A memory system having a mode indicator, a set of hardware resources, a set of media, and a controller. When the mode indicator identifies a factory mode, a first portion of the hardware resources is reserved for performance of factory functions by the controller and a second portion of the hardware resources is allocated for performance of normal functions. When the mode indicator identifies a user mode, both the first portion and the second portion are allocated for the performance of the normal function. The normal functions are performed by the controller to at least store data in and retrieve data from the set of media in response to requests from a host system.