Firmware Updates

Additional tweaks, tips and steps to help with the installation of Dell`s Firmwares from our Members.

5-1 Dell`s  & Other Firmwares:
  1. How to access Dell`s Firmwares
  2. How to flash the NEC 7900a (Care of Mike ~ WierdProblems)
  3. How to flash the Samsung 616T drive with MTK Utility (Care of David from Texas)
  4. Converting the NEC 1100A to 1300A (Care of Siffleu)
  5. Converting a Philips 8701 DVD burner to a Benq 1640 DVD burner (Care of Dave Johnson)
  6. Converting a Philips 8631 DVD Burner to a BenQ 1620 DVD Burner (Care of Dave Johnson)
  7. Convert Philips 8801 to BenQ 1650

 

 Links for NEC Firmware updates (care of Dave Johnson)

go to Google and type

liggy dee

(sorry, cannot list active link)

 

 

5-1-1: How to access Dell`s Firmwares.

Dell has changed the access to all their firmware updates making linking to them very difficult.

Please follow this link:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

Enter your Service Tag or Product Model, once at the Downloads site, scroll to Removable Media Storage Devices.

Best Regards,

Predator

Back to Top Back to CD/RW

5-1-2: How to flash the NEC 7900A (Care of Mike ~ WierdProblems)

This is for anyone who has ever tried to upgrade firmware on this drive from 1.08 to 109b without success. This upgrade does not work if you follow the Dell instructions (at least on my Dimension 4400).

I was getting the same result as others. After booting with the floppy and answering yes to the update question(s), a message appeared on the screen claiming success a few seconds after the last "yes". However, after removing the floppy and booting into Windows XP, the Device Manager was still showing the firmware version at 1.08

The Dell firmware update download creates a floppy with the following files:

1) COMMAND.COM (DOS Boot, may be a hidden file)
2) AUTOEXEC.BAT (Echos a message, then calls NR7900.EXE)
3) NR7900.EXE (Checks current firmware version???)
4) FWLD799B.EXE (Actual firmware update executable)

Apparently someone at Dell dropped the ball either with AUTOEXEC.BAT or with NR7900.EXE

One of these is supposed to call the actual firmware update executable file FWLD799B.EXE, but neither does.

To get around this, do the following:

1) Create the floppy as directed.
2) Go into Device Manager and uninstall the NR-7900A CD drive.
3) Reboot with the floppy as directed and answer questions appropriately to update firmware.
4) When the success message appears after a few seconds and returns to the "A:>" prompt, manually run FWLD799B.EXE by entering it at the prompt. The actual firmware update for the NEC NR-7900A will begin and take far more than few seconds (perhaps a minute, +/-). When the update is done, the system returns to the prompt and the light on the drive is flashing.
5) Pop out the floppy and press CTL-ALT-DEL to reboot into Windows.
6) Check Device Manager again to be sure Windows re-installed the drive. If not, do it manually.

You should now see "109b" in the revision field of drive.

- Michael (It is my Dell computer that should be named "WierdIssues"!)

P.S. Roxio was also causing other problems with the drive. After removing Roxio from my system and deleting the UpperFilter and LowerFilter keys in the IDE device class in CurrentControlSet, ControlSet001, and ControlSet002, then rebooting, I never had another problem with the NEC NR-7900A.

Back to Top Back to CD/RW

5-1-3: How to flash the Samsung 616T drive with MTK Utility. (Care of ~ David from Texas)

From David:

I have a Dell 8300/Windows XP Home Edition (SP2) computer system (P4, Bios A05) equipped with a Samsung SD-616T 16X DVD ROM drive and a NEC CW-RW NR-9300A 105B CD drive.  I downloaded the F311 firmware update (DOS, A03, file BR66264.exe) for the Samsung drive from Dell Support and applied it exactly as specified.  Upon rebooting the computer, I was horrified to observe that my Samsung DVD drive “D” had crashed.  The tray would not open, the power light would not come on, and the drive was not recognized by either BIOS or Device Manager.  The NEC CD drive still worked, however. 

I tried several different methods to activate the drive: 

(1)  Returning BIOS A05 to the original factory settings.

(2)  Upgrading BIOS to version A07.

(3)  Clearing NVRAM (see later). 

(4)  Reseating the DVD and CD data and power cables (unplugging the cables, booting up, reconnecting the cables and rebooting).

All to no avail.  The DVD drive was still not recognized.  After I upgraded to BIOS A07, I got the following error messages:

SATA primary drive 0 not found (O.K. because a SATA drive was not present).

SATA secondary drive 0 not found (O.K. because a SATA drive was not present)

Primary drive 1 not found (O.K. because a slave primary device was not present)

Secondary drive 0 not found (Not O.K. because this is the DVD ROM)

Secondary drive 1 not found (O.K. because this is the CD ROM and its default setting is OFF as a slave to the DVD ROM)

 

Under BIOS, I changed the configuration settings on all these drives from AUTO to OFF except for secondary drive 0 which I left on AUTO.  All the error messages disappeared except for:

Secondary drive 0 not found (the DVD ROM)

I send three separate E-mails to Dell Technical Support requesting guidance and advice.  None of the responses were helpful.  Although I was quite explicit in detailing the problem, two different technicians recommended that I update the Samsung SD-616T drive with BR66264 (F311) – the exact same flash program that had caused the problem to begin with.  When I pointed out how ridiculous this was, I was informed that my DVD drive was out of warranty and that I should contact Dell Sales to purchase a replacement!    

I then checked out several CD/DVD user discussion forums and found at least 20 postings describing exactly the same problem.  Unfortunately, none reported a solution that was demonstrated to be effective.   I reviewed all the postings and did the following:       

  1. Shut down the computer and disconnected the power cable.  

  2. Removed the computer cover and disconnected the IDE cables and the power cables from the DVD ROM and CD ROM drives.  

  3. Replaced the cover and booted up the computer to Windows XP. 

  4. Shut down the computer and started up in BIOS setup (pressed F2 when the Dell  logo showed prior to Windows XP power up).      

  5. Cleared NVRAM  (While in BIOS, depressed the Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, and Number Lock until three green lights appeared on the keyboard.  (Had to change from a remote mouse and remote keyboard to conventional hard wired units at the beginning of step 3 to do this.)  Pressed Alt “E” and waited for a beep.  Then changed secondary drive setting from AUTO to OFF then back to AUTO.  (This step is probably unnecessary but if no “changes” are made in BIOS then the “save changes” command does not appear.  Saved changes.   (Note:  Could find no jumpers on the 8300 board so could not follow the “clear NVRAM” procedure as described in Bulletin FA1023538 for Dell computers shipped after 1997).

  6. Booted up the computer to Windows XP then shut down again and disconnected the power. 

  7. Reattached the power cable and the IDE cable (at the “end” connection) to the DVD drive but left both cables to the CD drive unattached.   

  8. Rebooted the computer.

  9. Downloaded MTKFLASH 1.55 (mtkflash1.55.zip) from http://etna.rpc1.org/mt/index.html and unzipped the files to a freshly created “C” directory, C:\Firmware.     

  10. Downloaded the E 310 (DEL).zip file (RPC1 free) from http://etna.rpc1.org/samsung and unzipped to the C:\Firmware directory

  11. Made a bootable floppy (“A”) disk.  (See:  http://dhc014.rpc1.org/howto.htm)

  12. Copied the files in C:\Firmware to an “A” subdirectory, A:\Firmware

  13. Shut down the computer and rebooted from the floppy.

  14. At the “A” DOS prompt, changed to the A:\Firmware directory and typed:  Mtkflash 3 w/b /m 310del.bin 

 (Carefully read http://dhc014.rpc1.org/howto.htm for an explanation of the flash protocol.  It will vary depending on the location of the drive being flashed and the nature of the firmware update.  In this case, the “3” designation identifies the DVD drive as being the IDE secondary master (i.e., the drive to which the “end” of the IDE cable is connected).  310del.bin was the selected flash program because it was the original version on my DVD drive.   

The program ran flawlessly and ended with a “reboot computer” command. 

During the reboot the hitherto dead “D” drive sprang to life.  It was now recognized by BIOS and Device Manager.  Most important, the tray now opened and the drive read DVD’s.   

  15.   Shut down the computer, disconnected the main power cable, and re-attached the IDE and power  cables to the CD drive. Rebooted.

The above procedures restored the Samsung SD-616T DVD drive to its original functional state.  Maybe all the foregoing steps are not absolutely necessary but at least these are the procedures that worked for me.   I post them here in the hope that it saves someone the countless hours of frustration I experienced attempting to correct the DVD crash caused by the F311 firmware update.  If this posting further obviates nonproductive correspondence with inept Dell technicians then that is an added bonus.  But a word of caution here.  Do this at your own risk.  What worked for me, may not work for you.     

In my opinion, Dell firmware update F311 is seriously flawed and I strongly recommend against its use as described.  I’ve not attempted the Samsung 311 update with the 1.55 MTKFLASH program.  I’m so overjoyed at getting the DVD drive back to its original state that I’m not going to risk it. 

Finally  bear in mind the frequent warning posted on this forum, namely that the use of non authorized firmware updates will invalidate Dell drive warranties.   

Back to Top Back to CD/RW

5-1-4: Converting the NEC 1100A to 1300A (Care of Siffleu)

Just to let know everyone... I have updated my NEC _DVD+RW ND-1100A firmware 10GE to a special home made (not by me) firmware that "transforms" the nd-1100 for a NEC DVD_RW ND-1300A

here is somes change about it...

DVD-R:

Fixed all improved/added DVD-R media support, since it was missing in Final Test v1
Added MAM8XG01 8x @ 4x using MAM4XG01

DVD+R:

Added DT-D03 004 8x @ 4x using DT-D02 02
Added ISSM 001 8x @ 4x using MCC 003
Added ISSM 003 16x @ 4x using MCC 003
Improved writing strategy for Plasmon1C01, now using MCC 003 strategy for huge performance improvement!
Improved writing strategy for POMS3A C01, now using MCC 003 strategy for huge performance improvement!
Improved writing strategy for POMSI002 01, now using MCC 003 strategy for huge performance improvement!
Improved writing strategy for POMSI002P01, now using MCC 003 strategy for huge performance improvement!

DVD-R:

Improved write strategy for NANYA-JC001 and NANYA-JC002, now uses 4x strategy from LONGTEN 001
Improved write strategy for Dvsn, now uses 4x strategy from LONGTEN 001
Improved write strategy for MCC 02RG20. Now uses real MCC 02RG20 strategy instead of MCC 01RG20's one.
Improved write strategy for FUJIFILM03. Now uses real FUJIFILM03 strategy instead of FUJIFILM02's one.
Improved write strategy for FUJIFILM04. Now uses real FUJIFILM04 strategy instead of FUJIFILM02's one.
Improved write strategy for TTG02. Now uses real TTG02 strategy instead of TTG01's one.
Improved write strategy for TTG03. Now uses real TTG03 strategy instead of TTG01's one.
Improved write strategy for GSC003. Now uses real GSC003 strategy instead of GSC001's one.
Improved write strategy for ProdiscS04. Now uses real ProdiscS04 strategy instead of ProdiscS03's one.

Added " " 2x @ 2x using TDKG010000d9
Added " " 4x @ 4x using AN31
Added 3AM0201 2x @ 2x using TDKG010000d9
Added 4M SYS 202C1 2x @ 2x using TDKG010000d9
Added 4M SYS 202C1 4/8x @ 4x using Plasmon1A
Added ACER MEDIA 2x @ 2x using MCI4XG01
Added AML 2x @ 2x using TDKG010000d9
Added AN30 4x @ 4x using AN31
Added ANWELL33 4x @ 4x using AN31
Added BEAll G001 2x @ 2x using BeAll G00001
Added BEALL_G00002 2x @ 2x using TAIYOYUDEN
Added DVD-R 4.7-01 2x @ 2x using TDKG010000d9
Added ENGAGE 01 4x @ 4x using VDSPMSAB 01
Added EuroDig-Disc 2x @ 2x using TDKG010000d9
Added EZOSDVDR 4x @ 4x using AN31
Added FNX102 4x @ 4x using FORNEX101 (Beta, no further information about media available)
Added FNX103 4x @ 4x using FORNEX101 (Beta, no further information about media available)
Added FORNEX 4X002 4x @ 4x using AN31
Added FORNEX001 2x @ 2x using MCIG01
Added FT M01 2x @ 2x using MCC 00RG200
Added GRUPO CONDOR 2x @ 2x using TDKG010000d9
Added INFOD K-R01 2x @ 2x using TDKG010000d9
Added INFODISC-R20 4x? @ 4x using INFODISC-R01 (BETA, no further information about media available)
Added INFODISC R20 4x? @ 4x using INFODISC-R01 (BETA, no further information about media available)
Added INFODISC R01 4x? @ 4x using INFODISC-R01 (BETA, no further information about media available)
Added IS-F 4x @ 4x using AN31
Added LEAD DATA 4x @ 4x using LEADDATA01
Added LEADDATA 2x @ 2x using PVC001001
Added LONGTEN TECH 4x @ 4x using TYG01
Added MAF1202 2x @ 2x using TDKG010000d9
Added MAMEG02 2x @ 2x using MCIG01
Added ME 153 4x @ 4x using MCC 01RG20
Added NANYA P1861 2x @ 2x using PVC001001
Added PNTEDVD-RC2 2x @ 2x using TDKG010000d9 (Beta, no further information about media available)
Added POMS3A 4x/8x @ 4x using Plasmon1A
Added POMSI002 4x/8x @ 4x using Plasmon1A
Added POSG02 4x @ 2x using PRINCO (early test batch, not 4x capable)
Added POSJ 01 2x @ 2x using PRINCO
Added PRODISCG01 2x @ 2x using PRODISCG02
Added REC001 2x @ 2x using TAIYOYUDEN
Added RITEKG04 01 4x @ 4x using RITEKG04 (Mini DVD-R)
Added SHT 001 2x @ 2x using MXL RG01
Added SHT 001 4x @ 4x using MXL RG02
Added SKC Co.,Ltd. 2x @ 2x using PVC001001
Added SMMR001 2x @ 2x using MXL RG01
Added SMMR01 4x @ 4x using MXL RG02
Added TAROKO-X2 2x @ 2x using PVC001001
Added UME01 4x/8x @ 4x using AML (Beta, no further information about media available)
Added VANGUARD01 4x/8x @ 4x using VANGUARD (Beta, no further information about media available)
Added Vanguard 4x @ 4x using VANGUARD
Added VDSP SAB 01 4x @ 4x using VDSPMSAB 01

DVD+R:

Added 001 4.0x @ 4.0x using MCC 003
Added 3AMEDIA 16C 16.0x @ 4.0x using MCC 003
Added GSC502 002 4.0x @ 4.0x using GSC503 H01
Added INFOME R20 4.0x/8.0x @ 4.0x using MCC 003
Added IS01 002 8.0x @ 4.0x using IS01 001
Added LD S03 4.0x/8.0x @ 4.0x using SONY D11
Added MBIPG101 R04 8.0x @ 4.0x using MBIPG101R03
Added MEDIA ID 001 4.0x @ 4.0x using MCC 003
Added PLASMON 001 2.4x @ 4.0x DATATRAK001
Added Plasmon1 C01 8.0x @ 4.0x using RICOHJPN R01
Added Plasmon1 C02 16.0x @ 4.0x using MCC 003
Added POMS3A C01 8.0x @ 4.0x using RICOHJPN R01
Added POMSI002 01 8.0x @ 4.0x using RICOHJPN R01
Added POMSI002 P01 8.0x @ 4.0x using RICOHJPN R01
Added SKYMEDIA R01 2.4x @ 4.0x DATATRAK001
Added VDSPMSAB 002 8.0x @ 4.0x using VDSPMSAB 001
Added WINGSHIN 001 8.0x @ 4.0x using MCC 003
Added WINGSHIN 001 1 8.0x @ 4.0x using VDSPMSAB002

BEALL P0 001 2.4x @ 4.0x using 4.0x from BeAll000 P40
CMC MAG R01 2.4x @ 4.0x using 4.0x from CMC MAG F01
DATATRAK 001 2.4x @ 4.0x using 4.0x from DT-D02 02
DAXON AZ0 2.4x @ 4.0x using 4.0x from DAXON AZ1
DDDessau V10 4.0x @ 4.0x using 4.0x from DDDessau V20
LD 001 2.4x @ 4.0x using 4.0x from LD S03
MCC 001 2.4x @ 4.0x using 2.4x and 4.0x from MCC 002
MPOMEDIA 001 2.4x @ 4.0x using 4.0x from MPOMEDIA 040
OPTODISC OP1 2.4x @ 4.0x using 4.0x from OPTODISC OR4
OPTODISC OP2 2.4x @ 4.0x using 4.0x from OPTODISC OR4
PRODISC R01 (rev. 0/1) 2.4x @ 4.0x using 4.0x from PRODISC R02
RICOHJPN R00 2.4x @ 4.0x using 2.4x and 4.0x from RICOHJPN R01
RITEK R01 2.4x @ 4.0x using 4.0x from RITEK R02
RITEK R03 (rev. 1) 4.0x @ 4.0x using 2.4x and 4.0x from RITEK R03 (rev. 2/2)
YUDEN000 T00 4.0x @ 4.0x using 2.4x and 4.0x from YUDEN000 T01 (write strategies are
100% identical), space used to add support for additional media!

so now I'm able to burn dvd+r and dvd-r (original one was + only)

for more info you can go here: http://www.herrie.org/

however.. it's very important if you ever want to do this:

The use of a non-Dell validated firmware may void the warranty on the drive.

considering this drive is OLD... it's not so bad... Siffleu

Back to Top Back to CD/RW

5-1-5: Converting a Philips 8701 DVD burner to a Benq 1640 DVD burner (Care of Dave Johnson)

Converting a Philips 8701 DVD burner to a Benq 1640 DVD burner


Since the Philips 8701 and the Benq 1640 are the same drive with just a different faceplate, the conversion to a Benq is fairly easy and worth doing. Here are the steps to accomplish the conversion:

Tools:
Download the WinDWFlash

A 1640CVT (binary) firmware. I used: 1640BSGB.ZIP.

The latest firmware from Benq. here.


Unzip the files into a folder. I would suggest disabling any antivirus and/or spyware program you may be running. Run WinDWFlash and point it to the CVT file you downloaded. Follow the prompts and it will flash the drive. Reboot. During boot up Windows will find new hardware, namely a Benq 1640. It may also say CD-ROM but don't worry. You can run a tool such as DVDInfoPro or Nero InfoTool to see that the drive now shows as a Benq 1640 and it's capabilities. (You can find the links to these here: )

Now you can apply the latest firmware from Benq. At the time I did this the latest firmware was BSNB. In my (somewhat limited) testing I got slightly better burns with the Benq than I did with the Philips.

However, the biggest advantage to this cross-flash is that you now have access to Benq's Qsuite tools and Qscan. Qsuite gives you access to some interesting and useful options that are unavailable with the Philips firmware. Probably because Dell didn't want to have to provide tech support for them. They are:

WOPC - (Walking Optimal Power Control) By using these features, the DW1640 is able to maintain perfect control over the laser beam angle and the power rate being projected onto the disc, ensuring your data is written at the best possible quality.

SolidBurn - This is a learning feature that allows the drive to test and learn new media to determine optimal writing strategy. Most drive just use a generic strategy for unknown media.

Overspeed - Enabling overspeed will basically allow any DVD+/-R media to be written at 16x - but that is only the theory. Solidburn will limit the speed if the media can't handle it. Basically this feature allows you to burn media at a higher than rated speed without using 'hacked' firmware, assuming the media can handle it.

Qsuite allows you to turn these features on or off. Neat. For a better explanation of these features for the Benq 1640, go here
to see the review.


Dave

disclaimer: the use of a non-Dell validated firmware may void the warranty on the drive.

Back to Top Back to CD/RW

5-1-6: Converting a Philips 8631 DVD burner to a Benq 1620 DVD burner (Care of Dave Johnson)

The Philips 8631, HP DVD630 and the Benq 1620 are the same drive with just a different faceplate and firmware. The conversion to a Benq is fairly easy and worth doing. Here are the steps to accomplish the conversion:

Tools:

Download the WinDWFlash
A 1620CVT (binary) firmware: B7W9.zip.
The latest firmware from Benq:  Here

Unzip the files into a folder. I would suggest disabling any antivirus and/or spyware program you may be running. Run WinDWFlash and point it to the CVT file you downloaded. Follow the prompts and it will flash the drive. Reboot. During boot up Windows will find new hardware, namely a Benq 1620. It may also say CD-ROM but don't worry. You can run a tool such as DVDInfoPro or Nero InfoTool to see that the drive now shows as a Benq 1620 and it's capabilities. (You can find the links to these here: )

Now you can apply the latest firmware from Benq. At the time I wrote this the latest firmware was B7WR so no update is needed since you flashed with the latest binary version. But check it anyway in case a newer firmware has been released.
Note that this conversion is reversible. If for some reason you're not happy with the drive as a Benq 1620 you can download the BD10.CVT firmware here (http://hoppy.tk/download/firmware/8601/cvt/8631BD10.zip) and again using WinDWFlash utility flash it back to a Philips 8631.
One of the advantages is that Benq frequently releases updates. So check there now and then for firmware updates.

However, the biggest advantage to this cross-flash is that you now have access to Benq's Qsuite tools and Qscan. Qsuite gives you access to some interesting and useful options that are unavailable with the Philips firmware. Probably because Dell didn't want to have to provide tech support for them. They are:

WOPC - (Walking Optimal Power Control) By using these features, the DW1640 is able to maintain perfect control over the laser beam angle and the power rate being projected onto the disc, ensuring your data is written at the best possible quality.

SolidBurn - This is a learning feature that allows the drive to test and learn new media to determine optimal writing strategy. Most drive just use a generic strategy for unknown media.

Overspeed - Enabling overspeed will basically allow any DVD+/-R media to be written at 16x - but that is only the theory. Solidburn will limit the speed if the media can't handle it. Basically this feature allows you to burn media at a higher than rated speed without using 'hacked' firmware, assuming the media can handle it.

Qsuite allows you to turn these features on or off.

Dave

disclaimer: the use of a non-Dell validated firmware may void the warranty on the drive.

Back to Top Back to CD/RW

5-1-7: Convert Philips 8801 to BenQ 1650

See the link here for information on cross flashing the drive.

disclaimer: the use of a non-Dell validated firmware may void the warranty on the drive.

Back to Top Back to CD/RW