Unzip Firstchip_MPtools_V1.0.4.3.zip to a short path (e.g., C:\MPTools ). Avoid long or special character paths.
Do not disconnect the drive or power off your computer during this stage. The process can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour, depending on the physical size and grade of the NAND flash memory. Step 7: Finalize and Test
Reinstalls the controlling software if the drive is unrecognized by Windows. Key Features of V1.0.4.3
Connect the flash drive directly to a motherboard USB port (preferably USB 2.0). Avoid using external USB hubs or front-panel ports, as voltage fluctuations can interrupt the flashing process. Step-by-Step Guide to Repairing Drives Firstchip Mptools V1.0.4.3 Fc1178 Fc1179
For power users, the real magic happens in Firstchip.ini (found in the tool's root directory). You can tweak parameters not exposed in the GUI.
A critical aspect of using this tool is the trade-off between functionality and data preservation. By design, mass production tools destroy existing data to rebuild the drive's firmware structure. Therefore, while Mptools is excellent for reviving a "dead" USB stick, it is not a data recovery tool in the traditional sense; rather, it is a device recovery tool.
Fixes issues where the drive shows incorrect capacity (e.g., a 64GB drive showing 1GB). Unzip Firstchip_MPtools_V1
When a controller locks up due to unstable voltages or physical data transfer drops, it forces a permanent read-only state. Firstchip MpTools overrides this restriction by rewriting the controller’s internal block tables.
When these microcontrollers experience voltage spikes, improper ejection, or partition table corruption, they enter a lock state. The operating system will reject the drive, presenting errors like "Insert Disk," "Device Not Recognized," or "Write Protected". Standard Windows formatting tools cannot communicate with a locked controller, requiring a low-level tool like MPTools. Step 1: Confirming Your Controller with ChipGenius
Many cheap or counterfeit flash drives mimic large capacities (e.g., reporting 128GB or 256GB) but only physically contain 8GB to 32GB of real NAND storage. This tool initiates a full diagnostic scan to identify the exact Flash ID code and safely locks the partition size to the drive's true hardware limitations. The process can take anywhere from a few
Run the software on a Windows operating system (Windows 7, 10, or 11). Use an administrative account to grant the tool direct hardware access.
Before installing Mptools V1.0.4.3, ensure your computer meets the following system requirements:
Disable your antivirus, as these tools often trigger false positives.
Includes updates to improve data transfer speeds and "open card" (initialization) yield.
| Metric | FC1178 (USB 2.0) | FC1179 (USB 3.0) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 18–22 MB/s | 60–85 MB/s | | Write Speed | 4–8 MB/s | 15–25 MB/s | | Success Rate | ~85% (after bad block scan) | ~70% (QLC chips fail often) | | Best Use Case | Bootable USB drives, music storage | Temporary file transfer |