" high-capacity drives (e.g., a "2TB" drive that is actually 8GB). Reflashing will often reveal the true, much smaller capacity.

If you're stuck on a specific Alcor chip model, check out the specialized guides at for the most compatible firmware versions. Have you successfully flashed an Alcor drive before?

Let us know which AlcorMP version worked for your specific chip!

Alcor AU6989SN-TA Firmware Issues | PDF | Usb Flash Drive - Scribd

Possible cause:

  • Bad firmware flash on a device using Alcor Micro hub or card reader IC.
  • Incorrect I2C/SPI communication.

Part 4: Advanced – Extracting from Linux Firmware

If no Windows driver is found, consider that Linux supports Alcor FA04 with the generic usb-storage or ccid driver. You can extract the firmware from a Linux installation:

  1. Boot a Linux live USB (e.g., Ubuntu).
  2. Run lsusb – note the bus and device ID of the FA04.
  3. Dump the firmware: sudo cat /sys/bus/usb/devices/X-Y/firmware > alcor_fa04.bin
  4. Back in Windows, use a tool like Alcor Firmware Loader (available from FlashBoot.ru) to load this binary into the device's temporary memory.

Warning: This is for advanced users only. Incorrect firmware can brick the device.

The "Firmware Reset" Sequence

  1. Unplug the device (if external) or shut down the PC (if internal).
  2. Remove the battery (laptop) and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
  3. Boot into Windows. Open Services.msc.
  4. Find Smart Card Device Enumeration Service and Smart Card Removal Policy. Set both to Automatic and start them.
  5. Go back to Device Manager -> Action -> Scan for hardware changes.

Solving the Enigma: How to Make "Alcor Micro Unknown FA00 F W FA04 Work" in Windows

Method 2: The "Microsoft Usbccid" Trick (No Vendor Software)

If you cannot find the OEM driver, force Windows to use its native CCID driver.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Right-click the Unknown device -> Properties -> Details tab -> Hardware Ids. Confirm it shows USB\VID_058F&PID_FA00.
  3. Right-click -> Update driver -> Browse my computer -> Let me pick from a list.
  4. Scroll down to Smart card readers -> Select Microsoft Usbccid Smartcard Reader (WUDF).
  5. Click Next. It will warn you about compatibility. Ignore it and click Yes.
  6. The device will now work as a generic ISO 7816 smart card reader.