• What is firmware?
  The firmware is, simplified, the "operating system" of the CD-Writer/ CD-ROM.
  A CD-ROM Ein CD-ROM - and a CD-Writer all the more - is a technically highly complex device. A CD-ROM/ CD-Writer has an own processor that controls most of the functions of the device. Of course this processor needs a program - the so-called "FIRMWARE".
  
  
• Firmware update?
  Most CD-Writers (and many CD-ROMs) store the firmware in newly programmable memories (so-called "flash" memories). So the firmware can be updated by software (like the BIOS of your computer).
  So the manufacturers are able to distribute "firmware updates" after the production of a writer over e. g. the internet. These updates usually fix errors within the writer but may even implement new features (e. g. some writers are now (after a firmware update) capable of writing CD-TEXT!).
  
  
• Where do I get a firmware update?
  You will get a firmware update ONLY from the manufacturer of your CD-Writer. For some CD-Writers you can find links to sites where you can download new firmware on the Feurio!® homepage (http://www.feurio.com). If the writer isn't listed here, you have to look for the manufacturer's homepage for yourself - if necessary ask the the CD-Writer's manufacturer's support.
  
  
• How do I install a firmware update?
  This is completely different from on writer to another and depends on the software the manufacturer uses. Often just a simple program has to be started. But partially the firmware update program will only work under DOS or certain Windows versions. See the documentation on the manufacturer's website or the readme files of the update program for additional information.
  
  
• I have problems with the firmware update!
  If you should have problems with the firmware update: Please write DIRECTLY to the support of the manufacturer - as mentioned every manufacturer has its own update program, which we do not know all - especially we can not know all the problems and solutions for the different update programs.
  
  
• Risks of firmware updates!
  It has to be mentioned that a firmware update could be dangerous. Remember: When updating the firmware the operating system will be "newly programmed".
  If something goes wrong during the update (computer crash, power failure) or you accidentally program the "wrong" firmware, the writer will remain unusable!
  Of course the writer isn't physically damaged but because of the missing "operating system" it won't work any more - especially "flashing" the firmware again is usually impossible!
  If you "managed" to "kill" your CD-Writer this way, you usually have to sent it to the manufacturer. Because the CD-Writer then has to be programmed using special devices you will of course have to pay for it!
  So if your CD-Writer refuses to do anything after "flashing" a new firmware (i. e. it is not detected by the computer and flashing the old firmware isn't possible either), you unfortunately have to contact the manufacturer and send it for repair if necessary.
  
  
• Shall I update the firmware?
  The guidance principle of the IT business prevails here: "NEVER CHANGE A RUNNING SYSTEM". If everything is running fine, there is no necessity to update the firmware. Only if the new firmware should offer features you require (e. g. CD-Text) or errors have been fixed, you should consider updating the firmware.
  
  Usually a new firmware will offer better handling for new CD-Rs. So if you should have problems burning certain CD-Rs (resp. the result isn't to good) a firmware update might be worth it.
  E. g. many older CD-Writers are only able to burn "80 minutes CD-Rs" after a firmware update.
  You should always consider carefully if it's worth taking the risk of a firmware update.
  
  Note: If it's known to us, that a certain firmware version is very buggy and especially does not burn Audio-CDs correctly, we have implemented a corresponding warning in Feurio! - in this case Feurio! "detects" the old firmware and displays the warning.

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