Is Firmware Flashing good for my drive?

[Sikander]

Hi, im about to buy a Sony DRU 810A. I heard that I need to update its firmware to make things work. Uptill now I didn't know about this updating firmware thing. I was browsing a website and I was warned that wrong flashing or playing with my firmware can result in damaging my drive? The firmware file I got was a simple executable?? Can I damage my drive by updating the firmware or flashing?

Also, I am just a home user, just need a burner for backing up my files......maybe burn a couple of home videos, will I be needing to update firmware for all this?

Also please tell me where I can download QSuite, don't know what it does but I want to check it out, to see what the hype is all about.
Thanks.

[hech54]

I thought QSuite was a BenQ product...and not official?
Also firmware updates are not as dangerous as they used to be....they are pretty much idiot-proof nowadays....NO OFFENCE!!!
Stick to official firmware upgrades...they are the safest.

[ROF]

Flashing a device is still as dangerous today as it was in years past. If you use the wrong one and the installer contains no device check you will make your drive completely unusable. There is also the chance that if your system should lose power or fluctuating power during a flash your drive will become unusable.

That being said any drive I install I always check to make sure it has the latest firmware before giving the system to the customer. If it doesn't use the latest firmware I always flash it to the latest to ensure the most compatibility amongst media, best write strategy, and up-to-date system specs. Checking for updated firmware also allows me to visit the companies website and include a desktop shortcut to the site for the customers use after the purchase.

I recommend before you use a drive to check it for the latest firmware. Flash it if necessary. If you do screw it up at least you can return it to your place of purchase and get a new one.

[budz]

Hi, im about to buy a Sony DRU 810A. I heard that I need to update its firmware to make things work. Uptill now I didn't know about this updating firmware thing. I was browsing a website and I was warned that wrong flashing or playing with my firmware can result in damaging my drive? The firmware file I got was a simple executable?? Can I damage my drive by updating the firmware or flashing?

Also, I am just a home user, just need a burner for backing up my files......maybe burn a couple of home videos, will I be needing to update firmware for all this?

Also please tell me where I can download QSuite, don't know what it does but I want to check it out, to see what the hype is all about.
Thanks.

You wanna check to see all the HYPE about QSUITE then go to the BENQ FORUM at Cdfreaks.com. Crossflashing the SONY 810A drive is very simple to do. QSUITE is a tool to tweak your burns. It remembers the write strategy for known and unknown brands of dvd media. You can download QSUITE from the BENQ website. I'd give you links for the website as well as the links for the downloads to crossflash your drive but I'm at work at this time. QSUITE can only be used with BENQ drives. You'll have to crossflash the sony. Check out the BENQ FORUM and do a search there. Search is your friend.

[Spaceentity]

I've flashed my NEC 3500 about a dozen times so far without any problems. Yes, you do take a chance, but the risk just might be worth it. You can reduce your problems if:

1) double check your firmware to your drive...make sure you are flashing the right one!

AND,

2) be safe, have a UPS on you computer just in case of a power failure.

[handyguy]

Don't do it if you don't need it, plus, most fw updates just add new media codes, so you can use more manf's media.

[HatchetMan]

I thought QSuite was a BenQ product...and not official?

Not official?
It's downloadable off the BenQ site right alonside their firmware releases, so how not official? I'm pretty sure that would make it so.

[budz]

Don't do it if you don't need it, plus, most fw updates just add new media codes, so you can use more manf's media.

Ummm if you read the original post he wants to know if he should crossflash a SONY 810A drive to the OFFICIAL BENQ FIRMWARE.

BENQ has frequent firmware upgrades because of the newer dvd media that is manufactured.

It's not because they want consumers to buy more of their media. BENQ doesn't manufacture TAIYO YUDEN dvd media.

The SONY 810A drive is a REBADGED 1640 drive. By crossflashing the SONY 810A drive to the OFFICIAL BENQ FIRMWARE will allow the drive to use QSUITE which is a software developed by BENQ. QSUITE remembers the write strategy for known dvd media as well as unknown dvd media. It's a great tool to use.

There is nothing wrong with crossflashing the SONY 810A drive. I've crossflashed I/O MAGIC drives to OFFICIAL BENQ 1620 drives and COMPUSA 16X dvd burners to OFFICIAL BENQ 1640 firmware. No problems at all with crossflasing those drives.

[hech54]

I thought QSuite was a BenQ product...and not official?

Not official?
It's downloadable off the BenQ site right alonside their firmware releases, so how not official? I'm pretty sure that would make it so.

For a Sony drive?

[Resolution]

I've had one total failure in flashing a drive, which makes me nervous about doing anymore.
HP OEM dvd300N (NEC 1100A). Dumped and saved old firmware "succesfully"
Flashed drive "succesfully". Easy !
Rebooted and sure enough every thing looked as it should. One little problem, was the Drive doesn't recognise it has any media in the tray, and no longer does Anything . Attempted to contact the firmware author/promoter who "invited" users to contact, in the event of a problem or questions. Response = 0

[Sikander]

..........scary.........

[ROF]

I've had one total failure in flashing a drive, which makes me nervous about doing anymore.
HP OEM dvd300N (NEC 1100A). Dumped and saved old firmware "succesfully"
Flashed drive "succesfully". Easy !
Rebooted and sure enough every thing looked as it should. One little problem, was the Drive doesn't recognise it has any media in the tray, and no longer does Anything . Attempted to contact the firmware author/promoter who "invited" users to contact, in the event of a problem or questions. Response = 0

There are 4 different models for the dvd300n NEC1100a Burner. If yours is the HP Version as you say why not re-flash the drive with the 1.25 or even the 1e01 firmware. Make sure you search for DVD300n HP DVDWriter Firmware. All other 1100a firmware will cause you to either lose the drive or the erratic results you have now. I took two of these drives into my shop last year after people flashed it incorrectly.

[Resolution]

Hello ROF, I'll look for the firmware you mention , as , for obvious reasons, the unit is in a closet doing nothing, right now.
It is , as per the labeling, Model : ND- 1100A (ND-1100A/HP). FW 3.10
if all fails, where's your shop ?.

[ROF]

try http://etna.rpc1.org/nec/hp dvdwriter300 1_25 7 (1_10).zip

Copy and Paste link.

[Resolution]

I got the firmware 3.11 from HP (what the drive came loaded with originally), created a DOS floppy and flashed. I at least have CD function back. Will not recognise a DVD in the tray though.
Not sure where, if anywhere, I can go from here. It's only "half dead" now, or "half alive".
Thanks for the prompt to try again ROF.

[lordsmurf]

Flashing a device is still as dangerous today as it was in years past. If you use the wrong one and the installer contains no device check you will make your drive completely unusable. There is also the chance that if your system should lose power or fluctuating power during a flash your drive will become unusable.

Yep. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Only do a firmware upgrade when needed. For example, when you buy new media, and the discs are not seen by the drive, or seen at the wrong speed. Firmware may help. On brand new drives, the first few firmware releases tend to fix flaws.

[Resolution]

Yep, your're right. Interesting thing is, since flashing mine back to "half life" earlier, HP update advised me , that there is new Firmware available for my DVwriter 300N. I went ahead and let it do it's thing, but it still remains no more than a CD player/recorder. Don't know where the DVD bit went !