How do I check/update the firmware version?

[roblobster]

I've got the Sony DW-U10A DVD burner on Win2000 Pro.
I'm suppose to update the firmware or driver so they can burn @ 4x with certain media.
Does anyone know how to check what version is currently installed or how to update that?

Thank you.

[ofbarea]

Use DVDInfoPro https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=210#comments

For firmware upgrade, read this post: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=180136

[ViRaL1]

If you've already downloaded the firmware update util from Sony / Storagesupport, when you run it, it will tell you the current version of your firmware before it actually upgrades. If it's the same or newer, you can just cancel.

[roblobster]

I d/l the firmware upgrade from Sony. Since the DW-U10a is the oem version of the DRU-500 I d/l its corresponding firmware. But when I ran it, it failed to recognize the drive.
So I went to the post that ofbarea suggested and found the link for firmware to my drive. The only thing I'm hesistant on is that it's in Japanese and it's dated almost a year ago. Should that be ok anyway?

Is a firmware update permanent? Will that stick even after an OS rebuild?

Thank you all

[ofbarea]

You can find the latest Firmware in english in here: http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_firmware.php?category=4&manufactor=30

Flashing to a new firmware is a permanent change to the drive. You will retain the latest version even if you give your drive to a friend.

[roblobster]

Thank you.
Someone had directed me to a flash hack to turn my DW-U10a to a DRU-500a. After that I updated to the latest firmware.
I was hoping that it will fix some existing problems but I still get an "Invalid Block Address" error in Nero.

Instant Copy 7 burns fine but no apparent speed improvement. Does anyone know how to check actual burn speed? I'm using a 4x DVD-R media. Forgot the brand but the vendor's website list 4x compatibility w/ Sony burners w/ updated firmware.