PC-3000 Flash

The PC-3000 Flash is a hardware-software system intended for recovering data from NAND based devices in such cases where there is no access through the authorized drive interface:

  • UFD (USB Flash Drive)
  • SD (Secure Digital Card)
  • CF (Compact Flash)
  • micro SD (micro Secure Digital Card)
  • MS (Memory Stick)
  • xD
  • Monolithic Flash Devices
  • MMC (Multi Media Card)
  • Voice Recorder (dictaphone)
  • iPhone 2G, 3G, 3GS (without hardware encryption)

Data recovery from USB drives, memory cards, mobile storage devices

The PC-3000 Flash is based on our own "know-how" technology of getting direct access to Flash memory microchips. The microchip is desoldered from the storage device and read by our special device – the "Flash reader" – providing access to data when the controller is damaged. This technology greatly increases the chances of successful data recovery even when the storage device is physically damaged.

The PC-3000 Flash contains an up-to-date large memory chip database that allows you to identify and read microchips in automatic mode. Complicated stack organizations which consist of several parts are automatically detected by the PC-3000 Flash as well.

 



NAND microchip technology is constantly changing: microchips are becoming more high-tech, new principles of functionality are created and new requirements and protocols for microchips appear, for example, TLC microchips. Because of this constant change, the Flash Reader software is continuously updated to provide support for new microchips in accordance with the strict requirements necessary for correct functionality.

The PC-3000 Flash is capable of automatically checking and downloading the latest libraries via the Internet:

  • Memory chip library
  • ECC algorithm library
  • XOR library
  • Library of Analysis algorithms, preparation and research methods
  • Page format library
  • Supply circuit library
  • Rereading Modes reference book
  • Dynamic XOR library

If there are any new resources, they are downloaded from the ACE Laboratory server and updated.

In addition to a great variety of manual and visual modes, the PC-3000 Flash has automatic data recovery methods which help solve both simple and difficult cases. For example, in most cases, Complex analysis allows for making all prior operations automatically and get access to user data.

With the PC-3000 Flash, you can recover data with "one-click" using the PC-3000 Flash Solution Center. It is a dream come true for data recovery specialists!

The PC-3000 Flash Solution Center is updated daily!

The list of controllers supported by the "PC-3000 Flash Solution Center" can be reviewed here

 

The PC-3000 Flash Packages

What’s included The PC-3000 Flash
Basic Package
PC-3000 Flash Reader 1 pc.
USB 2.0 Cable 1 pc.
PC-3000 Flash software, resource database
(Available in the Technical Support Portal)
1 pc.
User manual 1 pc.
TSOP-48 Adapter 1 pc.
LGA/TLGA-52/60 (14x18) adapter 1 pc.
BGA-152/132 adapter 1 pc.
Multiboard Adapter 1 pc.
Monolith Module 2 pc.
LGA-52/TSOP-48 Module 1 pc.
BGA-152/VBGA-100 Module 1 pc.

Interface to connect Flash-Reader: USB 2.0

Supported types of memory chip covers:

  • TSOP-48 (is included into the PC-3000 Flash Kit)
  • LGA/TLGA-52 [14x18] (is included into the PC-3000 Flash Kit)
  • BGA-152/132 (is included into the PC-3000 Flash Kit)
  • Multiboard (is included into the PC-3000 Flash)
  • LGA/TLGA-52 [12x17] (can be purchased separately)
  • TSSOP-56 (can be purchased separately)

Memory chip reading speed: 5-15 МB/S. Determined by parameters of reading process and microchip architecture

Indicators:

  • active state and status of the reader
  • power supply on the circuit Vcc
  • power supply on the circuit VccQ

Integrated Power Control Adapter parameters:

  • the number of independent circuits: 2 (Vcc, VccQ);
  • voltage range: 0.8 V - 3.6 V;
  • voltage step: 0.05 V;
  • source types: impulse or line - (can be selected by software);
  • Limitation of current consumption: 150 mA, 200mA, 500mA, 1.5A, Unlimited;
  • delays in buffer elements: 3 ns;

Supported types of controllers and memory chips:

Supported OS: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10; х86, х64

Recommended PC configuration:
CPU: Intel Core i5 (Quad Core)
RAM: 8GB
Storage configuration: RAID0 (strip) x2 HDD (7200 rpm) with total capacity of 1 TB
LCD Monitor: 22", 1920x1080

PC-3000 Flash System Functioning Principle

In a contemporary NAND-based flash drive we can roughly single out the following parts: interface, controller, memory chip, and internal drive firmware (microcode).  The interface can be of any kind - SD, microSD, XD, USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 - and it is a linking unit between the controller and the 'outer world'. The controller processes the incoming data, makes some preparations, converts and mixes the data and prepares it for writing into the memory chip (backwards conversion will take place when the data is read). Memory chips store the received data (a drive may contain one or more than one memory chip). The drive's firmware operates the controller and the interface modes and it monitors the damaged memory cells of the microchips. 



The PC-3000 Flash System allows to diagnose a drive and to determine the essence of the problem. All malfunctions of solid-state drives can be divided into two groups: logical  (all units of the device and the microchip are working properly and without fail, but a problem occurs with the damaged file system, with the accidentally deleted files, with the data loss after formatting, etc. ) and physical (damage to electronic components or to firmware, resulting in a drive failure).  Power stabilizers, the controller microchip or the drive's firmware located in the controller (or in the service area of the memory chips) are the most frequent reasons of failure.
To resolve each of these problems, the PC-3000 Flash uses a particular set of its own tools and methods enabling to identify the malfunction and to get access to user data.

Logical problems of a NAND-based drive


If logical malfunction is detected at diagnosis, the drive doesn't require  disassembling – it is enough to start the PC-3000 Flash software and use the following modes:

  • Drive analysis enabling to find the existing partitions and to add virtual ones
  • Analysis of the partition data enabling to scan the content of the drive and to find lost files and folders. The mode can be operated basing on the file system, but it can also be started in a configuration when the file system is ignored, and in this case EVERYTHING will be found
  • The mode of RAW recovery allows to recover files and then group the recovered files by types
  • Sector editor. Advanced users, who possess extended knowledge of file systems structure, have an opportunity to fully restore the drive's functionality and its performance

Physical problems of a NAND-based drive

Physical malfunctions of drives occur quite frequently. One the possible causes of malfunctions is the low quality of the drive's electronic components. There can be many other causes, such as incorrect exploitation, etc. In such cases, the controller is the faulty component, whereas the user data remains intact and it is located in the non-volatile memory chips. However, in case of such malfunction, the data can't be read in the standard mode via the device's interface.

To resolve such problems, the PC-3000 Flash System uses a complex unit of software and hardware parts. The System's hardware part makes it possible to read any NAND-memory chips (at first, memory microchip should be unsoldered out of the drive and inserted into the reader of PC-3000 Flash). As soon as a file containing the data from memory chips is obtained, you can further work directly with the data you have read. It is almost impossible to damage the data, and so it is absolutely safe to use the PC-3000 Flash System, as you can go back to the initial dump of each microchip at any time.  At the next stage, a set of mathematical tools and methods is used which enables to emulate the operation algorithm of almost any drive controller.

The software component encompasses the following features and functions:
  • A reference base of memory microchips containing information about hundreds of memory microchips
  • A resource base required to most controllers operation
  • About 25 different preparation techniques emulating the controller transformations
  • Around 50 different algorithms of obtaining a full-featured image of the file system
  • View mode for service information
  • Data view mode in bitwise graphic representation
  • Several methods and algorithms to improve the previously built image
  • An integrated compiler enabling you to write your own scripts to work with data
  • Numerous other useful features
  • Many other features and functions

All other modes and tools of the PC-3000 Flash  provide a possibility to automatically determine the operation parameters and to apply them. To make the PC-3000 Flash easier to use, three ways of data recovery automation have been implemented:
  • Controller-based recovery, an off-line base of possible steps for recovering user data
  • A comprehensive method of analysis, a mode for mathematical calculation of the likeliest data recovery steps
  • A Global Solution Centre – the website containing a base of over 4,500 solution scripts. When you apply these solutions, you get an opportunity to recover data “in one click”

Hardware features: PC-Flash Reader 4.0 device. NEW!

  • Support a wide range of NAND devices using specialized adapters
  • Completely automatic mode for chip reading and step-by-step manual mode that allows to send commands if requires
  • Wide functionalities to supply voltage control and current restriction (see Technical features)
  • Drivers for 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems
  • Fully controlled and configurable in PC-3000 software
  • Buffered control and the address/data bus outputs

Flash drives in the form of monoliths

A large percentage of contemporary NAND-based flash drives is made up by monolith drives (System on Chip, or Embedded Solution), where the controller, the memory microchips and all the passive elements are placed inside one physical case.
The only external port for this kind of flash drives is the interface port which it is intended for (USB, SD, MS, Micro SD, etc.). If this kind of device has a malfunction and if it is impossible to work through the standard  interface, there is a way of getting access to the internal memory chips inside the monolith device, using soldering to special pinouts situated on the circuit board or by direct soldering to the traces of the circuit board.  Specifically for such tasks, the PC-3000 Flash System has a Multiboard adapter, designed to make it more convenient to connect the monolith to the PC-3000 Flash System reader.
The monolith library is regularly updated and it contains information about the soldering pinouts for getting connected to the monoliths' memory chips.

Solutions System for the PC-3000 Flash
Monoliths Library
Supported types of controllers
Supported types of memory microchips

PC-3000 Flash adapters

 


Multiboard Soldering Adapter with Replaceable Modules
This adapter is designed for soldering NAND-chips in various form factors and connecting them to PC-3000 Flash Reader (Ver. 3 or 4). The new Multiboard Adapter supports a broader range of microchips. The device consists of a main Multiboard adapter and replaceable modules: Monolith, LGA-52/TSOP-48 and BGA-152/VBGA-100. This approach allows to quickly switch between tasks and solder microchips without the risk of damaging the adapter by heat.
It is much easier to solder on a small monolith module, which also has higher interference immunity and data reading stability. The Multiboard Adapter enables you to cut costs on each monolith case due to cheapness, convenience and stable reading quality of replaceable modules, saving time and increasing return on investment.

Main Multiboard adapter with a socket for replaceable modules

Monolith soldering replaceable module

LGA-52/TSOP-48 soldering replaceable module

BGA-152/VBGA-100 soldering replaceable module



LGA/TLGA-52/60 (14x18 and 12x17) Adapters

Adapters are based on the specialized ZIF panels, providing a convenient and secure method of installing memory chips. Adapters are fully compatible with the PC-Flash Reader version 3.0 and support the chips in LGA/TLGA-52/60 case. The difference is the width of the memory chip packages - 14x18 mm and 12x17 mm. It is possible to center manually a narrow chip (12x17 mm) inside the socket of LGA/TLGA-52/60 (14x18) adapter. The adapter has a power supply LED- indicating the voltage supplied to the memory chip.

 



BGA-152/132 Adapter
The adapter is based on the specialized ZIF panel, providing a convenient and secure method of installing memory chips. The adapter is fully compatible with the PC-Flash Reader version 3.0 and supports the chips in BGA-152/132 case. BGA-132 chips require the additional alignment, as their body is 2 mm less in the width. Two voltage indicators for every power circuit (core supply Vcc and buffer supply VccQ) allow to monitor the power voltage supply of the every circuit using the additional power supply adapter. When there is no such power supply adapter, both circuits are connected to the PC-Flash Reader.

 



TSOP-48 and TSOP-48 W (wide) Adapters

The TSOP-48 and TSOP-48 W (wide) Adapters are based on the specialized ZIF panel, providing a convenient and secure method of installing memory chips. The adapters are fully compatible with the PC-Flash Reader ver. 3.0/ver.4.0 and supports the chips in TSOP-48 case. LED allows you to visually monitor the voltage supply submitted to the memory chip. The TSOP-48 W (Wide) Adapter also supports the off-standard sized TSOP-48 memory chips which are wider than standard 14x18mm.


TSSOP-56 adapter

Some Compact Flash cards and USB Flash sticks can be based on the TSSOP-56 chips. The ACE Lab TSSOP-56 adapter, which is fully compatible with the PC-Flash Reader ver. 3.0/ver.4.0, allows reading data from this type of the NAND Memory chips.

The adapter is included into the PC-3000 Flash All-in-One Package or can be purchased separately.

July 24, 2023 The New PC-3000 Flash Software Ver. 8.2.x has been released

In the latest updated version of PC-3000 Flash - 8.2.x many useful features have been introduced: the ability to add previously unsupported NAND CHIP ID in fully automatic mode, a new convenient grouping of preparation methods in the menu, support for reading rule specifying CE and BUS for LUNs and more!

The authorized PC-3000 Flash technical support users with active TS contracts will get the latest software version on the Personal Pages on the ACE Lab Technical Support Portal.

Read more...



May 22, 2023 The New PC-3000 Flash Software Ver. 8.1.x has been released

This update brings wide support of SanDisk MLC/TLC translator building algorithms, Sandisk mSD/SD cards, a lot of new static and dynamic XORs, new NAND chips and ECC formats.

The authorized PC-3000 Flash technical support users with active TS contracts will get the latest software version on the Personal Pages on the ACE Lab Technical Support Portal.

Read more...



July 25, 2022 The New PC-3000 Flash Software Ver. 8.0.10 has been released

The new 64- and 32-bit PC-3000 Flash Software Versions 8.0.10 have been released!

This update brings wide support of SanDisk MLC/TLC translator building algorithms, a lot of new static and dynamic XORs, new NAND chips and ECC formats. These features and more are already available in the latest version of the English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean software:

  • PC-3000 Flash Software Ver. 8.0.10

The authorized PC-3000 Flash technical support users with active TS contracts will get the latest software version on the Personal Pages in the New ACE Lab Technical Support Portal.

Read more...



April 21, 2021 The new PC-3000 Flash Software Ver. 7.5.11 is available!

For you to recover most NAND Flash cases ever possible, we continuously add new modes, features, and functions to the PC-3000 Flash. Enhanced translator algorithms and solutions for SanDisk data recovery, BUS pinout detection for the Spider Board adapter, the support of new microschemes, a specialized method for data analysis and image building for the FAT32 based file systems – all this and much more is now available with the latest English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese software update:

  • PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.5.11

All authorized PC-3000 Flash technical support users will get the latest software version.

Read more...



May 14, 2020 The PC-3000 Flash Software Update 7.4.11 is now available!

Data recovery engineers and digital forensics experts consider the PC-3000 Flash as the tool №1 when it comes to extracting data/evidence from damaged NAND Flash devices. It is the only solution that completely supports many drive brands, e.g. SanDisk, new Phison, or SiliconMotion, so you can get file systems, and separate files both. Now we have expanded the list of supported storage media by adding 9 types of translators for SanDisk 8sec, 2 subtypes of translators for SM2704, and have improved algorithms for PS8210. Also, you can now edit the solution before implementing it and reproduce the result in the transformation graph form that increases the efficiency of the solutions.

All these features and many others are now available with the following English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese software update:

  • PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.4.11

All authorized technical support users will get the latest software versions.

Read more...



October 08, 2019 The new PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.3.7. is released!

The following English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese software update is released:


  • PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.3.7.


Now you can significantly improve the resulting quality of recovery from UFD / SD / microSD cards based on SanDisk technology with the Translator algorithm method “SanDisk 8 sec”, manually select the most suitable candidates from the list of blocks with a visual method for constructing the virtual image based on the file system, and much more!

All authorized technical support users will get the latest software versions. Please contact us to learn more on how to become an authorized technical support user and receive all of the recent PC-3000 Software Updates.

Read more...



July 11, 2018 The new PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.2.5. is available!

The following English software update is released:


  • PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.2.5.


Detailed list of enhancements:

What’s new?


  1. Special analysis algorithm has been added:
    • for PS8035, SM2685, SM2703 controllers with MLC memory: fully automated image assembling and update blocks arrangement
    • for PS8210 controllers with MLC memory: fully automated image assembling for single/dual-channel modes and update blocks arrangement
    • for AlcorMicro SD Type 1 (for monolith cases based on AU controller)
  2. Full screen mode for Bit Map (Bad Byte cutting mode) has been added.
  3. The new data preparation method has been added: "Swap half-bytes". This method can be used when the user needs to add ECC support that’s not included in the software (only if they differ by a sequence of half-bytes).

Follow the link below to see the detailed list of enhancements.

Read more...



November 09, 2017 The new PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.1.1. is available!

The following English, Japanese and Chinese software update is released:

  • PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.1.1.

New "Intelligent ReRead mode", New algorithm of "ReadRetry mode checking", PC-3000 Resource manager (XOR, ECC, Page transformations, Chips ID, reading rules, ReadRetry types) and much more! On the top of that, most of the tasks are now performed in the background.

Follow the link below to see the detailed list of enhancements.

Read more...



December 08, 2016 The new PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.0.5 is available!
The main enhancements in PC-3000 Flash software ver. 7.0.5:

  • Introduced support for new sets of adapters:
    • New PC-3000 Flash Multiboard Adapters, including replaceable soldering modules: Monolith module, BGA152/VBGA100 module, LGA52/TSOP48 module.
    • New PC-3000 Flash Card Adapter.
  • Added a XOR map analysis tool for tasks on AU and SSS controllers. The tool enables you to solve tasks which have non-standard XOR applied on the basis of standard one.
  • Added a mode in compiler “Block Number SD/CF”, which allows to switch off add-on optimization. In other words, the mode does not sort all add-ons based on their relevance, but adds everything that is found during structure analysis.
  • Added methods of manual block rotation (page-by-page) in the “Block/Page Cutting” tool and implementation of the version into the translator. This is necessary to enable block rotation if it is in the translator version.
  • Optimized performance of the compiler “Block Number SM 3257” in relevant marker search mode.
  • Enhanced performance of the compiler “ITE 1167 translator”.
  • Completely rewritten the block rotation preparing tool for SD/CF Phison Controllers. Now TLC microchips with 32 sector page and sector merge cases for MLC memory are supported.
  • Added new XOR and ECC to database.
Read more...


April 22, 2016 The new PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.0.4 is available!
The main enhancements in PC-3000 Flash software ver. 7.0.4:

  • Innostor controller block number image builder method has been improved
  • Sandisk controller block number image builder method has been improved (new controllers are supported now)
  • New tools for working with dumps are now available:
    • Page transformation for different ECC at the IS and SM controllers
    • Block rotation tool for SD and microSD cards based on the PHISON controllers
    • Search tool for the actual marker position for some types of tasks
    • New opportunity to change the map of XOR results by cut pages option (common problem at the SM and AU controllers) with Twoplane XOR mode
  • Image builder for SM-based SD and CF cards has been improved
  • It has become possible to save the user data with ECC errors into the !Problem folder
  • Dynamic XOR for the CBM controllers is now available
  • It has become possible to multi-retry a command in the direct command mode
  • A new preparation method with new special preparation tools is available
  • It has become possible to optionally change the order and location of the Hex, Map and Status tabs. When you choose a new configuration, it can be saved and applied automatically when you run the software next time
Read more...



December 04, 2015 PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.0.3 is available now
The following English software update is released:

PC-3000 Flash software Ver. 7.0.3

In this release, the PC-3000 Flash software has been optimized for working both with the Reader Ver.4.0 and Ver. 3.0. A lot of new useful features have been introduced.
Read more...



July 29, 2015 New PC-3000 Flash software ver. 7.0.2 is released
Not much time has passed since PC-3000 Flash software ver. 7.0.1 became available, and the ACE Lab Team is ready with one more new release.

In the latest version, the PC-3000 Flash users will get the new TOOLS, which automate the routine operations helping to save your time.
Read more...




April 27, 2015 The release of the new PC-3000 Flash software ver. 7.0.1
The new software update for the PC-3000 Flash is available now.

WHAT'S NEW
  • Explore the new opportunity to expand your PC-3000 Flash Reader functionality! 
    It has become possible to make a firmware update of the PC-3000 Flash Reader.
     Detailed manual is available in your Personal Update Box.
  • The new preparation method "Join by Dumps for N sources"
  • In the "Page Designer" mode, you can select ranges of the same length by double click
  • The support of the pages larger than 128Kb
  • New types of ReadRetry options
  • New types of ECC
  • New types of XOR (SM325x, SM326x, SM268x, IS9xx, SSS669x, AU69xx, Sandisk, Kingston SD and others)
  • New translator algorithm for SSS5523 controller
  • New translator algorithm for some SanDisk controllers
  • New translator algorithm for Innostor (IS902, IS903, IS916) controllers
  • Updated dynamic XOR patterns for Phison controllers
  • New weekly-updated automatic database with new XOR, ECC, and other resources


All authorized technical support users will be able to get the latest software version for their PC-3000 Flash.
Please contact us to find out how to become an authorized technical support user.
Read more...



May 15, 2014 New version 6.5.1 of PC-3000 Flash SSD Edition is released
New features are available NOW! They are the following:
  • New memory chips with the 16-8 JEDEC and the 16-8 ONFI type of reading have been added
  • New XOR patterns and ECC types have been added
  • New analysis algorithm for the SSS6677 controller has been added
  • the PC-3000 UDMA-E appears in the hardware controller selection while launching the Active Utility mode
  • New ability for adding the user's own ECC description has been added (recommended only for advanced users)
  • New mode for adding elimination based on XOR has been added
  • the ECC auto detection tools have been improved
  • New synchronization method of the "Block's sorting" has been added
  • Matching version mode has been seriously improved
  • A lot of different bug fixes and improvements in Kernel part of the PC-3000 Flash have been done

For all new users we recommend visiting our F.A.Q. in PC-3000 Flash NAND Forum, where you can find a lot of useful information about the PC-3000 Flash functionality.

All authorized technical support users can feel free to contact us for getting the latest version of the PC-3000 Flash SSD Edition.
Read more...



February 04, 2014 PC-3000 Flash SSD Edition has got a new version 6.4.2
New features are available NOW! They are the following:
  • New data preparation method of "XOR for page by page number"
  • New data preparation method of "Copying in analysis result"
  • New driver version which is setup automatically in new version of PC-3000 Flash setup *.exe file
  • New memory chips support
  • New features in Active utilities for SSD recovery
  • New database resources
  • Bugfixes and improvements
All authorized technical support users can feel free to contact u for getting the latest version of PC-3000 Flash SSD Edition.
Read more...



November 25, 2013 PC-3000 Flash SSD Edition has got a new version 6.4.
New features are available NOW! They are the following:
  • Full support of Intel SSD drive based on Postville controller (with solution for BAD_CTX, BAD_FW and NO_FW bugs)!
  • New Active Utility for Toshiba SSD drives based on JMF616 controllers
  • Translator for SM3257EN controllers family
  • A lot of new XOR, memory chips, ECC, and other resources!
  • New preparation options for modern flash drives
  • New algorithms for reading problem TLC/MLC chips
  • Serious improvements and optimizations of PC-3000 software components
All authorized technical support users can feel free to contact us for getting the latest version of PC-3000 Flash SSD Edition
Read more...



July 03, 2012 A new revolutionary approach for handling dead SSD in the version 6.0.1!
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