Q. Does my DVD burner need a Firmware Upgrade?
A. Its always advisable to have the latest firmware for the drive as this will have the latest media codes in the media tables

Firstly you need to identify the exact model & current firmware of the drive. The model number can usually be found on a label on the drive but this will most likely require you to remove the drive from the PC so should be treated as a last resort. Instead, if you are unsure of the model number of your drive then download and run this tool. You will get a display similar to the one shown on the right which will display all the optical drives in your PC together with their current firmware versions. Select the drive you wish to upgrade, making a note of the current model & firmware version as listed. You will then need to locate the manufacturers' website's firmware download page to see if there is an upgrade for your drive. Make sure to select the exact model no. including any letters before & after the number. Check the firmware version (should always be of a similar format if you have selected the correct drive - the latest firmware will have the highest number or letters & will be the one with the latest date).

Guide to IDE Connections
More information about firmware upgrading with specific manufacturers

Once you have identified the correct firmware, download it to its own folder on your hard drive, open the created folder. The firmware can come in various formats and needs to be treated appropriately dependant on it's file extension. The most common formats are *.exe & *.zip.

• *.exe files can either take the form of a self executable file that automatically applies the firmware with very few dialogue boxes to respond to, or it can be a self extracting archive that extracts the firmware files & flashing utility and maybe even runs the flasher after extracting.
  
  
• *.zip files will need extracting with a tool such as Winzip, preferably to the same folder. If the extraction brings up a dialogue box asking for a destination directory you may alter it to your preference, making sure you take note of the selected directory.
  
  Once extracted you should have one of the following,
  • Single executable firmware
• Single self extracting firmware archive self executable flashing utility
• Firmware file(s) (1 or 2) and flashing utility
• Firmware file(s) (1 or 2)

Hopefully there will also be a readme file with descriptions and instructions included.

Almost all modern drives can be upgraded from within the Windows environment so we will concentrate on the Windows methods of upgrading.

WARNINGS: The following precautions need to be taken before, during and after a firmware upgrade

• Connect the drive as the Master by itself, on the secondary IDE controller with no other device on the same IDE cable, making sure to set the jumper on the back of the drive to the Master position (consult our 'Guide to IDE Connections' article if unsure).
  
  
• Eject the drive tray and remove any disc that may already be in it.
  
  
• Close all other programmes including screen saver, antivirus and/or power-down programmes. (If these are not closed, they may try to engage the PC, during the update process, thus interrupting the update and potentially damaging the drive).
  
  
• Do not open any programmes or start any system functions during the update, as they will interfere with data transfer and potentially damage the drive.
  
  
• Disable any IDE accelerators (like the Intel IAA drivers).
  
  
• If you are unsure, to be on the safe side it would be advisable to boot up your PC into "Safe Mode" to apply the upgrade.
  
  
• Do not cancel the operation once it has been started or the drive may become permanently damaged.
  
  
• It is important to reboot the PC immediately after a completed firmware upgrade so that Windows can register the drive correctly.