Firmware

The firmware is written EROM or an EPROM (programmable read-only memory) processes, popular understanding is that "curing software". The more simple, said the firmware is BIOS software, but again with ordinary software, it is completely different curing in integrated circuit inside the program code, responsible for the control and coordinated integrated circuit function.

Firmware principle

At present (2010) firmware stored in the general equipment EEPROM or FLASH chips, generally by the user through specific refresh procedures upgrade process. Generally speaking, holds a digital product of the most basic and bottom working software can call the firmware, such as the computer on the mainboard BIOS, in the past actually more professionals call it the firmware.

Usually these hardware store within the program cannot be user directly read or modified. In the past, usually is not necessary for the firmware upgrade operation, even if in the firmware inside found serious Bug is a professional must write good programs with the original chip put on their machines replaced down. Early Firmware chips generally adopted ROM design, its Firmware code is in the process of production of solidified, by any means all cannot be modified. Along with the development of technology, in order to adapt to modify the firmware update of hardware environment become the urgent request of users, so, can repeat written an EPROM block, EEPROM and flash appeared. These chips can be repeated flash files, let the firmware to modify and upgrades.

Firmware significance

The firmware holds a system the most basic bottom working software. While in hardware equipment, the firmware is the soul of hardware, because some hardware equipment except the firmware outside no other software component, therefore the firmware also is deciding a hardware device of function and performance.

Take common COMBO cd-rom, for instance, arguably its firmware nerve center, can also be called COMBO operating system, it includes many module: driver, control and decoding, transmit, detection... In it, only under the control of the COMBO to work properly. Meanwhile, firmware, still contain many additional functions, such as error correction technology, security burning technology, played control technology.

In fact, the key technology COMBO cd-rom firmware is on various blanks recognition, and this is by identifying CDS, cd-r (W) and DVD discs in data groove density and blanks chemical layer different finish. When the blanks in cd-rom, cd-rom received operation orders, contains the firmware control chip will be issued instructions, depending on the directive issued in turn misbalanced DVD to read, cd-rom read and write cd-r, cd-rw makes CaXie four laser tempted, if receive feedback is judge it is what category blanks. According to the operation procedure, general dvd-rom blanks needs a recognition, CD blanks need two recognition, and cd-r and cd-rw is to pass three times. Obviously, the firmware of the production level determines the quality of COMBO cd-rom.

By COMBO cd-rom, which can be seen with hardware firmware and its hardware with almost equal status and in some extent firmware may a few more important. Because only a writing brilliant firmware program can more fully, clever play hardware function, and excellent firmware still can remedy some hardware defects.

What digital devices have firmware

In fact any digital equipment has firmware, just we sometimes ignore it exists only.

First give some common example of cellular phones, digital camera, mp3, mp4, routers, switches, cats, PSP, PS3, NDS, psu on XBOX, U disk, the mainboard BIOS (BIOS is a kind of firmware), graphics BIOS.

The above products firmware maybe bit these days. But the following equipment firmware, many people had not heard of.

The mouse, display, cd-rom, hard disk, keyboard, digital satellite recivers, GPS terminal, the precision of electronic instruments (such as the mri), etc.

The firmware since is a software, there is the cent of size. Big can have hundreds of megabytes, small may have only a few K deficiency, even earn. Why many devices have never heard that the firmware? Because some equipment, hardware will wrong, but on software (both firmware) never trouble, and these firmware for ordinary users are unable to update (or update technical difficult). It is too far, so we were we ignore it.

For independent can operation of electronic products, the firmware generally refers to its operating system (" holds a digital product of the most basic and bottom working software can call the firmware, "which and the operating system definition is very consistent). Such as PSP firmware, is refers to PSP operating system. Similarly, the IPHONE firmware is its operating system, the router firmware is router's operating system. MP4 firmware is MP4 operating system... And for the independence of electronic products, such as hard disk, the mouse, the BIOS, cd-rom, U dish wait for equipment, firmware is refers to the bottom, let equipment to run the program code.

Firmware upgrade

Although with "the firmware studio, but anyway, it still ought to be our understanding for software, and because the present integrated circuit progress, upgrade firmware is also becoming more and more simple, less and less dangerous, firmware procedures and we say normally program distinction has been more and more small.

In the early days, upgrade firmware is mainly to solve some Bug and compatibility problem. With the advent of the information age, the manufacturer design it's tough to meet customer demand, and more manufacturers upgrade firmware update function as to provide more value to provide to the user. Therefore, we can to do the following conclusion: the firmware upgrade

1 at product release after, the manufacturers Firmware was further optimization and innovation and enable by the better work state. For the firmware update after, can bring better performance.

2. Products in manufacturing out later, with the surrounding the use of software and hardware, the environment changes and update, product for many new hardware and software will likely not compatible with phenomenon. By updating the Firmware file factory, make the hardware can compatible more, newer hardware and software, and continuously enhance product compatibility.

3. In the original hardware basis, manufacturer developed new functions, for the original product, simply updated Firmware can add new functions.

4. For any already production of software and hardware, may exist some defects, therefore, manufacturer can by updating the Firmware to modify existing in the previous version of the mistakes, loophole or inadequate.

The firmware update the methods and procedures

What is the firmware upgrade

The firmware update, sometimes also called the firmware refresh, flash files, rewriting buffer, or flash, it is to show the new firmware writing chip, the substitution of the firmware of the process.

The general flow of the firmware update

Because the digital products, and its firmware family huge species is countless. Each digital products of the firmware update method is different. Therefore no fixed tutorial for everybody.

Here only give out more general ideas.

(1) from the website to download new firmware version and the firmware update software, save to your PC.

2 the need to refresh equipment connect computers.

3. New firmware loaded with refresh tool, click the refresh, wait for completion.

4. Close refresh procedures, refresh end.

The firmware update the matters needing attention

Although upgrade is very simple, but still some key points should be paid attention to, because after all upgrade firmware there is risky, so prior to upgrade and upgrade, be prudent and careful.

(1) from the equipment's official website read upgrade firmware tutorial. Liverpoolfc.tv can have commonly detailed instructions.

2 the firmware file and refresh the firmware of the program must from the official or reliability high BBS download, not from web site, and must and to refresh hardware models perfectly.

3. Backup original firmware, which can prevent the upgrade mistakes or unsatisfied firmware when back to the original version.

4. Save the new firmware file, though most of the product can realize network direct upgrade, but downloaded to the computer to upgrade the reliability is much higher.

5. Close other software, to prevent the upgrade process by other software interference, best temporarily closed don't need software, especially anti-virus software.

6. In the whole refresh process, absolutely not without electricity, usually without electricity equipment can damage, need back to re-assemble flash.

7. The upgrade before, disable system screen protection and power management.

PS: this text only applicable to general situation. Except special circumstances. For example: PSP flash, the main purpose is to crack. Deciphering the firmware of the flash files can't be in the official website to find any instructions and download. The IPHONE flash also is such. MOTO phone E680 department official website is no flash explanatory. Another flash does not to WIN under the brush. Brush the BIOS, the DOS more safety. Some equipment itself has refresh tool, does not need extra installed on the computer refresh tools. As long as the high version of the firmware download is good, equipment will guide user refreshes.

The firmware update after the failure treatment method

This requires points situation discussion:

For the BIOS, the basic need return factory. Individual user powerless. Because the whole computer point don't shine. There is double BIOS computer wouldn't matter,

For PSP, the situation is very complicated, please refer to more professional articles;

For mobile phones, can sometimes heavy brush, if fully change brick, please return plant;

For digital cameras, MP4, alexandrine,

For routers network devices, alexandrine,

For hard disk, and cd-rom, u-disk etc, is alexandrine.

If need return factory, basic is discarded. And in many cases is no quality assurance, especially when you brush firmware itself is cracked versions, this is the official not allowed. So the firmware is best "brush" it's all or nothing.

Still have a kind of repair means, is to use a programming console. Please refer to the more professional articles.