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Bitcoin => Development & Technical Discussion => Topic started by: CryptoKing888 on July 29, 2018, 07:01:56 AM



Title: Problem with Ledger Nano S - "Device will run in unsafe mode" - HELP!
Post by: CryptoKing888 on July 29, 2018, 07:01:56 AM
Scary thing.  When I plugged in my Nano S Ledger, I got a message saying "Not Genuine," "Device will run in unsafe mode."

I took it out quickly and plugged it back in.  And the 2nd time none of those messages.

Am I safe to enter my pin code?


Title: Re: Problem with Ledger Nano S - "Device will run in unsafe mode" - HELP!
Post by: HCP on July 29, 2018, 07:21:55 AM
Can't say I've heard of that before.

However, from what I've read of the security added to prevent the issues that were highlighted by Saleem Rashid earlier this year, there is only a limited time period for the device to complete it's self-checks. If it doesn't complete within the specified time frame, it will show as "non-genuine". The theory being that any extra work that a malicious firmware needs to do to try and fool the checks would take too long and it will fail.

So, it's possible that the first time you did it... the device was just a bit slow and the "timing" protection kicked in and that is why you had the "Not Genuine" message displayed. Whereas, when you replugged it, it was fine.

Maybe contact Ledger support and ask them?


But, if it were me...  I would wipe the device, reflash the firmware using the Ledger Manager and then re-setup the device using the recovery seed.


Title: Re: Problem with Ledger Nano S - "Device will run in unsafe mode" - HELP!
Post by: crazy_elky on July 29, 2018, 09:38:36 AM
I think this is just a bug in ledger software. But i recommend to contact ledger support team


Title: Re: Problem with Ledger Nano S - "Device will run in unsafe mode" - HELP!
Post by: Kakmakr on July 30, 2018, 06:48:14 AM
Can't say I've heard of that before.

However, from what I've read of the security added to prevent the issues that were highlighted by Saleem Rashid earlier this year, there is only a limited time period for the device to complete it's self-checks. If it doesn't complete within the specified time frame, it will show as "non-genuine". The theory being that any extra work that a malicious firmware needs to do to try and fool the checks would take too long and it will fail.

So, it's possible that the first time you did it... the device was just a bit slow and the "timing" protection kicked in and that is why you had the "Not Genuine" message displayed. Whereas, when you replugged it, it was fine.

Maybe contact Ledger support and ask them?


But, if it were me...  I would wipe the device, reflash the firmware using the Ledger Manager and then re-setup the device using the recovery seed.

You know the reflashing of the firmware is a daunting prospect for a lot of non-technical people and even challenging for people who know what they doing. I am very technical and I struggled with the last firmware update, because Ledger's last firmware upgrade was chaotic to say the least.  ::)

Your answer is spot on, but the resolution suggested might do more than harm for non-technical people.  ::)


Title: Re: Problem with Ledger Nano S - "Device will run in unsafe mode" - HELP!
Post by: Lucius on July 30, 2018, 10:01:41 AM

You know the reflashing of the firmware is a daunting prospect for a lot of non-technical people and even challenging for people who know what they doing. I am very technical and I struggled with the last firmware update, because Ledger's last firmware upgrade was chaotic to say the least.  ::)

Your answer is spot on, but the resolution suggested might do more than harm for non-technical people.  ::)

As a precautionary measure suggestion from HCP is only safe option, or OP just can continue to use device and hope that everything is fine.

To wipe device and reflash firmware should not be problem, there is step by step instruction how to do it in a safe way with notice that seed need to be saved before any attempt of updating firmware. There is no problems with last firmware 1.4.2, but with the previous version which required MCU update and there is some drivers problems on Windows 7 ( which I personally experienced ).

I think for anyone who has serious intentions to work with cryptocurrency following these instructions should not be a problem :

Update Ledger Nano S firmware (https://support.ledgerwallet.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002731113)


Title: Re: Problem with Ledger Nano S - "Device will run in unsafe mode" - HELP!
Post by: Kakmakr on July 31, 2018, 10:01:43 AM

You know the reflashing of the firmware is a daunting prospect for a lot of non-technical people and even challenging for people who know what they doing. I am very technical and I struggled with the last firmware update, because Ledger's last firmware upgrade was chaotic to say the least.  ::)

Your answer is spot on, but the resolution suggested might do more than harm for non-technical people.  ::)

As a precautionary measure suggestion from HCP is only safe option, or OP just can continue to use device and hope that everything is fine.

To wipe device and reflash firmware should not be problem, there is step by step instruction how to do it in a safe way with notice that seed need to be saved before any attempt of updating firmware. There is no problems with last firmware 1.4.2, but with the previous version which required MCU update and there is some drivers problems on Windows 7 ( which I personally experienced ).

I think for anyone who has serious intentions to work with cryptocurrency following these instructions should not be a problem :

Update Ledger Nano S firmware (https://support.ledgerwallet.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002731113)

You are probably right, but you tend to forget that the ultimate goal is for everyone to start using these devices. <This includes a large amount of people who are not educated in third world countries> I got a 78 year old lady to open her first online wallet a week ago and that was a daunting task, I cannot imagine a scenario where I have to teach her how to do a firmware upgrade on a hardware wallet.  :o

My point is, this should be made a lot easier for the average Joe to be able to do this, not just for techno geeks like us.  ;D <We do not want these people to store their coins on third party online wallets and exchanges>