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Rich Nost 1mo ago

Today I learned about unrecoverable MCU key slots on the ColdCard.

Apparently you have a limited number of destructive actions (such as clearing the seed words or messing around with trick PINs) and after that, it's BRICKED (I guess?)

So, if you use the ColdCard as an ephemeral signing device (like a SeedSigner or a Jade in Stateless Mode, except you manually wipe the device), you are limited to the number of times you can enter a new seed before you turn the device into a potato.

Don't tell me you knew about this! You didn't!

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SuiGenerisJohn 1mo ago

I did, and I think about the number all the time because I don't recall what the number is. I bet I find out someday.

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Rich Nost 1mo ago

It's 256. But I don't know if all actions consume one slot or if some actions are chunkier than others.

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SuiGenerisJohn 1mo ago

Good to know. Do you know if there is a way to check the supply?

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Rich Nost 1mo ago

Danger Zone

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Rich Nost 1mo ago

You can check in the Danger Zone menu

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SuiGenerisJohn 1mo ago

Cool thanks

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semisol 1mo ago

What the fuck man

this problem does not exist on the device I am building and it is actually secure as well

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Rich Nost 1mo ago

Big WTF moment for me. I've helped several people learn how to use this device (not my recommendation; it's what they wanted), and I've burned thrpugh quote a few of these slots, learning and showing all the features.

If I actually intended use a ColdCard, I'd be slightly pissed. Why does clearing the secure element have anything to do with the finite consumable resources on the MCU?

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semisol 1mo ago

similar types of anti consumer shit pushed me to make my own device, but wtf…

also what are these “permanent” key slots lol, flash is reprogrammable like 10k+ times

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the Bridge 1mo ago

Since we’re on the coldcard topic. If you use the coldcard as hardware wallet and your hardware suddenly stops working, is there a way to back up the information on the coldcard so you van back it up on another coldcard? Or what do you do to have a backup in case of hardware failure?

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Rich Nost 1mo ago

You can do a full backup of the seeds, secure notes and setting with a (functioning ColdCard using the Advanced/Tools -> Backup function

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the Bridge 1mo ago

Cool! Thanks!

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Rangeman 1mo ago

Advanced SD card backup

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the Bridge 1mo ago

👍👍👍

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unknown 1mo ago

Stainless steel washers. Fuck electronics.

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unknown 1mo ago

That this is the biggest most over priced piece of horse shit. WTF!!