How Do I Upgrade Computer Software?

Firmware upgrade refers to upgrading the embedded firmware of portable devices such as music players. It can improve machine functions, enhance machine stability, and repair machine vulnerabilities.

Firmware upgrade

Although it is named "firmware", it should be understood as software anyway, and due to the current advancement of integrated circuits, this kind of firmware takes Flash as the carrier, and it is becoming easier and easier to upgrade the firmware. There is no danger. The difference between the firmware program and what we usually call it is getting smaller and smaller. In the early days, upgrading firmware was mainly to solve some bugs and compatibility issues. With the advent of the information age, it is difficult for manufacturers to fully meet customer needs. More manufacturers provide upgraded functions with more updated functions as added value to provide users. Therefore, we can make the following summary of the firmware upgrade:

1. Solve existing bugs and compatibility issues

2. Improve the operation mode and provide more convenient and user-friendly functions

3. Provide more music format support

Firmware upgrade principle

Because the current players almost always save the firmware in Flash, upgrading the firmware is actually rewriting Flash with a new firmware program, but according to different chips and principles, there are actually two ways. The first method is a product that uses an independent USB chip. The representative is Hyundai's GDS30c6001. For this type of player, the upgrade is simpler and more secure. It only needs to transfer the new firmware program to the flash through the USB chip. Just fine. The second is that USB is part of the main chip, and the work also needs the support of firmware. The most representative is the currently popular iRiver 180TC (using a DSP chip from Philips). For this type of player, the upgrade process is more complicated than the previous one, and there are certain dangers, because even if the update fails, even the most basic USB transfer function will be lost. Of course, for this type of player, there is a more flexible aspect, that is, the USB transmission layer can be reprogrammed. The process of this type of player handling the specific upgrade is the same as the previous case, and the new firmware is still transferred to the Flash chip via USB transfer. Just because the USB transmission layer is also supported by the firmware, the danger level is higher after the firmware upgrade fails. Of course, we will introduce how to deal with the upgrade failure later.

Preparation for firmware upgrade

Because upgrading firmware is risky, you must also make the following preparations before upgrading:

1. Fully-charged battery: prevents interruption due to low battery power during the upgrade process

2. Back up the original firmware : It can prevent you from rolling back to the original version when you upgrade wrongly or are not satisfied with the new firmware.

3. New firmware files : Although most products can be upgraded directly over the network, downloading to a computer and then upgrading is much more reliable.

4. Shut down irrelevant software on your computer : In order to prevent the upgrade process from being interfered by other software, it is best to temporarily shut down unwanted software, especially anti-virus software.

5. Check the reliability of the USB interface : It is best to upload or download music files before the upgrade and test whether the USB interface is reliable.

6. Empty or format the player: To prevent upgrade failure due to insufficient Flash capacity during the upgrade, clearing the data in the player can ensure that the upgrade is foolproof.

Firmware upgrade

The player can be found in the hardware

In this case, the player's USB transmission does not generally depend on the firmware program, or the two parts are independent. This kind of player is relatively easy to solve after the upgrade fails. Generally, you should first analyze the upgrade failure. The reason is that in most cases, this is possible only when the player still has music files, or the upgrade is interrupted by some unexpected reasons. The solution is also very simple, because the player can still be found in the computer, so the reasons for the points are solved one by one, and then the upgrade can be solved. For example, if there are more music files stored on the player, you can format the player and try it once; if it is interrupted because of an application, you can stop the application and then try to upgrade again. In short, because the player's USB transfer has not been interrupted after the upgrade failed, remediation is very easy.

The machine cannot be turned on and the player cannot be found

This situation is generally troublesome, because at this time the computer cannot communicate with the player in the normal way, so the player cannot be upgraded again. But this is not to say that the player has not been saved. You may wish to try my method before you send the player to the repair station. Connect the player's USB to the computer, and then press the player's power button (play button for most products) for more than 4 seconds. At this time, the general computer will report that new hardware is found, but the player is not displayed, but the The model of the main chip of the player, such as Philips Saa7550 STMP 3410 and so on. At this time, immediately open the management program of the player, or a special upgrade tool. Sometimes this special tool player manufacturer does not directly provide it. See if there are some other auxiliary programs in the CD provided by the player CD. Generally speaking, the management program will immediately find the player firmware error, and temporarily load the firmware into the chip's memory via USB, and then the chip will restart automatically. And find the player in the computer, from time to time said that the player is normal, because the firmware is temporarily loaded on the chip, once the power is off, the firmware will disappear, so you should use management software or a dedicated upgrade immediately The tool restarts the firmware upgrade.

Firmware upgrade can solve the bugs that you have been troubled for a long time and bring you the coveted new features. Therefore, upgrading the firmware has become a way for digital enthusiasts to enhance hardware performance. With the efforts of manufacturers, upgrading firmware has become simpler and more secure. Firmware upgrade is no longer the patent of professional technicians. What are you waiting for? You have no reason to reject the "free lunch" brought by the firmware

Firmware upgrade failure handling

Generally speaking, the upgrade can be carried out very smoothly, but there are still many users who have failed to upgrade. At present, there are many types of players, so we cannot explain all of them.