Alcor Micro Unknown Fa00 F W 3613 Updated May 2026
This write-up covers the recovery and firmware update process for Alcor Micro flash drives identified with the firmware (specifically the AU6989SN-GTC [F500] controller series) and the associated hardware/vendor identifiers. Device Identification Controller Vendor : Alcor Micro Controller Part Number : AU6989SN-GTC / AU6998SN [F500] Current Firmware (F/W) Vendor ID (VID) : 3613 (International Parts & Information Co., Ltd.) Product ID (PID) : Common default is for generic/recovery modes Recovery & Update Procedure
Drives showing "Unknown" status or "No Media" with a firmware of usually require a low-level format using the mass production tool. Preparation Windows 32-bit environment if possible for better driver compatibility. Download the latest version of AlcorMP (U2 MP) or specifically the Sort/Product editions for the Configuration : Open the tool and enter the menu (leave the password blank if prompted). Flash Type : Ensure the Flash ID code for Toshiba MLC) matches your hardware. Information Tab : You can manually update/fix the VID (3613)
here if they were lost, though keeping them at Alcor defaults ( ) is recommended for future recovery. Flashing Process to begin the low-level format and firmware write.
: This process can take anywhere from two minutes to several hours depending on the flash capacity and ECC settings. Completion : Disconnect the drive closing the software once the status turns green/completes. Common Troubleshooting Error 50400
: Too many bad blocks. This often indicates physical degradation of the NAND flash. USB Identification : If the tool does not see the drive, check that the AlcorMP.ini
section does not have your specific VID/PID listed, or manually add them to the IgnoreVIDPID 0 MB / No Media : If the drive shows 0 bytes, use the command in Windows
before attempting the AlcorMP flash to ensure no logical partitions are interfering. Do you need the direct download link for the specific AlcorMP version that supports the
AlcorMP – инструкция по восстановлению флешек
Leo stared at the screen, frustration mounting. His primary flash drive, which held three months of unbacked-up project notes, had suddenly turned into a "Generic USB Flash Disk" with
of capacity. To Windows, it was a ghost—present in the port, but "No Media" inside. ChipGenius
, a diagnostic tool used by data recovery hobbyists. The report was cryptic: Controller: Alcor AU6989SN-TA Firmware Corrupted
Leo knew he was in the "Mass Production Tool" (MPTool) territory. This wasn't a simple format; it was a digital organ transplant. He scoured forums like FlashBoot.ru , searching for the exact update that matched his "unknown" FA00 chip. alcor micro unknown fa00 f w 3613 updated
After hours of trial and error with unofficial firmware, he finally found a match. He loaded the ALCOR MP software, set the configuration to "Factory Mode," and hit start. The status bar crawled for nearly three hours as the software "stitched" the 64GB drive back together.
The progress bar hit 100%. A green box appeared. Leo unplugged the drive and slid it back in. The familiar
of a recognized device played, and for the first time in days, the drive didn't say "Unknown." It was back from the dead. finding the specific software for an Alcor Micro repair, or are you interested in more technical storytelling
This paper examines technical issues and recovery methods for USB flash drives utilizing the Alcor Micro FA00 controller (also known as the AU6989SN-GT/TA
) that present as "Unknown Device" or report corrupted firmware, specifically identifying with internal revision I. Controller Overview Alcor Micro FA00
is a common high-performance USB 2.0 flash drive controller often found in mid-tier storage devices. It is technically an alias for the
series, which supports various NAND flash types, including BGA and TSOP48 form factors. II. Identification of the "Unknown" State
When a drive with this controller fails, it typically manifests in the following ways: Device Status
: Windows Device Manager lists it as an "Unknown Device" or "USB Mass Storage Device" with a yellow exclamation mark. Media Capacity : Tools like Disk Management may show the device with "No Media" or a capacity of Firmware Revision
: Advanced diagnostic tools (e.g., ChipGenius) often report the firmware version as or show a "Firmware Error" status during such failures. III. Root Causes
The "Unknown FA00" error is typically not a hardware failure but a firmware corruption This write-up covers the recovery and firmware update
event where the controller's instruction set (revision 3613) has become unreadable. Common causes include: Unsafe ejection during write cycles. Voltage fluctuations during the mounting process.
Natural degradation of the NAND cells where the firmware bootloader is stored. IV. Repair and Firmware Update Procedure
To restore a drive in this state, the firmware must be reflashed using Mass Production Tools (MPTool)
specifically compatible with the Alcor AU6989SN/FA00 series. ChipGenius to verify the VID (058F) PID (6387) , confirming the Alcor Micro vendor. Tool Selection : Download the correct Alcor MPTool AlcorMP AU698x ) that matches the FA00/3613 revision Configuration Set the tool to Factory Mode High-Level Format
Ensure "Auto Disc Size" is enabled to correctly identify the NAND capacity.
: Run the "Start" or "Flash" process. This will overwrite the corrupted 3613 firmware with a stable update and re-partition the drive.
Alcor Micro "Unknown FA00" with firmware ( typically indicates a USB flash drive using an Alcor AU6989SN-TA
(or similar) controller that the operating system cannot properly identify. This error often occurs due to firmware corruption or a mismatch between the controller and the driver. Understanding the FA00 Error When a flash drive displays as "FA00," it means the Mass Production Tool (MPTool) sees the controller but cannot retrieve the flash memory's Flash ID (FID)
or configuration. The "3613" version refers to the specific firmware build programmed onto the controller during manufacturing. Steps to Update or Fix the Firmware
To restore a drive in this state, you must use specialized low-level formatting tools known as Identify the Controller : Use a tool like ChipGenius Flash Drive Information Extractor
to confirm if your hardware is indeed an Alcor AU6989 series. Download AlcorMP : Navigate to a reputable firmware repository like to find the correct version of Windows Update may have replaced the working driver
: For "FA00" errors, you may need a version specifically compatible with "SN-TA" or "SN-GT" controllers. Configure the Driver Open AlcorMP and click the Enter your device's Add VID/PID Save/Install to ensure the tool can "see" the device. Low-Level Format (Production) Plug in the drive. If it's not detected, click Refresh (R)
to begin the flashing process. This will overwrite the corrupted firmware with a fresh copy and re-partition the drive. Common Fixes for "Unknown" Status
: If the tool still doesn't see the drive, you may need to manually enter "Test Mode" by shorting specific pins on the controller chip (only recommended for advanced users). Change VID/PID : Sometimes changing the ID using the Alcor Change PID/VID Rework utility can help the software recognize the hardware. : Always use a USB 2.0 port
on the back of the motherboard; USB 3.0 ports or front-panel headers can cause communication timing errors during firmware updates. : Flashing firmware will permanently erase all data on the drive. specific version of AlcorMP based on your flash drive's total capacity?
AlcorMP – инструкция по восстановлению флешек
AlcorMP – инструкция по восстановлению флешек – [USBDev.ru] AlcorMP – инструкция по восстановлению флешек Home. Articles on Alcor.
AlcorMP (Последняя версия ALCOR U2 MP v23.08.07.00.H)
2. Why is it "unknown" after an update?
- Windows Update may have replaced the working driver with an incompatible generic USB driver.
- The correct driver might be unsigned or disabled.
- The device itself might be in a firmware update mode (rare, but possible).
5. Step-by-Step Fix: From "Unknown Device" to Working Reader
Here is the definitive method to get your Alcor Micro FA00 F/W 3613 device working on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Step 5: The Restoration Process
- Back in the main window, you should now see your device listed as
FA00 (Not Ready)turn toReady. - Click "Start".
- Watch the progress bar. It will:
- Unlock the controller.
- Download the new firmware.
- Initialize the NAND.
- Perform a low-level format.
- Time: 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
Step 1: Driver Preparation (Critical)
Windows will try to use its generic driver for the FA00 device. This will block AlcorMP.
- Download Zadig or Alcor's InfUpdater.
- Force the FA00 device to use the libusb-win32 driver or the specific Alcor driver included with AlcorMP.
Part 1: What Does "Alcor Micro Unknown FA00 F/W 3613" Actually Mean?
To fix a problem, you must first understand the language of the hardware.
- Alcor Micro: This is the manufacturer of the USB controller chip inside your flash drive. Alcor is a major supplier for budget and mid-range USB drives (brands like PNY, Kingston DataTraveler, and many generic Chinese drives).
- Unknown: This is the critical red flag. The operating system (Windows, Linux, or macOS) can communicate with the controller, but the controller cannot report its connected NAND flash memory parameters. The OS knows something is there, but not what.
- FA00: This is the Product ID (PID). While many Alcor drives use PID
FA01orB003,FA00specifically indicates a default, bootloader-only mode. The drive is not running its main firmware; it is stuck in a low-level recovery state. - F/W 3613: Firmware version 3.613. This is a specific build. An "updated" reference in your search suggests you are looking for tools that support this exact firmware revision, as older tools may misidentify or fail to reprogram it.
In plain English: Your USB drive has "brain damage." The controller is alive, but the firmware that tells it how to talk to the memory chip is missing or corrupted.

