How do I flash the firmware on a Pioneer DVD-R?

[wulf109]

I have a Pioneer DVR-104 with firmware 1.20. I have read that using 4x media can burn out the laser,that you need to upgrade the firmware. Could someone point me to instructions for how to flash the drive?

[tompika]

http://www.dvd-recordable.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=33

http://kickme.to/dvd105s

[wulf109]

Good information. These sites provide information and links to download the firware but no useable instructions on how to perform the flash. They just say double click in windows and it will update,but they don't,I always get a message "cannnot find kernel". If I try them in pure DOS I get the message "can't find target".
There must be some additional software needed? Is there a website with actual,useable instructions on to flash the firmware.
It's really confusing to me. I've flashed the BIOS on mtherboards many times,upgraged the firmware on my DVD standalones numerous times.
I'm not ignorant of the flashing process,I just can't find any instructions on flashing the firware of DVD-R drives they seem to work.
I'm missing something!

[Gargoyle]

Here's a quote from the "DVD Writers" section of this site:

The reason for the error "MODEL NAME OF KERNAL PART IS NOT MATCHED" is becase some other, possibly third party, firmware has been used. So to upgrade you must first downgrade. Use the sites mentioned in other posts such as http://www.firmwares.co.uk to find the right downgrade then upgrade accordingly to v1.40.

Hope this helps - I'm going to give it a try when I get home.

[wulf109]

Success,my problem was that while my DVR-104 is a Pioneer drive,it's not an official Pioneer,it's an OEM Pioneer DVR-104. There are apparently many different OEM Pioneer's.
Official Pioneer firmware won't update it because it doesn't check out as an offical Pioneer. You need to use "hacked" firmware that has a force upgrade option. I have updated my drive to 1.30 firmware. The mismatch kernel message is apparently related to the offical/OEM problem.
I find you must update in DOS mode,it doesn't seem to work in Windows.