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September 19th, 2008 06:00
Questions about incorrect firmware install
Hi all. I have a few questions for those who are more knowledgeable than I about the firmware updates for the optical drives. Here's the quick rundown: I've been helping troubleshoot issues that a couple of our fellow posters have run into after performing firmware updates. There is a possibility that the firmware that they installed was for the same brand but a different model, in this case the Philips DVD8801 versus the DVD8881. In both cases the install appeared to be successful, meaning that they were both asked to reboot when the installation finished. After installation the drives were no longer available in either the bios or device manager. Removing the filters made no difference and it seems to me that they should have been able to see the device in the bios even if device manager couldn't see it due to a corrupted filter issue. The drives are not seen when using DevCon either. So here are my questions:
1) How was the drive able to update with the incorrect firmware? My thinking here is that the drive had nothing in place to keep this from happening which to me is a bit unnerving.
2) Since I am assuming that the installation was successful (in the sense that it completed the install), is this most likely the cause for the drives no longer appearing? Basically it's not seeing the drive because the firmware and the drive don't match each other.
3) Since the drive is not locatable, is there any way to get back to the original firmware? I've checked the Philips site and the only thing it does for these models is point back to Dell's site (and the only firmware available there is the update for the DVD8801) because they are OEM models. There seems to be no way to flash back to the original firmware (also a little unnerving).
Thanks in advance for any help on this one.
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Skybird
10.9K Posts
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September 19th, 2008 15:00
The following is my opinion. It and $2.00 will get you a cup of coffee.
I have followed the thread you have referred to. I do not know why
the incorrect Firmware 'flashed'. Perhaps it is because both drives
are Philips drives. At this point, the Firmware is corrupt and/or does
not match the drive. It is not likely it can be corrected because the
operating system does not see the drive.
There are ways to 'flash' a Firmware outside the operating system.
A Google search will yield some ways (MTKFLASH, etc.). I do not
think it is worth the effort.
Drives are not expensive anymore. Newer drives that are better than
the Philips 8801 are available for $20-$30 or so. My recommendation
is to replace the drives.
williamkidd
387 Posts
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September 24th, 2008 13:00
Thanks for the reply, Skybird. That $2 may be enough for 1/2 gallon of gas in some areas of the US. :smileyhappy:
I agree that a replacement is the way to go in the case of the misflashed firmware. Mtkflash seemed a little bit hit and miss to me based on what I could find out about it. Add in the facts that it seems to be quite difficult to find the original firmware for either the DVD8801 or the DVD8881 and the availability of faster drives for a reasonable price led me to the replacement drive suggestion as well.