Alcor Micro Unknown Fa00 F W Fa04 Work Instant
It looks like you’re asking for a blog post based on a very specific technical string: “alcor micro unknown fa00 f w fa04 work.”
This appears to be related to a hardware ID, a device manager error (likely from Windows), or a driver issue for an Alcor Micro chipset (often used for card readers, USB hubs, or fingerprint readers).
Since this reads like a troubleshooting query, I’ve written a blog post aimed at users who see this in their Device Manager and want to fix it.
[SOLVED] How to Fix the "Alcor Micro Unknown Device" (FA00/FA04) Error
If you have recently reinstalled Windows or opened your Device Manager only to find a perplexing "Unknown Device" with the Hardware ID USB\VID_058F&PID_0039 (often referencing FA00 or FA04 in the driver details), you are not alone.
This is one of the most common "mystery devices" found on laptops from manufacturers like Acer, HP, Dell, and Lenovo. Today, we are going to demystify what this component is, why the drivers are missing, and how to get it working in minutes.
The Bottom Line
Alcor Micro Unknown FA00 F W FA04 is not a virus, not a hardware failure, and not a reason to panic. It’s just a driverless chip. Use Method 3 (SDIO) or Method 2 (force generic USB) to make it work in under 5 minutes.
Have another “unknown device” nightmare? Drop the hardware ID in the comments below.
Got this working? Share which laptop model and driver fixed it for you!
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. alcor micro unknown fa00 f w fa04 work
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
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
Searching for Alcor Micro unknown FA00 firmware (f/w) FA04 typically relates to troubleshooting damaged USB flash drives or card readers that are not recognized by your system. Users often encounter these codes when a device shows "no media" or "0 bytes" in Windows Disk Management. Findings & Troubleshooting
Technical reviews and community discussions suggest the following regarding these specific identifiers:
Identifier Meanings: The code FA00 is frequently seen when the controller is damaged or the firmware is corrupted, making it appear as an "unknown" controller. It looks like you’re asking for a blog
Firmware Mismatch: Some expert sources note that an Alcor controller with the specific model FA00 does not officially exist in manufacturer catalogs, often indicating a hardware failure or a misreading by diagnostic tools. Common Fixes:
Mass Production Tools: Users often use tools like AlcorMP or FC_MpTool from sites like USBDev.ru to attempt a low-level format or firmware re-flash.
Hardware IDs: If the device is a smart card reader, you can identify the correct driver by right-clicking the device in Device Manager, selecting Properties > Details, and checking the Hardware IDs.
Driver Reinstallation: For card readers, uninstalling the device and letting Windows reinstall the default driver upon restart is a standard first step. Official drivers are available from manufacturers like Lenovo Support for integrated laptop readers.
For a detailed walkthrough on using Alcor Micro firmware tools to fix 'no media' or 0-byte errors, you can watch this tutorial:
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) [SOLVED] How to Fix the "Alcor Micro Unknown
: 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
The device ID USB\VID_058F&PID_0039 (often labeled as "Alcor Micro USB 2.0 Card Reader" or appearing as "Unknown Device" with hardware IDs ending in FA00, FA04, etc.) is a very common issue in laptop repair and IT maintenance.
Below is a professional blog post tailored for a tech support or IT repair blog that addresses this specific driver issue.
Introduction: The Frustration of the Unknown Device
You have just performed a fresh installation of Windows—perhaps Windows 7, 10, or an embedded version like POSReady 7. You open Device Manager, expecting everything to be smooth. Instead, under "Other Devices," you spot a yellow exclamation mark next to an entry labeled: "Alcor Micro Unknown FA00 F W FA04."
The device does not function. A card reader does not read. A fingerprint sensor remains dormant. A USB hub refuses to negotiate high speed. You search for drivers, but the usual websites return gibberish. The question haunting your terminal is: How do I make Alcor Micro Unknown FA00 F W FA04 work?
This article is the definitive guide to identifying, sourcing, and installing the correct drivers for this elusive Alcor Micro device. We will cover hardware identification, driver extraction from OEM sources, manual INF installation, and advanced troubleshooting.
How to fix (if data不重要):
- Identify exact chip using ChipGenius (Windows) or
lsusb -v(Linux). - Download the correct Alcor MPTool (e.g.,
AlcorMP_UFDorAlcorMP_AU698X). Version must match your chip. - In the tool, look for FA00 or FA04 under "Status" – this often means "Pretest fail" or "Bad block".
- Short the flash pins (if hardware dead) – last resort.
- Use Low-level format in MPTool (but this erases all data).
⚠️ If the drive contains important data, do not run MPTool – send to a recovery specialist.
Why this happens:
- Corrupted firmware on the controller
- Bad NAND flash chip (dead cells)
- Wrong driver installed (Windows replaced it)
- Incomplete量产 tool (MPTool) configuration
Why Does It Show Up as "Unknown"?
Microsoft’s generic drivers don’t cover every niche chip. If you’ve recently:
- Upgraded to Windows 10 or 11 (from 7/8)
- Run a clean OS install
- Disabled Windows Update driver downloads
…you’ll see this error. The hardware is physically fine—it just needs the right software.