Updating firmware?

**snpsht** · 10-17-2015, 01:35 PM

I have done this and I am also pretty bad at tech stuff.

Perhaps the concept of "extract" is the problem....all it means (on an Apple, anyway), is drag and drop (or copy or move) the file you have downloaded to your computer onto the formatted camera memory card you have placed into the computer's card reader slot . No need to open the file or do anything else with it. This stumped me for a while because I kept trying to open and extract....and I got the same sort of messsage you're getting.

Then just precisely follow the rest of the instructions re turning on the camera, having a fully charged battery, not interrupting the camera process etc and you'll be fine.

**csa** · 10-17-2015, 02:53 PM

Thanks for that explanation of "extract" is, in this case!

I really appreciate everyone's assistance & patience!

**Larrymc** · 10-17-2015, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by csa

Mark, this is so embarrassing for me; but what exactly do you mean by extracting the .bin file? When I click "extract" in 7-Zip, nothing happens. Do you mean to send this file, as is; to the SD card?

You can certainly see why I'm very, very hesitant to upgrade the firmware, when I frankly don't know what I'm doing.

Ok what I see here is probably a screen shot of 7 zip with the zip file in the target window. You need to high light the zip file and click extract and let the file extract to the desktop. Then you should have a copy of fwdc220.bin on your desktop. If you can't get the zip file to extract with 7 zip then Google and download TUGzip which is another free zip file archiving software, I use it and its good.

BTW, you've never said what firmware version you have now in the K-3.

Larry

**csa** · 10-17-2015, 04:00 PM

The firmware is only 1.110.

Originally posted by Larrymc

Ok what I see here is probably a screen shot of 7 zip with the zip file in the target window. You need to high light the zip file and click extract and let the file extract to the desktop. Then you should have a copy of fwdc220.bin on your desktop.

That doesn't work. I'll try that other program later, I'm so frustrated right now, working on this to try to figure it out; that I cannot even concentrate.

PDL · 10-17-2015, 04:41 PM

You are making this way harder than it needs to be.
First - what OS are you using? (where OS = Operating System ==> OSX, or Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8.x, 10) Linux).
Do you have a functioning card reader?

If the file is a self extracting file - double click on it and the .bin file will magically appear.

For a .zip file:
If you are on a PC running Windows (any flavor), open file explorer and select the Zip file.

Right Click on the file and choose "Extract" or some verbage like that. On Windows systems it will ask where you want the file extracted too - pick your desktop.

Put a freshly charged battery in your camera - I mean right off the charger.

Insert your SD card into the appropriate slot (I do not have a K3 so please review the threads above)

Format the SD card in your camera. Turn off your camera and remove the SD card.

Place the SD card into your card reader and insert it into your computer.

Using file explorer - copy the .bin file from your desktop to your SD card. You can do this by selecting the .bin file, right clicking and choosing copy. Then select your SD card - it should show up as an additional drive in file explorer. Right click and select "Paste".

Now, click on the SD card and you should see the .bin file, no searching required.

Using file explorer eject the SD card. (I assume you know how to do this because you have posted over 3,000 times and hopefully you know how to eject a SD card.)

Take the SD card out of the reader and insert it into the camera.

Turn on the camera while holding down the Menu button.

Follow the prompts, don't go tuning off the camera or anything, just sit on your hands and let the machine do its thing. This will not kill you.

After the camera is updated. Turn the camera off then back on and format the SD card.

If you are using a Mac the process of extracting the file should be similar, I am sure that OSX will extract files from zips.
If you are using Linux - go find the person who set it up and beat them with a blunt object for not giving you basic knowledge.

The Elitist - formerly known as PDL

bertwert · 10-17-2015, 04:42 PM

I found your problem Carol:
You are trying to extract the .bin file not the .zip folder.
If you go into "Downloads" (not in 7-zip but in the file explorer) right click the "k3_v121.zip" and select "7-zip" then "Extract Here".
After the file is done extracting:
Next find the file "fwdc220b.bin" in "Downloads" and move it to your "Desktop".
Turn on the camera and format the SD card (after copying images to computer). Put the SD card in your computer and move the file "fwdc220b.bin" from "Desktop" to your SD card do not put the file in a folder on the SD card.
Make sure camera battery is full.
Insert the SD card into slot 1 on your camera. Then (According to Ricoh page (I don't know as I don't have a K-3)):
Turn on the camera while holding the Menu button.
Move the controller to start then select OK.
"Now loading" appears on the camera screen.
DO NOT turn the camera off in any circumstance while it is loading.
"Complete" will display on the camera screen.
You can now turn the camera off and then format the SD card.

I was worried about updating the firmware on my K-50. I put it off for almost a year and then I did it, it worked fine and was done in under a minute - nothing to worry about :-)

I hope this helps!

**csa** · 10-17-2015, 05:28 PM

Ok, I got as far as moving the bin file to the desktop; I dragged & dropped the file on the desktop from downloads; is this correct?

bertwert · 10-17-2015, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by csa

Ok, I got as far as moving the bin file to the desktop; I dragged & dropped the file on the desktop from downloads; is this correct?

Great that's good!
The rest is pretty easy!

MarkJerling · 10-17-2015, 05:58 PM

Now, so long as you don't turn off your K-3 when it's busy doing the upgrade, you should be fine!

**csa** · 10-17-2015, 06:08 PM

I really appreciate all the help here; it's very frustrating when one doesn't understand things like this. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to finish this, when I'm a little more alert.

**snpsht** · 10-17-2015, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by csa

Ok, I got as far as moving the bin file to the desktop; I dragged & dropped the file on the desktop from downloads; is this correct?

Yep...now drag and drop it onto your formatted camera memory card and follow the instructions from there. Your card will show up as an external drive, just like a USB or other drive does.

**lmd91343** · 10-17-2015, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by csa

Silly question, I'm sure; but I've never done this. How do I update the firmware in my new K3?

Carol,

What version do you have now and why do you want/need to upgrade?

**csa** · 10-17-2015, 08:09 PM

Originally posted by lmd91343

carol,

what version do you have now and why do you want/need to upgrade?

v1.11

From PDL: " go find the person who set it up and beat them with a blunt object for not giving you basic knowledge."

Well, I would be beating myself up, as I'm self taught on the computer, and it shows. I'm running Vista.

**lmd91343** · 10-17-2015, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by csa

v1.11

From PDL: " go find the person who set it up and beat them with a blunt object for not giving you basic knowledge."

Well, I would be beating myself up, as I'm self taught on the computer, and it shows. I'm running Vista.

Unless you are buying one of the new lenses, there is no need to upgrade. If it ain't broke ...

HD PENTAX-DA 18-50mmF4-5.6 DC WR RE, (not full frame)
HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mmF4.5-5.6ED DC AW
HD PENTAX-D FA ★70-200mmF2.8ED DC AW.

PDL · 10-18-2015, 12:12 AM

Originally posted by csa

Well, I would be beating myself up, as I'm self taught on the computer, and it shows. I'm running Vista.

Not a problem. My wife and I have 7 PC's and one of them is running Vista (since 2007). In fact, I used the Vista device to update the firmware on all three of my Pentax cameras, an *isDs, K10D and K20D. I also have several blunt sticks if you want to borrow one.

Once you get the process down for updating firmware, you just get used to it. I for one, always update firmware to the latest version. I have been burned over the years due to out of date firmware on multiple devices.

The Elitist - formerly known as PDL

10-17-2015, 10:31 PM	#44
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,027	Originally posted by csa v1.11 From PDL: " go find the person who set it up and beat them with a blunt object for not giving you basic knowledge." Well, I would be beating myself up, as I'm self taught on the computer, and it shows. I'm running Vista. Unless you are buying one of the new lenses, there is no need to upgrade. If it ain't broke ... HD PENTAX-DA 18-50mmF4-5.6 DC WR RE, (not full frame) HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mmF4.5-5.6ED DC AW HD PENTAX-D FA ★70-200mmF2.8ED DC AW. Last edited by lmd91343; 10-17-2015 at 10:42 PM.

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10-17-2015, 01:35 PM	#31
snpsht Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South Coast, NSW Posts: 286	I have done this and I am also pretty bad at tech stuff. Perhaps the concept of "extract" is the problem....all it means (on an Apple, anyway), is drag and drop (or copy or move) the file you have downloaded to your computer onto the formatted camera memory card you have placed into the computer's card reader slot . No need to open the file or do anything else with it. This stumped me for a while because I kept trying to open and extract....and I got the same sort of messsage you're getting. Then just precisely follow the rest of the instructions re turning on the camera, having a fully charged battery, not interrupting the camera process etc and you'll be fine.

10-17-2015, 02:53 PM	#32
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Thanks for that explanation of "extract" is, in this case! I really appreciate everyone's assistance & patience!

10-17-2015, 03:45 PM	#33
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,251	Originally posted by csa Mark, this is so embarrassing for me; but what exactly do you mean by extracting the .bin file? When I click "extract" in 7-Zip, nothing happens. Do you mean to send this file, as is; to the SD card? You can certainly see why I'm very, very hesitant to upgrade the firmware, when I frankly don't know what I'm doing. Ok what I see here is probably a screen shot of 7 zip with the zip file in the target window. You need to high light the zip file and click extract and let the file extract to the desktop. Then you should have a copy of fwdc220.bin on your desktop. If you can't get the zip file to extract with 7 zip then Google and download TUGzip which is another free zip file archiving software, I use it and its good. BTW, you've never said what firmware version you have now in the K-3. Larry

10-17-2015, 04:00 PM	#34
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	The firmware is only 1.110. Originally posted by Larrymc Ok what I see here is probably a screen shot of 7 zip with the zip file in the target window. You need to high light the zip file and click extract and let the file extract to the desktop. Then you should have a copy of fwdc220.bin on your desktop. That doesn't work. I'll try that other program later, I'm so frustrated right now, working on this to try to figure it out; that I cannot even concentrate.

10-17-2015, 04:41 PM	#35
PDL Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PNW USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,127	You are making this way harder than it needs to be. First - what OS are you using? (where OS = Operating System ==> OSX, or Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8.x, 10) Linux). Do you have a functioning card reader? If the file is a self extracting file - double click on it and the .bin file will magically appear. For a .zip file: If you are on a PC running Windows (any flavor), open file explorer and select the Zip file. Right Click on the file and choose "Extract" or some verbage like that. On Windows systems it will ask where you want the file extracted too - pick your desktop. Put a freshly charged battery in your camera - I mean right off the charger. Insert your SD card into the appropriate slot (I do not have a K3 so please review the threads above) Format the SD card in your camera. Turn off your camera and remove the SD card. Place the SD card into your card reader and insert it into your computer. Using file explorer - copy the .bin file from your desktop to your SD card. You can do this by selecting the .bin file, right clicking and choosing copy. Then select your SD card - it should show up as an additional drive in file explorer. Right click and select "Paste". Now, click on the SD card and you should see the .bin file, no searching required. Using file explorer eject the SD card. (I assume you know how to do this because you have posted over 3,000 times and hopefully you know how to eject a SD card.) Take the SD card out of the reader and insert it into the camera. Turn on the camera while holding down the Menu button. Follow the prompts, don't go tuning off the camera or anything, just sit on your hands and let the machine do its thing. This will not kill you. After the camera is updated. Turn the camera off then back on and format the SD card. If you are using a Mac the process of extracting the file should be similar, I am sure that OSX will extract files from zips. If you are using Linux - go find the person who set it up and beat them with a blunt object for not giving you basic knowledge. The Elitist - formerly known as PDL

10-17-2015, 04:42 PM	#36
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	I found your problem Carol: You are trying to extract the .bin file not the .zip folder. If you go into "Downloads" (not in 7-zip but in the file explorer) right click the "k3_v121.zip" and select "7-zip" then "Extract Here". After the file is done extracting: Next find the file "fwdc220b.bin" in "Downloads" and move it to your "Desktop". Turn on the camera and format the SD card (after copying images to computer). Put the SD card in your computer and move the file "fwdc220b.bin" from "Desktop" to your SD card do not put the file in a folder on the SD card. Make sure camera battery is full. Insert the SD card into slot 1 on your camera. Then (According to Ricoh page (I don't know as I don't have a K-3)): Turn on the camera while holding the Menu button. Move the controller to start then select OK. "Now loading" appears on the camera screen. DO NOT turn the camera off in any circumstance while it is loading. "Complete" will display on the camera screen. You can now turn the camera off and then format the SD card. I was worried about updating the firmware on my K-50. I put it off for almost a year and then I did it, it worked fine and was done in under a minute - nothing to worry about :-) I hope this helps!

10-17-2015, 05:28 PM	#37
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Ok, I got as far as moving the bin file to the desktop; I dragged & dropped the file on the desktop from downloads; is this correct?

10-17-2015, 05:30 PM	#38
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Originally posted by csa Ok, I got as far as moving the bin file to the desktop; I dragged & dropped the file on the desktop from downloads; is this correct? Great that's good! The rest is pretty easy!

10-17-2015, 05:58 PM	#39
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,404	Now, so long as you don't turn off your K-3 when it's busy doing the upgrade, you should be fine!

10-17-2015, 06:08 PM	#40
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	I really appreciate all the help here; it's very frustrating when one doesn't understand things like this. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to finish this, when I'm a little more alert.

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10-17-2015, 06:16 PM	#41
snpsht Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South Coast, NSW Posts: 286	Originally posted by csa Ok, I got as far as moving the bin file to the desktop; I dragged & dropped the file on the desktop from downloads; is this correct? Yep...now drag and drop it onto your formatted camera memory card and follow the instructions from there. Your card will show up as an external drive, just like a USB or other drive does.

10-17-2015, 07:46 PM	#42
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,027	Originally posted by csa Silly question, I'm sure; but I've never done this. How do I update the firmware in my new K3? Carol, What version do you have now and why do you want/need to upgrade?

10-17-2015, 08:09 PM	#43
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by lmd91343 carol, what version do you have now and why do you want/need to upgrade? v1.11 From PDL: " go find the person who set it up and beat them with a blunt object for not giving you basic knowledge." Well, I would be beating myself up, as I'm self taught on the computer, and it shows. I'm running Vista.

10-18-2015, 12:12 AM	#45
PDL Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PNW USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,127	Originally posted by csa Well, I would be beating myself up, as I'm self taught on the computer, and it shows. I'm running Vista. Not a problem. My wife and I have 7 PC's and one of them is running Vista (since 2007). In fact, I used the Vista device to update the firmware on all three of my Pentax cameras, an *isDs, K10D and K20D. I also have several blunt sticks if you want to borrow one. Once you get the process down for updating firmware, you just get used to it. I for one, always update firmware to the latest version. I have been burned over the years due to out of date firmware on multiple devices. The Elitist - formerly known as PDL