How to Upgrade Home Electronics Firmware

Firmware, a combination of software and hardware, is a program stored in a device’s Read Only Memory (ROM) to implement a function. If your program is stored on a "programmable read only memory" (PROM) or an "erasable programmable read only memory" (EPROM), it can be upgraded to keep your device current.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Know how to handle firmware updates for your computer. Most manufacturers keep updates posted on the Internet for customers to download. Sometimes the updates are designed to fix bugs or to handle more capacity. For some devices, checking is simple. In Windows Explorer, click on "My Computer," highlight the device and click on it. Some peripherals will automatically connect to the corporate website and verify that the firmware for that device is up to date. Another way is to right-click on the device, click on "Properties," go to "Hardware," and let your computer search for drivers on the Microsoft website if you are using Windows. Check the Apple site if you’re using a MAC. If a newer driver is present, your machine will ask permission for it to be installed. If you have to do this manually, you can compare the date and version of your driver on your computer with the driver version on the manufacturer’s site. If the manufacturer has one posted that is later, make sure that your device is not in use. Download the driver to your desktop unzip it install it and reboot your computer if needed.
2. Understand how to update a digital camera’s firmware. Go to the manufacturer’s camera website and download the update to your computer’s desktop. Transfer the pictures from your current media card to your computer’s hard drive, and then move the firmware update to your old media card. The camera should read the instructions on the card, update the PROMS and allowed you to start using the highest capacity media card.
3. Update the firmware for your CD and DVD Players sometimes. Access the manufacturer’s website from a computer that can burn a CD. Download the file onto your desktop, burn the application onto a CD with software like Ahead Nero, and then insert the CD into your player. The programming will then extract the firmware from your CD and upgrade your device.
4. Transfer the upgrade for some MP3 players from the Internet through your computer to the device through an Ethernet, USB or Firewire port. If you hear of an upgrade that you want, go to the manufacturer’s website and follow the directions.
5. Look for devices that connect directly to the Internet, like I-Phones, Blackberries and Treos. Using these devices, you’ll connect and simply upgrade.

Tips & Warnings

• When a device is new you can expect driver updates and firmware updates more frequently.
• If you install new software and it is isn’t working as well as intended, make sure that the firmware is current.