Newbie Firmware Flashing Question?

[bubernak]

This will probably sound idiotic to most of you, but I’ve never “flashed” the firmware on any of my drives before, so I’m a little concerned about doing it (although after reading thru this forum, it seems to be a weekly event for some people), and had a few questions before I took the plunge. First a little backup info, I’ve got a Liteon 811s running WinXP Home. Recently I bought pack of Ritek G04 –R’s and couldn’t burn them. Tried two at 4x and both failed early in the burn process, then tried one at 2x and same result. I’ve had good success with a number of other Media including Khypermedia +R and –Rs, Imation +Rs, Fuji +RW, so I thought a firmware upgrade might be in order. I was planning on just going straight to the Liteon site and downloading their latest firmware upgrade, which I believe is DR8HSOQ. From the site directions, it looks like all I have to do is download the .zip file, extract the executable and run it.

Is there anything else I need to consider or do before performing this upgrade? It also said to verify the model number by opening the case and physically reading the label stuck on the top of the drive, but the drive is recognized by Nero and DVDShrink as a LDW811S, so is opening the computer really necessary? I’d really appreciate a little help and advice is possible (and quickly, I’d like to try this this weekend). Thanks, Mike

[TeeeRex]

a couple of things - make sure you definately have the correct firmware - flashing the incorrect firmware will destroy your drive (and you will not be able to go back), secondly, make sure (as is practicticaly possible) that your PC is not going to lose power half way through ... and thirdly, reboot before doing it and close as many non-essential programs and services as possible in case they cause an OS crash.. (unlikely, but better to be safe.)

[jaxxboss]

You also need to check your current firmware to see if you already have the up-to-date one. If so then no need to do it....that said... There are unauthorized fw updates, that is firmware that does things usually better than the official ones.
Check cdrinfo or http://club.cdfreaks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=61

[winifreid]

Try their firmware; it has some advantages over the stock.
http://codeguys.rpc1.org/firmwares.html

With windows flsahers, things have gotten alot safer and easier. I flash my drive often trying to find the best combination. I have a 451, so I have alot more flex than you. But yours should flash fine. Ask one of the Code guys if you have a question at cdfreaks.

[bubernak]

jaxxboss: Ok, this again probably sounds pretty lame...but how do I check my current firmware version?

winifreid: What are these "windows flashers" you're talking about? Is it something that downloads from the codeguys site along with the firmware?

Thanks!

[fritzi93]

how do I check my current firmware version?

DVDinfoPRO

[winifreid]

You can id your version in system info, the CD drive and then settings. It may be a little different for XP. In older versions it was necessary to use a flash utility that only worked in DOS and would then load a seperate firmware file. Now it can all be done with one program from within Windows. If yo look at the codeguys site, they list 2 files for the 811. In their patched file you will find several versions that have been patched to read disks faster. Just click on the most recent one (or which ever you think is best) and follow the instructions. It will flash your drive (make sure you do not have a disk in your drive).

[handyguy]

A firmware update program should let you know what firmware you have already.

btw, sinceyou often cannot download the old FW, be sure you have that before you put on new FW. If you don't, you won't be able to go back to the old one.

Updating my 500a made my media write at 1x instead of 2x, so had to return to the old fw.

[bubernak]

handyguy: Where would I have my old FM...is it on the CD that came with the drive? Or do I need to do some kind of extraction before I flash the new FM?

[winifreid]

You can find all the 811 firmware from CDfreaks. You can make a copy of your firmware with a utility, but I doubt it will be necessary. You don't need to open the case to verufy the model number. Check out CDfreaks to see if anyone else has had similair problems with G04s and the 811. I have not had any problem with them, but I have a 451@832.