Given that the FC1179 is a popular, low-cost USB 2.0 controller found in many counterfeit flash drives (fake SanDisk, Kingston, Sony), this review focuses on the hunt for working firmware, not a single official source.
Firstchip System Technology produces low-power ARM-based SoCs used in TV and multimedia devices. The FC1179 targets low-cost STB/DVB and OTT boxes. Firmware for this chip controls hardware initialization, bootloader, kernel, middleware, and application layers enabling media decoding, network connectivity, and user interfaces.
FirstChip (Nanjing FirstChip IC Design Co., Ltd.) is a Chinese fabless semiconductor company known for producing USB flash drive controllers. Their chips are ubiquitous in the global market, particularly in budget-friendly, promotional, and "no-name" USB drives found on marketplaces like AliExpress, eBay, and Shopee.
The FC1179 is a specific controller model designed for USB 2.0 interfaces (and later revisions supporting bridging to NAND flash). It is a PUA (Programmable USB Application) controller. firstchip fc1179 firmware link
If you are looking for the link to fix your drive, here is the practical workflow, moving away from a simple "download" mindset:
Step 1: Verify the Controller
Open the USB drive casing physically. Look at the black square chip. Does it say FC1179?
Step 2: Install the Driver You cannot access the controller if Windows loads the standard storage driver. You need the FirstChip "Inf" file to put the device into "Vendor Mode." Given that the FC1179 is a popular, low-cost USB 2
Step 3: Locate the MP Tool Search specifically for "FirstChip FC1179 MP Tool" or "FC1179 MPTool vxxxx".
Step 4: Configure (The "Firmware" Part)
Step 5: The "Burn" Click "Start" or "Burn." The tool compiles the firmware on the fly (using the Flash ID) and flashes it to the drive. Key Characteristic: The FC1179 does not have a
FirstChip (also known as ChipsBank or iCreate) is a Chinese semiconductor company that produces mass-production controllers for USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 flash drives. The FC1179 is one of their most common budget controllers, favored by no-name brands and low-cost drive manufacturers.
Even with the correct firmware link, you may hit issues. Here is the diagnostic guide:
| Error Message | Meaning | Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | "Download ISP Fail" | The tool cannot send the initial bootloader to the chip. | Short two adjacent data pins (D+ and D-) before plugging in. Then click Start immediately. | | "No Supported Flash" | The firmware database lacks your specific NAND ID. | You need a newer MPTool (v3.3.8.2 or higher) or an unlocked "Debug" version. | | "Bad Block over limit" | The NAND chip has too many physical defects. | In Settings > Capacity, reduce to 50% (e.g., 64GB → 32GB) and rerun. | | "Check Sum Fail" | Corrupted firmware download. | Delete the MPTool folder. Re-download from a verified link. Disable antivirus temporarily. |
The FC1179 uses a unique pSLC (pseudo-Single Level Cell) caching mechanism. When the controller loses power during a write operation or when bad blocks accumulate, it corrupts its own firmware zone. This leads to the dreaded "0 MB" capacity. The drive isn't physically dead—it just forgot how to talk to the NAND flash chip.