won't update firmware

quietrvr · 07-27-2007, 10:48 PM

I finally got Parallels and WinXP on my mac. So I installed the Connect software. The mistake I made was, as soon as it installed, it said "new update available"...I hit the update button. The new firmware won't install. It keeps saying "try again" Of course it deleted the old firmware first, so now my reader won't work at all. It now permanently reads "Firmware update is not finished correctly. Please excute firmware update again"

Which I have many times with no luck. Can anyone help me with a solution?

Thanks muchly,
Kathy

JSWolf · 07-27-2007, 10:52 PM

One solution, do this on a real Windows machine. Simulated Windows and firmware updates are a very risky business.

Morzhoff · 07-28-2007, 03:35 PM

1. Launch Parallels, log into Windows.

2. Download updater file from Sony support site to Windows - PRS-500 Updater 1.0.02.01300 . Search it by yourself via Google, I don't remember url.

3. Connect your reader to Mac, without any USB hubs, just plug USB cable directry to mac and other end to reader. The reader must be "seized" by virtual machine. Check in Parallels under Devices-USB- menu, Sony Reader must be checked.

4. Launch updater file, and it will reflash your reader.

5. Do not do firmware flashing from virtual machines anymore, unless you a skilled technician. Host and Virtual machines are in fight after resources, and in flashing process if usb device seized by host, not a virtual machine, you will be in trouble.

Much more safe to use BootCamp, and flash from native Windows.

quietrvr · 07-29-2007, 12:11 AM

Will the reader read lrf files that are put on an SD card?
Thanks

HarryT · 07-29-2007, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quietrvr

Will the reader read lrf files that are put on an SD card?
Thanks

Yes, it will. Assuming, of course, that you put the SD card into the Reader, that is.

BobVA · 07-29-2007, 08:30 AM

I don't know anything about Macs, but Morzhoff's suggestion about the stand-alone firmware updater is a good idea. You can also put it on a CD or USB flash drive and run it from a PC, saving you the hassle of doing a full install of Connect on somebody else's machine. If you go to the sony.com site and click on Service and Support, Drivers, then type in "PRS-500" for the model and select "Updates" you'll find the download.

I'm not sure about protected content (i.e. stuff you buy from the Connect store for a Reader properly authorized to your account) but you can put any non-protected files (RTF, LRF, PDF) on a card and just put that in the Reader.

If you do a search of the Reader forum here for "mac", "parallels" or "bootcamp" you'll find a lot of discussion about running the Connect software on an OS-X machine. But, as noted above, doing a firmware update under a virtual machine environment is very risky since that code tends to be sensitive to small timing or interface issues.

Hope you get your Reader working, but at worst it will just need a trip back to Sony. Let us know how it works out!

Cheers,
Bob

Morzhoff · 08-03-2007, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobVA

I don't know anything about Macs, but Morzhoff's suggestion about the stand-alone firmware updater is a good idea.

<skipped some text>

Cheers,
Bob

My method works well and tested, because I'm was in the some trouble week ago - Connect software downloads updater, and I click to update my PRS-500. Then have a error, looks like after erasing old firmware updater do a USB-bus reinitialisation or reset, and at this moment VM lost "focus" of reader device, and release it to host Mac OS X system.

Thanks for guide how to find a standalone updater, this will help to recover reader.

I think they chance to restore reader 100%, because reader old firmware erased, but reader stand in bootloader mode and awaits for firmware flashing. Standalone updater works well.

In general life I keep Parallels VM with Connect software and Book Designer, use them both to create books from various files and upload to reader.

For Mac also exists Docudesk PRS Browser, which is free, but done only file transfers from and to reader. Useful if you have a collection of prepared books or PDF-s, and do quick transfer without any Windows WM.

JSWolf · 08-03-2007, 02:10 AM

Never flash anything on an emulated Windows. It's just too risky. If the USB timing is off you could be well and truly screwed. Best to find a true Windows system to use to flash your Reader.

Louisk · 08-07-2007, 01:13 PM

Yes, I had the same problem on latest firmware update using my iMac and Parallels. Failed. No matter what, it wouldn't update.

Hooked the reader up to a Tablet PC notebook running XP and the firmware update went through without a hitch.

I know now NEVER to use emulation software to attempt firmware updates.

JSWolf · 08-07-2007, 01:48 PM

When you do a firmware update, the USB has to be spot on. Emulated USB is risky at best.

Bob Russell · 08-07-2007, 01:58 PM

Someone posted about how he took it to a Sony Style store and they did it for him! (I wouldn't count on it, though, because I doubt that's a formal service provided. You'd have to get lucky and find a knowledgeable and willing person.)

igorsk · 08-08-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morzhoff

I think they chance to restore reader 100%, because reader old firmware erased, but reader stand in bootloader mode and awaits for firmware flashing. Standalone updater works well.

Actually, the Reader has two kernels and two corresponding root filesystems. During updating, the "other" kernel boots and runs the update program. The firmware update replaces the "reading-mode" root FS and partition with the reading software.

Morzhoff · 08-10-2007, 03:15 AM

igorsk Thanks for interesting info about filesystem.

I know Reader runs Linux and this fact lead to easy adopt Reader to use UTF8. Strange decision by Sony to keep Reader at simple Latin code table... I'm already flash my Reader with SD/MS updater patch.

p.s. So funny to have a conversation in English between two Russians

Morzhoff · 08-10-2007, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Russell

Someone posted about how he took it to a Sony Style store and they did it for him! (I wouldn't count on it, though, because I doubt that's a formal service provided. You'd have to get lucky and find a knowledgeable and willing person.)

I think it will be good to stick FAQ for Mac Users! Anyone with Intel Machine must use BootCamp software, which is free from Apple and provide native Windows support on Mac. And flash devices from native XP.

For general use (make books and transfer) Parallels do it job well.

andyafro · 08-10-2007, 03:56 AM

i have a vista connect software version i found if anyone wants let me know

07-27-2007, 10:48 PM	#1
quietrvr Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: Sony reader	won't update firmware I finally got Parallels and WinXP on my mac. So I installed the Connect software. The mistake I made was, as soon as it installed, it said "new update available"...I hit the update button. The new firmware won't install. It keeps saying "try again" Of course it deleted the old firmware first, so now my reader won't work at all. It now permanently reads "Firmware update is not finished correctly. Please excute firmware update again" Which I have many times with no luck. Can anyone help me with a solution? Thanks muchly, Kathy

07-29-2007, 12:11 AM	#4
quietrvr Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: Sony reader	another question for a new user Will the reader read lrf files that are put on an SD card? Thanks

07-29-2007, 08:30 AM	#6
BobVA Addict Posts: 230 Karma: 1500 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Kobo Clara, Sony PRS950, T1, T2, T3	I don't know anything about Macs, but Morzhoff's suggestion about the stand-alone firmware updater is a good idea. You can also put it on a CD or USB flash drive and run it from a PC, saving you the hassle of doing a full install of Connect on somebody else's machine. If you go to the sony.com site and click on Service and Support, Drivers, then type in "PRS-500" for the model and select "Updates" you'll find the download. I'm not sure about protected content (i.e. stuff you buy from the Connect store for a Reader properly authorized to your account) but you can put any non-protected files (RTF, LRF, PDF) on a card and just put that in the Reader. If you do a search of the Reader forum here for "mac", "parallels" or "bootcamp" you'll find a lot of discussion about running the Connect software on an OS-X machine. But, as noted above, doing a firmware update under a virtual machine environment is very risky since that code tends to be sensitive to small timing or interface issues. Hope you get your Reader working, but at worst it will just need a trip back to Sony. Let us know how it works out! Cheers, Bob Last edited by BobVA; 07-29-2007 at 08:38 AM.

08-10-2007, 03:15 AM	#13
Morzhoff Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500	igorsk Thanks for interesting info about filesystem. I know Reader runs Linux and this fact lead to easy adopt Reader to use UTF8. Strange decision by Sony to keep Reader at simple Latin code table... I'm already flash my Reader with SD/MS updater patch. p.s. So funny to have a conversation in English between two Russians Last edited by Morzhoff; 08-10-2007 at 03:21 AM.

08-10-2007, 03:56 AM	#15
andyafro Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 140 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: sony reader prs-500	vista & connect software i have a vista connect software version i found if anyone wants let me know

07-27-2007, 10:52 PM	#2
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,835 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	One solution, do this on a real Windows machine. Simulated Windows and firmware updates are a very risky business.

07-28-2007, 03:35 PM	#3
Morzhoff Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500	1. Launch Parallels, log into Windows. 2. Download updater file from Sony support site to Windows - PRS-500 Updater 1.0.02.01300 . Search it by yourself via Google, I don't remember url. 3. Connect your reader to Mac, without any USB hubs, just plug USB cable directry to mac and other end to reader. The reader must be "seized" by virtual machine. Check in Parallels under Devices-USB- menu, Sony Reader must be checked. 4. Launch updater file, and it will reflash your reader. 5. Do not do firmware flashing from virtual machines anymore, unless you a skilled technician. Host and Virtual machines are in fight after resources, and in flashing process if usb device seized by host, not a virtual machine, you will be in trouble. Much more safe to use BootCamp, and flash from native Windows.

08-03-2007, 02:10 AM	#8
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,835 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Never flash anything on an emulated Windows. It's just too risky. If the USB timing is off you could be well and truly screwed. Best to find a true Windows system to use to flash your Reader.

08-07-2007, 01:13 PM	#9
Louisk Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2003	Yes, I had the same problem on latest firmware update using my iMac and Parallels. Failed. No matter what, it wouldn't update. Hooked the reader up to a Tablet PC notebook running XP and the firmware update went through without a hitch. I know now NEVER to use emulation software to attempt firmware updates.

08-07-2007, 01:48 PM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,835 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	When you do a firmware update, the USB has to be spot on. Emulated USB is risky at best.

08-07-2007, 01:58 PM	#11
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Someone posted about how he took it to a Sony Style store and they did it for him! (I wouldn't count on it, though, because I doubt that's a formal service provided. You'd have to get lucky and find a knowledgeable and willing person.)

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