PC-3000 Flash Data recovery
- Nov 2
- 9 min read
PC-3000 Flash Data recovery
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 (Multimedia 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 herePC-3000 Flash Data recovery
The PC-3000 Flash Packages
Technical Features
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)
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 7 (SP1), Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
Recommended PC configuration:CPU: Intel Core i5 (Quad Core) RAM: 8GBStorage configuration: RAID0 (strip) x2 HDD (7200 rpm) with total capacity of 1 TBLCD Monitor: 22", 1920x1080
How to use
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
PC-3000 Flash Data recovery
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-3000 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 Multi board 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.
PC-3000 Flash adapters
Spider Board Adapter
 | Spider Board Adapter is designed to get connected to technological pins of monolithic Flash devices. This is the new revolutionary technique to recover data from damaged monoliths. No advanced soldering skills are required. |
The main features of the Spider Board Adapter:
Doesn’t require soldering to the technological pinouts, which saves a lot of time, reduces risks and makes the monolith recovery process convenient like never before.
25 specialized needles will enable you to find a convenient way of connecting to pinouts, no matter how they are located
GND and VCC pins are fixed by screw connectors for convenient usage
The adapter is developed specifically for using with microscope
With the Spider Board Adapter it is possible to:
Fine-tune the connectors on the software level
Save the previous pinout settings in a file to use in similar cases
Maintain constant 5V or control VCC (1.8 V-3.6 V) power supplies
Control the adapter power supply via software
Recover data from partially damaged/formatted/erased SD and MicroSD cards.
MPORTANT:
The new adapter is only compatible with PC-3000 Flash Reader ver. 4.0.
The Spider Board Adapter works with all monolith form factors:
MicroSD
SecureDigital
UFD
MemoryStick
Previously, many data recovery engineers did not work with monoliths because of complexity. Now you can recover data from monoliths much easier, faster and safer.
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 Multi board 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) Adapter
Adapter is based on the specialized ZIF panels, providing a convenient and secure method of installing memory chips. Adapter is fully compatible with the PC-3000 Flash Reader version 3.0/4.0 and supports the chips in LGA/TLGA-52 case. 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 Adapter
 | The TSOP-48 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-3000 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. |
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