Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Installing New Drive Firmware
Generally speaking, the firmware update procedure works like this. (Be sure to follow the
particular instructions given for your drive.)
1.
IfthefirmwareupdateisstoredasaZipfile,youneedtouseanunzippingprogramor
theintegratedunzippingutilityfoundinsomeversionsofWindowstouncompressthe
updatetoafolder.SomevendorsshipfirmwareupdatesasRARfiles(RARisaLinux
compressed archive; it can be opened by many uncompression utilities for Windows).
2.
If the drive maker provides a readme file, be sure to read it for help and troubleshoot-
ing. If the update file is an EXE file, it might display a readme file as part of step 3.
3.
Double-click the EXE file to start the update process. Be sure to leave the system
powered on during the process, which can take 2-3 minutes.
4.
Follow the vendor's instructions for restarting your system.
5.
After you restart your system, the computer might redetect the drive and assign it the
next available drive letter. If the drive letter has changed, you can use the Computer
Management service in Windows 2000 or later to reassign the correct drive letter to
the drive.
Troubleshooting Firmware Updates
If you have problems performing a rewritable drive firmware update, check the vendor's
readme file or website for help. In addition, here's a tip I've found useful: If the firmware
update fails to complete, there might be interference from programs that control the drive,
such as packet-writing programs (InCD, DirectCD) or the built-in Windows disc-writing
feature. To disable resident software, restart the computer in Safe Mode and retry the up-
date. Restart the system normally after the update is complete.
