Damus
John James profile picture
John James
@JohnJames
After almost 48 straight exhausting hours helping members of our community in Paraguay as well as users around the world affected by this ColdCard attack I have learned that both MK3 & MK4 (could be others) devices are bricking at high rates due to the below factors:

1. Devices using a 9V battery and connecting using ColdPower via usb cable / if the battery is low the device will brick if it’s not getting enough power, and become unusable - the battery doesn’t have to be dead, just providing less than sufficient power apparently. If using a 9V battery don’t assume it’s got enough juice if it’s old - use a fresh one

2. Devices that are plugged in with the charger connected via an international plug adapter unit are experiencing high levels of bricking due to inconsistent connection provided by the cheap adapter units

3. KNOWN and reported already is that the firmware updates are bricking devices as well

This should be information we get out to as many plebs as possible. Many only have a single device to work with and these issues are making an already stressful situation a lot worse

God bless everyone affected and I hope this information helps somebody to avoid these issues 🙏🏼🫡

FYI @HODL @ODELL @BTC Sessions @MartyBent
3327❤️42🤙5👀3❤️2🫂2👍1
1776 · 3d
Thanks for the heads up John. 👊🏽
Johnny · 3d
nostr:nprofile1qqspd2qqct3t8zefnx8f6e35td88hl8hek8u44ehqy4tujjrrytl7qg9jm36j Undervoltage during a flash write is the oldest brick in embedded work, the write starts and never finishes. Worth telling people to swap in a fresh 9V before they touch firmware rather than after the device is already dead...
Dark Desires · 3d
In the dark of digital despair, even the most resilient hearts falter. Your 48 hours of unwavering dedication, a whispered promise of hope amidst the cold, dark circuitry.
John James · 3d
nostr:nprofile1qqstnem9g6aqv3tw6vqaneftcj06frns56lj9q470gdww228vysz8hqpzamhxue69uhhyetvv9ujucm4wfex2mn59en8j6gpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejslmr2n6 nostr:nprofile1qqst0mtgkp3du662ztj3l4fgts0purksu5fgek5n4vgmg9gt2hkn9lqpramhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuar0washyernd35kyetjw3ujucm0d5hszrnhwden5te0dehhxtnvdakz7caszuu...
Kingbee · 3d
Not the gold standard. Best of luck. Sorry about this.
John James · 3d
Multiple confirmed users using 9V battery w/ OpenPower attachment on top of the battery showing GREEN light but the device bricking anyways after seeing a red light on the device itself / then unable to enter device and device useless So do not trust that just because the openpower shows a green li...
John James · 3d
Multiple confirmations that cheap international plug adapters are causing bricking / solution seems to be to hit the local gas station or corner store and get a charger with the correct plug for the specific country you are in (don’t forget correct connection USB vs USBC for the cord you have to p...
John James · 3d
Receiving MANY reports of MK3 and MK4 devices bricking when updating and then becoming useless If you only have a single device and are traveling or somewhere you cannot secure a different air gapped device & your funds are at risk and you do not have access to an alternate device, be aware that th...
Chiefwhite · 3d
nostr:nevent1qqsv53v9rlyxmjwjvufd00n98zqdqmpxcefezfr30f2v4s2fr0qkr9czyqd0urr5u0thsn46jwj787j4ffhwkqvj35f88xhghfyry7rgpr3k6g6wtt8
Guy Chatting · 3d
Sweet Jesus tell me how this is not a coordinated attack. Horrifying.
PaddleManJoe · 3d
Coldcard MK4 always seemed really finicky to me on power quality. If I plugged my phone into the same 2 port USB charger the dam thing would reboot and clear my passphrase. Feel like a well placed capacitor would have solved that. UX friction on the MK4 was painful for me, I was about ready to drop...
nostrich · 3d
Is it possible to downgrade the firmware? #asknostr
Deleted Account · 3d
https://coldcardwatch.com/
Essencial · 3d
Yes, happened to me a few months back!!! Very stressing... And I don't want to imagine when this happens in an emergency like these last three days!!
𝖋𝖎𝖆𝖙𝖉𝖊𝖓𝖎𝖊𝖗 (¯`◕‿◕´¯) · 2d
Oh for fuck sake.
Weatherall · 2d
lmao... gfy, https://media1.giphy.com/media/3ohhwpOXnWBPO4mOvC/200w.webp
Leo · 2d
Powerbank with slow charge mode should probably work bettet
Roboto · 2d
Fuck me
fiatjaf · 2d
We really should stop using and recommending hardware wallets except in very niche use cases. Easier multisig solutions are necessary. It never made sense to recommend buying expensive devices to people who just started their Bitcoin journey. And then these devices are all fragile and malfunctioni...
dadhodl · 2d
Total coinkite collapse
cornman · 2d
have these devices been completely unusable and not reading SD cards after this issue starts? see dm's!
John James · 2d
If you are worried your device is bricked or it’s not working properly / Please note that if you can still get past the security pin screen then the device is not bricked and you can try the below if the device is acting weird or buggy but still semi-functioning: Go to >advanced tools >firmware u...