Uninstalling firmware?

[gadfly]

I just did a firmware upgrade on my Sony DRU-510A. Now my burning software won't work. I've tried a couple system restores to no avail.

Is there any way to uninstall this firmware upgrade?

Advice greatly appreciated - thanks

Gadfly

[sammie]

Probably best handled by Sony Tech Support. The usual answer is no. Sometimes if you have a series of updates, i.e., B, C, D and you don't like D you can go back and re-install C. But not always!!! Sometimes this will kill the drive. Ask someone who has done it or should know for certain before you try.

[DivXExpert]

if your drive is still being recognized, then its alright. You can re-flash your firmware to an older version. Alot of people don't recommend flashing your drive, but it didn't cause any troubles for me. I ended up with a region free drive.

Doom9 has a good guide on flashing http://www.doom9.org/rpc1.htm. Check it out, it worked for me, and you may be able to save your drive.

You may have updated firmeware that wasn't made for your drive, and that can cause problems, but it should be fixable.

[Wetmonkey]

this forum is more suited to help, there is a sticky for upgrading the OEM drive. Make sure your copy of the flash is not corrupt. Check the file size of your copy. Gradius and some of the guys on here are sharp trouble shooters.
http://forum.firmware-flash.com/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=34ef8defb15d2db03aa0788937159efc

[gadfly]

Well - as I see it - I am now a serious contender for the 'newbie idiot of the year' award!!

When it had been suggested by a friend (well meaning of course) that I upgrade the firmware in order to improve performance - one vital piece of information got lost in the shuffle - that is - what exactly firmware is and does.

In my panic I called Sony Support - in "God Knows Where USA". The support guy took me through a series of troubleshooting steps and concluded that it was a dll glitch - and that (so it appears at present) my hardware at least is functional - it's merely the burning software that has been affected. He suggested completeling uninstalling my software and start again.

He did explain to me that 'firmware' can turn a perfectly functional piece of hardware into a 'paperweight' - and the only option would then be to send it to the nearest Sony Repair station - which is a good 1000 miles from here - which they "MIGHT" be able to fix - at MY expense.

Right now I'm following his advice. I've uninstalled the software - I'm doing a backup of my system using a 'backup' DVD I'd created a week ago - when I did my last clean install - and I only hope it works - because after that my only option seems to be a 'real' clean install.

So that's my 'update' for the present.

Thanks for the input - I do appreciate your responding with info. If the process I'm following right now doesn't work - I'll try some of the other steps mentioned above.

One positive thing has come of all this - I now know that 'firmware' upgrades are not something you do as a 'generic' computer housekeeping process. I only wish my 'techi friend' had told me that - I thought it was something like 'upgrading drivers'. All I can say is "God help the ignorant"!!

Thanks again guys for the prompt replies and suggestions.

Gadfly

PS - if there's an "idiot of the year' award' feel free to nominate me - I think I deserve it!

[hech54]

Another Firmware nightmare.....I've heard them SOOOO often. I feel bad for you man....honestly. Next time tell your "friend" to go fvck himself......especially if the drive is functioning just fine...."If if ain't broke don't fix it".
Updating the formware is "all the rage" with DVD Recorders now too. The end result is usually NOT worth the risk.

[gmatov]

Hang onto your previous version of the firmware. LiteOn, for one, greys out their last version when a new one is posted. I think this is why they're saying it is irreversible, you can't dl the last versio0n. If you kept a copy, you can. As a f'rinstance, they posted FSOG, to replace FSOF, FSOF was greyed out, non-DLable.

Hadn't been back to see if FSOF is available again.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" doesn't really apply, here. Firmware updates fix different glitches, not just the "Recognize more media.".

With the FSOG withdrawn, bitsetting apparently no longer works with the LiteOn. Whether it causes other shortfalls, you will have to go to www.cdfreaks.com to read for yourself.

Cheers,

George