How to upgrade firmware using a Mac?

cstross · 08-01-2008, 12:13 AM

Subject says it all -- I don't run Windows, I'm on OS/X (although I can get my hands on a Linux box if necessary). Anyone know if it's possible to use the firmware download from Sony to upgrade a PRS-505 without touch Windows? If so, how?

thebrave · 08-01-2008, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstross

Subject says it all -- I don't run Windows, I'm on OS/X (although I can get my hands on a Linux box if necessary). Anyone know if it's possible to use the firmware download from Sony to upgrade a PRS-505 without touch Windows? If so, how?

No, the closest thing you've got is through bootcamp or virtualization (less intrusive).

kacir · 08-01-2008, 05:07 AM

I personally would not be willing to risk bricking MY reader by running the update on an untested configuration. There are quite a lot of things that can go wrong during a firmware update and leave you with a bricked unit.

For me, my Reader (I 'only' own PRS500) was way too expensive and the nearest Sony service center is several thousand kilometers away.

I even put the PC I was making my firmware update on on an UPS to avoid a mishap due to loss of power. Not that it ever happens here, but you know Murphys law.
You can also do the firmware update on a notebook with charged batteries.

Consider what is easier for you:
- to borrow a windows computer for 5 minutes or ask a nearest computer shop for help
- or to return bricked unit (probability 1:1000 or less)

HarryT · 08-01-2008, 05:13 AM

Bootcamp works fine for firmware upgrades. I really would very strongly advise AGAINST using a virtualised environment (such as Parallels) for this. Such environments can mess up USB timings and cause major problems.

Best thing, as others have said, is just to borrow someone's Windows PC for 5 minutes. Nothing needs to be installed on the machine to run the updater.

SeaWolf · 08-01-2008, 05:18 AM

Some people have reported success with VMWare Fusion or Parallels, but other people have bricked their device that way. I think it's probably not worth the risk since there is issues with the way virtualisation access USB for these sort of applications. Bootcamp will be fine though, since it's an actual installation of Windows running on a standard PC, no different to any other.
If you're not running Bootcamp though, I'd suggest using a computer at work or a friend's computer to do it. Or even finding a cheap, dodgy net cafe. There is a whole host of them around me who have no desktop security at all, you can install whatever you want on their machines, just walk in with the flasher software on a USB stick, install it, flash the device and walk out again.

kezza · 08-01-2008, 11:16 AM

I used VMWare Fusion running Windows XP SP2 on my MacBook and had no trouble upgrading the firmware on my Reader.
I agree with SeaWolf that finding a Windows computer might ultimately be the easiest way to upgrade, though. If you have no need for Windows on your Mac, why bother with all the trouble of installing an OS just for one update?

joewandy · 08-01-2008, 02:07 PM

I've got the exact same configuration as kezza too: VMWare Fusion running Windows XP SP2 on MacBook. Upgraded without a hitch.

astrodad · 08-01-2008, 11:38 PM

Did my upgrade via Parallels without a problem as well.

HarryT · 08-02-2008, 04:32 AM

Well, all I can say is that you're asking for trouble by using Parallels. You know the risks - on your own head be it if you brick your device

.

joewandy · 08-02-2008, 09:19 AM

I read around the forum. Just realized how lucky I was not to screw up my Reader after reading up all the postings from people who encountered problem when upgrading the firmware from a VM ...

Mitchll · 08-02-2008, 03:35 PM

I had no problem using Fusion. Used it for all my upgrades.
Mitchll

KDawg · 08-03-2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joewandy

I read around the forum. Just realized how lucky I was not to screw up my Reader after reading up all the postings from people who encountered problem when upgrading the firmware from a VM ...

Another lucky Mac user here. I upgraded my 505 on Parallels with no problems.

What *exactly* is the problem upgrading on a VM? Don't be afraid to get dirty, I'm a hardware engineer (with no experience on PCs). Does this problem also exist when dumping books down to the Reader? If not, is there some sort of error-checking that happens when dumping books that doesn't happen when upgrading firmware? I ask because I've never had a problem putting a book on the Reader from Parallels either.

mcramer · 08-03-2008, 05:32 PM

Fusion user here as well and have had no problems (Luck?) All I did was ensure that the reader was browsable via USB to unsure that the connection was find and away I went.........

Of course to be super safe find a windows PC for a few minutes - shouldn't be too hard

astrodad · 08-04-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Well, all I can say is that you're asking for trouble by using Parallels. You know the risks - on your own head be it if you brick your device

.

I've been using Parallels for lots of Reader stuff since I bought the thing in January, before I realized that others have had problems. It may be that more people have success than failures, but they don't post their successes online.

skellng · 08-05-2008, 09:25 AM

I just updated my 505 w./ Parallels. Everything worked just fine. Just make sure your battery is fully charged.

08-01-2008, 12:13 AM	#1
cstross Cynic Posts: 86 Karma: 514 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Device: Lots, started with a Psion 3 circa 1998	How to upgrade firmware using a Mac? Subject says it all -- I don't run Windows, I'm on OS/X (although I can get my hands on a Linux box if necessary). Anyone know if it's possible to use the firmware download from Sony to upgrade a PRS-505 without touch Windows? If so, how?

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08-01-2008, 05:07 AM	#3
kacir Wizard Posts: 3,463 Karma: 10684861 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PocketBook 360, before it was Sony Reader, cassiopeia A-20	I personally would not be willing to risk bricking MY reader by running the update on an untested configuration. There are quite a lot of things that can go wrong during a firmware update and leave you with a bricked unit. For me, my Reader (I 'only' own PRS500) was way too expensive and the nearest Sony service center is several thousand kilometers away. I even put the PC I was making my firmware update on on an UPS to avoid a mishap due to loss of power. Not that it ever happens here, but you know Murphys law. You can also do the firmware update on a notebook with charged batteries. Consider what is easier for you: - to borrow a windows computer for 5 minutes or ask a nearest computer shop for help - or to return bricked unit (probability 1:1000 or less)

08-01-2008, 05:13 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Bootcamp works fine for firmware upgrades. I really would very strongly advise AGAINST using a virtualised environment (such as Parallels) for this. Such environments can mess up USB timings and cause major problems. Best thing, as others have said, is just to borrow someone's Windows PC for 5 minutes. Nothing needs to be installed on the machine to run the updater.

08-01-2008, 05:18 AM	#5
SeaWolf Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 65091 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kindle Paperwhite WiFi	Some people have reported success with VMWare Fusion or Parallels, but other people have bricked their device that way. I think it's probably not worth the risk since there is issues with the way virtualisation access USB for these sort of applications. Bootcamp will be fine though, since it's an actual installation of Windows running on a standard PC, no different to any other. If you're not running Bootcamp though, I'd suggest using a computer at work or a friend's computer to do it. Or even finding a cheap, dodgy net cafe. There is a whole host of them around me who have no desktop security at all, you can install whatever you want on their machines, just walk in with the flasher software on a USB stick, install it, flash the device and walk out again.

08-01-2008, 11:16 AM	#6
kezza Lowlife of the Party Posts: 266 Karma: 4038 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: seattle Device: nook, iphone	I used VMWare Fusion running Windows XP SP2 on my MacBook and had no trouble upgrading the firmware on my Reader. I agree with SeaWolf that finding a Windows computer might ultimately be the easiest way to upgrade, though. If you have no need for Windows on your Mac, why bother with all the trouble of installing an OS just for one update?

08-01-2008, 02:07 PM	#7
joewandy Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 11 Join Date: Jun 2007	I've got the exact same configuration as kezza too: VMWare Fusion running Windows XP SP2 on MacBook. Upgraded without a hitch.

08-01-2008, 11:38 PM	#8
astrodad Guru Posts: 962 Karma: 568242 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kindle Paperwhite 1, iPad, iPhone	Did my upgrade via Parallels without a problem as well.

08-02-2008, 04:32 AM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Well, all I can say is that you're asking for trouble by using Parallels. You know the risks - on your own head be it if you brick your device .

08-02-2008, 09:19 AM	#10
joewandy Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 11 Join Date: Jun 2007	I read around the forum. Just realized how lucky I was not to screw up my Reader after reading up all the postings from people who encountered problem when upgrading the firmware from a VM ...

08-02-2008, 03:35 PM	#11
Mitchll Cave Dweller Posts: 220 Karma: 1986 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Ipad Sony reader prs-505 prs-900	I had no problem using Fusion. Used it for all my upgrades. Mitchll

08-03-2008, 05:32 PM	#13
mcramer Kiwi reader Posts: 107 Karma: 349 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Device: iPad, iPhone	Fusion user here as well and have had no problems (Luck?) All I did was ensure that the reader was browsable via USB to unsure that the connection was find and away I went......... Of course to be super safe find a windows PC for a few minutes - shouldn't be too hard

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08-05-2008, 09:25 AM	#15
skellng Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2006 Device: DX, PRS-505,iPod Touch 16GB	I just updated my 505 w./ Parallels. Everything worked just fine. Just make sure your battery is fully charged.