sudo dd if=/dev/sdb bs=1M count=1 2>/dev/null | strings | grep -i "alcor\|phison\|smI\|smi\|sandisk\|toshiba\|micron\|intel" Manufacturers often embed ASCII signatures (e.g., "SM3257AA" for Silicon Motion) in the firmware block. This method bypasses the controller's lies and reveals the true chip. A Dedicated Linux Tool: lsusb with a Database There is a community project that mimics ChipGenius: lsusb.py (part of the usbutils source, but enhanced by GitHub users). You can install an advanced version:
usb-devices Look for your drive by capacity or manufacturer name. The output includes T: Bus=... (interface type) and S: SerialNumber=... . However, it still relies on the device's self-reporting. To see the actual storage parameters (not just USB descriptors): chipgenius linux
Read the first 1MB of raw data and extract readable strings: sudo dd if=/dev/sdb bs=1M count=1 2>/dev/null | strings
lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,MODEL,VENDOR,REVISION /dev/sdX For deep inspection, use udevadm : You can install an advanced version: usb-devices Look
Here are the three most effective methods: The lsusb command lists USB buses and devices. To get chip details, use the -v (verbose) flag.
udevadm info --query=all --name=/dev/sdX | grep -i "ID_MODEL\|ID_REVISION\|ID_SERIAL_SHORT" Fake drives modify their controller's response to lsusb . However, they cannot hide the internal manufacturing strings embedded in the raw NAND flash. This is the closest Linux equivalent to ChipGenius's "deep scan."