[KLUG Hardware] LiteOn SOHW-1633S, free firmware update for 4x DL!

[Bruce Smith]

> > > >Nice!  (except for the fact that I'll have to rip it out of my PC and
> > > >find a Windows machine to install it in, just to do the upgrade)
> > > You don't have to have windows to do the flash.
> > > Option 1: Run the dos flash utility mktflash.
> >Are you talking about using a W98 boot floppy?  That would be easy!
> You can run the Dos emu under linux, or off floppy is fine too.

I assume that VMware won't work, since there is a layer of software
between the CD and Windows.

> > > Option 2: Run Windows from a bootable USB flash drive or CDR (yes, it's
> > > possible) to run the flash update.
> >Got any links or more information about how to get/create such a thing?
> Sure, here is the easy howto: http://www.help2go.com/article205.html
> It is like a Knoppix Windows (live, bootable Windows install).

Looks cool, but I see two problems for me.

First you need Windows to create the ISO.  If I had Windows installed, 
I wouldn't have this problem in the first place.  :-)

Second, the only copy of Windows I have is the one that came with my
laptop, and the docs say you need your "Windows XP CD".  I foresee a
problem since the only CD that came with my laptop is a Windows XP
_recovery_ CD, not the real install media.  (hate it when they do that)

The Win98 boot floppy is sounding the easiest by far.  
I've got one of those!   :-)

> > > >This makes the price even better, since I almost paid $50 more for a
> > > >Plextor that does those faster speeds.  (good thing the Plextor was out
> > > >of stock when I was ready to order!)
> > > Yes, it _is_ (and has been) possible to overclock a CDburner (or CDdrive)
> > > by flashing the firmware.  Very analogous (pros and cons) to overclocking
> > > your CPU or GPU.
> >I assume since this is an official update from Lite-on, it's OK to do.
> Except you don't get md5 checksums to make sure it's not corrupted 
> (intentionally or during download).

Well, it comes in a zip file, and that should give errors during the
uncompress if something is corrupted.

> Remember to try and backup your firmware (or download an old version as well).
> Just in case.

Good idea, except for this little note on the download page:

"NOTE: Once the drive has been upgraded to new firmware, 
it can NOT be changed back anymore."

I'll do it on my drive at work first.  If it smokes the drive, 
I'm not out any of _my_ money!  ;-)

 - BS