| Thanks for those kind words.
I completely understand your fear as I wasn't too comfortable about the idea of ending up with a damaged drive myself. However, I decided to go for it anyway.
I assume that all the warnings are because nobody wants to be accused of damaging someone's hardware if something goes wrong. I don't know how big a chance of that happening is though. However, what I've picked up to minimize those chances are:
1) quit all other applications (log out and in again if you're not sure). That'll decrease the possibilities that an application crashes the computer and effects the operation.
2) turn off any Internet access. This will ensure that no file transfers/communications will be going on which can freeze or affect the computer in some way while the flashing is going on.
3) Be sure that power won't be disrupted while the flashing is going on. If you have a laptop, fully charge your battery while running it on the AC power adaptor. In case of a power outtage the battery will take over.
4) Be patient. Let the firmware updater do its thing!
I would personally like to see a progress bar or some sort of feedback when it's updating, but since that's not available you should just wait. I believe updating my Matshita UJ-846 took around a minute.
5) Be sure that you download the correct firmware. There are apparently different firmware revisions for each drive. Ensure that you get the same one as your drive currently reports it's using (in "System profiler").
6) If something does go wrong, don't assume that your drive has become a door-stop, but give it another go. If that doesn't change anything, try to re-flash it with the original (region-locked) firmware which is supplied along with the region-free firmware.
I once managed to re-flash a "dead" DVD drive in a PC. I can't remember why I "killed" the drive in the first place, but using some software which "forced" the drive to receive the firmware (rather than checking if the drive ID'd it properly etc.) it worked out fine anyway.
7) Finally, after flashing the drive, be sure to check that it has actually been turned into a region-free drive using DVD-info X.
Having given you that lecture it's ultimately up to you if you want to go ahead with it or not. I'm no expert in the matter and have merely posted my own experiences and passed on the information since I too searched forever for a way to make my drive play (legally bought) DVDs from different regions. Needless to say I won't be held responsible for any problems or damage, though I personally had no problems at all while updating my drive's firmware.
What kind of drive do you have anyway? And in which Mac?
Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can shed some more light on firmware updating and the risks.
In the meantime, search the web for more information.  |